News

On January 17, the BLCU Kazakhstan campus at Astana International University hosted a significant visit by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Han Chunlin.

✔️ The delegation from the Chinese Embassy included Li Guangzuo, Director of the Department of Information and Public Diplomacy; Fan Chao, Head of Education Affairs; Zhou Huan, Secretary to the Ambassador; and Qian Moxin, Embassy Attaché.

🔻 From the very first moments of the visit, an atmosphere of inspiration and mutual respect was palpable on campus. The program began with a campus tour where the guests explored modern classrooms and language labs designed for learning Chinese and immersing in the rich culture of China.

🔹 During the meeting, key areas of educational cooperation were discussed:

• Providing additional scholarships for Kazakhstani students wishing to study in China;
• Developing educational programs aimed at training highly qualified specialists in technical, scientific, and engineering fields;
• Expanding exchange programs, internships, and research projects for students and faculty;
• Creating platforms for cultural interaction to strengthen mutual understanding between the two nations.

✨ Particular attention was drawn to the Ambassador’s speech, in which he highlighted Kazakhstan’s pivotal role in the Belt and Road Initiative and emphasized the significance of the Chinese language for youth.
“China and Kazakhstan are not only geographically close but are also connected through educational and cultural initiatives. These ties create opportunities for learning, experience exchange, and strengthening the friendship between our peoples,” he stated.

🔹 Furthermore, the president of AIU proposed that members of the delegation conduct lectures for university students. This would provide students with a unique opportunity to deepen their knowledge and be inspired by new ideas.

📕 The Ambassador expressed gratitude to the university for its contribution to the development of Sino-Kazakh cooperation in higher education and noted the historical significance of opening the BLCU branch in Kazakhstan, which has become a platform for the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and cultural values.

🔗 The visit became a landmark event for students and faculty, inspiring them to achieve new milestones and strengthen international ties. Graduates of BLCU Kazakhstan will combine the advantages of Chinese and Kazakhstani education, becoming ambassadors of friendship between nations and drivers of progress in education, science, and culture.

In line with the directive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich Tokayev, and the Sustainable Development Goal "Quality Education," professional development courses titled "Artificial Intelligence in Education" commenced at Astana International University on January 8, 2025, for the teaching staff.

The courses focus on training educators to use artificial intelligence technologies in the educational process. They will run until January 18, covering a total of 80 academic hours.

Additionally, a special module on artificial intelligence has been incorporated into the curriculum of several disciplines. This integration is a significant step toward developing digital competencies among students and educators in the context of educational transformation.

The first cohort consists of 70 educators. This initiative highlights the university's commitment to integrating innovations into the educational environment and enhancing the professional skills of its faculty.

The courses are led by Associate Professor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Saule Kairolyovna Damekova from the Pedagogical Institute. Practical sessions are conducted by instructors from the "Informatics" educational program, who share their expertise and experience in applying artificial intelligence.

Participants will learn how to leverage artificial intelligence to enhance the quality of education. The acquired technologies and tools will deepen their understanding of the principles of artificial intelligence and its potential in educational activities.

By the end of the course, participants will gain new knowledge and skills that will enable them to effectively integrate artificial intelligence into the educational process, contributing to the modernization of teaching methods and the development of digital literacy.

We wish all participants success in their studies and look forward to seeing their newly acquired knowledge applied in practice!

On December 14, 2024, the city of Astana hosted the International Competition "Superstar Fest," which became a true celebration of music and creativity.

Students from the 6B01401 "Music Education" program at Astana International University, under the guidance of their teacher, Ayagoz Umyrtayevna Bazarova, showcased their achievements, mastery, and love for music. Their exceptional performances earned them unanimous recognition from the jury, securing top prizes:

• Mirzakhmetova Aida, a 2nd-year student, won the Grand Prix in the Piano category.
• Ermekova Aiym, a 3rd-year student, also won the Grand Prix in the Piano category.

The competition program was rich and diverse, featuring pieces by Kazakhstani composers in contemporary arrangements. The students amazed the audience not only with their technical skills but also with their emotional performances, infusing each note with a part of their soul.

For the students, this competition became a significant milestone, providing an opportunity to showcase their talents and earn valuable prizes. Members of the jury, educators, and guests highly praised the participants' performances.

This day will remain in the memory of everyone who attended as a magical moment filled with harmony and warmth.

On December 28, 2024, the Demo Day of the 4th "AIU BUSINESS INNOVATION" incubation program was held at the Higher School of Economics, organized by the business incubator. The program involved 20 startups, with 12 projects reaching the final. Over the course of a month, participants worked on generating business ideas, learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, financial models, business plan development, and pitching.

During the Demo Day, finalists presented their projects to experts, including representatives from "NARI QazInnovations" JSC, the "Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, and the business community of Astana. The projects covered various sectors, from producing healthy gluten-free food to developing mobile applications.

After the event, all participants received certificates, granting them the opportunity to apply for a grant funding competition of up to 20 million tenge to implement their business ideas. This is a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs to bring their ideas to life.

We wish our incubation program graduates the best of luck!

Annually, in accordance with the memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry

of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, PSA LLP, NCOC N.V., "KPO B.V." and

the "KAZENERGY" Association, a selection of candidates for tuition reimbursement

is held, funded through the North Caspian and Karachaganak projects.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the scholarship holders are the students of the

"Finance" educational program Nurtazina Laura Kuanyshbaevna and Akimbek

Nurikamal Janaydarkyzy, the "Management" educational program student

Abilkhanov Almas Abzalovich, and the "Economics" educational program student

Yerzhan Asylim Nurkenkyzy

(https://www.kazenergy.com/upload/document/education/list_2024.pdf).

