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On November 21, Astana International University hosted an interactive lecture on "Anxiety and Depression: How to Distinguish Stress from a Mental Disorder?" as part of the "Mental Health Week" organized by the University Psychological Service. Psychiatrist and psychotherapist A.B. Zhaukov served as the speaker.

During the lecture, the specialist provided a detailed explanation of the key signs of anxiety and depression, their causes, and the differences between long-term stress and mental disorders. Students were able to ask questions, discuss real-life clinical examples, and receive practical recommendations for maintaining their mental health.

The event expanded participants' understanding of mental well-being and introduced them to effective self-help techniques in challenging situations. This initiative, organized by the university, was an important step in raising psychological awareness among young people.

          On November 25, the course instructor N.S. Auezova conducted an open lesson in a competition format for the subject “Geology and Geomorphology” with the RGiT-25 student group of the School of Natural Sciences at Astana International University.

        The main objective of the open lesson was to reinforce students’ theoretical knowledge, enhance their ability to recognize geological processes and landform types, and develop teamwork skills.

          The competition format increased students’ engagement and ensured their active participation. The teams competed with one another, creatively demonstrating their knowledge at each stage. The lesson included interactive questions, tasks, map-based activities, and the identification of geomorphological features.

           The open lesson was held at a high level, motivated students, and contributed to a deeper understanding of the importance of the course.

On November 27, 2025, scientists from the Faculty of Biology and Geography of the Karaganda National Research University named after Academician E.A. Buketov visited the Nature Lab research laboratory at Astana International University as part of their scientific collaboration and held a series of scientific and educational events.

Specialists PhD (Biology), Leading Researcher M.Yu. Ishmuratova, PhD (Biology), Head of the Botany Department S.U. Tleukanova, PhD (Biology), and Researcher R.T. Musina held an educational and methodological seminar on "Methods of Microscopic Examination of Plant Objects" for faculty, students, doctoral candidates, and young researchers from the AIU Graduate School of Natural Sciences.

During the seminar, participants:

• learned about methods of microscopic analysis of plant tissues;

• studied approaches to studying the anatomical and morphological structures of plants;

• acquired practical skills in using optical and digital microscopes;

• observed the stages of sample preparation and analysis of microscopic specimens.

The research staff was also introduced to the infrastructure of the Nature Lab laboratory, including equipment for plant genotyping, methods for determining biological activity, and areas of morphological research. The parties discussed prospects for joint research projects, publication preparation, and the exchange of research results.

Astana International University expresses its gratitude to its colleagues from Karaganda National Research University for their fruitful collaboration. The seminar was an important step in strengthening scientific ties between the universities and contributed to the enhancement of the professional competencies of young scientists.

Head of the Nature Lab Laboratory: A.E. Orazov

On November 21, Haileybury International School in Astana held a press conference for the "Green Steppe: Sustainability in Every Step" project, which aims to develop environmental culture, volunteerism, and sustainable development principles in Kazakhstan. The event was attended by environmental experts, regional project coordinators, representatives of educational organizations, young environmental volunteers, and government agencies.

The press conference addressed issues of particular relevance to Kazakhstani society. Climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution, and overuse of natural resources require increased environmental responsibility and the development of environmental education.

Aiman ​​Karabalaeva, PhD, ecologist and senior lecturer at the School of Natural Sciences at Astana International University, presented a report on the initiatives being implemented as part of the "Zhas Galym" project. She emphasized the scientific basis for ecosystem restoration programs and noted the importance of engaging young people in environmental activities. Sholpan Bisembayevna Abilova, PhD, a senior lecturer at HSE AIU, presented a report on "Biodiversity Conservation," focusing on the need to maintain the natural balance, protect rare species, and foster environmental responsibility in society.

Aidana Salamatkyzy Kydyrova, a doctoral student at HSE AIU, and an ecologist and environmental activist, proposed practical methods for promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle among schoolchildren and young people. She emphasized that developing environmental habits from an early age is key to achieving sustainable development in the future.

