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From March 17 to 20, 2025, Aiyntura Tagabergenovna Sisenova, Senior Lecturer at AIU and a member of the interdisciplinary research team of the PTSF STP project “Presuicidal Attitudes as a Complex Indicator and Monitoring Object: A Population Study of Youth and Adolescents in Kazakhstan” for 2024-2026 (IRN BR24993083), conducted a training seminar for healthcare professionals in the city of Turkestan. This seminar was held as part of the Winter School on “Effective Interaction of PHC Specialists for Strengthening Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Among Young People in Kazakhstan.”

The event aimed to contribute to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 3 – ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all. During the program, primary healthcare (PHC) professionals working with young people studied key aspects of suicide risk assessment, psychological counseling, and the development of effective intervention strategies. Special attention was given to issues of interdisciplinary collaboration within the healthcare and social support systems.

Seminar participants highlighted the high practical value of the acquired knowledge and expressed interest in further cooperation. This event marked an important step in strengthening the mental health system and preventing suicidal behavior among young people.

Astana International University (AIU) welcomed the Ambassador of Belgium to Kazakhstan, H.E. Henri Vantieghem, as part of his official visit. During the meeting, the parties discussed key areas of educational cooperation between the two countries, with a particular focus on experience exchange in higher education, engineering training, and space research.

Ambassador Vantieghem noted that universities in Belgium enjoy a high degree of autonomy, yet their activities are fully funded by the state. This allows them to maintain high-quality education while keeping tuition fees relatively low. Additionally, a variety of scholarship programs are available for students, making higher education in Belgium both accessible and attractive to international students, including those from Kazakhstan.

Special attention was given to engineering education. Belgian engineering schools adhere to high international standards and are known for their practice-oriented approach to teaching. Their graduates not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop valuable hands-on skills by working with modern technologies. In this regard, Kazakhstan and Belgium have the potential to establish fruitful collaboration through educational programs and internships.

Another key topic of discussion was multilingualism in education. Belgium has a strong tradition of supporting multilingual learning, which gives it a competitive edge in the global educational landscape. Kazakhstan is also actively developing a trilingual education model, creating a solid foundation for the exchange of teaching methodologies and the development of joint programs.

Space research was highlighted as a promising area of cooperation. Kazakhstan has significant potential in this field, including satellite development and launches. AIU already operates a space technology laboratory and is planning to launch its first satellite. In this context, the Belgian side expressed interest in potential collaboration on space research and scientific data exchange.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties agreed to continue their dialogue and further define potential areas of cooperation. Further discussions on specific projects are planned, aiming to strengthen educational ties between Kazakhstan and Belgium and create new opportunities for students and researchers from both countries.

On March 20, 2025, a scientific seminar of students of the Globe club was held at Astana International University, organized by the senior lecturer of the Higher School of Natural Sciences, Ayman Avezova. The seminar was dedicated to two important dates - World Water Day and World Meteorology Day.

The seminar was attended by 2nd-year students of the RGiT specialty, who presented their scientific reports on the problems of water resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan and global climate change.

During the seminar, the students not only demonstrated their knowledge and first scientific research, but also received recommendations and advice from the jury members, which will help students develop their research skills in the future,

contribute to an in-depth study of important topics related to hydrology and meteorology, and also to the formation of environmental awareness among students.

The jury determined the winners: 3rd place - the Zhuldyzdar team, 2nd place - the Meteorite team and 1st place - the Everest team. Congratulations to the students and thanks to all participants for their activity and creativity!

AIU hosted a bright and heartfelt celebration of "Nūr Sebele, Ulystyn Uly Kuni," dedicated to Nauryz. The evening was filled with traditions, music, and an atmosphere of unity.

The event opened with a performance by the "Amanat" ensemble, setting the tone for the celebration. This was followed by the songs "Begim-ai" and "Qazaq Osy" performed by the "ST.K" group, while the "ÖZGE" theater presented a scene that captured the spirit of the holiday.

