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On May 23, 2024, a meeting took place between the President of Astana International University, Serik Irsaliev, and the head of the Earth Fund “Sustainable Development,” Alan Besen, organised be School of Natural Sciences. Besen stated that one of the foundation’s priorities is environmental care and the implementation of environmental protection measures.

During the meeting, cooperation on projects in the field of decarbonization and involving students in events for local area development and landscaping were discussed. The parties agreed on the participation of university students in the International Forest Volunteer School and the involvement of teaching staff in a round table discussion on carbon neutrality in Pavlodar in June of the same year.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the parties. Serik Irsaliyev emphasized that collaboration with NGOs plays a crucial role in the university’s strategy, and significant progress toward sustainable development goals can only be achieved through coordinated interaction between universities, the industrial sector, and NGOs.

The Research Institute of the New Eurasian Land-Sea Transport Corridor at the International University of Astana, together with the International Alliance of Chinese Freight Forwarders and the Union of Transporters of Kazakhstan “KazLogistics”, jointly held a B2B meeting of transport and logistics companies of Kazakhstan and China on May 17.

The Chinese delegation was led by Sheng Xin, Vice President of the Ocean University and Director of the Research Institute of the New Asia-Europe Land-Sea Transport Corridor.

Kazakhstan-China relations have demonstrated continuous growth dynamics for over 30 years. The transportation and logistics direction is becoming increasingly important. Kazakhstan's geographical location provides our country with great opportunities. China, in turn, implementing the Belt and Road Initiative, is interested in a reliable partner.

Currently, favorable opportunities are emerging for the implementation of joint projects in the field of transportation and logistics. More than 90 companies from both countries participated in the event. The head of the Chinese delegation was Lin Beizhan, President of the Lianyungang Belt and Road Development and Research Association and Secretary-General of the International Alliance of Freight Railway Expresses.

The main objectives of the visit were to discuss joint projects for the development of transportation routes, strengthen partnership relations between Kazakhstani and Chinese transport and logistics companies, explore opportunities for mutual investments, exchange experiences in logistics and transportation management, and conclude agreements.

The event proved to be a significant milestone towards the creation of an efficient and modern transportation and logistics system linking our countries and promoting the development of international trade.

As a result of the event, the parties reached a common understanding about the necessity of holding B2B meetings of transport and logistics companies on an annual basis. It was also decided to organize a visit of a delegation of Kazakhstani transport and logistics companies to China in the fall of this year.

On May 17, the ecoclub “Clean & Green” of Astana International University participated in the tree planting event “Aua Fest” as part of the “National Forest Planting Days,” organized by the Earth Fund with the support of the Center for Urban Environment Sustainability. A total of 100 trees (pine, birch, and rowan) with nameplates were planted. Now, our students and active citizens have their own personalized trees, which they can care for and watch grow while walking around the Khan Shatyr center. Astana International University, aware of its social responsibility to citizens, contributes to the greening of the capital and encourages other activists to join such events. Together, we are a force!

As part of the implementation of the scientific project AP19676100 "Development and Testing of Employment Methodology for Socially Vulnerable Groups," a group of scientists from Astana International University made a business visit to Stockholm, Sweden. During the visit, the project leader S.T. Okutayeva and working group member D. Kabdykesheva visited major Swedish organizations involved in the employment of persons with disabilities. 

Samhall is a Swedish state-owned corporation with more than 25,000 employees in cities across Sweden. The company's mission is to create meaningful and developmental workplaces for people with functional variability. 

Misa, founded in 1994, is a social enterprise with 12 branches in Stockholm and 4 in other regions of Sweden. Misa's goal is to organize internships for people with disabilities, as well as to integrate them into social life and ensure their participation in community life "like everyone else."

The acquired international experience will be applied in developing the methodology for employing socially vulnerable groups in Kazakhstan and will be reflected in the scientific works of the project.

From the 16th to the 17th of May at the Faculty of Biology and Geography of Karaganda Research University, named after Academician E.A. Buketova, a Republican subject Olympiad was held among university students across the country in the educational programme “6B05101 Biology”. Two teams from Astana International University participated in the Olympiad.

💠 The Olympics comprised 4 stages: 1st round - testing; Round 2 - introduction; 3rd round - defense of the project; Round 4 - solving practical tasks (in the sections of general biology, zoology, botany, and evolutionary biology).