Results in Sustainable Development Areas

Over the course of its first year, the "Green Steppe" project has united thousands of young volunteers and become a platform for dozens of environmental initiatives. Eco-clubs have been established in many schools, and environmental education has reached a new systemic level.

The project has demonstrated concrete results across the UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 4: Quality Education: training modules aimed at increasing environmental literacy are being introduced;

• SDG 11 Sustainable Cities: the number of environmental projects in urban areas has increased;

• SDG 13 Climate Action: tree planting, waste management, and nature restoration campaigns are held regularly;

• SDG 15 Life on Land: initiatives to protect rare species and develop nature reserves are supported;

• SDG 17 Partnership: cooperation between government agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, and volunteer movements is strengthened.

A Step Toward a Green Future

The press conference demonstrated the importance of open dialogue in fostering environmental awareness in society. The meeting of experts, educators, and young people provided a platform for discussing new ideas and exchanging experiences in sustainable development.

Caring for the environment is a shared responsibility of society as a whole, not just individual organizations or specialists. Projects like "Green Steppe" help develop environmental awareness and foster a responsible attitude toward nature among young people.

On November 26, 2025, Astana International University hosted a meeting between students and representatives of the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event was part of a practice-oriented training program aimed at preparing future specialists in economics, finance, management, marketing, and information technology.

During the meeting, speakers presented the Agency's key activities and discussed modern approaches to combating financial irregularities, shadow transactions, and economic crimes. Particular attention was paid to improving the legal and financial literacy of young people, the role of transparency and accountability in public administration, and the importance of fostering an anti-corruption culture.

Students had the opportunity to ask questions to experts, discuss real-life cases, and expand their understanding of the work of government agencies in the area of ​​financial monitoring.

Astana International University thanks the Agency's representatives and all meeting participants for their active dialogue and keen interest in the topic. The event was an important step in strengthening interactions between the university and government agencies, as well as in developing the professional competencies of future specialists.

On November 25, 2025, the "Geonavigator: Territory of Tourism" intellectual competition was held at the Higher School of Natural Sciences of Astana International University. Second- and third-year students of the "Recreational Geography and Tourism" educational program participated.

Three teams - Meridian, Nomad, and GeoVision - competed in the competition. Participants demonstrated deep knowledge in economic, social, and political geography, as well as logical thinking and teamwork skills. The Nomad team emerged victorious, demonstrating a high level of preparation and confidently completing all tasks.

The event was organized by S.A. Zhanabaeva, A.A. Smailov, and A.A. Avezova, instructors of the Higher School of Natural Sciences, who ensured the professional conduct of the competition and created a competitive yet constructive atmosphere. The event, implemented within the framework of Sustainable Development Goal 4 "Quality Education," aims to develop students' critical thinking, practical skills, teamwork, and interest in geographical and tourism research.

The university notes that such initiatives foster academic motivation, broaden the horizons of young professionals, and enable the application of theoretical knowledge in a practical format. The competition participants expressed gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to showcase their talents and emphasized the importance of such events for professional growth.

A scientific seminar, "Characteristics of the Anatomical Study of Vascular Plants," will be held on November 27, 2025, organized by Astana International University jointly with the Karaganda National Research University named after Academician E.A. Buketov.

The event is being held as part of the targeted funding program BR21882166, aimed at studying and preserving fruit and berry plants of the natural flora of Kazakhstan's regions to ensure food security for the country.

Leading experts in biology and botany will participate in the seminar: Saltanat Ushkempirovna Tleukenova, Margarita Yulaevna Ishmuratova, and Roza Tletaevna Musina.

The seminar will be held on November 27, 2025, in Auditorium 207 of Astana International University. It will begin at 10:00 AM and end at 2:00 PM.

On November 20, Astana International University hosted an express consultation for students, organized by the university's psychological service. The main goal of the event was to provide young people with emotional support, help them identify their inner struggles, and explain ways to overcome them.

