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Astana International University hosted an exhibition and masterclass by the renowned Iranian calligrapher Mohsen Ebrahimi. The event was organized by the School of Arts and Humanities at AIU and brought together students from the "Design" and "Art and Visual Education" programs, as well as all those interested in the art of calligraphy.

With over 20 years of experience, Mohsen Ebrahimi has conducted personal exhibitions and masterclasses across the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and the Far East. During the session, he shared insights into Persian calligraphy traditions, demonstrated writing techniques, and answered students’ questions.

A special highlight of the event was a lottery, where five lucky students received personalized calligraphic artworks featuring their names, written by the master himself on the spot.

This event provided an invaluable experience for future artists and designers, offering them a deeper understanding of calligraphy, its history, and artistic techniques.

At the Digital Almaty Forum, the President of Astana International University, Serik Irsaliyev, shared the role of the university in advancing new technologies and innovations, as well as AIU’s plans in the space sector and support for startups.

Serik Irsaliyev emphasized that AIU, one of the youngest universities in Kazakhstan, is celebrating its 7th anniversary this year. The university aims to remain open to innovation and support the initiatives of young people. One example of this approach is the university's business incubator, which has been operating for 4 years and helps startup founders develop their projects. AIU students and alumni actively participate in the KazInnovation grant competition, which confirms the high level of entrepreneurial activity at the university.

The President also highlighted the importance of creating an innovative and technological ecosystem at AIU, stating, "We don’t just educate; we aim to be a center for research and technological progress." In this regard, the university has partnered with leading companies like Altair Engineering, specializing in software development for the space industry.

Serik Irsaliyev shared AIU’s ambitious plans, including launching the first university satellite by the end of this year and creating a satellite constellation of 48 satellites by 2030, allowing round-the-clock monitoring of various Earth processes. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with other universities and the private sector for the successful implementation of these projects.

"Commercialization of knowledge and support for energetic young people ready to change the world is the solution when systems do not work perfectly," he remarked, highlighting the role of private investors and startups in technological development.

Additionally, the university actively supports master’s students with their own startup ideas, offering grants for tuition for those who can justify and develop their projects.

Astana International University continues to work for the benefit of students and society, providing unique opportunities for realizing the most ambitious ideas and projects.

The Vice President of Astana International University, Abdrakhmanov Kairat, and the Head of the "Industry 4.0" R&D Center, Baiturin Alibi, gave an interview to 24.kz. During the conversation, they discussed the key areas of the new Center’s work, the preparation of future engineers, and shared insights on how the Digital Almaty 2025 forum went.

Abdrakhmanov and Bayturin emphasized that AIU is actively working on training specialists for high-tech industries, such as artificial intelligence, space technologies, and sustainable development. They shared how the university collaborates with global leaders in the field of technology and offers students unique opportunities for practical training and internships.

Additionally, the interview touched on the impact of Digital Almaty 2025 on the development of the region's technological ecosystem. Leading experts, including AIU representatives, shared their experiences and knowledge, explaining how they are helping Kazakhstan progress toward digital transformation and an innovative future.

At the Digital Almaty 2025 forum, AIU President Serik Irsaliev and Chairman of the Board of JSC "SP Baiterek" Aydyn Aimbetov discussed AIU's participation in the "Baiterek" space program.

AIU proposed collaboration within the project, including the possibility of launching its picosatellite during the test flight of the Soyuz-5 launch vehicle, scheduled for late 2025. The initiative was supported, allowing the university to contribute to the development of national space technologies.

Currently, AIU's R&D center is exploring the possibility of developing a picosatellite and preparing to work in this direction.

On January 31, 2025, at the international Digital Almaty 2025 forum, the President of Astana International University, Serik Aztaevich Irsaliev, announced the launch of grants for free master's programs for the authors of innovative projects in the fields of space and high technologies. These grants provide students and startups with unique opportunities to develop in areas such as artificial intelligence, space technologies, and sustainable development.

"We are ready to support talented scientists and startups by offering unlimited grants for master's programs and access to advanced laboratories to implement ambitious projects," said the President of AIU.

