The Ministry of Higher Education of Malaysia has included Kazakhstan’s Unified National Testing (UNT) certificate among the admission requirements for undergraduate programmes at Malaysian universities.
As higher education in Malaysia is conducted in English, applicants are also required to demonstrate their English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent internationally recognized certificates. Malaysian universities independently determine their admission requirements and minimum UNT passing scores, as well as establish additional admission conditions, including internal assessment criteria, interviews, portfolios, or preparatory foundation programmes. Applicants are therefore advised to clarify the specific requirements of their chosen university and academic programme in advance, as the final admission decision is made directly by the respective institution.
The recognition of UNT confirms that Kazakhstan’s academic assessment system meets international standards and significantly simplifies the admission process for Kazakhstani students by allowing them to apply to Malaysian universities without the need to complete a Foundation programme.
On May 19-20, an international symposium titled “The Golden Horde as a Model of Steppe Civilization: History, Archaeology, Culture, and Identity” was held at the Palace of Independence in Astana with the participation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The Golden Horde occupies a special place in the history of Kazakhstan as the historical predecessor of the Kazakh Khanate and a state that played a key role in the formation of the Kazakh nation. It was during the Golden Horde period that the Turkic-Muslim civilizational space took shape, alongside the development of statehood, trade, culture, and diplomacy.
The President of Kazakhstan has repeatedly emphasized the importance of preserving historical memory and reexamining the nation’s history in depth. The symbolism and traditions of the Golden Horde continue to be reflected in modern Kazakh statehood. In particular, the name of the presidential residence, “Ak Orda,” is historically linked to the headquarters of the rulers of the Ulus of Jochi, while the name of the national currency, the “tenge,” originates from the monetary circulation of the Golden Horde era.
Speaking at the symposium, the Head of State shared several noteworthy observations.
“No historian doubts that the Golden Horde was a powerful empire that freely extended across the vast expanses of Eurasia and ruled over the territory of the Great Steppe. This is a universally recognized historical fact,” the President stated at the international symposium dedicated to the history of the Golden Horde.
According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the Golden Horde became a political entity that connected East and West, and its history naturally remains the subject of extensive fundamental research.
The President noted that, unlike many states of that era, the Golden Horde demonstrated a principle of strategic openness in its development, which was reflected even in the design of its cities.
“At the height of its prosperity, the cities of the empire were not enclosed behind fortress walls but developed as centers of intensive trade and high human mobility. This experience convincingly refutes the myth of an eternal conflict between the steppe and the city. On the contrary, it was precisely their interaction that created one of the most flexible models of medieval statehood.”
The President stressed that the topic of the Golden Horde remains highly relevant and is of particular importance both for Kazakhstan’s national history and for global historical scholarship. In this regard, Kazakhstan intends to continue the systematic and comprehensive study of this period in cooperation with the international academic community.
“It is important that this symposium has brought together various research schools specializing in the history of the Golden Horde and the Great Steppe. It is only fair to acknowledge the role of Russian scholars, who for many years have been productively studying this vast subject and have created a substantial body of academic work providing extensive knowledge about the Golden Horde. At the same time, the topic has gone beyond the boundaries of a single state and attracted the attention of researchers from China, Mongolia, the United States, India, Pakistan, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, and a number of European countries. One could say that interest in this subject is steadily spreading across the globe,” the President said.
The Head of State also expressed special gratitude to UNESCO for supporting Kazakhstan’s initiative to hold the symposium.
The main objective of the Decree is to ensure the sustainable development of the Republic of Kazakhstan amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, as well as to create conditions for the development of a modern and innovative education system as a key component of human capital.
In accordance with the Decree, by 1 July 2026, the Government will approve a Comprehensive Action Plan for 2026–2029 aimed at the broad integration of artificial intelligence into the secondary education system. The plan will include measures to establish mechanisms for personalised learning, develop digital infrastructure, train teaching staff, and ensure the protection of students’ personal data.
The Decree provides for the practical implementation of recommendations made by Lee Kai-Fu, a member of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence. It also instructs the Government to submit, by 1 June 2026, specific proposals for the implementation of a pilot project in secondary education, with subsequent scaling.
