A large-scale Huawei Annual Awarding Ceremony 2025 took place in Astana, where the results of the year in the field of digital technologies and education were summed up. The team of the Huawei ICT Academy at Kozybayev University became a vivid participant of this event. We have something to be proud of: Leadership in AI: in the spring of 2025, our university became the first in the country among universities in completing basic courses and mastering skills in the field of artificial intelligence. Recognition of professionalism: the culmination of the evening was the awarding of Galina Savostina with the honorary title “Instructor of the Year”! Galina Vladimirovna is an Associate Professor of the Department of Power Engineering and Radio Electronics, PhD. The ICT Academy at Kozybayev University has been operating since April 2024, and in this short period has proven that Petropavlovsk is one of the leading centers for training IT specialists in Kazakhstan. More to come! Congratulations to Galina Vladimirovna and the entire academy team on the well-deserved recognition!

Report Meeting on the Results of Kozybayev University for the 2024–2025 Academic Year At Kozybayev University, a report meeting was held to present the outcomes of the university’s work for the 2024–2025 academic year. Upholding the principle of transparency, Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector Yerbol Issakaev addressed the public, sharing key results and the tasks ahead for the university. “Last year was full of important decisions and remarkable achievements. For the first time in history, we, among only 20 Kazakhstani universities, entered one of the most prestigious global rankings - QS World University Rankings 2026. We also improved our position in QS Asia 2025, entering the top-50 universities in Central Asia and taking 32nd place out of 65. According to the national ranking ‘Atameken’, 24 of our educational programs ranked from 1st to 10th places,” said Yerbol Isakaev. The student body for the reporting year consisted of 5,749 students. Today, we have increased it to approximately 6,500 students, studying across 138 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs. In partnership with the University of Arizona (USA) and the North-West University of Agriculture and Forestry (PRC), 7 double-degree and 11 joint programs are implemented. Currently, more than 1,200 students study under programs with the University of Arizona, taught by the best educators, 30% of whom are international scholars. Twenty-nine students from double-degree programs went to the USA for studies. This spring, the first graduation of 133 students under double-degree and joint programs with the University of Arizona will take place. A total of 484 academic staff were involved in the educational process at Kozybayev University. Over the past three years, the number of PhD holders among faculty has increased by 50%. Key achievements include: 14 faculty members completed international internships; 2 new positions introduced: Researcher and High Researcher; 14 academic degrees awarded, 5 academic titles conferred; More than 180 staff members received awards at various levels. In 2024, the average salary of faculty increased by 27.2%. For the first time in Kazakhstan, a branded university bus conducted a career guidance tour across southern regions, covering over 6,500 km and visiting around 30 settlements - cities, towns, and villages. To implement the university’s strategy, the International Campus, the Digital Transformation Office, and the Serpin Qoldau Office were established. The Institute of Continuing Education successfully operated in 2024, training 1,663 participants. To ensure quality education with the support of the MNVO RK, students have access to the international platform Coursera, with 2,180 students completing courses during the reporting period. Professional certification programs were also implemented: BAYDALA – 31 students certified; 1C – 18 students certified. The university entered the Register of Programs for Teacher Professional Development and received permission to conduct courses for medical professionals. One of the strategic directions is internationalization. The university maintains partnerships with organizations and universities from more than 20 countries, including China, the USA, Finland, Turkey, Italy, and France. There are 102 international agreements, and the number of partners continues to grow. During the reporting period, 28 international students joined the university, mainly from China. Forty students completed internships at environmental enterprises in Germany and Poland. Twenty-one international scholars from Bulgaria, the UK, China, Malaysia, Poland, Russia, the USA, Turkey, and Finland participated in the educational process. Our ambitious goal for the coming years is to transform into a research-intensive university with a high level of international integration. In the reporting period, two research projects were implemented under joint program-targeted funding totaling 19 million tenge. The university received an Erasmus+ Diana grant. The “Industrial PhD” project was launched, with 4 doctoral students currently enrolled. In 2025, research funding significantly increased to over 1.3 billion tenge. In 2026, we plan to reach about 3 billion tenge. The key driver of research in 2025–2026 will be the implementation of a program-targeted project on the development and introduction of high-tech solutions for monitoring, cleaning, and rational use of water resources in the North Kazakhstan region, with funding exceeding 4 billion tenge. Additionally, in the summer, the university won funding for three major research projects: Study of the role of bai communities in North Kazakhstan, their economic potential, and confiscation processes; Improvement of state policy in food security in Kazakhstan’s border regions; Development of technology for processing rotational composites from secondary polyethylene to produce a wide range of technical products. Kozybayev University participated in the International Forum of Strategic Partners with the President of Kazakhstan. Special recognition was given to the support of the Head of State for university research projects in partnership with the University of Arizona, including research on sulfur polymerization led by world-renowned Professor Jeffrey Poon. The project aims to develop and implement innovative materials based on recycled sulfur, enabling a shift from raw material export to the production of high value-added products - eco-friendly plastics, fertilizers, and polymers. An important focus is the implementation of the third mission - social partnership, civic education, and contribution to society. Student involvement in student government increased from 23% to 40%. A healthy educational environment is supported by the university’s 24-hour Psychological Service call center. Over the past three years, the university has actively developed students’ sports and cultural activities, with achievements confirmed by medals at national and international competitions: 25 gold, 28 silver, and 34 bronze. Currently, the university has 6 dormitories with a total capacity of 2,704, providing a surplus of 750 places. For convenience, the MyNKU mobile application allows applicants and students to apply for accommodation, view available dormitories, select rooms, and book places online. As part of digital infrastructure development, the computer park has been upgraded, including three new servers, over 200 computers, around 200 cameras, and 27 multimedia devices. Last year, the university actively participated in the AI-Sana innovation program in artificial intelligence, resulting in 100% of students completing courses on Huawei, Coursera, and Astana Hub platforms. Over the past year, the university significantly expanded its campus with a new building and two dormitories. Renovations included roofs, halls, entrances, classrooms, restrooms, assembly halls, and sports halls. A new football field was built near the ULC. Campus design improvements, including arches, sports halls, the Abai Kunanbaev mural on Building 2, and the first floor of the ULC with a café, were completed over the summer. Soon, a new outdoor area with small architectural forms will be added near the ULC, expected to become a new location for city residents. The rector also outlined tasks for the coming year and answered questions from the audience. “Every achievement I mentioned today is the contribution of our faculty, staff, students, and partners. I sincerely thank everyone for their work, initiative, and dedication to the university! Kozybayev University carries special responsibility. We are the only civil university in North Kazakhstan, which is why our role in the region extends far beyond the educational process. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to be an intellectual center of education, science, and culture, and a driver of socio-economic development in the region,” concluded Yerbol Issakaev.

