Second-year student of the double-degree program in “Biotechnology” with the University of Arizona, Aidana Omarova, took part in an international conference at Harvard University as an academic mentor for a Kazakhstani school delegation - the Mansap Team. The 41st Harvard Model Congress was held in Boston and brought together a record number of participants this year - тnearly 3,000 people. It is one of the world’s largest international leadership conferences, featuring a political simulation that models the work of the U.S. Congress and is organized by students of Harvard University. The conference took place over four days and included daily committee sessions. During these sessions, delegates developed resolutions and draft laws, delivered speeches, negotiated, and took part in voting. Aidana coordinated the school delegation, assisting with the preparation of resolutions and public speaking, as well as managing media support. Her experience in national debate tournaments, where she has repeatedly won prizes and received “Best Speaker” awards, along with her involvement in organizing HMC Kazakhstan’25, enabled her to effectively support the Mansap Team on the international stage. After the conference, participants continued their educational program by visiting leading U.S. universities, including Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston University, and Tufts University, and took part in educational workshops. Participation in the Harvard Model Congress Boston became an important experience of international academic engagement and leadership development for our student.

Today is a special day for our university. Within the walls of our alma mater, we honored a person who has proven to the world that limits exist only in our imagination. A student of Kozybayev University and a winner and medalist of the 2026 Paralympic Games, Yerbol Khamitov met with students and faculty. Students welcomed the champion with warm applause, eagerly asked for autographs and photos, and posed questions about competing in Paralympic disciplines, managing emotions, and overcoming challenges. We are sincerely proud that Yerbol Khamitov is a student of Kozybayev University, currently in his fourth year majoring in “Physical Culture and Sports.” His success inspires the entire university community and serves as a powerful example for the youth of Kazakhstan: there are no barriers for those who pursue their dreams. Today, Yerbol was awarded a grant to pursue a master’s degree. This is only a small part of what the university can do for a champion who not only raised our country’s flag on the world’s main sports stage, but also brought honor to his alma mater. Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector Yerbol Issakayev congratulated the champion, noting that entire generations are inspired by such individuals and that this is a tremendous motivation for students. “When we learned that Yerbol had won a bronze medal, we were very happy. But when he won gold, we began receiving congratulations from the Minister of Science and Higher Education and university rectors. I am very grateful to the teachers and coaches! Professional sport is challenging in itself, but when it is combined with hardship, pain, and obstacles that must be overcome, victory becomes especially valuable. This is truly a heroic medal! It has elevated our university to a very high level - now everyone recognizes the kind of professionals trained here!” said Yerbol Issakayev. The meeting was also attended by Yerbol Khamitov’s coaches, who supported him on his journey to the Paralympic вершины. They emphasized that the victory did not come easily - it required hard work, discipline, and the ability to set and achieve goals every day. Notably, both mentors - the senior coach of the national para cross-country skiing and para biathlon team, Anton Zhdanovich, and coach Aslan Tokbayev - are graduates of our university. Yerbol Khamitov expressed his gratitude to the university leadership, his coaches, faculty members of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports, sports veterans, and students. Addressing the younger generation, he emphasized the importance of never giving up, constantly overcoming oneself, and confidently moving toward one’s goals. “Just a few months ago, I met with the Head of State, who handed me the national flag. I promised him that I would do everything possible to make the anthem of Kazakhstan be heard at the Paralympic Games - and I am glad we achieved that. During the first two days in biathlon, I struggled psychologically with shooting. When I arrived at the range, I felt the weight of responsibility, and it was difficult. But after winning bronze, it became easier. That is why, for me, the bronze medal is even more valuable than gold,” the champion shared. His achievement at the Paralympics is not just a sporting victory - it is a powerful example of strength of spirit, perseverance, and belief in oneself. Yerbol Khamitov has proven that hard work, discipline, and determination can lead to the highest results.   Congratulations on the well-deserved awards! We are proud of you and believe in your future sporting success!

Kozybayev University and the State Kazakh Musical and Drama Theatre named after Sabit Mukanov have signed a memorandum of cooperation. The agreement is aimed at strengthening collaboration in the field of culture, promoting and preserving national traditions among young people, and engaging students in the cultural life of the region through performances of renowned works by national and international playwrights. In addition, students will gain a unique emotional experience through live interaction with actors. The main goal of the partnership is to enable students to attend theatrical performances as audience members, as well as to organize university-related events at the theater venue. The parties will support joint initiatives, provide students with opportunities to participate in master classes and creative evenings with theater actors, as well as with invited Kazakhstani and international directors. An important benefit of this partnership is that, in the future, our students will be able to attend one performance per month free of charge.

