Kristina Borisova, a fourth-year student of the dual degree educational program “Biotechnology,” has received an official invitation to pursue a master’s degree at the School of Plant Sciences of the University of Arizona. She will begin her studies in August 2026. Kristina graduated with honors from a rural school in the Mamlyut District of the North Kazakhstan Region and became one of the students of the first intake of the international dual degree program between Kozybayev University and the University of Arizona. During the fall semester of the current academic year, she studied at the main campus of the University of Arizona in the United States, where she established herself as a promising young researcher. Kristina is the author of several scientific publications and, as part of a team, won third place at the Republican Student Subject Olympiad in the educational program “Biotechnology.” The University of Arizona offered Kristina Borisova a package of academic and financial support covering the main expenses related to tuition, health insurance, and research activities. In the future, she will be able to combine her studies with scientific work through participation in research and teaching assistantship programs. This mechanism is a common practice at leading U.S. universities and is aimed at supporting talented young scientists. Kristina’s research interests are connected with agricultural biotechnology and plant genomic studies. She pays special attention to the resilience of agricultural crops to climate change and to finding solutions of practical importance for agriculture.

Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek met with Rod Wing, Director of the Arizona Genomics Institute, and Yerbol Issakayev, Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector of Kozybayev University. During the meeting, the parties discussed prospects for the development of agro-genomics, the introduction of modern genomic technologies into agriculture, and the expansion of international scientific cooperation. Special attention was given to the development of new rice and wheat varieties resistant to climate change, less dependent on water resources, highly productive, and possessing high nutritional value. Professor Rod Wing presented a strategic vision for the development of genomic research in Kazakhstan, including both short-term and long-term measures. In particular, proposals were made to introduce the alternate wetting and drying method in Kazakhstan’s rice-growing regions, which would significantly reduce water consumption in rice cultivation. The participants also discussed the assessment of the genetic diversity of Kazakhstan’s rice and wheat collections through sample resequencing, large-scale field phenotyping to identify the most promising climate-resilient varieties, and the establishment of a national training system in genetics, plant breeding, genomics, agronomy, irrigation management, and phytopathology. As Professor Rod Wing noted, the implementation of these initiatives will enable Kazakhstan to strengthen its position as one of the key contributors to global food security in the long term. According to Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector of Kozybayev University Yerbol Issakayev, cooperation with the Arizona Genomics Institute and the University of Arizona is focused on achieving practical results - from training a new generation of specialists to launching applied projects in plant breeding, food security, and sustainable agriculture. The implementation of these initiatives is part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s scientific potential and creating a modern genomic platform for the country’s agricultural development.

Kozybayev University welcomed representatives of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), one of India’s leading private multidisciplinary universities founded in 2009. The university is known for its high positions in QS rankings (the No. 1 private university in India in law and social sciences), English-language instruction, and a strong international community. More than 16,000 students from over 100 countries study at JGU. Around 14% of its 1,100 faculty members are international specialists. At our university, Professor Rahul Bhandari, Director of the Office of Institutional Development and Strategic Global Engagement at JGU, spoke about areas of potential partnership with Kozybayev University. The primary focus is academic exchange for students. Currently, there are no Kazakhstani students studying at JGU under this program. Another area of cooperation is an interactive six-day workshop on legal issues organized by JGU for law professors. The Indian side is also interested in scientific collaboration. “We have around 100 professors and lecturers from more than 30 countries. They come for a 30-day research internship during which we conduct joint research projects. Among them are two lecturers from Kazakhstan. We are ready to continue this productive work. At the same time, accommodation, meals, and research expenses are fully covered by us,” noted Rahul Bhandari. Member of the Executive Board for Internationalization and International Programs Mansur Alimkhanov reminded participants that our university had trained students from India at the Faculty of Medicine for several years. This year, the university is preparing to welcome new international applicants. Therefore, cooperation with Indian colleagues will contribute to expanding areas of collaboration as well as strengthening academic and cultural ties.

