Today, we became part of an important educational initiative aimed at developing modern competencies and training a new generation of specialists. The university has received minor programs developed by the AIFC Academy with the support of Freedom Broker through the corporate foundation Freedom Shapagat. These educational modules cover key topics in modern finance and help students gain relevant knowledge, increasing their competitiveness in the labor market. Minor programs are short-term certificate-based courses and form part of the general education curricula of higher education institutions. Their duration ranges from 3 to 4 months. Among the transferred minor programs are the courses “Derivative Securities – Options,” “Asset Management,” “Financial Market Regulation,” and “Resolution of International Commercial Disputes.” Studying these courses opens additional opportunities for expanding skills and knowledge in the financial sector. “The transfer of minor programs is not simply the introduction of new academic courses. It is a systemic step toward renewing the content of education and integrating advanced knowledge and practices into the learning process. In the context of rapid technological change, universities must not only keep pace with the times but also shape the future agenda by preparing specialists capable of working in new digital and financial realities. The project being implemented is a vivid example of effective interaction between business and education. We sincerely thank Freedom for its contribution to the development of human capital and for supporting initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education. Special thanks go to the AIFC Academy for developing modern, practice-oriented courses that meet international standards,” emphasized Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector Yerbol Issakayev. It is especially valuable that Kozybayev University has become the first regional university to receive these minor programs. Among the further joint initiatives are the organization of internships and practical placements at the Astana International Financial Centre and partner banks for graduates of these programs, as well as employment opportunities for young specialists. Aigul Kazbekova, Project Manager at the AIFC Academy, noted: “Minor programs give students the opportunity to respond flexibly to labor market changes and acquire востребованные skills in promising areas. This approach strengthens their professional competencies, while the financial sector benefits from an inflow of well-prepared specialists with up-to-date knowledge.” The integration of the minor programs into the university’s educational process will begin as early as next year.

Professor Zhang Joliang, PhD, from Northwest A&F University in China has arrived at Kozybayev University, accompanied by six students from the same university participating in an academic mobility program. Professor Joliang’s visit has been organized within the framework of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s program for attracting foreign scholars to the country’s universities. The visit is aimed at delivering lectures for students of the Agrarian Faculty, conducting seminars for faculty members to enhance their qualifications, organizing joint events, and providing information and consulting support to researchers on scientific and research activities. This is not Professor Zhang Joliang’s first visit to Kozybayev University. Previously, he joined the team of researchers working on the project “Development and implementation of high-tech solutions for monitoring, purification, and rational use of water resources in the North Kazakhstan region to ensure public health.” A new important stage now lies ahead. At present, we are preparing technical specifications for a joint project that we plan to submit for program-targeted funding. The project will focus on establishing a genetic resource center for dairy cattle, which will improve the quality of the livestock cluster in the country’s northern region. It is encouraging to see strong support both from local executive authorities and Chinese companies. Overall, for more than 10 years, Kozybayev University has been successfully building a strategic partnership with Northwest A&F University in Yangling, China, within the framework of the international Belt and Road Initiative. Over the years, this collaboration has grown into a full-fledged academic and scientific partnership. We are implementing two joint double-degree programs in the agricultural field. At this very moment, two master’s students enrolled in these programs are studying in China. Academic mobility has also become one of the key areas of cooperation. Over the years of partnership, around 100 undergraduate and graduate students from China have studied at our university, while 30 Kozybayev University students have studied at the Chinese university. Currently, another 35 students are gaining knowledge at Northwest A&F University. We are pleased to welcome a new group of students from China. They will stay here for three months and, in addition to their academic studies, will engage in research activities and visit agricultural producers of the North Kazakhstan region. Northwest A&F University is among China’s key universities, supported by national higher education development programs and renowned for its strong scientific schools in genetics and crop breeding, plant protection, agricultural biotechnology, water resource management, and animal husbandry. It is one of China’s largest scientific and educational centers for agricultural science. We are conducting substantial joint research in food security, agronomy, plant breeding, water resources, and other areas highly relevant to Northern Kazakhstan. The cooperation between our universities is long-term and comprehensive in nature.

