Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Eraly Tugzhanov, Meets with Students of the “Serpin” Program

Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Eraly Tugzhanov, and statesman, retired Lieutenant General, Professor Abay Tasbulatov, visited Kozybayev University. They met with students and graduates of the “Mangilik El Youth – to Industry!” – “Serpin-2050” program, as well as with Kazakh diaspora students enrolled at the university and students from the western and southern regions of the country.

The “Serpin” program has been operating in the North Kazakhstan region since 2014. Over this period, 1,417 students from Almaty, Zhambyl, Turkestan, Kyzylorda, Mangystau, and Zhetysu regions have completed their studies at Kozybayev University under this program. Of these, 456 graduates have been employed, with 84% working in enterprises in North Kazakhstan. Currently, more than 150 students are enrolled in the program. During the meeting, students shared their success stories, talked about their studies and work, presented their plans, and showcased their startup projects.

“Previously, school graduates would go abroad to study. In the year the partnership with the University of Arizona was established, nearly 64% of students chose to stay here. North Kazakhstan needs young professionals with a solid education like you. In the future, after completing your studies, you should aim to remain here, work, and contribute to the development and prosperity of the region,” addressed Eraly Tugzhanov, Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2024, Kozybayev University established the regional project office Serpin Qoldau, which includes all interested government bodies. The office provides career profiling, training, language courses, psychological adaptation programs, and cultural integration. Third- and fourth-year students are directed to dual education programs with further support until they sign individual employment contracts. To facilitate employment, memorandums have been signed with the largest employers in North Kazakhstan. The university also provides temporary accommodation in dormitories for program graduates. For early career orientation of applicants, the Serpin Way caravan traveled over 6,000 kilometers, reaching school graduates in the southern regions of the country.

Chairman of the Board–Rector Erbol Issakaev also briefed the Prime Minister’s advisor on the development of Kozybayev University, the implementation of the strategic partnership project with the University of Arizona, and the flagship scientific projects carried out under this collaboration.

“Thanks to government support, this year we were awarded a mega-grant of approximately 3 billion tenge under the PCF program. Of this, 1.25 billion tenge comes from co-financing by North Kazakhstan enterprises. The project addresses issues of water quality, irrigation, purification, and rational use of water resources. We began its implementation on October 1. Another innovative project carried out with the University of Arizona is sulfur polymerization and its conversion into high-tech plastics, fertilizers, and the use of sulfur in the extraction of precious metals. This project was presented to the Head of State at the Strategic Partners Forum,” said Erbol Issakaev.