Amir Agzamov, a fourth-year student of the dual degree program in Biotechnology offered by Kozybayev University and the University of Arizona, has been honored with the Distinguished Senior Award by the College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences. On May 7, a ceremonial reception and award presentation for the college’s top graduates was held at the main campus of the University of Arizona. Amir was specially invited to attend the event as a recipient of this prestigious award. Congratulations!

An open university athletics race titled “Rukh pen Zhiger,” dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day, was held at the Park of Culture and Recreation in Petropavl. More than 150 students from the city’s colleges and the university took part in the соревнования. Participants competed in the 1000-meter race among girls and the 2000-meter race among boys. The event was organized jointly with the Center for Public Development and Information of the North Kazakhstan Region. Among the main objectives of the race were promoting the university among prospective applicants, identifying the strongest and most promising athletes, organizing active leisure activities for students, forming university teams for participation in the Republic of Kazakhstan Universiade, and fostering patriotism among young people. According to the results of the girls’ race, the winners were: 1st place - Milana Ponosova, group PhCS-25-3; 2nd place - Karina Balyabkina, Higher North Kazakhstan Professional Pedagogical College; 3rd place - Marina Zhudra, group PhCS-25-3. Among the boys, the places were distributed as follows: 1st place - Gleb Lutsenko, Higher North Kazakhstan Professional Pedagogical College; 2nd place - Pavel Konkov, group PhCS-25-3; 3rd place - Yerkanat Zhumabek, Higher North Kazakhstan Professional Pedagogical College. Congratulations to the winners and prize holders! We thank all participants of the race!  

As part of a working visit to the North Kazakhstan Region, Vice Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan Malik Olzhabekov visited Kozybayev University. During the visit, he ознакомился with the university’s IT infrastructure and digital transformation projects. Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector Yerbol Issakayev spoke about the university’s activities and its transformation into a research university. Today, Kozybayev University is implementing several major scientific projects, including initiatives in artificial intelligence and digital technologies. Strategic partnership with the University of Arizona is becoming a springboard for breakthrough research in the polymerization of elemental sulfur, water resource studies, and food security. The GIS technologies laboratory trains specialists and conducts research in remote sensing of the Earth. The university is equipped with industrial fixed-wing quadcopters and training drones. Its partner in this area is Geoscan Kazakhstan. The Vice Minister was presented with a joint project developed in collaboration with the company to establish a Space Monitoring Center at the university with the installation of a compact antenna system in the region. The center will enable students to interact with satellites in real time, receive and process data, and eventually develop their own nanosatellites. These initiatives will strengthen graduates’ competencies and help train highly demanded specialists for the national space industry. In turn, Malik Olzhabekov emphasized the importance of developing domestic unmanned aerial vehicles at Kazakhstan’s universities: “It is important for us to advance science and focus on drone research, including the use of artificial intelligence. For students, this will become an excellent opportunity to gain skills ranging from design to the development of circuit boards and software.” The Vice Minister was also introduced to student projects created within the framework of Tomorrow School, including an AI legal assistant for inmates — providing equal, secure, and controlled access to up-to-date legal information in correctional institutions through video payphones — and an intelligent road accident map designed to identify hazardous road sections and generate recommendations for responsible authorities based on traffic accident analysis.

