The vice chancellor of the University of Exeter is accompanying the Prime Minister on his trip to Kazakhstan.
Professor Steve Smith left the UK yesterday to join David Cameron and a delegation of business leaders on the two day trip.
He is representing Camborne School of Mines, which is part of the university, based at the Tremough campus in Penryn.
The delegation will be promoting the UK's expertise in energy and mining sectors.
They will attend events hosted by Lord Green, minister of state for trade and investment involving more than 100 Kazakh companies.
Mr Smith is particularly focussing on creating local partnerships, developing skills and education and training to support the country's industrial development.
He said: "We are extremely proud of the world class expertise we have at the Camborne School f Mines and think these skills could be of real use to the future engineers and geologists of Kazakhstan.
"We also have excellent research capability which is already undertaking work in the region, this is another area where further collaboration between us could produce significant breakthroughs."
The university attracts a number of Kazakh students each year, who predominantly study at the Business School or take the masters course in public administration.
"We would like to welcome more students and encourage them to come to our world famous mining school as well," added Mr Smith.
Kazakhstan has vast mineral resources and is one of the 20 largest oil producers in the world.