During the event, more than 60 students received individual consultations with specialists. Participants received professional advice on understanding their feelings and thoughts, reducing anxiety, managing stress, and finding solutions to personal difficulties. Topics discussed included stress, fatigue, decreased motivation, self-doubt, fears, and adapting to a new environment. The event was attended by practicing psychologists from the university, as well as invited specialists, who provided the students with the necessary support.

The express consultations took place on the first floor of the main building. In addition to students, university staff also had the opportunity to meet individually with psychologists and receive professional assistance. During the event, participants were informed that the University's Psychological Service operates on a permanent basis, and every student can receive a full consultation free of charge.

The traditional "SQQ Party - 2025" celebration, dedicated to the start of the new academic year and the admission of first-year students of Astana International University, took place at the Rakhmadiev State Academic Philharmonic. The event, held in a special format, brought together faculty, students, and invited guests.

The festive evening opened with a specially prepared video, and the musical composition "Dudar-ai" created an atmosphere of celebration and unity. The event's hosts, Yerasyl Zhumagaliyev and Yeskendir Kimash, kept the audience in high spirits throughout the evening.

Vice President of Astana International University Kairat Amangeldyuly Abdrakhmanov delivered a welcoming speech. He congratulated the first-year students on their admission, noting the importance of perseverance, responsibility, and a constant pursuit of knowledge on the path to professional growth. As part of the program, students from seven of the university's higher education schools presented seven-minute musical-theatrical mini-musicals on the theme "Generation Z and Change," showcasing their creativity and artistry. A jury comprised of representatives of government agencies, youth organizations, and university leadership evaluated the performances.

Performances by the Dudar-ay group, the Amanat ensemble, which promotes national traditions, the Begim-ay dance group, and the creative teams AIU Tunes, Dancing High, Sheker Jaidarman, and the Ozge Theater were warmly received by the audience and received heartfelt applause.

Following the evening, the best higher education schools were awarded. The Grand Prix went to the Higher School of Law, first place to the Pedagogical Institute, second place to the Higher School of Information Technology and Engineering, and third place to the Higher School of Economics. The Graduate School of Arts and Humanities, the Graduate School of Natural Sciences, and BLCU were awarded individual certificates for their active participation. The evening concluded with a musical gift for the students – a performance by renowned Kazakhstani artist Kuandyk Rakhym.

Such events, which have become a long-standing tradition at AIU, help first-year students adapt to their new environment, develop their creative potential, and reinforce the values ​​of education and the arts. This year's reception was an important milestone in the student life of the new students and another bright chapter in the university's history.

As part of the GF project “Integration of Persons with Disabilities into the Labor Market: Development of a Comprehensive Labor Adaptation Program”, the working group represented by Professor Z.K. Smagulova and Associate Professor S.T. Okutayeva visited the Department of Services for People with Disabilities of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (Turkey).

In Turkey, the state body officially responsible for the employment of people with disabilities is the Labor Agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. The agency is responsible for registering candidates, matching them with vacancies, directing them to employment, providing job coaching, support, quota control, and monitoring employment outcomes. The employment process includes submitting an application, professional counseling, company analysis, field visits by specialists, collecting information on employers’ needs, preparing résumés with the involvement of psychologists, opening necessary vocational training courses, and organizing interviews when a suitable vacancy is available. After employment, İŞKUR conducts monitoring and implements activities aimed at raising awareness among employers and employees. Companies receive disability awareness seminars, which foster an inclusive work environment and improve communication within teams. Particular attention is paid to psychological, professional, and social support, which helps reduce stress and facilitates the employment process.

According to the İŞKUR report “Labor Market Study - Istanbul Province”, out of 31,828 enterprises, 10,758 employ people with disabilities, while employer bias remains a significant barrier to employment. Based on the Annual Report of the Istanbul Provincial Employment and Vocational Training Committee, in 2024, a total of 9,887 people with disabilities were employed, including 2,372 women and 7,515 men. The national data system registers 2,511,950 people with disabilities: 1,414,643 men and 1,097,307 women. These figures highlight the scale of the challenge and the importance of strengthening mechanisms for supporting and adapting people with disabilities in the labor market.