These innovations are aimed at reducing the gap in the quality of education between urban and rural schools.
By 1 August 2026, as part of the pilot project, schools are expected to be equipped with the necessary technical infrastructure, including stable high-speed internet access.
By 1 September 2026, standards for the use of artificial intelligence in the secondary education system will be approved.
Also by 1 September 2026, a plan of measures will be adopted to ensure continuous professional development and the use of artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process as an additional effective tool, without undermining or replacing the professional role of teachers.
The text of the Decree will be published in the press.
The Quryltai of Asian Kazakhs will be held in Tokyo, Japan, on May 28, 2026.
The event is organized at the initiative of the Association of Kazakhs in Japan, with the support of the «Otandastar Qory" NJSC and the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Japan.
The purpose of the Kurultai is to systematize cooperation among representatives of the Kazakh diaspora in Asian countries, consolidate their potential, and establish sustainable institutional ties with Kazakhstan.
The main item on the agenda is the establishment of the “Council of Kazakh Communities in Asian Countries” which is expected to elevate cooperation among Kazakh communities in the region to a new qualitative level.
Event Program:
Venue: Minato City Center Libra, Tokyo, Japan.
Date: May 28, 2026.
Official registration is required to participate in the event.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/8mTBPcvRFLY6gng37
For additional questions: +7 (700) 671 90 33, +7 (705) 664 72 11
Damu Entrepreneurship Development Fund JSC invites international partners, financial institutions, and the business community to participate in the 9th Annual Exhibition of Kazakhstan’s Manufacturers - ULTTYQ ÓNIM 2026, which will take place on May 22–24, 2026 in Astana at the International Exhibition Center EXPO.
ULTTYQ ÓNIM is a key national platform bringing together around 600 Kazakhstani producers, creating opportunities for business growth and international cooperation.
At the exhibition:
The business program includes a Business Forum with the participation of representatives of international organizations, financial institutions, and banks.
We would be pleased to welcome international organizations, financial institutions, and companies interested in cooperation with Kazakhstan.
Registration link: https://forms.gle/VJx27SDa3aLXu4aD6
DAMU Fund - our support, your growth.
For participation inquiries:
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev welcomes the achievement of an agreement on a full ceasefire and truce in the Middle East, reached with the mediation of Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir.
This agreement became possible due to the goodwill and wisdom of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the senior leadership of Iran, as well as all countries involved in the military conflict.
President Tokayev expressed hope that the truce agreement will be long-lasting and will contribute to the development of global trade and the economic prosperity of all nations.
Astana will once again take center stage in the global esports scene. The city will host the international tournament PGL Astana 2026. Sixteen of the world’s best teams will compete in Counter-Strike 2, turning the city into an arena watched by millions of viewers, according to the official website of the capital’s akimat.
The tournament will take place from May 15 to 17 at Barys Arena, featuring 16 top-tier teams.
The 2025 edition of the tournament was a major success: online viewership reached record highs, and international audiences showed strong interest. As a result, Astana strengthened its position as one of the emerging centers of global esports. Hosting the tournament again in 2026 is a natural continuation of this achievement.
The tournament is organized by PGL Esports SRL, one of the world’s leading esports event operators.
In 2026, the prize pool has been increased to $1.6 million, making it one of the highest-paying Counter-Strike 2 tournaments outside of the Majors (a premier series of esports events).
The Center offers opportunities for scientific research, educational programs, startup initiatives, and the development of applied solutions in the field of artificial intelligence. The projects being implemented are aimed at integrating AI technologies into the public sector, business, and everyday life.
Overall, the Center’s activities are intended to support the implementation of the Head of State’s strategic course toward building a technologically advanced, modern, and competitive Kazakhstan.
During the visit, the Head of State launched the Astana Smart City project – a key initiative focused on creating next-generation intelligent urban infrastructure. As part of the presentation, the CEO of Presight, Thomas Pramotedham, demonstrated a unified AI platform that integrates city data and systems in real time, as well as its practical applications for improving governance efficiency.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also took part in the launch of several educational initiatives. On the President’s instructions, the Tomorrow School of artificial intelligence was established in 2024 at the Astana Hub, and its successful model is now being scaled nationwide. Via a teleconference, the Head of State launched a network of Tomorrow School branches across 14 regions. Education will be free of charge and accessible to citizens aged 18 and above, including those taking their first steps in the field of information technology.
