Abai University held its regular Academic Council meeting, during which important issues related to improving the quality of education, integrating artificial intelligence into the educational process, expanding international cooperation, and promoting sustainable development were discussed.

The first item on the agenda was the results of the Spring Examination Session and Final Certification for the 2025–2026 academic year. Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Banu Mukataikyzy summarized the university’s efforts to enhance educational quality and highlighted the priorities of strengthening the practical orientation of teacher education, modernizing academic programs, and improving the professional training of future educators. In addition, she emphasized the importance of widely implementing the Lesson Study, Action Research, and mini-research methodologies, as well as enhancing the competencies of academic staff in digital pedagogy and artificial intelligence.

One of the key topics of the meeting was the integration of AI-based educational technologies into the university’s academic policy. Vice-Rector for Digitalization Nurken Birzhanuly presented the AI Sana project and the opportunities offered by the international educational platform Coursera, and introduced initiatives aimed at the effective use of artificial intelligence tools in teaching and research activities. During the meeting, several decisions were adopted regarding the systematic implementation of AI technologies in the university’s academic activities, the enhancement of digital competencies among faculty members and students, and the development of modern digital infrastructure.

The next topic focused on the outcomes of international activities in 2025 and the development of internationalization initiatives for 2026. Director of the Department of International Cooperation Bayan Sapargaliyeva presented the university’s achievements in international partnership and outlined the key priorities for the coming period. She spoke about expanding strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide, increasing the number of double-degree programs, strengthening international research projects, and enhancing participation in prestigious international programs such as Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, DAAD, and Türkiye Bursları.

The Academic Council also reviewed the activities of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiatives proposed by Acting Dean Duman Toktaruly to establish the Sustainable Development Center, the “Abai Green Chemistry Laboratory,” the “GIS, Remote Sensing & AI” Laboratory, and the “Environmental Monitoring” Laboratory received support.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the requirements for awarding the honorary title of “Honorary Head of Department” to scholars who have made a significant contribution to the university’s development were approved. In addition, the Council considered the recommendation of university scholars’ monographs for publication and adopted the relevant decisions.

The Academic Council also highlighted achievements in the training of scientific personnel. A certificate confirming the successful completion of the university’s postdoctoral program was ceremoniously awarded to Zhanakul Sametova, PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Academician S. Kirabayev Department of Kazakh Literature and Teaching Methodology and recipient of the Bolashak International Scholarship.

PhD diplomas were also awarded to young researchers who had successfully defended their dissertations. Specifically, the PhD degree was awarded to Nurman Zhumabay in the educational program 8D01501 “Mathematics”; Zhanar Karasheva in 6D010200 “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education”; Ayakoz Zholankyzy Turysbayeva, Saltanat Suleimenkyzy Anapiyeva, and Dinara Mukhamediyankyzy Naimanova in 8D01301 “Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education”; and Dinara Gabitkyzy Orynbayeva and Kuralai Sagynbekkyzy Telgozhayeva in 6D021300 “Linguistics”.

«Abai University» Media Center