Kozybayev University hosted the International Scientific and Practical Conference “Kozybayev Readings – 2026: Ecosystem of the Future, Synergy of Technology and Human Capital Development”, dedicated to the 95th anniversary of the outstanding Kazakh historian and academician Manash Kozybayev. The Kozybayev Readings have been held at the university since 2003 and have become a platform for academic exchange among scholars not only from Kazakhstan but also from other countries. This year, the conference was organized within the framework of the Science Decade. The event brought together experts, researchers, educators, students, scientists, and public figures from Kazakhstan, China, Türkiye, Russia, and Uzbekistan. In total, more than 470 papers were submitted. Congratulatory letters were sent by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, the Akim of the North Kazakhstan Region Gauyez Nurmukhambetov, and strategic partners from the University of Arizona (USA). Traditionally, the event began with a flower-laying ceremony at the monument to M. Kozybayev, whose name the university has proudly borne since 2003. Guests then visited Kozybayev Labs research laboratories in agrochemical analytics, water quality assessment, microbiology, and other fields. At the plenary session, speeches were delivered by Ilyas Kozybayev, Professor and Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, son of M.K. Kozybayev; Zhaksylyk Sabitov, Director of the Scientific Institute for the Study of the Jochi Ulus; Zhang Joliang, Professor of Northwest A&F University (China); Saule Malikova, Director of the North Kazakhstan State Archive, and other speakers. In his report, Professor Zarkyn Taishybay emphasized the significant contribution of Manash Kabashevich to the development of national historical science. According to the scholar, Manash Kozybayev laid the scientific foundations for studying the history of Kazakhstan from the perspective of independence and opened the way for a new direction aimed at renewing historical consciousness. “My father passed away 24 years ago, but the memories he left still remain vivid in my mind. He was never strict with us. We looked up to him through his behavior, his human qualities, and his relationships with others. Even when he came home tired from work, he always devoted much attention to his family. He especially loved his grandchildren and tried to teach them discipline and work ethic. For them, he translated Russian fairy tales into Kazakh. To this day, his grandchildren have not forgotten their grandfather’s care and warmth,” shared Ilyas Kozybayev, Professor and Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan, son of M.K. Kozybayev. The conference continued with an award ceremony honoring scholars, faculty, staff, and students with ministerial and university awards, as well as certificates of appreciation from the Akimat of the North Kazakhstan Region. The work of the conference proceeded through sectional sessions covering mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, law, economics, medicine, pedagogy, engineering, agricultural sciences, information systems in management, philology, and the integration of science, technology, and education in the context of global academic partnership. Within the framework of the Readings, a memorandum of cooperation was signed with Secondary School No. 23 in Kostanay, which also bears the name of Manash Kozybayev. At the exhibition “Tarihtyn Tarlanbozy”, participants had the opportunity to explore the academician’s legacy. The life path of Manash Kabashevich is an example of lifelong, devoted service to Kazakh science. He consistently upheld the principles of restoring historical truth and interpreting events objectively, free from distortion or political bias. He made a significant contribution to shaping the ideology of independent Kazakhstan. The international conference became not only an opportunity to honor the memory of an outstanding scholar but also to continue his legacy through new research and discoveries.  

As part of the Science Decade, Kozybayev University hosted a series of subject olympiads for students. These intellectual competitions provide an opportunity to identify students who are capable of thinking beyond the standard curriculum, demonstrating non-standard approaches and a high level of academic preparation. In addition, they foster interest in education and science, as many tasks are research- or practice-oriented, helping students take their first steps into science and participate in research activities. Dendrology Olympiad brought together students studying woody plants and their diversity. A total of 8 teams (around 40 participants) took part in the event. The competition was held in two stages. During the theoretical round, participants completed tests and presented their own projects. The practical stage focused on developing professional skills and included plant identification tasks as well as work with herbarium specimens. The first place was awarded to the team “Cedar Intelligence” (group LR-23-Kaz). Psychology Olympiad aimed to identify and support talented youth oriented toward developing competencies in psychology and promoting psychological knowledge among students. Its goal was to increase motivation for studying psychological disciplines and mastering the chosen profession, as well as to improve the quality of student training. Second- and third-year students from the educational programs “Pedagogy and Psychology” and “Psychology in Education” participated, with each team consisting of five members. The winner of the olympiad was group PvO-23 (KZ-US). Engineering Mechanics Olympiad was held among students of the “Construction” educational program. Participants solved three tasks requiring a design calculation, construction of a complex composite cross-section, and determination of internal forces distribution, normal stresses, and displacements in stepped beam sections. As part of the event, a scientific and practical conference titled “Mechanics Around Us” was also held. The winner of the olympiad was Vyacheslav Zimovsky. Geography Olympiad was conducted on the Google platform for 2nd–4th year students of the “Geography” and “Geography and Nature Management” programs. The competition consisted of two stages: a test and practical assignments covering physical and economic geography, cartography, regional studies, and geopolitics. First place was awarded to Gulzhayna Tolepbaeva (group Geo-24k). Congratulations to all winners and prize recipients!