A ceremonial event was held at Kozybayev University, dedicated to the 34th anniversary of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Defender of the Fatherland Day. The festive atmosphere, filled with a sense of pride and respect for military duty, brought together students, faculty members, officers, as well as parents and guests. On the main square of the campus, more than 90 students of the university’s military department took the military oath, joining the ranks of reserve servicemen. Among them were three female students. This important and emotional moment became a symbol of conscious choice, loyalty to the Motherland, and readiness to take responsibility for its security. The праздничную program featured a drill march, performances of patriotic songs, and a demonstration by cadets of the Academy of the National Guard of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who showcased their exceptional rifle-handling skills, receiving an enthusiastic response from the audience. The military oath is not merely a formality, but a profound symbol of honor, loyalty, and personal responsibility to the state. Events like this help shape young people’s understanding of the importance of serving the Motherland. As part of the event, those who make a significant contribution to the development of military-patriotic education were also recognized. For impeccable service and notable achievements, the Head of the Military Department, Reserve Colonel Rabirt Sarzhanov, was awarded a Certificate of Honor from the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region. Staff and faculty members of the military department were also honored with Certificates of Honor from the Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector. Special attention was given to students: 11 individuals received Certificates of Honor for excellent academic performance and exemplary conduct. Another 8 students were awarded Letters of Appreciation for their active participation in the public life of the university. The university’s military department provides not only theoretical but also comprehensive practical training. It prepares reserve officers in the areas of combat employment of combined arms units, formations and units, as well as planning and organization of territorial defense and mobilization work. Training of reserve sergeants is also conducted.

The university hosted the KU AWARDS – Manash Zhuldysy ceremony, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the outstanding scholar Manash Kozybayev. “KU AWARDS” is not just a competition of achievements, but a tribute to a great legacy, where students, through their success in academics, science, sports, and creativity, write a new chapter in the history of our university, following the high ideals of science and enlightenment established by Academician M. Kozybayev. Based on the results of the competition, the winners were announced: “Best Student of the Year” (Grand Prix) — Leila Berikova “Scientific Breakthrough” — Alua Bekbaulova “Volunteer Contribution” — Zhayna Zhalgasbay “Sports Achievement” — Adilet Murzash “Creative Potential” — Nurkhan Makhanov “Discovery of the Year” — Deniel Edilov “Head Students’ Leader” — Aiganym Giniyat “Best Organization” — Youth Affairs Committee “Audience Choice Award” — Aset Ibadulla Winners in each category received 50,000 tenge, the Grand Prix winner received 100,000 tenge, as well as prizes from sponsors. We thank all participants and partners! Congratulations to the winners!

For the first time, a large-scale sports tournament for school students of the North Kazakhstan Region - “Kozybayev University CUP” - was held within the university, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the outstanding scholar Manash Kozybayev. A total of 11 teams from districts across the region and the city of Petropavl took part in the competition - more than 150 participants. The tournament featured two sports: futsal (boys) and volleyball (girls). Kozybayev University CUP became a platform where character, team spirit, and the drive to win are formed. The tournament aims to promote mass sports and a healthy lifestyle, identify promising athletes, attract prospective students, and increase school students’ interest in the university. FUTSAL (Boys) Results: 1st place — Team of Petropavl city schools 2nd place — Team of educational institutions of the North Kazakhstan Region 3rd place — Team of schools from Tayynsha District Individual Awards: Best Player — Madiyar Makashev, Secondary School No. 5, Tayynsha District Best Goalkeeper — Amir Aidarkhan, Nazarbayev Intellectual School, Petropavl Best Forward — Farhat Kurmash, Magzhan Zhumabayev IT Lyceum VOLLEYBALL (Girls) Results: 1st place — Team of regional educational institutions 2nd place — Team of Kyzylzhar District 3rd place — Team of Petropavl city Individual Awards: Best Spiker - Alina Semidotskaya, North Kazakhstan Regional Specialized Boarding School for Gifted Children in Sports Best Player of the Tournament - Ekaterina Obelets, Beskol School-College LLP In addition to cups, medals, and diplomas, winners and prize-winners received cash prizes: 1st place - 250,000 KZT 2nd place -150,000 KZT 3rd place - 100,000 KZT Team leaders were awarded letters of appreciation for their contribution to the development of school sports. The “Kozybayev University CUP” was held at a high level and became a significant sporting event in the region. The tournament contributed to the development of school sports, the identification of talented athletes, and the strengthening of cooperation among educational institutions of the North Kazakhstan Region. Congratulations to the winners and prize-winners!  

