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!

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!