In addition, the Digital Almaty 2025 forum served as a perfect platform to present the new "Industry 4.0" Center. This center will become a key site for the development of future technologies in Kazakhstan, already working on innovations such as digital twins, AI, and nanosatellites. It also creates opportunities for startups, providing acceleration programs and grants.

The Digital Almaty 2025 forum was filled with an atmosphere of progress and innovation, gathering leading experts, scientists, and entrepreneurs from around the world. Participants actively discussed the future of technology, with AIU playing an important role in these discussions. The presentations, engaging debates, and rich program left a lasting impression, highlighting the university’s contribution to the digital transformation of Kazakhstan.

AIU continues to contribute to the development of technologies and science in the country, creating a space for the realization of the boldest ideas and projects.

🌏As part of expanding international cooperation, Astana International University on January 30th hosted the Regional Attaché for Educational Cooperation of the French Embassy in Kazakhstan Xavier Le Torivel and the delegation of Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France (UPHF).

📎In his welcoming speech, Xavier Le Torivel expressed his joy over the beginning of the cooperation and confidence in its further successful development. The dialogue focused on discussing the prospects of academic cooperation and the formation of new formats of interaction between the universities.

The delegation of UPHF included:

🔹 Prof. Schwerter – Professor, co-director of the master’s program in translation studies, responsible for international relations in the academic block "Languages, Literature, and Arts"

🔹 Cécile Garçon – Coordinator of international cooperation projects

🔸Kairat Amangeldinovich, Vice President of AIU for International Cooperation and Student Affairs, presented the university, its achievements, and prospects to the guests. In turn, representatives of the French university spoke about UPHF, its educational programs, and academic exchange opportunities.

Main topics of discussion:

✅ Opportunities for academic mobility – prospects for sending AIU students to study in France from the second to the third year. ✅ Priority areas of exchange programs: information technology, history, translation studies, and linguistics ✅ Cooperation formats, including dual degree programs and faculty exchanges ✅ Language preparation for students, with a focus on English-language educational programs

🎪The guests also visited the AIU museum, where the dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences presented exhibits and spoke about their significance.

✅As a result of the discussions, mutual understanding was reached about the further development of cooperation, with the prospect of preparing a Memorandum.

🔺The meeting became an important step in strengthening academic ties between Kazakhstan and France, opening up new educational opportunities for AIU students and faculty.

In collaboration with the Cultural Representation of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the School of Arts and Humanities of Astana International University, we are organizing an exhibition of works and a masterclass by renowned calligraphy artist Mohsen Ebrahimi, dedicated to the National Day of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

During the event, students and faculty members will have the opportunity to explore the master’s most valuable works up close. At the scheduled time, attendees will be able to meet the calligraphy artist, learn the fundamentals of calligraphy, become familiar with the necessary tools, and try their hand at calligraphic writing.

We invite you to ask questions about calligraphy and discover new fascinating insights!

🎯 The goal of the workshop is to introduce Kazakh audiences to Iranian culture, strengthen cultural ties between the two countries, and foster an appreciation for Persian calligraphy and craftsmanship.

📅 Date & Time: February 3, 2025, at 11:00 AM
📍 Venue: 46/1 M. Auezov Street, Building 4, Room 504

We are proud to announce that second-year student Kassymov Abdulfattah Bakhtybaevich has won 1st place in the international "SUPER STAR Fest" competition in the "Classical Instruments: Piano" category.

This outstanding achievement was made possible by his talent, determination, and hard work, as well as the support and professionalism of his mentor, Bazarova Ayagoz Umertayevna.

We sincerely take pride in our students' accomplishments! Kassymov Abdulfattah has set an inspiring example for his peers through his perseverance and passion for music. During the competition, he demonstrated an exceptional level of mastery, reaffirming the high quality of musical education offered by our university.

We are confident that Abdulfattah has many new horizons, victories, and bright moments ahead! May his journey be filled with inspiration, creativity, and musical discoveries.

Music unites people, and we look forward with confidence to a future filled with success and achievements for our students!

Congratulations, and best wishes for continued success!

On January 25, 2025, the Forum of the National Congress of Historians of Kazakhstan was held in Astana. The event was attended by the State Advisor, Yerlan Karin. The gathering brought together 300 representatives of the country's scientific community, including research historians, university professors, public figures, and media representatives.