Congratulations and wish you all continued success!

Congratulations to the students of the Higher School of Economics the "Finance"

educational program Esmukhanov Usen and Nurtazina Laura, and the "Management"

educational program, Iskakova Dilyara and Karabaeva Aulym, for winning the

Republican Competition "Best Student of the Year"!

We wish you continued achievements and success!

Dear faculty, students, and staff,

I sincerely congratulate you on the upcoming New Year 2025! This year has been filled with significant achievements and successes, made possible by your hard work, talent, and dedication to excellence.

May the year ahead bring even more bright victories, inspiration, and opportunities for growth. I wish you all good health, happiness, prosperity, and confidence in the future!

With best wishes,
Serik Aztaevich Irsaliev
President of Astana International University

Second-year student of the 6B01401 "Music Education" program, Zhanaiym Kumarbekova, has achieved remarkable success on the international stage! She was awarded Second Prize in the "Piano" category at two major competitions: the International Music Art Competition "Musical Season: Winter – 2024" and the Christmas Festival "Christmas Music Fest," both held on December 28, 2024, in the city of Astana.

These achievements were made possible thanks to Zhanaiym's dedication and the professionalism of her instructor, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, M.S. Makashova. The classes on the discipline "Basics of Playing Musical Instruments (Piano)" played a significant role in developing her performance skills.

We wholeheartedly congratulate Zhanaiym on her well-deserved awards and wish her continued success and creative victories!

On December 25, 2024, in the 2024-2025 academic year, Senior Lecturer of the School of Natural Sciences, candidate of biological sciences, N.S. Auezova organized a team competition about "The Secrets of the Plant World" among the first-year students of the EP «6В05101 -Biology».
The students began by introducing their teams. In the next stage, they completed tasks aimed at testing their knowledge of botany using various methods. During the break, different games (Shymyldyk, Who is the quickest?) were played.
As a result of the competition, students were awarded diplomas of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees.
The first place was won by the team "Flora Phoenix," the second place went to "Florarkhiya," and the third place was awarded to "Biomania."
The competition became a platform for the combination of knowledge and creativity, enthusiasm and exploration. The participants mastered various aspects of the plant world and demonstrated their love and respect for nature.

On December 4, 2024, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at our university hosted the grand opening of «Psychology Week», organized by the students of the Psychology program under the guidance of Nurshat Zhumatkyzy Zhumatova. This event became a true celebration of creativity, science, and unity, leaving all participants with a wealth of vivid impressions.

The event began with the inauguration of the new «Psychological Laboratory». The symbolic ceremony was conducted by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sayat Baimuratuly Ybyrai, who emphasized that the laboratory would serve as an essential platform for scientific research and educational projects.

The festivities continued with a concert, where students showcased their talents. The program included:

• Dance performances, featuring both traditional Kazakh dances and contemporary choreography;
• Musical acts, ranging from songs accompanied by guitar to vocal duets and instrumental compositions;
• Dynamic flash mobs that brought together students from different courses in creative performances.

Each performance reflected the high level of preparation and creativity of the participants. The concert became a vibrant demonstration of their multifaceted talents, offering the audience a warm atmosphere and a sense of inspiration.

The event was masterfully hosted by Temirlan Svankulov and Borebaeva Nazerke, who guided the program with professionalism, creating an uplifting and celebratory mood. Concluding the concert, Temirlan invited the esteemed guests and faculty members of the Psychology program to share their thoughts. In their speeches, the guests highlighted the excellent organization of the event, the students' remarkable performances, and the importance of such initiatives for the university's development and the promotion of psychological science.

These heartfelt words served as the perfect finale to a rich and inspiring day, which filled all participants with positive emotions and marked a bright beginning to «Psychology Week».

We extend our gratitude to the students for organizing and participating in this wonderful event! Throughout the week, masterclasses, lectures, and scientific sessions sparked great interest among students and faculty members. These activities facilitated knowledge expansion, experience sharing, and strengthened collaboration within and between universities.

On December 18, 2024, in order to popularize among gifted youth the program article of the Head of State Kassym-Jomart Tokayev "Independence above all", popularize innovative ideas among young people, develop scientific and creative abilities, 1st year students of the Higher School of Natural Sciences of the educational program participated in the competition "100 best scientific projects of the year" and became winners.Biology": awarded to Elshibek Aruzhan, Zinolla Inkar. Supervisor: senior lecturer Mahanova Nargiza Askarovna was awarded the badge "Ibrai Altynsarin" and a certificate was issued.

On December 26, 2024, Astana International University (AIU) hosted an inspiring guest lecture by Diana Alpyssbayeva, Project Officer at the Center for Humanitarian Dialogue in Geneva, Switzerland. The lecture was organized for students of the School of Design and Humanities at AIU, members of the AIU Diplomacy Club, and students from Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU).

Diana Alpyssbayeva shared her valuable experience working in international organizations such as the OSCE and the UN, offering insights into the realities of professional activity in the humanitarian field and diplomacy. She highlighted key aspects of her career, provided practical advice to young specialists, and answered numerous questions from students interested in building an international career.

Special attention was given to the topics of effective communication and negotiation in multinational teams, as well as the importance of humanitarian initiatives in today’s world. Participants emphasized the relevance and practical value of the information they received from a professional of international stature.

Astana International University extends its gratitude to Diana Alpyssbayeva for her visit and the inspiration she brought to the students! We are confident that this meeting marked an important step in the development of their professional competencies.

Stay tuned for AIU news and don’t miss the opportunity to participate in such events!