On December 11, 2025, Almaty Management University (AlmaU) officially opened the AlmaU AI Lab Center for Artificial Intelligence at the School of Digital Technologies and Economics. The new platform is designed to connect education, science, industry, and entrepreneurship.
The university aims not merely to introduce technologies, but to shape a new approach in which artificial intelligence serves society, the economy, and the development of cities. At AlmaU, this evolves into the concept of «Tolyq AI», derived from the philosophy of Abai’s «Tolyq Adam» – an artificial intelligence model developed under the guidance of ethics, humanity, and social purpose.
«Artificial intelligence is a powerful engine, but not a compass. The direction is still set by humans. We are not afraid that artificial intelligence will replace people. We are afraid of people who work like robots. AlmaU trains creators, not executors», noted AlmaU’s founder and president Assylbek Kozhakhmetov in his opening remarks.
The first task of the new Center is to update education and strengthen the university’s research capacity. AI platforms Oqulabs and Delicatest, developed by Professors Timur Bakibayev and Kuan ysh Abeshev, have already been integrated into AlmaU’s academic programs. These platforms automate the assessment of complex assignments, analyze student behavior to detect dishonesty, and provide objective performance analytics.
The research foundation of the Center has been formed within targeted and grant-funded projects, including programs on technological diversification and digital transformation of the agricultural sector. Through these projects, AlmaU Labs has been equipped with two mini-supercomputers provided by ASUS and ZERDE Business Solutions.
The second key objective is collaboration with the public sector and addressing the needs of the real economy. The first pilot project is being implemented with JSC «Kostanay Minerals». The team developed an AI model for predicting ore moisture levels, which has shown significant economic impact during testing and demonstrated strong potential for production process optimization. AlmaU Labs is also ready to develop solutions for transport, environmental protection, urban safety, and resource management.
«This center has tremendous potential for developing practical solutions for Almaty. Next year, together with AlmaU, we plan to create several successful products to improve the urban environment, with a focus on fostering AI-driven startups», stated Olzhas Zhanabek, Head of the Digitalization Department of the city of Almaty.
The third area of focus is entrepreneurship development. Students from across Kazakhstan will be able to create their own AI products, participate in startup competitions, take part in acceleration programs, access partner data and funding, and implement their solutions in companies and public institutions.
As part of the opening ceremony, AlmaU signed memorandums of cooperation with Almaty HUB, the Almaty City Akimat, Teachers Lab, and Tech People Community. The event also featured a panel discussion on the future of artificial intelligence in education, «AI in Education». Participants discussed the role of ethical AI applications, the digitalization of educational processes, the training of specialists, and the importance of international standards in shaping the future of the education system.
The opening of the AlmaU AI Lab represents a significant step toward advancing the educational, research, public-sector, and entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kazakhstan. This initiative accelerates the country’s digital transformation and contributes to the creation of a new educational landscape aligned with international standards.
Today in Aktobe, Federico Pugliese, General Director of Plenitude Kazakhstan, delivered a guest lecture at the Heriot-Watt University Aktobe Campus of K.Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University. The lecture, titled «Plenitude Kazakhstan’s Experience in Renewable Energy Development», provided students of the Electrical Power Engineering program with a detailed overview of the full operational cycle and technical processes of a wind power plant.
The Badamsha-1 and Badamsha-2 wind power plants, located in the Kargaly and Khromtau districts of Aktobe region, have become one of the main sources of electricity in the region. With a total capacity of 96 megawatts, these facilities are among the first privately financed wind farms in Kazakhstan. Equipped with modern General Electric turbines, the stations produce hundreds of millions of kilowatt-hours of clean, renewable energy each year. Plenitude Kazakhstan, the company implementing these successful projects, has also in operation the 50 MW Shaulder Solar Power Plant in Turkestan region, and has recently inaugurated together with KazMunayGas the 50 MW Solar Power Plant, as the first phase of the Hybrid Power Plant Project in Zhanaozen, Mangystau region.
Students asked questions about the engineering aspects of wind and solar power generation, the company’s approach to local workforce training, and career opportunities in the green economy.
The speaker emphasized the importance of «Electrical and Electronic Engineering» programs offered at the Heriot-Watt University Campus in Kazakhstan, noting that studying in English allows future engineers to become competitive at the international level.
Plenitude Kazakhstan is a subsidiary of Eni, focused on renewable energy and decarbonization. The company launched the first privately financed wind power plants in Kazakhstan and is currently implementing solar and wind projects with a total capacity exceeding 200 MW.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 have been published, with 20 Kazakhstani universities featured – a testament to the rising quality of higher education in the country. New entrants include Shakhmardan Yessenov Caspian University of Technology and Engineering, M.Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University, and Shakarim University of Semey.