On the eve of Science Workers’ Day and as part of the celebration of the 95th anniversary of academician Manash Kozybayev, Kozybayev University hosted the grand opening of two new research facilities. The historical classroom titled “Bais of Kyzylzhar in the Early 20th Century” was established with the aim of conducting a comprehensive study of the bais of Northern Kazakhstan, their economic activities, and socio-economic role, as well as demonstrating that the bais represented a significant and potentially influential group within Kazakh society. Special attention is given to the study of the collectivization process in the region and its consequences, based on documents from the State Archive of the North Kazakhstan Region. Among the key objectives of the classroom are the preservation, systematization, and study of historical sources, as well as their promotion among the wider public. The classroom was created as part of a grant-funded project by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a total funding of 86 million tenge, titled “The Bais of Northern Kazakhstan: Their Role in Society, Potential, and Confiscation of Their Property.” The project is led by PhD holder Asemgul Temirkhanova. “At present, five researchers are working within our project. Our goal is to identify the list of bais in Northern Kazakhstan and study the fate of affected families. Another important task is to provide a scientific justification of their significant role in social development processes. Based on archival data, young researchers will be able to learn about the ‘blank spots’ in our history and the place of wealthy social groups in this region’s society,” said Asemgul Temirkhanova. The university also inaugurated the Center for Strategic Studies in Food Security of Border Regions as part of a research project titled “Improving State Policy in Food Security of Kazakhstan’s Border Regions: Challenges and Solutions,” supported by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The Center will conduct research on global and regional food trends, strategic analysis, and forecasting in the field of food security. It also aims to develop evidence-based recommendations for government bodies and support the preparation of scientific publications and methodological materials. “Our goal is to develop political and strategic recommendations to improve state policy in the field of food security in border regions. The project started in August 2025 and will run until the end of 2027. It is led by Professor Marina Onuchko of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. We plan to publish a monograph and at least three Scopus-indexed articles. Our research focus is the border regions of Kazakhstan,” said senior researcher of the project, Daniyar Abutalipov.

Kozybayev University students actively participated in the ecological campaign “Taza Beysenbi,” held in the Magzhan Zhumabayev Park. All participants enthusiastically and proactively responded to the opportunity to contribute to the improvement and beautification of their hometown. More than 50 students joined forces to clean the park area from winter debris: dry grass and household waste were collected, and public spaces were tidied up. The campaign is implemented within the framework of the environmental project “Taza Beysenbi” with the support of the AMANAT party and is aimed at fostering environmental awareness and promoting responsible attitudes toward the natural environment. Once again, Kozybayev University students demonstrated that active civic engagement, responsibility, and love for their city are not just words but real actions. Such initiatives are truly inspiring and show that young people play a vital role in building a cleaner and more comfortable future.

Kozybayev University student Islam Evloev delivered an outstanding performance at the Asian Greco-Roman Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, winning a bronze medal in the 97 kg weight category. This is an excellent result and the first medal for Islam at the senior Asian Championships. The tournament proved to be highly competitive for him: in the quarterfinal, he confidently defeated his Japanese opponent with a score of 8:0, demonstrating control, speed, and strong tactical awareness. In the semifinal, he faced experienced Iranian wrestler Mohammadhadi Saravi, one of the recognized world leaders in the sport. The match was intense; however, his opponent’s experience and consistency played a decisive role, and Evloev lost 1:3. Nevertheless, the defeat did not unsettle the athlete. In the bronze medal bout, the athlete from North Kazakhstan left no chance for his South Korean opponent, securing a dominant 9:0 victory. Islam Evloev is one of the leading athletes of the new generation of Kazakhstan’s Greco-Roman wrestling school. He is a former World Youth Champion and a medalist of international tournaments. In particular, in 2026 he won a silver medal at the prestigious ranking tournament “Zagreb Open” in Croatia, and in 2005 he placed second at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. Congratulations to our student on reaching a new sporting milestone! We wish him continued success, strong health, and many bright victories!  

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.