A round table discussion was held at the university for fourth-year students of the educational program “Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages” studying under the “Serpin” program. The event brought together representatives of the Department of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Civil Service Affairs in the North Kazakhstan Region, the North Kazakhstan Region Labor Mobility Center, the Department for Employment Coordination and Social Programs of the North Kazakhstan Region, representatives of political parties, and members of the city public council. The main topic of the meeting was the employment of graduates participating in the “Serpin” program. The round table focused on issues related to retaining graduates in the North Kazakhstan Region, as well as their social support and professional adaptation. Students shared their proposals and received responses from government agencies and employers. As noted by Bakhytgul Bolyspayeva, a specialist at the North Kazakhstan Region Labor Mobility Center, several support measures are provided for young specialists within the framework of the voluntary resettlement program aimed at increasing labor mobility. “The state provides a certificate worth up to 7 million tenge for housing purchase. In addition, when employed in rural areas, rental housing and utility expenses are compensated for up to one year,” she said. Kozybayev University joined the “Serpin” program in 2014. Today, 146 students are studying at the university under this program. Of these, 47 students in teacher education programs are graduating this year. The North Kazakhstan Region continues to experience a high demand for teaching staff, with a shortage of more than 800 specialists in this field. At the end of the meeting, participants noted that the “Serpin” program not only provides young people with the opportunity to receive a quality education, but also helps reduce staff shortages in the regions, strengthen social stability, and effectively address youth employment issues.

An expert group from the Central Asian Association for Accreditation of Education (CAAAE) is working at Kozybayev University. Over the course of two days, the quality assessment of seven educational programs of the university is being conducted: 6B01601 History; 6B07101 Mechanical Engineering; 7M07101 Mechanical Engineering; 6B01506 Geography; 6B06106 Information Systems in Management (DDP); 6B06203 Electronics and Telecommunications (DDP); 6B01103 Psychology in Education (DDP). As part of the specialized accreditation procedure, the experts are reviewing the content of the educational programs, the material and technical resources, the results of scientific and academic activities, and are also holding meetings with the university administration, faculty members, students, and employers. Passing accreditation is an important stage in confirming the quality of specialist training and the further development of the university’s educational activities.

From May 6 to 10, Aktau hosted two Kazakhstan Championships in summer polyathlon simultaneously (triathlon with swimming and triathlon with strength gymnastics), as well as the Mangystau Region Championship in biathlon. The Kozybayev University team delivered an outstanding performance representing the North Kazakhstan Region national team. Our students and master’s degree students won 18 medals (13 gold, 4 silver, and 1 bronze)! In the overall standings, the university sports club claimed first place! The best result at these Championships was achieved by master’s degree student Nikita Izotov. He won 6 gold medals and became the Absolute Champion of the Republic of Kazakhstan in polyathlon for the tenth time! This is the highest achievement in the history of our university team! Third-year student of group PhCS-23-3 Maria Pavlova also performed excellently. Maria won 4 gold medals and became the Absolute Champion of the country among девушек for the third time! Danila Svirzhevsky (group PhCS-22) added 3 silver medals to the team’s collection. Master’s degree student Yulia Bezushko took an honorable 3rd place. Student of group PhCS-25-3 Alikhan Tastanbekov won silver. At this Championship, he fulfilled the standard for the title of Candidate Master of Sports. In the veterans category, senior lecturer and team coach Alexander Naumov competed. Alexander Vladimirovich won 3 gold medals and confirmed his status as national champion for the sixtieth time! “Zhanel Nuralina finished in 4th place, but thanks to the points she contributed to our sports club team, we became Champions in the team standings! We express our sincere gratitude to the university management for supporting student sports, providing for the team, and awarding grants to our leading regional athletes,” shared coach Alexander Naumov. Congratulations to our distinguished athletes and coaching staff! We are proud of you and wish you further success and new sporting achievements!

Students of Kozybayev University demonstrated outstanding results at the regional Qazaq Kuresi tournament “Qyzyljar Barysy” dedicated to Defender of the Fatherland Day. Sapargali Doszhan — winner in the 55 kg weight category, group PhCS-23-k. Ruslan Ilbisinov — winner in the 74 kg weight category, group PhCS-23-k. Mukhamed Kalelov — 2nd place in the 74 kg weight category, group PhCS-22-1. Dmitry Diner — 2nd place in the “Tuye Paluan” competition, group PhCS-22-1. Adilet Murzash — winner of the “Tuye Paluan” competition, group PhCS-23-k. The final of the absolute weight category featured 2026 Kazakhstan champion Adilet Murzash and World Cup medalist Dmitry Diner! As a result, Adilet became the winner of the regional “Qyzyljar Barysy” tournament! Now they will represent the North Kazakhstan Region at the national tournament “Qazaqstan Barysy – 2026” in Astana! We wish our wrestlers the best of luck!  

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!