The Medical Faculty organized the “Check Out” campaign at the university dedicated to World Health Day. Future healthcare professionals conducted functional health assessments for all interested students, faculty members, and university staff. More than 100 people took part in the event. Blood oxygen level measurement, blood pressure monitoring, and body mass index calculation - all these services were provided free of charge on campus. Participants of the campaign also received consultations from medical specialists, including a general practitioner, an infectious disease specialist, and a nutritionist-dietitian. Medical interns delivered a lecture on healthy nutrition and introduced participants to brochures and visual materials on maintaining their health. At the university, this campaign has already become a good tradition and is held annually. For Medical Faculty students, it serves as valuable practical training for developing primary examination skills.

The educational exhibition “Study in Azerbaijan” is being held in Almaty at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The event brings together leading universities of Azerbaijan, which are presenting a wide range of their academic opportunities. The exhibition is aimed at expanding academic cooperation and informing students about the prospects of obtaining quality education abroad. As part of the bilateral event, the 2nd Forum of Rectors of Kazakh and Azerbaijani Universities was also held. Chairman of the Executive Board - Rector Yerbol Issakayev took part in the forum on behalf of Kozybayev University. The event was led by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, and Emin Amrullayev, Minister of Science and Education of Azerbaijan. During the forum, memorandums of cooperation were signed between higher education institutions of the two countries. Our university concluded agreements with Mingachevir State University, Sumgayit State University, and Azerbaijan University. The planned cooperation between Kozybayev University and Azerbaijani universities will focus on the development of academic, scientific, and educational interaction in the following key areas: Development of academic mobility and exchange of experience through inviting faculty members and staff from partner universities for educational and research activities; Admission of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students from partner universities for study and research; Organization of joint scientific events; Implementation of joint research projects and educational programs; Exchange of experience in innovative teaching methods, as well as effective managerial and administrative practices in the higher education system; Implementation of joint initiatives and projects in environmental management and sustainable development. This cooperation will contribute to strengthening the university’s international ties, developing its scientific potential, and improving the quality of specialist training within the global academic space.

The intramural stage of the 2026 Student Sports League in basketball has concluded at Kozybayev University! The strongest faculty teams competed for victory, delivering exciting and intense matches for the spectators. The PF team included five Masters of Sport and champions of the Kazakhstan Premier League, but the AF team showed great determination and won 67:55! For 3rd–4th place, FICT faced FMEN, with FICT winning 46:24. Tournament MVPs: Best Forward – Kirill Lavrenko, Master of Sport of Kazakhstan (A-24); Best Player – Ivan Grebentsov (TPP-25).

At the end of March, the World Championship in Zendokai MMA Karate was held in Astana, bringing together the strongest fighters from seven countries. More than 300 participants – from young athletes (from 8 years old) to experienced masters – demonstrated a high level of skill and true determination to win. Zendokai MMA Karate is a modern discipline that combines traditional karate with elements of mixed martial arts (MMA), a style focused on real combat. A special pride is the achievement of 7th-year medical faculty intern of Kozybayev University, Toizhan Syzdykov, who won 1st place! Studying in the General Medicine program, he successfully combines his studies with professional martial arts, holds the title of Master of Sport of Kazakhstan, and leads the Ashihara Karate Federation in the North Kazakhstan Region. On the championship tatami, Toizhan demonstrated not only excellent physical fitness, but also strategic thinking, tactical skill, and unbreakable determination. These qualities led him to a brilliant victory and a well-deserved gold medal! Our intern represented the North Kazakhstan Region, whose team won a total of five medals at the World Championship. We sincerely congratulate Toizhan Syzdykov on this outstanding achievement! We wish him continued success, new heights, strong health, confidence in his abilities, and many more bright victories ahead!