Activists of the North Kazakhstan Student Alliance took part in the 21st Republican Student Forum ASK CAMP II, held in the capital at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. This is a unique platform where technology and values intersect, shaping a new level of civic awareness among young people in the era of artificial intelligence. The program included motivational sessions on legal literacy and AI ethics, as well as open discussions on the institution of the student ombudsman and the role of youth in society, eco-initiatives, sports tournaments, quests, and a tour of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. As part of the forum, awards were presented to active members of the Alliance of Students of Kazakhstan. Representatives of the North Kazakhstan branch won in the “Best University” nomination. Our organization includes students of Kozybayev University and colleges of Petropavl. The competition was held among about 200 participants. The evaluation covered the organization’s activities for 2025–2026: the number and quality of student projects, the level of interaction with university administration, student outreach, media activity, and achievements in youth policy. “Our Alliance operates at the regional level. It includes 85 active students, which allows us to reach a wide audience. Today, the youth of our region are highly active, implementing various initiatives and contributing to the development of society. The ‘Best University’ title we received is a vivid confirmation of this. We will continue to contribute to the development of active students and enhance their potential, as well as support new youth initiatives,” noted Nargiz Kyrgyzbay, Student Ombudsman of the North Kazakhstan Region. Recognition at the national level of the branch’s work reflects the consistent efforts of our students. These include organizing volunteer and environmental campaigns, student events - including those at the national level - monitoring dormitories, ombudsman activities, and close cooperation with regional organizations. All of this is driven by the students’ own initiative. The activities are aimed at fostering spiritual and moral values, leadership qualities among youth, a healthy lifestyle, and social projects. Congratulations to our students! We are proud of you! Wishing you continued success!

An eco-hour titled “Save Water – Preserve the Future” was held at Kozybayev University. The event has a national status and is being conducted simultaneously across all regions of Kazakhstan, bringing together educational institutions, experts, and young people around one of the key environmental issues — water resource conservation. The organizers included the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The eco-hour brought together university students, school pupils, college students, faculty members, administrative representatives, and invited experts. The event aimed to raise awareness of water security and sustainable development. The main goal was to increase knowledge about water resources, promote environmental thinking, and develop practical skills for responsible water use as a strategically important resource. Today, our university, being the only higher education institution in the region serving as a center of education, science, and innovation, is also actively advancing projects related to the rational use of water. Since last year, Kozybayev University has been implementing a large-scale program-targeted project focused on the development and внедрение high-tech solutions for monitoring, purification, and efficient use of water resources in the North Kazakhstan Region. The ultimate goal is to improve public health by ensuring access to clean drinking and technical water. The project runs until 2027 and covers five interrelated areas, ranging from hygienic assessment of water supply and epidemiological risks to biological rehabilitation of water bodies and digitalization of water monitoring systems. The expert team includes scientists with unique interdisciplinary expertise in chemistry, ecology, medicine, epidemiology, agriculture, engineering, and digital technologies from Kazakhstan, the USA, the United Kingdom, Turkey, and China, ensuring the project is carried out at the intersection of disciplines and in line with global best practices. New laboratory complexes have been established at the university, aimed at improving the quality of life in the North Kazakhstan Region. The project is led by Professor, PhD, Kozybayev University, Dmitry Berillo, who is ranked among the top 40 most cited scientists in chemical sciences in Kazakhstan according to Web of Science. During the event, he was awarded a certificate of appreciation from the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation for his active participation in research and project activities in the field of water consumption. Awards were also presented to faculty members, researchers, and students of the university. At the eco-hour, Anuar Uskenbayev, Acting General Director of the Republican State Enterprise “Kazvodkhoz,” presented an analysis of the current state of Kazakhstan’s water resources, existing challenges, and modern approaches to their management. Organizers emphasized that such initiatives help foster a responsible attitude toward natural resources among young people and stimulate the development of scientific and public interest in environmental issues. The eco-hour became a platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the generation of new ideas aimed at preserving water resources and ensuring a sustainable future for Kazakhstan.