The Spiritual Forum “Shaping and Strengthening Kazakhstani Identity: the Consolidating Role of Leaders,” held today under the leadership of the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region, Gaukhar Nurmukhambetov, at the Palace of Schoolchildren, brought together members of the public, experts, opinion leaders, representatives of business, and government institutions. The forum served as a platform for dialogue on shaping Kazakhstani identity and strengthening interethnic harmony.Our university was represented at the event by Chairman of the Management Board–Rector Yerbol Isakayev, Member of the Board of Directors Anatoly Bashmakov, and Head of the Department of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan Lyudmila Grivennaya. At the 34th session of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted: “Such important values as patriotism, civic responsibility, mutual trust, and a sense of responsibility define the unique national identity of our people.” Today, the Non-profit limited company “Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University” has everything necessary to provide students not only with high-quality education and scientific knowledge, but also to strengthen friendship and unity among young people. The university attracts students from all regions of Kazakhstan as well as from abroad - China, India, Türkiye, South Korea, Central Asian countries, and Russia. Currently, students from 19 countries study at Kozybayev University, and our student body and academic community include representatives of 36 ethnic groups of Kazakhstan. This makes the university a space of genuine intercultural communication - a place where young people learn to understand and value diversity as a fundamental social value. A significant role in shaping this atmosphere is played by the Department of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, opened in 2014. It integrates educational, scientific-methodological, and educational (upbringing) functions, serving as a platform for dialogue, meetings, discussions, and the study of the languages of the peoples of Kazakhstan. Speaking at the forum, the Rector emphasized that today it is especially important not only to talk about values, but also to create real mechanisms for their formation. The following initiatives were proposed: To establish the Regional Center for Civic Education of Youth “Adal Azamat” at the university, which will implement programs aimed at developing critical thinking, media literacy, and a culture of dialogue. To launch the regional project “The ‘Tolyk Adam’ Model” for university and school youth - a practice-oriented program including volunteer initiatives, leadership schools, courses in emotional intelligence, and project-based activities. To jointly develop with the Department of Internal Policy a calendar of intercultural events “Mәdenietter mozaikasy” (Mosaic of Cultures) - a series of festivals, educational lectures, and interethnic initiatives. “I express my sincere gratitude to the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region, Gauez Nurmukhambetov, and regional structures for their extensive work with a systematic and in-depth approach to issues of national identity, interethnic harmony, and cultural development, as well as for their continued support of our university. It is an honor for us to be part of the common cause - strengthening unity, educating young people, and developing the region,” Yerbol Issakayev noted.  