The higher schools of AIU prepared theatrical performances that immersed everyone in the rich traditions of the Kazakh people. The Higher School of Natural Sciences presented the play "Yrys Auyly," showcasing the traditions of "Süyinshi" and "Bessik Toi." The Higher School of Law demonstrated the "Tusaukeser" ritual, while the Higher School of Economics staged "Kuda Tүsu," symbolizing the matchmaking process. The Higher School of Arts and Humanities performed the "Qyz Uzatu" ceremony, and the Pedagogical Institute presented the traditions of "Kelin Tүsiru" and "Betashar," revealing the beauty and depth of Kazakh customs.

The event was further enriched by musical performances featuring folk songs and contemporary interpretations of Kazakh melodies. Guests enjoyed the voices of talented students – Akizhibek, Dilnara, and Zhuldizai – as they performed "Sügir's Terme."

The evening concluded with an engaging quiz on Nauryz traditions. Guests enthusiastically answered questions about the key ingredients of Nauryz Kozhe, the symbolic colors of the holiday, and traditional national games. As the night drew to a close, everyone once again felt the warmth and unity that Nauryz brings, exchanging words of gratitude and well wishes.

The Nauryz celebration at AIU is more than just an event—it is a cherished tradition that unites students, faculty, and guests of the university, emphasizing the importance of cultural heritage and the strength of human connections.

On March 15, 2025, Smail Gulfairuz, a student of group IY RY 23-4 at the Pedagogical Institute of AIU, took part in the international competition "Leader of the 21st Century", which was held at Kazmedia (Astana).

The competition brought together talented and active students who demonstrated their leadership qualities, public speaking skills, and ability to make decisions in challenging situations. Participants went through several stages, including public speaking, case-solving tasks, and teamwork.

Thanks to her determination, high intellectual potential, and active civic position, Smail Gulfairuz successfully completed all the challenges and became one of the best contestants. As a result, she was awarded a First Degree Diploma, an official certificate, and a badge, recognizing her strong leadership competencies and contributions to student self-governance.

The organizers highlighted her outstanding performance and creative approach, as well as her commitment to self-improvement and social responsibility.

Supervisor: Senior Lecturer Zhanibekova B.N.

🎉 Congratulations to Smail Gulfairuz on her well-deserved victory! We wish her continued success, new achievements, and bright future victories! 🌟👏

On March 19, 2025, within the framework of the decade of the Kazakh language and literature, a meeting was held with Aigul Kemelbaeva, a well-known writer, literary critic, film critic, winner of the Daryn youth prize and the Kurmet Order, organized by the Senior Teacher of the Pedagogical Institute, master of philology A. K. Ibraikhanova.  The event was attended by the teaching staff of the educational institution and students.

During the meeting, topical issues of modern prose and drama, the place of Kazakh literature in world literature, and the development of the translation genre were discussed. At the meeting, which was held in the form of an interview, the participants asked questions to the writer, exchanged views.

From March 12 to March 18, 2025, the Pedagogical Institute of Astana International University hosted a university Olympiad in the educational program "6B01702 – Russian Language and Literature". The competition consisted of two rounds:

🔹 Round I – Linguistic tasks and literary analysis.
🔹 Round II – Teaching methodology task and presentation preparation.

Students who scored more than 15 points in the first round advanced to the second stage, where they tested their knowledge and teaching skills.

As a result, Serikov Dulat, Isaeva Kamshat, and Aliy Bekzat achieved the highest scores and were declared the winners. They earned the opportunity to represent the university at the Republican Olympiad, which will be held at M. Utemisov West Kazakhstan University.

Supervisor: Senior Lecturer, Master of Pedagogical Sciences Zhanibekova B.N.

Congratulations to the winners, and we wish them success in the next stage!

From February 24 to 26, 2025, Astana International University successfully passed the program accreditation of 28 educational programs "ARQA" Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education for a period of five years.

The university administration expresses sincere gratitude to everyone who participated in the accreditation procedure and wishes them further success and achievements! 

