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On the occasion of the Independence Day of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the School of Arts and Humanities of Astana International University presents a student art exhibition reflecting the creative interpretation of the nation’s historical path, cultural traditions, and contemporary development.

The aim of the exhibition is to highlight the importance of Kazakhstan’s Independence as a foundation for the growth of art, science, and new-generation creativity, as well as to provide a platform for showcasing student talent and fostering professional exchange.

We invite teachers, students, creative professionals, and all art enthusiasts to visit the exhibition and support young artists.

December 11, 2025, at 11:00
Address: 46/1 M. Auezov Street, Astana

Organizer: School of Arts and Humanities

Today, at the Higher School of Arts and Humanities of Astana International University, as part of the "Kazakh Nomadic Civilization" module, Professor Ulan Umitkaliyev, PhD in History, delivered a lecture on "Saka Civilization: An Archaeological Analysis."

During the event, attendees were introduced to the latest scientific research on the Saka era, as well as modern methods for analyzing archaeological sources. In his lecture, the professor covered in detail the social structure of Saka society, its material culture, mythological worldview, and its influence on the formation of the Eurasian cultural space. Particular attention was paid to archaeological discoveries of recent years.

Faculty and students from the Design program at the Higher School of Arts and Humanities participated in the lecture, providing the opportunity to discuss current issues in the study of the history of civilizations and exchange opinions on the materials presented.Throughout the lecture, the scholar presented new scientific perspectives on the social structure of Saka society, burial traditions, stylistic and symbolic features of artifacts, and the interconnectedness of nomadic cultures across the Eurasian steppe. Drawing upon recent archaeological studies, Ulan Umitkaliuly provided concrete evidence supporting the scientific basis of the concept of nomadic civilization and offered a comprehensive explanation of the achievements and current directions of modern Kazakhstani archaeology.

As the professor highlighted, the eight “Golden Man” complexes discovered in various regions of Kazakhstan serve as clear evidence of the high artistic level and complex ideological system of Saka-era culture. He also emphasized that nearly 20,000 burial mounds and settlements from the Early Iron Age in the Kazakh steppe remain insufficiently researched, making this field a significant scientific arena for future young archaeologists.

Every slide presented during the lecture was supported with concrete scientific data based on archaeological materials, radiocarbon analyses, petrographic studies, and comparative cultural research. This new information broadened the academic perspective of students and master’s candidates and further strengthened their interest in research.

On November 25, students of the “TаVT” educational program visited the exhibition at the “Kulanshy Forte” art space dedicated to the work of Abdrashit Sydykhanov. The exhibition, titled “TANBA” (translated as “SIGNS”), reveals the artist’s unique visual language.

Abdrashit Sydykhanov is one of the few artists capable of speaking through symbols while preserving remarkable sincerity and depth. His works breathe with the spirit of the earth, the vastness of the steppe, and a light in which time and distance seem to dissolve. He possessed a rare gift - the ability to see the eternal in the ordinary and to hear the melody of the world hidden within signs and symbols.

The artist often emphasized that true art does not merely depict, but revives. This is exactly the sensation one experiences when standing before his paintings: they open up as a living space, inviting the viewer into dialogue and making them a witness to something far greater than painting alone.

The visit to the exhibition became an important and inspiring experience for the students, allowing them to immerse themselves in the artist’s profound symbolic world and feel the power of art that continues to resonate even beyond the life of its creator.

On November 13 of this year, the HasSanat Gallery in the capital hosted the opening of the exhibition “Eternal Love” by the legendary Kazakh sculptor Vagif Rakhmon and applied arts artist Gulshat Dzhuraeva. As per tradition, faculty members, master’s students, and undergraduate students of the Higher School of Art and Humanities were invited to the vernissage. The official opening ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Azerbaijani diaspora in Astana, renowned Kazakhstani artists, art historians, and guests of the capital.

The exhibition sparked great interest and active discussion among the master’s and bachelor’s students of the “Graphic Design” educational program and their instructors. The analysis of the works of V. Rakhmon and G. Dzhuraeva, carried out in direct interaction with their artistic content, became part of the new academic course “Cultural Context and Artistic Traditions of Contemporary Art of Kazakhstan.” The exhibition also drew notable attention from second-year students as part of their coursework in “Cultural Studies.”

Associate Professor, PhD in Architecture T. A.Kiseleva
Associate Professor, PhD in Philosophy, Art Historian G. N. Povaliashko

From October 22 to 25, the Republican Symposium “ÖzJerim: Urban Nomads” was held at the ÓzgeEpic Creative Hub, organized by the Akimat of Astana and the Union of Artists. The event was attended by 2nd-year students of Graphic Design, WEB Design, Translation Studies, and 1st-year master’s students of Design at Astana International University.

