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On June 30, 2025, the branch campus of Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU Kazakhstan) in Astana hosted the official graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Foundation program. This event marked the completion of the branch's first academic year and became an important milestone in the history of educational partnership between Kazakhstan and China.

BLCU Kazakhstan was opened on July 3, 2024, at the premises of Astana International University (AIU) and demonstrated significant results within just one year of active operation. Out of 100 students enrolled in the Foundation program, 85 successfully completed their studies, and 55 achieved excellent results in their final exams, earning the right to continue their education in the joint bachelor's degree programs:

·         6B01711 — English and Chinese Languages (Pedagogy)

·         6B02303 – Translation Studies: Chinese Language

The Foundation program has become not only an academic stepping stone for students but also a solid foundation for their professional and intercultural development. Throughout the year, students intensively studied Chinese language, explored Chinese culture and traditions, and developed leadership and academic skills essential for further studies and career advancement.

The following delivered congratulatory speeches to the graduates:

·         President of Astana International University, Serik Aztayevich Irsaliev, emphasized the importance of developing educational cooperation and preparing future specialists capable of building bridges between the two countries' cultures.

·         Chinese Director of the BLCU branch, Liu Xianqian, read a congratulatory message from the Rector of BLCU in Beijing, Mr. Duan Peng, expressing confidence that the branch graduates will become part of the large international BLCU family.

·         Vice President of Astana International University, Kairat Amangeldievich Abdrakhmanov, highlighted the importance of international cooperation and the role of graduates in strengthening ties between Kazakhstan and China.

·         Kazakh Director of BLCU Kazakhstan, Saule Erdenovna Koshanova, summarized the academic year, thanked the teaching staff for their high professionalism, and expressed gratitude to students for their determination and dedication to learning.

Special attention was given to outstanding students and active participants who contributed to the development of the student community and campus life. Among them was Nurtas Kamaliev, who demonstrated exceptional academic and leadership qualities and was awarded scholarships for studies at two of China's top universities.

An essential part of the event was the announcement of upcoming cultural and educational trips for students:

·         From July 4 to 10, three top-performing students will visit Qingdao to participate in a special Chinese culture program.

·         From July 11 to 17, the best students will travel to Xinjiang to explore the region’s unique culture and history with the support of the Embassy of China in Kazakhstan.

·         From July 27 to August 21, 30 students of BLCU Kazakhstan will undertake an intensive Chinese language course at BLCU’s campus on Hainan Island.

During the first academic year, the branch became an active platform for scientific, educational, and cultural events. Forums, seminars, career guidance meetings, visits of Chinese and Kazakh delegations, cultural festivals, and Chinese language competitions were successfully organized.

The first graduation of the Foundation program became a symbol of BLCU Kazakhstan’s successful beginning. Many graduates are now preparing to continue their education in the «3+1» bachelor’s program, which combines studies in Kazakhstan and at BLCU campuses in China.

The branch will continue expanding academic and international opportunities for students, contributing to the training of a new generation of translators, teachers, and international communication specialists who will play a key role in further strengthening cooperation between Kazakhstan and China.

We extend our sincere gratitude for the support provided in the establishment and development of BLCU Kazakhstan to the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbekuly, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to China, Shakhrat Shakizatovich Nuryshev, and the Embassy of China in Kazakhstan!

We congratulate all graduates and wish them success in the next stage of their educational journey!

Students of the educational program 6B04122 "International Business" of the Higher School of Economics of Astana International University take part in the annual International Summer School "New Eurasian Land Bridge International Talent Exchange Program". The program runs from June 27 to July 8, 2025 in the cities of Beijing and Lianyungang (China). Lianyungang is an important hub of the Belt and Road Initiative. The school is organized by UIBE and JOU universities.

This trip was a unique opportunity for our students to immerse themselves not only in the language environment, but also in the business culture of modern China. The summer school program is incredibly rich: it includes lectures on cross-border e-commerce, digital marketing and the specifics of doing business in Asia. Students receive valuable knowledge from leading experts and get acquainted with real business cases.

In addition to intensive training, the organizers have prepared an exciting cultural program. Students have already visited iconic historical sites, including the Forbidden City in Beijing and the Great Wall of China, and learned about national crafts at workshops on dyeing fabrics and making traditional fans. Daily practical Chinese classes help them communicate more confidently and better understand the culture of the country.

The summer school is also a great platform for international networking. Our students actively interact with participants from other countries, exchange experiences, develop intercultural communication skills and make new friends. Joint projects, cultural events, and even sports events such as dragon boat races help strengthen friendships and professional ties.

We wish the students successful studies and reaching new heights!!!

The Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education – Rating (IQAA-Ranking) has published the results of the National Institutional Ranking of Universities in Kazakhstan – 2025. According to the results of the study, Astana International University took the 5th place among multidisciplinary universities in the country. 30 universities in six categories participated in the ranking. The assessment was carried out on the basis of academic indicators, external sources (Scopus, Web of Science, EOM data, etc.), as well as questionnaires from students, graduates, employers, and academic experts. AIU 's positions in recent years: 2022 – 8th place 2023 – 7th place 2024 – 8th place 2025 – 5th place This result reflects the progressive development of the university, strengthening its academic reputation and increasing the trust of the educational and professional community. AIU will continue to implement strategic initiatives aimed at the quality of education, international cooperation and the training of competitive specialists.

There is a Virtual Consulting Center at the Higher School of Economics. The Center is

designed to develop competencies in working with scientific information resources, provide

consultations on writing articles and other publications, taking into account the disciplinary

specifics of scientific research by young scientists in accordance with modern international

standards of science, and provide scientific, methodological, consulting, expert and other types

of services to interested parties. Every year, the WCC hosts scientific seminars for HSE faculty

and doctoral students on such topics as «Scientific article in the system of dissertation research»,

«Scientific provisions of the dissertation submitted for defense», «Dissertation matrix».

Professor Aimurzina B.T. conducted an online scientific seminar «Scientific provisions

of the dissertation submitted for defense» for undergraduates, doctoral students and HSE faculty

- 05/02/2024.

On 05 December 2024, a master class «Dissertation Matrix» was held at the Virtual

Consulting Center. The master class was conducted by M. Sambetbayeva, PhD, Associate

Professor of IP, ItechProjects LLP, the creator of the author's courses at the innovative school for

training IT specialists. Madina Aralbaevna was very pleased to share her professional knowledge

in the field of research, identified the main problems when writing a dissertation, a scientific

article, identified the main mistakes of the dissertation, and also revealed the ways, techniques,

and effective methods of writing articles Q1, Q2, and indexing in journals with a high percentile.

Throughout the 2024–2025 academic year, the Social Innovation Laboratory,

led by PhD Saule Okutayeva, continued its active efforts in promoting social

entrepreneurship, engaging students in addressing pressing social issues, and

advancing inclusive practices within the educational environment.

As part of its activities, the Laboratory organized master classes and guest

lectures featuring practicing entrepreneurs and experts. These sessions covered

topics such as financial literacy, sustainable energy solutions, volunteering, and

inclusive business practices. Particular attention was given to the employment of

socially vulnerable groups. Students also participated in field visits to social

enterprises, gaining valuable hands-on experience and insights into the sector.

In addition to educational initiatives, the Laboratory was engaged in

academic work. Research findings were presented at the Eurasian Congress of

Social Entrepreneurs, and articles were published in co-authorship with students of

the Higher School of Economics.

The Laboratory’s work is aimed at fostering civic responsibility, developing

social awareness, and equipping students with practical skills in the field of social

innovation.

At the Higher School of Economics, work continues on the implementation of the

research initiative project "Model of adaptive Economics" (state registration number in the

National Research Center No. 0124RKI0038 dated 01/9/2024) Project leader - Doctor of

Economics, Professor Kazhiken M.Z.

2024, the monograph Kazhiken M.Z. "Model of adaptive Economics" has been

prepared and published. The monograph pays great attention to economic institutions, norms

and rules governing the distribution and redistribution of economic factors.

In 2025, the work was completed and the monograph "Human Potential and Human

Capital" was published, which examines aspects of the adaptability of an economically active

person to modern challenges.

Kazhyken M.Z., Head of the Research Institute, took part in the international

conference "Eternal Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between China and Kazakhstan –

Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Dialogue" in Beijing (China). At the conference, he made

a presentation on the topic «One Belt, One Road - is it still an initiative or a global

institutional project? ».

As part of the International Scientific and Practical Conference "AIU-2025:

Kazakhstan and the International Educational Space: Cooperation for the Future", a round

table on "Adapting education to the modern needs of an economically active person" was held

at the Higher School of Economics on April 23, 2025. at which issues of the adaptability of

the economy and the role of an economically active person were discussed. The monograph

"Human potential and human capital" was presented at the round table. Work has continuing

on the collective monograph "Model of Adaptive Economics".

From June 9 to 13, 2025, first-year students of the Geography education

program at the Pedagogical Institute of Astana International University completed

a field training at the Karkaraly State National Nature Park, supervised by

instructors T.N. Samarkhanov and A.B. Sagynbayeva.

During the training, students studied the region’s landforms, vegetation

cover, soil structure, water resources, and landscape features.

In addition, they actively participated in an ecological campaign organized

by the park’s administration. They followed designated tourist routes and took part

in cleanup activities. This event helped to cultivate a caring attitude toward nature

and enhanced their ecological awareness.

The field training significantly improved the students’ professional skills and

played an important role in shaping them as future geographers or teachers. The

richness and diversity of Karkaraly’s nature made a strong impression and further

deepened their interest in the natural environment.