For the first time, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University entered the global top 100 for Employer Reputation. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and five others ranked in the top 100 for Faculty-to-Student Ratio, highlighting strong academic support and a personalized learning environment.
In the latest edition of the ranking, Abai University is placed 628th, climbing 43 positions compared to last year (671–680 range). This result places the university among the TOP 650 universities globally, and further strengthens its standing among the TOP five universities in Kazakhstan.
QS experts highlight the importance of advancing scientific research, participating in international academic projects, and creating long-term career opportunities for graduates. According to QS Senior Vice President Ben Sowter, Kazakhstani universities are showing positive momentum across key metrics, underscoring their commitment to reaching international standards.
QS Regional Director Sergey Khristolyubov notes a growing divide between two groups of universities: one-third are successfully implementing strategies to become world-class institutions, while others are struggling to maintain their positions amid rising competition. In this context, academic staff capacity, research engagement, and international collaboration play a critical role.
Kazakhstan now ranks 10th in Asia by number of universities included, following China (72), India (54), and Japan (47).
The Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) Seminar titled «Development of Inclusive Higher Education» took place on June 12-13, 2025, at Astana IT University. The event brought together over 50 participants, including vice-rectors, deans, faculty members, representatives of inclusion centers and PhD students from around 30 universities across Kazakhstan. The seminar was organized by the National Erasmus+ Office in Kazakhstan in collaboration with the Higher Education Reform Experts of Kazakhstan (HERE) and the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan with the support of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.
The event opened with welcoming speeches from Serik Omirbayev, First Vice-Rector of Astana IT University and Chairman of the national HERE team, Johannes Baur, Head of Cooperation Section of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Rysgul Kudretullayeva, Head of Unit of the Content of Higher and Postgraduate Education of the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Leading experts from Croatia – Ninoslav Šćukanec Schmidt and Ana Skledar Matijević from the Institute for the Development of Education – provided deep insight into the EHEA policy frameworks, inclusive education practices, and institutional strategies. Their contributions served as a catalyst for reflection and action among Kazakh higher education institutions. Over two days, participants engaged in interactive discussions with practical group work and working sessions focused on understanding key terms and concepts related to equity, inclusion, and diversity in higher education, identifying challenges and policy gaps in Kazakh and European contexts and exploring successful practices and support mechanisms. The seminar concluded with a forward-looking session summarizing key takeaways and drafting initial action points for institutions and policymakers. Participants also provided feedback and contributed to the development of a national roadmap to strengthen inclusion and equity in higher education. This seminar reflects the continued commitment of Kazakhstan to align with the EHEA priorities and ensure inclusive, accessible, and equitable higher education for all.
Besides, during the seminar, a cooperation agreement was signed between Salymbekov University of Kyrgyzstan whose President, Amangeldi Zhumadilov was one of the participants of the event as the HERE member from Kyrgyzstan and Astana IT university represented by Andrii Biloshchytskyi, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovations. Both sides agreed on a long-term sustainable partnership.
The Republican Strategic Session «Artificial Intelligence in the Training of Language and Archival Specialists» was held at «Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages» JSC with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
G.I.Kobenova – Chairman of the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education, Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.M.Dyusekova – Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Archives, Documentation and Book Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, K.K.Seitova – Head of the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan, S.B.Kenzhebayeva – Head of the Project Management Center, Sh. Shayakhmetov National Scientific and Practical Center «Til-Kazyna», E.B.Absalyamov – Executive Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), Nazarbayev University, as well as more than 80 participants representing national and state-level archives and higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Acting Rector D.A.Kunanbayeva addressed the participants with a welcoming speech, thanking the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the supervising ministries for the opportunity provided to the University to become a discussion platform for solving problems in training specialists in the linguistic and archival profile. D.A.Kunanbayeva also noted that Kazakh Ablai Khan UIR&WL, as one of the leading foreign-language universities in the country, is responsible for training qualified personnel in demand by the Kazakh and global economies.
Overall, the speakers’ presentations focused on the development of AI in archival work, the steps being taken to ensure that electronic archives become not just storage facilities but fully functional intelligent systems for document analysis, the measures required for the large-scale implementation of the applications presented today in the electronic document management system, and ways to ensure the quality translation of regulatory and educational documents into the state and English languages.
Following the results of the Republican Strategic Session, a final document will be presented, outlining the key decisions, development directions, and priority measures on the stated topic.