The symposium featured creative sessions, lectures, and workshops by twenty artists from eight regions of Kazakhstan, exploring the themes of urbanism, identity, and environmental transformation.

Students and postgraduates also visited the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where they attended a guided tour of the exhibition by Yerbolat Tolepbay, Honored Artist of Kazakhstan and State Prize Laureate. The tour was led by renowned art historian Kamilla Vitalievna Li, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan.

The symposium concluded with a final exhibition featuring 40 artworks and a large collaborative experimental canvas created by participants.
Additionally, students of WEB Design and Architectural Design independently visited ÓzgeEpic Creative Hub to explore new trends in contemporary Kazakhstani art. Assoc. Prof. T.A. Kiseleva, Docent G.N. Povalyashko

Today, Astana International University hosted an awards ceremony, chaired by University President Serik Aztayevich Irsaliev, timed to coincide with Republic Day, October 25.

In accordance with the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aida Balayeva, Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented departmental awards—the "Best Cultural Worker" badge—to Ella Daumenova, Deputy Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Humanities, and Tatyana Kiseleva, PhD in Architecture and Associate Professor.

Astana International University sincerely congratulates the laureates! Your professionalism and hard work make a significant contribution to the development of culture and education in the country. We wish you continued creative success, academic achievements, new heights, and victories!

The Graduate School of Arts and Humanities at Astana International University hosted the exhibition "Creativity and AI: Student Projects," dedicated to the application of artificial intelligence in educational and creative work.

Opening the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized:

"The development of AI is not just a technological trend, but a necessary condition for strengthening the country's sovereignty, increasing competitiveness, and sustainable economic growth."

AIU shares this strategic agenda and actively integrates modern digital tools into the educational process. The university supports initiatives aimed at developing digital competencies, creative thinking, and innovative approaches to education.

At the exhibition, students presented design projects, visual concepts, digital solutions, and research papers created using AI. The main goal of the exhibition is to demonstrate how modern technologies help unlock creative potential, stimulate research activity, and develop skills in using innovative tools that are becoming an integral part of professional training.

School Dean S.B. Ybyrai noted:

“Today, artificial intelligence is becoming an important part of professional training. We strive to ensure that our students not only keep up with the times but also stay ahead of them, creating projects that will be in demand in the future."

Exhibition curators G.A. Imangalieva and E.T. Daumenova added, "We see that students are not simply mastering new technologies but using them as a tool to realize their ideas and creative potential."

Thus, the exhibition "Creativity and AI: Student Projects" became not only a showcase of student ideas but also a platform for sharing experiences and exploring new forms of interaction between humans and technology. It emphasized the importance of integrating artificial intelligence into education and demonstrated that AIU students are prepared to be leaders in the world of the future.

By the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Zhuldyz Suleimenova has been appointed Minister of Education.

Short Biography
Zhuldyz Suleimenova was born in 1983.

In 2004, she graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University with a bachelor’s degree in History. From 2006 to 2008, she pursued a master’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science. In 2011, she completed her doctoral studies and received a PhD in Cultural Studies.

Zhuldyz Suleimenova began her career in academia, teaching at universities and holding leadership positions in youth policy and education. She worked at the Aktobe Institute, Kazakh National Agrarian University, International Academy of Business, and Kazakh State Women’s Pedagogical University. Since 2012, she has held a number of senior positions at Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools JSC, overseeing educational policy and development. From 2021 to 2023, she served as a Member of the Mazhilis of the VII convocation from the Nur Otan party, and since 2023, she has been a Member of the VIII convocation from the Amanat party.

At AIU
In 2025, Zhuldyz Suleimenova joined the academic community of Astana International University, where she taught the course Philosophy at the Higher School of Arts and Humanities.

Astana International University notes that the appointment of Zhuldyz Suleimenova to a high state position is recognition of her professional and academic achievements and represents an important milestone for the university’s academic community.

On May 24, 2025, Astana International University hosted a guest lecture at the School of Arts and Humanities by PhD Temirlan Tulegenov, an expert in intellectual property law. The session focused on the fundamentals and current challenges of copyright in the creative industries.

Temirlan Tulegenov, a lawyer with 24 years of experience and a lecturer on copyright law, delivered an engaging and accessible talk to students, faculty, and creative professionals. His lecture covered essential principles of copyright and related rights.