On June 20, 2025, at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Asemgul

Serguzhaevna Tynykulova successfully defended her PhD dissertation on the topic:

"Information System for Optimal Use of Land Resources (on the example of the Ayyrtau

district of the North Kazakhstan region)" within the educational program 8D06103 –

Information Systems.

Domestic scientific supervisor: Ayagoz Asanbekovna Mukhanova – PhD, аssociate

Professor of the Department of Information Systems, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National

University (Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan);

Foreign scientific supervisor: Andrey Vladimirovich Faddeenkov – Candidate of

Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Information Systems and

Technologies, N.M. Fedorovsky Zapolyarny State University (Norilsk, Russian Federation).

The study implemented an approach based on machine learning algorithms (Random

Forest, XGBoost, CatBoost), enabling accurate yield prediction and evidence-based decision-

making in the management of agricultural land through the analysis of agroecological, soil-

climatic, and spatial data. The research is distinguished by its applied orientation, scientific

novelty, and high practical significance.

The Department of Industry Markets of the Faculty of Economics and Business of the Financial

University under the Government of the Russian Federation held the XI International

Competition of scientific papers of students, undergraduates and postgraduates «The Genesis of

Entrepreneurship: from origin to Modernity» from February 24 to May 30, 2025.

The competition was held in order to:

• Promoting the development of professional skills and competencies in the field of sustainable

development, entrepreneurship and digital technologies;

• creating conditions for the practical application of knowledge and the development of project

thinking;

• forming students' understanding of the importance of environmental and economic

transformation in the modern world;

• support initiatives that can form the basis for further careers or start-ups, etc.

According to the results of the competition of scientific papers, the winners and prize-winners

were students of the Higher School of Economics of Astana International University:

1. Nursultanova Karina Rashitovna – 1st year doctoral student in Management. The topic of the

scientific work: "Analysis and improvement of enterprise management methods as a means of

increasing competitiveness", scientific supervisor, Doctor of Economics, Professor G.T.

Lesbaeva;

2. Umutkanov Nurkeldi Nurdauletovich – 1st year master's student in Management. The topic of

the scientific work: "The role of globalization in the formation and development of

entrepreneurship", scientific supervisor, PhD, Associate Professor of the MUA Baibash G.K.

We sincerely congratulate the winners on their high achievements and wish them further success

and conquering new heights!

On May 13, 2025, the Chinese Culture and Language Club successfully completed its work. The

purpose of the event was to create a space for students studying Chinese in the International

Business educational program who are interested in Chinese culture, language, and traditions. The

club was aimed at developing practical communication skills in Chinese, enriching the educational

process, and developing listening skills. The club provided an opportunity to develop intercultural

interaction, prepare independent presentations on topics of interest to the students themselves, and

study Chinese through literary and film evenings with game elements, making learning more

exciting and effective. A total of 12 meetings were held in the format of speaking clubs, watching

films in Chinese, and presenting traditions and customs of Chinese culture. The students expressed

their desire and intention to continue attending such meetings in the next academic year.

Organizer: Aitzhanova M.D., coordinator of the UIBE DDP, senior teacher.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, students of the Higher School of Economics at Astana

International University successfully participated in academic mobility programs, gaining

valuable international experience at partner universities abroad. Within the program, Aytuar

Bolat and Dinara Kabaeva studied at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan, Poland, while

Damel Magzayeva, Makhabbat Telyubayeva, Nurilya Sembay, Anastasiya Adamovich, Jasmin

Muratkhanova, and Dariya Barbasova spent a semester at the National Research University

Higher School of Economics in Moscow, Russia. These exchanges provided students with an

opportunity to broaden their academic horizons, enhance foreign language skills, and foster

cross-cultural understanding.

The program also included academic staff mobility. Renowned scholars from Russia and China

were invited to deliver lectures at the Higher School of Economics. Among them, Professor

Nedospasova Olga Pavlovna from Tomsk State University conducted a series of master classes

on organizational behavior and human resource management, sparking strong interest from

students and faculty alike. Meanwhile, Professor Krakovetskaya Inna Valentinovna (Tomsk

State University) led an intensive, practice-oriented course on strategic management and

marketing, which was met with great enthusiasm by the academic community. PhD T.Zh.

Akniyazov conducted a course on leadership and creative thinking for students of the

"International Business" program. Their contributions were highly praised by both students and

colleagues.

As part of outbound mobility, Dean of the Higher School of Economics, PhD, Professor

Smagulova Zubirash Kalibekovna, was invited as a guest lecturer to the Financial University

under the Government of the Russian Federation. These exchanges foster international

cooperation, enhance academic quality, and contribute to the university’s global reputation. The

Higher School of Economics at Astana International University continues to implement

academic mobility as a strategic priority in its development.