Three days filled with inspiration, discoveries, and vivid emotions flew by in the blink of an eye! A large-scale event, Open Days for school students, was held at the university. This year, more than 700 10th–11th grade students from districts of the North Kazakhstan Region participated. Future applicants eagerly immersed themselves in the student life of Kozybayev University. They were interested in all the essential information: admission rules, passing scores, scholarship opportunities, in-demand educational programs, active extracurricular life, and comfortable dormitory conditions. The event was made especially engaging by live communication: not only lecturers, but also students spoke openly, sincerely, and inspiringly about the academic programs. They presented their student organizations, creative teams, and shared personal experiences of studying at the university. Ahead of the students lie an important stage – final exams and the UNT. We wish everyone confidence, excellent results, and the fulfillment of their plans! And we look forward to welcoming new students to the walls of our beloved university!

Kozybayev University hosted a seminar for librarians from the North Kazakhstan region titled “Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence: Creating Media Content and Modern Opportunities.” Experts from the Department of Information and Communication Technologies explained to library professionals which AI tools can assist them in their work and how to create high-quality video and audio content using AI technologies. Seminar participants learned about modern methods for automating event plans, generating ideas and texts, and more. They also received practical guidance on creating videos without filming, voiceovers (Text-to-Speech), and working with applications such as CapCut, Google AI, Studio Leonardo AI, Canva, ChatGPT, Ideogram, and Lumen5. Additionally, participants mastered principles for creating visuals for social media and websites: Generating images for posts and videos; Covers for books and events; Using AI-generated images in videos. More than 50 participants attended the seminar. At the end, all of them received corresponding certificates.

Aitys remains a true spiritual treasure of the Great Steppe and the pinnacle of the art of words for our people. We take rightful pride in it, passing its traditions from generation to generation. Our region is a golden cradle of creativity, which has gifted the country numerous historical figures who made an invaluable contribution to the spiritual development of the nation. Today, talented natives of this land continue to pass on traditions and cultural heritage to the youth, contributing to the preservation and development of spiritual values. The Republican Student Aitys “Sons of Ulytau – My Nation”, held within the walls of our university, is a vivid proof of this. This large-scale competition, aimed at reviving national art and developing the improvisational skills of young akyns, was dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the outstanding scholar, academician Manash Kozybayev, and the 75th anniversary of the honored figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan, poet and aitys performer Yermán Zhursin. The competition featured young akyns not only from our region but also from Astana, Pavlodar, Semey, Kokshetau, Kyzylorda, Kostanay, Shymkent, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Turkestan, and other cities across the country. The young participants, while maintaining respect and tact, skillfully expressed their thoughts through subtle humor and profound content. During the aitys, they addressed pressing youth issues and delivered insightful and sharp statements. The participants’ mastery was evaluated by an authoritative jury, including poet Yermán Zhursin, our university professor Zhanar Talaspaeva, Professor Almas Almatov of the Kazakh National University of Arts named after K. Baiseyitova, Kazakh cultural figure Serik Kaliyev, director of the Akmola Regional History and Local Lore Museum Kudayberli Myrzabek, and others. Their fair evaluation and wise advice served as a guide for the young talents. As a result, the winners and prize-winners were determined: — Grand Prix was awarded to guest Zarina Perdebay from Almaty; — 1st place — Eldar Amirkhan (Kyzylorda region); — 2nd place — Ayakoz Mukhankyzy (Kokshetau); — 3rd place — Ramazan Daurenbek (Pavlodar). A special prize was awarded to Dias Ayagan, representing the North Kazakhstan region. During the event, Yermán Zhursin was awarded the Manash Kozybayev Medal for his contribution to the development of the university, and Almas Almatov was honored with the title of “Honorary Professor” of Kozybayev University. Preserving and passing on spiritual heritage is our shared responsibility. Thanks to such significant events, we not only revive cultural values but also transmit them to future generations. May the centuries-old art of our people continue to flourish! We extend our gratitude to the participants and the esteemed jury members!