The experience gained during the trip and the study of İŞKUR’s activities in Istanbul demonstrates the importance of a systematic and comprehensive approach to supporting people with disabilities on their path to employment. The Turkish model shows that sustainable results are achieved only when state institutions have clearly defined responsibilities and employment processes are structured sequentially-from initial registration and professional assessment to training, job matching, job coaching, and continuous monitoring. Particularly valuable was the understanding of the role of interdisciplinary collaboration: psychologists, sociologists, employment specialists, and employers create an integrated support system that reduces barriers and increases the chances of successful professional integration for people with disabilities.

An important conclusion is that even with a developed institutional framework, social attitudes and employers’ prejudices remain a key obstacle. Therefore, activities such as awareness seminars and efforts to improve corporate culture are essential parts of the overall process. İŞKUR’s statistical data confirm the effectiveness of a systematic approach and emphasize the need to continue strengthening opportunities and increasing inclusivity in the labor market. This experience has become a significant example for adapting best practices within our project and has helped deepen our understanding of which mechanisms can be most effective in developing a comprehensive labor adaptation program for people with disabilities.

On 19 November 2025, the case challenge “Real Tasks – Real Results” was held. The event was organized by the Higher School of Economics in cooperation with the full-cycle marketing agency Jetsen Media Group. The purpose of the challenge was to enhance students’ analytical competencies and practice-oriented skills in addressing contemporary managerial and marketing tasks.

During the competition, participants presented approaches to analyzing real business situations, developing alternative strategies, and forming practical recommendations. The event brought together the leadership of the Higher School of Economics, faculty of the 6B04111 “Marketing” educational program, as well as representatives of partner organizations: Jetsen Media Group, the Jana Men project, the International Center for Psychology and Development Metapsychology, and the marketing agency SMO Master Education. This collaboration contributed to strengthening constructive dialogue between the educational and corporate sectors. The following teams took part in the competition:

-Bakalavriki (Management 23B);

-Animed (International Business 23B);

- Kapitalisty (International Business 24B);

- Konsensus (Marketing 24B).

Based on the results, the teams were ranked as follows:

4th place  Konsensus (Marketing 24B);

3rd place  Kapitalisty (International Business 24B);

2nd place  Animed (International Business 23B);

1st place  Bakalavriki (Management 23B).

All teams received prizes from the university’s business partners.

Special awards were granted to: Bakalavriki  participation in the next episode of the YouTube project “Rubakhi” featuring actor Tamerlan Zhangiziyev; Animed  an opportunity to refine and implement their project within an internship at Jetsen Media Group.

The case challenge demonstrated the importance of integrating educational and practical approaches and highlighted students’ potential in solving tasks that closely mirror real professional conditions. The event became an important step in strengthening cooperation between the university and its business partners and in enhancing the practice-oriented training of students.

On November 19, 2025, third-year students of the “Marketing” educational program, group Marketing-23A, visited the National Institute of Intellectual Property “Qazpatent” The Institute provided a platform for the meeting so that students, within the framework of the “Branding” course, could study the processes of creating and registering trademarks in Kazakhstan in practice. The visit was supervised by the instructor of the “Branding” discipline, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Economics, G.A. Kadyrova.

During the visit, the students toured the Institute’s departments, learned about the working conditions of the staff, and met with experts in the field of trademarks. The employees of “Qazpatent” gladly presented essential information on the fundamentals of intellectual property, including inventions, patent law, trademarks, and the legal protection of trademarks. This knowledge forms an important part of the professional training of future specialists in marketing and branding.

This event significantly expanded the students’ practical understanding and helped them better comprehend the importance and application of intellectual property within modern branding and marketing