 In the group competition, the “Bioinfluencers” team of Astana International University (3rd year students of the EP “6B05101 Biology” - Gilazheden Shynar, Nasredin Aldina) secured 3rd place, with the first and second places taken by national universities. The “Darwinian Divas” team (3rd year students of OP 6B05101 Biology - Anna Maller, Aruzhan Saylaubekova) was awarded a certificate for active participation. We sincerely congratulate the leaders of the group, Ph.D. Adamzhanova Zhanna Arintaevna and Ph.D. Zhumagul Moldir Zhakypzhanovna, and the prize-winners! Go AIU!!! 🏅🔬

From November 2023 to May 2024, the training “Improving the Unified National Testing Assessment System” was conducted, organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan with The World Bank. 2nd year doctoral student of the Higher School of Law Saulet Kozhakhmetova took part in the implementation of this project.

The training on the implementation of a large project was conducted online and offline for 180 hours, where 350 people, specialists in Unified National Testing subjects, took part from all regions of Kazakhstan.

The purpose of the training is to train developers, testing experts and National Testing Center specialists for the effective development and examination of tasks in accordance with international practice and ensure the further implementation of the UNT.

Within the framework of the project, four stages were carried out, each was educational in its own way; specialists at each of them were trained in the preparation and examination of test items, and mastering testology methods. For the successful implementation of the project, the Training was conducted by international and domestic experts and evaluators (Emily Jones, Ivane Mindadze, David Gabelaya, Katherine Parks, etc.).

The most difficult and very interesting was the last stage, which was devoted to the application of skills in using psychometric data to assess the effectiveness of test tasks, identify problems and suggestions for their improvement. Based on the materials studied, and during the training, each specialist improved his qualifications in testology, gaining new knowledge in this area.

This training provides an opportunity for each participant not only to improve professional skills in the field of testology, but also, in general, to introduce innovative methods into the educational process, in particular for conducting UNT to increase its effectiveness.

To summarize the implementation of this project, an Open Seminar was held on May 14, 2024. It was attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Sayasat Nurbek, vice-ministers, the director of the education department of Ginger-SOFRECO, Mr. Hugues Temple-Boyer, the project director and chief assessment specialist, Ms. Jenny Hsieh, the director of the National Testing Center Mr. Bolatbek Abdrasilov, and others.

At the end of the Seminar, certificates of international level were awarded, one of the owners of which was a 2nd year doctoral student at the Higher School of Law Saulet Kozhakhmetova.

2nd year doctoral student at the Higher School of Law Saulet Kozhakhmetova completed a scientific internship from April 11 to May 11, 2024 at the University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Republic of Poland.

The purpose of the scientific internship is to familiarize yourself with innovative technologies and new types of scientific results.

University of Warsaw (Polish: Uniwersytet Warszawski) - founded in 1816, is the best higher education institution in Poland, included in the top 3% of universities in the world. According to data for 2023, more than 40 thousand students have access to 100 or more educational programs in the field of humanities, social and natural sciences. Students study more than 35 different languages of the world. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, the University of Warsaw is ranked 262nd.

Scientific internship by Kozhakhmetova S. took place at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations of the University of Warsaw. This faculty was founded in 1975. Training at the faculty is also conducted in English: Political Science, International Relations and European Politics and Economics and etc.

The Faculty of Political Science and International Relations is one of the largest research institutions in Central Europe. The faculty consists of more than 180 researchers who work on the implementation of more than 20 research grants. The faculty has 3,500 students and about 100 doctoral students. Every year, the scientific achievements of the faculty increase by several dozen publications: articles, periodicals, books and scientific events: conferences and seminars. Within the framework of international cooperation, Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, University of Warsaw has almost 250 agreements concluded with foreign university centers.

The faculty has been headed since 2020 by Dr. Hub. Mr. Daniel Przastek. 

The scientific internship of Saulet Kozhakhmetova was supervised by her foreign scientific consultant, Mr. Jacek Zalesny Dr. hub. 

Pan Jacek Zalesny is a Polish political scientist, habilitated Doctor of Law in Constitutional Law, academic lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Warsaw and Lazarski University. In 2004 he received a Doctor of Humanities degree (topic: Constitutional responsibility in Poland during the period of political transformation). In 2016, based on the scientific work: “The State Duma and the Government in the Russian Federation,” he received the degree of a habilitated doctor of legal sciences. Dr hab. Jacek Zalesny is also a member of the Polish Society of Constitutional Law.