How can AIU increase the number of international students and make its education more accessible to students from other countries? These questions were central to the meeting with representatives of Beijing Glen International Education Technology Co., Ltd., one of China's largest educational companies.

The company's CEO, Qiao Hongtao (乔红涛), noted that China has a restriction on the number of international students—each university cannot have more than 10% of its total student body as foreigners. This creates high competition for study places within the country, while the demand for overseas education continues to grow. In this context, AIU is seen as a promising partner capable of offering high-quality educational programs for students from China.

During the meeting, specific steps were discussed to attract more Chinese students to AIU. High-demand fields such as IT, international relations, and English, along with new programs launching in September, were considered. The discussion also covered mechanisms for cooperation with Chinese educational companies and universities that could help AIU reach a broader international audience.

Additionally, joint academic initiatives such as dual-degree programs and student exchange opportunities were explored. Special interest was shown in educational programs supported by businesses, as well as scholarship options that could make studying at AIU more accessible for students.

AIU and Beijing Glen agreed to continue their collaboration to strengthen the university’s international presence and create attractive conditions for foreign students. In the near future, practical steps will be taken to expand student enrollment from China and develop joint educational initiatives.

Today, Astana International University had the honor of welcoming distinguished guests — Her Excellency Eva Polano, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Sweden to Kazakhstan, and Agnes Söderblad, an intern at the Swedish Embassy. This visit marked a significant milestone for our university, opening new horizons for strengthening international cooperation and academic mobility.

During the meeting, Ambassador Polano shared valuable professional and personal insights, recounting her inspiring journey into diplomacy, which began at the age of 26 and has spanned over three decades. Her extensive experience in embassies around the world highlights the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges. In Kazakhstan, her focus lies on developing educational programs, supporting Swedish businesses, promoting environmental initiatives, and enhancing cooperation in healthcare and sustainable urban development.

A key topic of discussion was the potential for educational partnerships between Kazakhstan and Sweden. To date, more than 130 Kazakhstani students have studied at Swedish universities through the Bolashak program, reflecting a strong interest in academic mobility. The dialogue identified several promising areas of cooperation, including joint research projects, knowledge exchange in innovation and entrepreneurship, and the establishment of robust academic ties.

The integration of English into the educational process was another focal point of the discussion, particularly in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and ICT. Ambassador Polano highlighted the significance of this initiative for Kazakhstan’s integration into the global academic community, emphasizing the need for well-prepared educators to support these programs.

Broader topics such as the transition to the Latin alphabet, the role of education in promoting gender equality, and the support of youth initiatives were also discussed. Sweden’s experience in these areas offers valuable insights for AIU, as the university strives to create a modern educational environment that embraces best practices from around the world.

Economic development through the support of small and medium-sized enterprises emerged as another crucial theme. The guests underscored the importance of investing in engineering education, fostering innovation, and providing micro-financing opportunities to unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs in Kazakhstan.

One particularly inspiring part of the conversation centered around scientific achievements, with Alfred Nobel’s legacy serving as a symbol of Swedish entrepreneurship and innovation. The idea of nurturing Kazakhstani scientists who could one day achieve global recognition resonated strongly with everyone present.

Astana International University extends its sincere gratitude to Ambassador Polano and Ms. Söderblad for their visit, insightful dialogue, and openness to further collaboration. Encounters like these strengthen academic ties, open new doors for AIU’s students and faculty, and lay the groundwork for lasting international partnerships.

Starting from February 19, a French-speaking club dedicated to the oral development of the French language has begun its work at Astana International University. The club meetings take place every Wednesday at 18:30 with the participation of Mr. Colin, a representative of the French Embassy in Kazakhstan, and students of the specialty "Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages" whose second language is French.

The club aims to create a linguistic environment where students can practice spoken French, enhance their language skills, and learn more about French culture. During the meetings, participants discuss current topics, engage in dialogues, and take part in interactive activities.

We invite all students interested in the French language and culture to join the French-speaking Club!