During the plenary session and seven working sections of the forum, participants discussed the analysis, systematization, and introduction of new data in archaeology, ethnography, ethnology, and historical geography into academic circulation. The forum also reviewed the results of research conducted by Kazakhstani scholars in foreign archives, museums, and library collections.

One of the key topics of the meeting was the discussion of progress in preparing the new academic publication "The History of Kazakhstan: From Antiquity to Modern Times." The project involves five research institutes and more than 250 scholars from across the country.

Representatives from the Astana International University were invited to participate in the forum, including Associate Professor, Candidate of Historical Sciences Gulmira Kabylanovna Asanova; Candidate of Historical Sciences Kundyzai Myrzashkyzy Yerimbetova; Senior Lecturer, PhD Adiet Kairken Baltagulovich; and Senior Lecturer Meruert Doktyrkhanovna Tlebaldiyeva. Candidate of Historical Sciences, PhD, and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Humanities and Natural Sciences, Gulmira Kabylankyzy Asanova, is the author of one of the chapters in Volume 7 (covering the independence period) of the new academic publication "The History of Kazakhstan from Ancient Times to the Present."

Participants delivered speeches praising the preparation of the multi-volume academic work dedicated to the history of Kazakhstan. They also emphasized the need to expand research on archaeological and historical-cultural monuments, develop archival studies and regional research, and improve textbooks and teaching methods in history.

The professional development course "Artificial Intelligence in Education" for the faculty of the Pedagogical Institute of the International University of Astana, held from January 8 to January 18, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, became an important step in mastering AI technologies.

The course program included the study of key aspects and practical approaches to applying AI technologies in education, as well as the analysis of relevant scientific and methodological literature. During the course, the following topics were covered:

·                     AI regulation issues – normative aspects and the concept of AI development in Kazakhstan and the world.

·                     UNESCO documents – recommendations on the use of AI in education.

·                     Methodological recommendations from the Academy of Education named after Y. Altynsarin – the Kazakhstani experience in integrating AI into educational practice.

·                     Scientific and methodological literature and international publications – analytical reports, research, and publications on AI in education.

·                     Neural networks – their basics and applications in education.

·                     AI-supported online services – tools for gamification and implementing a project-based approach in teaching.

·                     Basics of machine learning – practical work in the Orange Data Mining environment for data analysis and model building.

Survey results highlight the course's significance for professional activities. Almost 70% of the 60 faculty members who completed the "Artificial Intelligence in Education" course rated it as very useful for their work, while 27% found it useful. The course's organization also received attention: more than half of the participants noted that everything was excellently organized, and only 7% mentioned minor shortcomings in the organization.

The lectures were highly rated, with most participants describing them as very substantive and informative. The participants actively worked with AI-supported online services and mastered the basics of machine learning in the Orange Data Mining analytical environment. This demonstrates that the course provided not only theoretical knowledge but also practical tools that can be immediately applied in educational practice. Survey results show that 92.5% of participants assessed the tools studied as applicable in their teaching activities. Notably, almost 70% of participants acknowledged that the course significantly improved their knowledge and skills in the field of AI.

The survey results speak for themselves — 85% of participants are ready to recommend this course to their colleagues. The course was developed by the faculty of the Informatics program: Ph.D. in Pedagogy S.K. Damekova, senior lecturers Zh.L. Myrzayeva and P.N. Abilova.

We express our sincere gratitude to the university administration for their comprehensive support in implementing the "Artificial Intelligence in Education" course and are proud that our university is a leader in advancing educational innovations.

On January 23, 2025, at 4:00 PM, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources under the chairmanship of the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources. The event was attended by representatives from the Zoology Institute, the Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK), Astana International University, and independent experts.

The meeting addressed issues related to the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of the saiga population. Participants reviewed proposals from leading experts, advanced international practices, scientific research developments, and analytical reports from law enforcement agencies on combating illegal poaching.

Professor Murat Nurushev from the School of Natural Sciences presented a comprehensive report titled “Sustainable Development of the Kazakh Saiga Population: Current and Future Prospects” and proposed several measures to address the issue. The meeting was conducted at a high constructive level.