The President of the country, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has repeatedly emphasized that it is necessary to strengthen the link between leading universities and the real sector of the economy, to synchronize innovation policy with the scientific and technological priorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which will give impetus to sectoral innovations and unlock the potential of applied science in universities. Responding to the challenges of the time, Kozybayev University does not merely implement research projects, but builds a scientific ecosystem capable of generating solutions in the fields of water and food security and green energy, thereby contributing to the sustainable development of the region. Based at the university, 11 research projects are being implemented with grant funding from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and 4 projects under the “Zhas Galym” competition. An example of successful science–industry partnership, where the university’s competencies find practical application within business, is the project with LLP “SK Protein” on the commercialization of technology for the disposal and processing of cattle and horse hides into a high-protein feed additive. Another significant result was the establishment of a separate innovative enterprise—LLP “Scientific and Technological Water Center,” which is currently implementing projects on waterbody purification using a developed strain of the microalga Chlorella. This confirms the university’s ability to initiate and bring to implementation technological solutions with high market potential. In December 2024, a Scientific and Technological Session was held at Kozybayev University with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and JSC “Science Fund,” dedicated to the development of agro-industrial complex enterprises of Northern and Central Kazakhstan. As a result: • key problems and challenges in the agro-industrial complex were identified; • priority areas for innovative development were outlined; • research topics and objectives were formulated that will later be recommended for commercialization. In accordance with regional priorities, the university submitted scientific and technological assignments within the framework of program-targeted funding for “Digital Solutions in Livestock Farming” and “Protection of Grain Crops from Excessive Moisture.” The proposed implementation period is 2026–2028. It should be especially noted that there has been steady growth in the volume of funding for scientific projects. In 2025, it increased almost fourfold and amounted to 1 billion 332 million tenge. The university continues to implement applied projects jointly with regional enterprises in the fields of agricultural technologies, ecology, materials science, and engineering solutions, contributing to the innovative development of economic sectors. The university is actively working in the field of IT and digitalization: more than 26 projects are under development, a Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation has been established, and the AI-Sana program is being implemented to train qualified personnel in the field of AI for enterprises of the region and the country. Extensive work, together with an international team of scientists, is being carried out under the program-targeted funding project “Development and Implementation of High-Tech Solutions for Monitoring, Purification, and Rational Use of Water Resources of the North Kazakhstan Region to Ensure Public Health,” the total funding of which amounts to approximately 4 billion tenge. Among the international projects being implemented are also: • a sulfur polymerization project related to the creation of new high-value materials from processed sulfur; • a genomics and bioinformatics project aimed at increasing the resilience of agricultural crop genomes to the climatic conditions of the region; • the Kazakhstan–China Scientific Agrarian Center has been established. Agro-biological research is being conducted aimed at environmental assessment and adaptation of agricultural crop varieties to the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan; • a memorandum was signed on the establishment of a Scientific Center for Water Resources with the participation of Kozybayev University, the University of Arizona, and Northwest A&F University (PRC); • the Akimat of the North Kazakhstan Region allocated 500 hectares of land for a demonstration station for conducting agrotechnical research. We thank the leadership of local executive bodies for comprehensive support of the university’s scientific projects! We always strive to implement scientific initiatives that contribute to the sustainable development of the region and are inextricably linked with the priorities of the national economic agenda.

The “Silver University” is an international movement and educational model for people aged 50 and over, offering free courses in digital skills, languages, health, law, creativity, and other areas in order to ensure an active and fulfilling life, self-realization, and adaptation to modern conditions. In 2025, the “Silver University” of Kozybayev University became a member of the Kazakhstan Association of Silver Universities and signed a memorandum with the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (AIUTA). “Kozybayev University offers 6 courses as part of the ‘Silver University’ program. Next year, we will further expand their range. Training is conducted by semesters, twice a week. The academic year lasts from September 1 to June 1. During the autumn semester of the 2025–2026 academic year, three groups studied at our ‘Silver University’ in the areas of yoga, health-improving physical culture, and computer and digital literacy. A total of 28 people,” said Aigul Nurpeissova, Member of the Management Board for Academic Affairs. All participants received certificates confirming the successful completion of training during the semester. Those interested will be able to continue their studies further, and a new intake will also be announced. Participants in the program may include university staff and retirees, as well as city residents aged 50 and over.

Даниил Герасимов стал победителем ежегодного престижного конкурса Научно-образовательного фонда имени академика Ш. Есенова (Yessenov Foundation). В 2025 году гранты получили лишь 10 наиболее перспективных студентов и молодых исследователей со всего Казахстана. Отбор проходил среди обучающихся бакалавриата, магистратуры, интернатуры, а также действующих научных сотрудников, работающих в области естественных и технических наук. Победители были определены на основе академических достижений, исследовательского опыта и мотивации к развитию науки в Республике Казахстан. Даниил учится на 3курсе по специальности «Биотехнология» в рамках программы двойного диплома с Университетом Аризоны. Победа в конкурсе открывает перед нашим студентом возможность пройти научную стажировку продолжительностью до 90 дней летом 2026 года в одной из ведущих зарубежных исследовательских лабораторий, выбранной самим участником. Программа Yessenov Foundation направлена на формирование нового поколения ученых и подготовку молодых специалистов к поступлению в PhD-программы ведущих университетов мира. Важно отметить, что 9 из 10 победителей конкурса являются представителями национальных и исследовательских университетов. В этих условиях Даниил выдержал высокую конкуренцию и вошел в число десяти лучших участников по всему Казахстану, подтвердив высокий уровень подготовки и исследовательского потенциала студентов Kozybayev University. Даниил Герасимов по праву считается одним из сильнейших студентов своей образовательной программы, демонстрируя стабильные высокие результаты в учебе и научной деятельности. Летом 2025 года он получил ценный международный исследовательский опыт, пройдя двухмесячную научную стажировку в лаборатории профессора Джесси Полланда в Университете науки и технологий имени короля Абдаллы (KAUST, Саудовская Аравия), что стало важным этапом его профессионального и академического развития.