🔹 Key topics included:

• the difference between copyright and related rights;

• property vs. moral (non-property) rights;

• licensing mechanisms and the transfer of rights;

• how to properly register and protect creative works;

• legal risks in using third-party content, including open-source materials and online content;

• copyright protection in Kazakhstan;

• the difference between a copyright society and a music publishing company.

Special attention was given to emerging issues such as copyright infringement on the internet, the use of AI, and academic or educational reuse of content.

📍 The event was organized at the initiative of the Creative Industries Alliance of Qazaqstan.

AIU extends its gratitude to Temirlan Tulegenov for the informative and thought-provoking lecture, and thanks all participants for their active engagement and interest in the legal dimensions of creativity.

On April 24-25, 2025, the second stage of the Republican Subject Olympiad in the disciplines of the B031 Fashion and Design educational program group ("Architectural Design" and "Industrial Design") was held at the International Educational Corporation (KazGASA) in Almaty.

Based on the results of the first round of the Olympiad, held on April 1, 2025, at the "Astana International University" LLP, AIU nominated participants from VSHIGN as follows:

• Architectural Design: Adiya Makhambetova, Adema Sugirova (3rd year) and Zhanmerey Rakhymzhan, Dilnaz Yergaliyeva (4th year).
• Industrial Design: Fatima Kuspan, Dinara Tungyshbay (3rd year) and Tomiris Oral (4th year).

The team leaders were Candidate of Architecture T.A. Kiseleva and Senior Lecturer G.A. Imangaliyeva. The creative tasks for the Olympiad were structured as a practical project (blitz project) based on a specific theme. Students worked in a creative and positive atmosphere, demonstrating a high level of compositional and graphic culture.

Our results:

 Adema Sugirova – 2nd Degree Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Supervisor: Associate Professor T.A. Kiseleva)
 Tomiris Oral – 2nd Degree Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Supervisor: Master A.N. Aliyeva)
Dinara Tungyshbay – 2nd Degree Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Supervisor: Master E.T. Daumenova)
 Dilnaz Yergaliyeva – 3rd Degree Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Supervisor: Associate Professor Y.B. Fendt)
Fatima Kuspan – 3rd Degree Diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Supervisor: Master G.A. Imangaliyeva)
Adiya Makhambetova – 1st Degree Diploma from "Vertex Studio" LLP (Supervisor: Associate Professor Y.B. Fendt)
 Zhanmerey Rakhymzhan – 3rd Degree Diploma from "Vertex Studio" LLP (Supervisor: Associate Professor T.A. Kiseleva)

Congratulations to the students! Wishing them continued professional growth and creative success!

On April 17, one of the key events of the II Central Asian Media Forum took place at the campus of the first British university in Astana — Coventry University Kazakhstan 🇬🇧.

The event brought together representatives of international media and high-level speakers. The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek (@sayasatnurbek), delivered a speech on the topic "Kazakhstan – an academic hub."

The program also featured a presentation of Coventry University Kazakhstan, highlighting its contribution to the development of transnational education in the region.

Astana International University was represented by 20 third-year students of the Translation Studies program, who had a valuable opportunity to explore current trends in international journalism and media communications, practice their translation skills in a professional context, and broaden their understanding of the media-education relationship.

We thank the organizers for the invitation and for the opportunity for our students to be part of such a meaningful event!

As part of the events dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an open lecture titled "Alash Lawyers" was held at Astana International University on March 17, 2025. The speaker of the event was a member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan and an honored lawyer of the country, Kuspan Abzal Temirgalievich. The lecture was attended by students of the "History" and "International Relations" programs, as well as university faculty members.

The speaker's presentation provided participants with a deeper understanding of the formation of the national legal system. Kuspan Abzal Temirgalievich spoke about the role of the lawyers of the Alash movement in shaping Kazakhstan's independence, their bold reforms, commitment to justice, and unwavering defense of national interests. He also discussed the development of parliamentarism, key legislative transformations, and contemporary challenges facing the system of governance.

The lecture sparked great interest among students. Future historians and international relations specialists actively asked questions about the influence of Alash lawyers on modern law, mechanisms for legislative reform, and the prospects for Kazakhstan's legal development. At the end of the event, AIU Vice President Kairat Amangeldinovich Abdrakhmanov expressed his gratitude to Kuspan Abzal Temirgalievich for his insightful and engaging lecture, emphasizing the importance of such meetings in helping young people develop a profound understanding of historical and legal processes that shape the country's development.

The event took place in a warm and educational atmosphere, allowing students to gain a fresh perspective on Kazakhstan's legal history. Astana International University expresses its gratitude to the speaker for his fascinating lecture and meaningful dialogue with students, as well as to all participants for their active involvement in discussing key aspects of history and law.