Digital Horizons: University Delegation at the Digital Qazaqstan 2026 Forum in Shymkent

The largest technology forum, Digital Qazaqstan 2026, has concluded in Shymkent, becoming a key platform for discussing the future of the IT industry at the regional level. The focus of experts and digital market leaders from the EAEU countries was the concept “Industry 5.0: The Power of Interaction,” centered on integrating advanced technologies into the real sector of the economy.

Aigul Nurpeisova, Member of the Management Board for Academic Affairs at Kozybayev University, and Kainizhamal Iklasova, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Digital Technologies, took part in the event, enabling our university to align its educational and research agenda with current industry demands.

During the forum’s practical sessions, the innovative platform AlemGPT was presented — a multi-agent system automating public services, demonstrating the direction of AI solutions development for which we prepare our graduates. Of particular interest to the academic community were infrastructure projects such as the “Data Center Valley” by Kazakhtelecom JSC. The creation of powerful data processing centers with capacities of up to 50 MW forms the necessary technical foundation for implementing high-tech projects in machine learning and big data analytics, which are being developed within our university.

A key focus of the discussions, involving Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dinara Shcheglova and leaders of major national companies, was the training of a new generation of specialists capable of implementing artificial intelligence in priority sectors of the economy. For our university, this discussion confirmed the importance of synergy between academia and business: the focus is shifting toward creating educational pathways where students, together with industry partners, develop real technological solutions, contributing to the country’s digital transformation.

More than 2,500 students from our university have been enrolled in the second stage of the AI-Sana program. This stage will mark a key transition from basic AI learning to practical application and the development of students’ own projects.

Special attention at the forum was given to the advanced experience of the North Kazakhstan Region, which presented the strategic project “Digital Aimaq.” This unique IT ecosystem for rural areas is aimed at eliminating the digital divide between urban and rural communities. It is expected that large-scale digitalization will cover more than 7,800 rural residents, creating new growth points for the economy of the future.

As part of the project, 11 IT centers are already successfully operating in the region, including the country’s first district-level creative center “Esil.AI” and the unique digital museum “Ziyatker Myra.” For our university, the implementation of “Digital Aimaq” opens up broad opportunities: from engaging students in developing projects for the agricultural sector to building a talent pool in artificial intelligence and creative industries across the region.

The outcomes of the forum in Shymkent confirm that the digital transformation of regions requires strengthening the role of higher education institutions in developing a high-quality talent pool. The experience gained and the analysis of the presented cases will be valuable for updating curricula and improving the university’s scientific and methodological framework in the field of artificial intelligence and digitalization.