I received my PhD degree in “International Studies” at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in 2015, after obtaining BA and MA degrees in Kazakhstan. I also studied as an exchange student at the University of Lapland (Finland), University of Oslo (Norway) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea).

Dr. Rigina Syssoyeva Rigina Syssoyeva, 30, from Astana (Kazakhstan), received her PhD degree in “International Studies” at the University of the Basque Country (Spain) in 2015, after obtaining her BA and MA degrees in “International Relations” at the L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan) and studying as an exchange student at the University of Lapland (Finland) and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (South Korea). She currently works at the international department of the National Space Centre in Astana. Her research interests include theories of regional integration, development of the Eurasian Economic Union, international cooperation in the post-Soviet area, internal politics of members of the Commonwealth of Independent States, cooperation in the Arctic region and conflict in Afghanistan. Rigina speaks Russian, English and Spanish languages. Dr. Syssoyeva’s PhD thesis “Eurasian integration as a way to respond to global challenges” is available at