Upon completion of the scientific internship, Kozhakhmetova S. successfully achieved the goal and completed all planned activities (details in the Report).

2-3 year «Biology» students of the High School of Natural Sciences under the leadership of acting. Associate Professor M.Zh. Zhumagul held a debate on the topic «Is GMО harmful to human health or is it a solution to the world food problem?»

Genetically modified organisms are the main achievement of biotechnology in the twentieth century. Popularly known as «GMO», this product is an artificial genotype produced through genetic engineering.

The  «Government» team proved that GMOs lead to the destruction of biocenoses created by nature over millions of years and affect humans or their offspring. And the «Opponents» team focused on the healthy side, proving that in order for a person to be healthy and active, food must be very nutritious and of high quality.

During the discussion, listeners became acquainted with new facts and information, thus expanding and deepening their knowledge on this topic. The winner of the debate was the  «Government» team, which demonstrated excellent preparation and convincing argumentation

At the moment, incubation and acceleration programs have become a key mechanism for supporting young entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan, providing them with the expert support necessary for the successful launch of innovative projects. Various student incubators create a favorable environment for startup projects, where they can grow and develop under the guidance of experienced specialists.

On April 28, 2024, the Higher School of Economics held another Demo Day as part of the 3rd incubation program "AIU BUSINESS INNOVATION". During the month, aspiring entrepreneurs were trained in generating business ideas, drawing up a marketing and financial plan, as well as public speaking skills. Among the 19 projects presented at Demo Day, there were those that stood out for their novelty and potential. These startup projects presented a wide range of ideas that can solve the real problems of the modern world, from the social direction to IT solutions. Some of the projects already had working prototypes or even the first customer bases, which confirmed their potential for further growth and scaling. 

The President of Astana International University Irsaliev S.A., Chairman of the Board of JSC «QazInnovations» Akhanov S.Zh., Vice President for Strategic Development and Digitalization of Astana International University Shaykhutdinov T.M., as well as experts and current entrepreneurs came to support aspiring entrepreneurs.

As a result of the event, certificates were awarded, which in the future will allow entrepreneurs to participate in the grant financing competition from JSC «QazInnovations».

At the Astana International University, within the framework of the «NGO Academy» project, representatives of NGOs and social entrepreneurs were trained, and at the School of Social Entrepreneurship «Orelі Urpak» they received consultations from project experts. Business trainers Emin Askerov and Arman Akberdiev told the listeners about the financial aspects of social business.

The best participants of the School are invited to the Social Ideas Competition on May 24, 2024. Follow the announcements on the NGO Academy project website https://academy-ngo.kz/.

Within the framework of the School of Social Entrepreneurship «Oreli Urpak», our listeners were trained on such issues as social entrepreneurship in the Republic of Kazakhstan (initiatives, cases, experience), measures to support social entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and in the world, creative thinking and social innovation, financial aspects of social business, social enterprise management. The trainings were held both online and offline. The development of creative thinking and social innovation becomes the engine of economic growth and contributes to the creation of new jobs and the solution of socially significant problems. On May 24, 2024, we are waiting for the best social projects for the Social Ideas Competition. Follow the announcements on the NGO Academy project website https://academy-ngo.kz/.

This academic year, the School of Natural Sciences initiated the EcoNavigator project to oversee environmental events and activities occurring in the city. Students disseminate information about these events via social media, thereby contributing to raising societal environmental awareness. The firstl event from EcoNavigator is a Fashion Show featuring Kazakhstani designers.

Nowadays, fashion is becoming not only a means of self-expression, but also a powerful tool for drawing public attention to important issues. 🌿💡Ecology students who attended the show highlighted the conceptual collection "Children of the Desert" by the Damira Bal brand.🏜️✨Every day more and more brands and designers prioritizing environmental issues, raising them to a new level of awareness, and integrating sustainability into their practices.

This collection goes beyond mere fashion; it serves as a voice advocating for environmental responsibility and raising awareness of the significance of water resources for the future of our planet. 🌱💧 Each image from the collection conveys a crucial message: the world of tomorrow will be constructed not on oil, but on water.🌟

The author of the collection, Damira Irsalieva, has brought the audience's focus to the issue of water scarcity: “We aim to raise public awareness of this issue. Join us in our mission to create a better world - for every child, for each of us!" We believe that collections like these will inspire not only fashion enthusiasts but also everyone concerned about the fate of our planet.💚 #Children of the Desert #Ecology #Sustainability #FashionWithMessage