Another educational platform – the TUMO Astana Center for Creative Technologies – is aimed at teenagers aged 12 to 18 who wish to develop digital and creative skills. Training is provided across 11 technical and creative areas, including generative AI, programming, game development, animation, 3D modeling, robotics, filmmaking, and digital music.
The President was also presented with the concept of an AI Research University. According to Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, the university will be based at Alem.ai. Students will have access to the national AI infrastructure, including alem.cloud, AlemLLM, and the resources of Astana Hub. The start of academic programs is scheduled for September 1, 2026.
In an interactive format, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also launched the countdown to the international tournament “Games of the Future 2026.” This unique phygital competition will take place in Astana from July 29 to August 9. The Head of State was also presented with Kazakhstan’s first cryptocurrency payment conducted using the domestic system CryptoPay.
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Malaysia, with the support of the Honorary Consul of Kazakhstan in Penang, Dato Seri Louis Ng, organized a large-scale cultural event in Kuala Lumpur dedicated to the celebration of Nauryz.
The event brought together more than 200 guests, including representatives of the Kazakh diaspora, Kazakhstan students, Malaysian government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, as well as the Ambassadors of Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to Malaysia.
Opening the event, the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Malaysia, Bulat Sugurbayev, highlighted the significance of Nauryz as a symbol of renewal, peace, harmony and unity. He also noted that the celebration reflects Kazakhstan’s deep cultural traditions and makes an important contribution to strengthening cultural dialogue between nations.
Guests enjoyed a rich cultural programme featuring traditional Kazakh songs and dances, musical performances on the dombra and kobyz, national games such as “Arkan Tartu”, “Asyk Atu” and arm wrestling, as well as the sacred Kazakh ceremony of “Tusau Kesu”.
As part of the event, guests had the opportunity to taste traditional Kazakh cuisine, including Nauryz kozhe - the main festive dish symbolizing abundance and prosperity. Special interest was also drawn to the live preparation of plov during the event, which became a vibrant part of the celebration and allowed guests to witness the cooking process of one of Central Asia’s most popular dishes.
The celebration of Nauryz in Kuala Lumpur became a vivid reflection of the richness of Kazakh culture, the strengthening of friendship between peoples, and the promotion of mutual understanding and intercultural respect.
15 April 2026, Kuala Lumpur.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Malaysia, H.E. Mr. Bulat Sugurbayev, visited the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers and held a meeting with its President, Mr. Jacob Lee
Chor Kok, to discuss the growing economic cooperation between the two countries
and practical steps for its further development. The parties noted with satisfaction the increasing interest of Malaysian manufacturers in Kazakhstan as a promising destination for production localisation
and as a gateway to the markets of Central Asia, the Eurasian Economic Union and
Europe.
The discussion also covered prospects for enhancing Kazakhstan’s role for
Malaysia and ASEAN as a major regional hub, taking into account the existing
investment support instruments in Kazakhstan, as well as ongoing initiatives aimed
at strengthening cooperation in the transport and logistics sector.
Ambassador Sugurbayev placed particular emphasis on the prospects for
cooperation in the railway sector, where the national companies of both countries
have reached a level of readiness for sustained engagement. The sides also
discussed the establishment of a Malaysia Trade House at the Khorgos
International Centre for Boundary Cooperation. These areas are expected to serve
as effective mechanisms for linking the two economies and for developing new
trade routes for Malaysia and ASEAN through Kazakhstan’s logistics capabilities,
including the Trans-Caspian International Transport Corridor.
Mr. Lee underscored the particular importance of further expanding
economic partnership with Kazakhstan. Special attention was given to promising
areas of cooperation, including agro-processing, industrial manufacturing and
energy.
The Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers is one of the largest industrial
associations in Malaysia, comprising over 3,000 enterprises and playing a
significant role in the national economy.