Kozybayev University hosted the “IDEA BATTLE” startup competition at the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation in partnership with SKO Hub. A total of 10 teams participated, including university students, school students, and residents of SKO Hub. The contestants presented IT ideas in areas such as business, medicine, language learning, an anti-fraud monitoring system for banks, an application for convenient reading of comics in the Kazakh language, and IT solutions for detecting online fraud, among others. “Our Idea Battle is an ‘innovation lift’ that transforms a bold student hypothesis into a real high-tech business. We are here to prove that the best IT solutions for the country and the world can be created right here in Petropavlovsk, at the intersection of fundamental knowledge and market dynamics,” the organizers noted. The projects were evaluated by a competent jury consisting of representatives of профильных государственных структур, the business sector, digital experts, neural network specialists, as well as university faculty and students. The winners were: 1st place – a team from the Nazarbayev Intellectual School of Physics and Mathematics in Petropavlovsk. Their project “EDU WAY” is designed to help applicants choose universities and internships. Users can enter their preferences into a search system, and the platform provides suitable options using AI for selection and consultation. 2nd place – a team of Kozybayev University students with the project “Power NODE,” focused on creating a battery from recycled materials for charging devices (a commercialization-oriented project). Team members: Madina Zhumabayeva (group T-25) and Alexander Kadutsky (group ISU (KZ-US)-24-2). 3rd place – a team of SKO Hub residents presented the “Bee Vision” project, a smart beehive system that transmits data on hive parameters, temperature, bee condition, and honeycomb filling levels.   Participants received commemorative gifts and diplomas. Congratulations to all contestants! May your startups grow beyond projects and become real solutions that make the world a better place. Keep developing, experimenting, and believing in the power of your ideas - great opportunities and bright achievements lie ahead!

Students of the Military Department at Kozybayev University took part in tactical training sessions held at the airsoft club training ground “Polygon.” A total of 18 students participated, specializing in “Planning and Organization of Territorial Defense” and “Organizational and Mobilization Work.” During the training, they practiced close-quarters combat in urban environments using small arms.   Such off-site training sessions were conducted for the first time. In total, 162 students are currently enrolled in the university’s Military Department, including 8 female students. Applications for admission have been accepted since February 1, and the selection process will take place in October–November 2026.

Today, the university hosted the grand opening of the Center for the Kazakh Language, Culture, and Reading. It is a modern and comfortable space for reading, studying, and academic work. Here, every student and faculty member will be able to explore the rich world of Kazakh literature, culture, and science. The reading hall features a wide range of literature in the state language, including educational and academic publications, fiction, and works by both classical and contemporary authors. A special place is given to the books of great Kazakh thinkers and writers - Abai Kunanbayev, Akhmet Baitursynov, and others - as well as our distinguished fellow countrymen - Magzhan Zhumabayev, Gabit Musrepov, Sabit Mukanov, and Safuan Shaimerdenov. “This space is being opened primarily for students to promote the state language and Kazakh literature. At an extended Government meeting, the Head of State noted that we should read more. I believe that now our opportunities for this are expanding. Our next task is to fill the center with as many books as possible and equip it with computer technology so that students can use it freely,” said Chairman of the Executive Board – Rector Yerbol Issakayev. In total, the university’s library collection includes more than 141,000 items in the state language. “The university administration creates favorable conditions for both faculty and students. I believe our task is to continue this important initiative and further develop the achieved results. Today, we see that a central place in the new reading hall is occupied by the image of the great Abai. In his article ‘Abai and Kazakhstan in the 21st Century,’ the Head of State noted: ‘Just as the Kazakh dombra holds a place of honor in every home, the work The Path of Abai should be a desk book for every Kazakh.’ Therefore, I would like to address the youth: if you are searching for the right path in life, you will certainly find it in The Path of Abai and in the Words of Edification by the great thinker,” shared Zhazira Kokbas, Head of the Department of Kazakh Language and Literature. We hope that the new Center for the Kazakh Language, Culture, and Reading will become a place of inspiration, knowledge, and spiritual growth for our students and faculty!

A ceremonial award presentation of scholarships from the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region was held in Petropavlovsk at the Sabit Mukanov Regional Library for representatives of the literary community. The event took place on the third day of the Nauryznamа decade, dedicated to culture and national traditions. The event aimed to support and develop regional literature, as well as to encourage talented writers, poets, and literary figures. In a festive atmosphere, authors who have made a significant contribution to the development of literary творчество and the cultural life of the region were honored. A total of five residents of North Kazakhstan were selected and awarded certificates worth 500,000 tenge each. Among them was Professor of Kozybayev University, Zarkyn Taishybay. Zarkyn Syzdykovich is an Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, an academician, a labor veteran, a well-known scholar and writer, and an Honorary Citizen of the North Kazakhstan Region. Since 2000, he has been teaching at our university, leading the research center for ethnocultural studies and generously sharing his knowledge with students of the Department of Journalism and Social Sciences. It was through his initiative that in 2001 the university began training journalists in the state language, which became an important step in the development of regional journalism. He is the author of more than 200 scientific articles, 12 учебные пособия, and 11 monographs dedicated to the history and culture of Kazakhstan. Zarkyn Syzdykovich is not only an outstanding scholar and educator but also a true example of dedication to his profession and service to society. His life path inspires young people to strive for knowledge, preserve cultural values, and contribute to the development of the country. We sincerely congratulate Zarkyn Syzdykovich on this well-deserved award! We wish him good health, many more years of life, inexhaustible energy, new academic achievements, and continued inspiration. May his wisdom and experience guide future generations for many years to come!