TCA Interviews - The Times Of Central Asia

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Interview: President of COP29 Calls for Caspian Summit to Tackle Environmental Crisis

Mukhtar Babayev, Azerbaijan’s presidential representative on climate issues and president of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), spoke to The Times of Central Asia about the urgent need for a summit of Caspian states to address the region’s worsening ecological crisis. TCA: Central Asia and the South Caucasus are among the regions most vulnerable to the climate crisis. In your view, what are the most serious threats facing the region today, and why? Babayev: You’re right to group Central Asia and the South Caucasus together, as both regions border the Caspian Sea, a shared ecosystem facing severe climate pressures. The most pressing issue is water scarcity, which has worsened in recent years. This stems from climate change and has contributed to widespread desertification across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and surrounding areas like the Caspian Sea, the Aral Sea, and Iran’s Lake Urmia. These processes are interconnected, but the drying of the Caspian Sea is one of the central challenges. At the recent Nevsky International Environmental Congress, Azerbaijan proposed a summit to address this crisis. The Aral Sea offers a stark precedent; its desiccation triggered not only environmental degradation but also social upheaval, including mass migration. Our focus now must be on mitigation and adaptation. Experts widely agree that the Caspian’s water level will continue to drop over the next 15–20 years. The impact is especially acute in Kazakhstan’s Atyrau and Aktau regions, affecting agriculture, infrastructure, offshore energy operations, and ports. The Caspian has now fallen below the lowest level recorded since the 19th century. While the situation cannot be reversed quickly, coordinated action is essential, especially measures to protect biodiversity and boost the water flow from key rivers such as the Kura, Ural, Terek, Samur, and Volga, which have seen significant declines. TCA: How is climate change affecting transboundary water resources? Is there a risk of regional competition over water shortages, and what strategies could Central Asian countries adopt? Babayev: It’s natural for states to prioritize national interests, but this underscores the need for regional coordination. A summit of the five Caspian littoral states could align strategies — particularly around restoring river inflows to the Caspian. A unified political approach could avert emerging tensions over water use. [caption id="attachment_32521" align="aligncenter" width="2560"] Image: TCA[/caption] TCA: Are there adequate mechanisms for coordinating climate strategies between Central Asia and the South Caucasus? Can a supranational climate agenda, akin to the EU or ASEAN, be developed? Babayev: The global landscape is evolving rapidly, with new technologies and scientific advances offering better tools for decision-making. Artificial intelligence, for instance, can improve forecasting and scenario modeling. Azerbaijan has integrated AI into state programs and is fostering regional cooperation in climate science. Building shared scientific capacity is the first step toward a common agenda. TCA: Given the region’s hydrocarbon wealth, how realistic is a long-term decarbonization of the energy sector? Babayev: Decarbonization must go hand in hand with biodiversity protection. While oil and gas operations will persist, Azerbaijan is actively investing in renewables. We’ve signed agreements with...

International Science Smart Mining TCA Interviews Mining

Smart Mining Plus: How International Science Diplomacy Works in Kazakhstan

In an era where sustainable development and technological innovation are reshaping global industries, international cooperation has become a cornerstone of progress. One such example is the collaboration between Nazarbayev University (NU) in Kazakhstan and Hokkaido University in Japan. Supported by a $3.2 million grant under Japan’s Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) program, their joint project, Next-generation Smart Mining Plus for Sustainable Resources Development, aims to modernize mining through smart technologies and knowledge exchange. The research is scheduled to run until March 31, 2030, offering a long-term framework for technology transfer and institutional capacity building. Fidelis Suorineni, Professor at the NU School of Mining and Geosciences and a leading expert in mining systems and geotechnical engineering, shares his vision and emphasizes the benefits of this international partnership. TCA: What makes your collaboration with Hokkaido University unique? Suorineni: The partnership with Hokkaido University is special not only because of the institutional synergies but also due to building a foundation of personal trust and continuity. My professional relationship with Professor Yohei Kawamura of Hokkaido University dates back to 2013, when we were both working in Australia -- he at Curtin University and I as the Inaugural Chair of Mine Geotechnical Engineering at the University of New South Wales. Despite relocating to different parts of the world, we have continued our collaboration ever since. Japan is globally recognized as a technology hub, especially in mining and environmental technologies. Its institutions develop, manufacture, and supply cutting-edge solutions. On the other hand, Kazakhstan is rich in natural resources; it ranks sixth globally in terms of reserves and is a leader in uranium and chromite production. This partnership is thus strategically complementary. Through this collaboration, Nazarbayev University gains access to Japanese technologies that support safe, efficient, and environmentally sustainable resource extraction, technologies that are also essential for Japan’s manufacturing industries. Additionally, both countries benefit through mutual education and expertise development. While Japanese universities such as Hokkaido and Akita offer strong academic programs, they have limited access to physical mining sites. In contrast, our School of Mining and Geosciences in Kazakhstan combines world-class faculty with direct access to operational mines, allowing hands-on training for students. For the past five years, Japanese students and faculty have visited NU annually for two to three weeks to participate in specialized courses and mine visits. Likewise, each year, two of our graduate students and select faculty members travel to Japan to attend six-week short courses, which include laboratory work and field trips. This exchange ensures a balanced and mutually beneficial transfer of knowledge and experience. TCA: How will the SATREPS Smart Mining Plus project benefit Kazakhstan specifically? Suorineni: The SATREPS project brings significant benefits to Kazakhstan. Its full title, Next-generation Smart Mining Plus for Sustainable Resources Development, captures its ambitious scope. At its core, the initiative aims to integrate current and emerging mining technologies into the local context, promoting more sustainable, efficient, and environmentally responsible methods of resource extraction. For Kazakhstan, this initiative represents a step forward in managing...

Nazarbayev University Atakan Varol TCA Interviews Artificial intelligence

Dr. Atakan Varol: Kazakhstan Should Play an Active Role in Shaping the Future of AI

The Times of Central Asia spoke with Dr. Hussein Atakan Varol, a professor of robotics and PhD in electrical engineering, who serves as General Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University (NU). Dr. Varol discusses ISSAI’s research initiatives, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in Kazakhstan, and the country's potential to lead in AI innovation. ISSAI’s Mission and Collaborations TCA: What is the mission of ISSAI, and what are its key focus areas? Varol: At ISSAI, our mission is to conduct cutting-edge AI research and develop practical, impactful solutions that benefit Kazakhstan and the broader global community. We specialize in large-scale generative AI models, speech recognition, computer vision, and AI infrastructure. Our goal is to establish sovereign AI capabilities in Kazakhstan, minimizing dependence on external technologies while maintaining a strong ethical foundation. All our research adheres to principles of "AI for Good" and "AI for Kazakhstan," ensuring that developments remain responsible and socially beneficial. TCA: How does ISSAI collaborate with the public sector, private companies, and international organizations? Varol: We actively engage with government agencies, local businesses, and global AI research institutions. Our partnerships focus on AI model development, data collection, and deploying AI-driven solutions. Access to computational resources remains a key challenge, and we collaborate strategically to secure the infrastructure needed to scale AI projects in Kazakhstan. Notable Projects and Local Impact TCA: What are some of ISSAI’s most promising current developments? Varol: A highlight is SoyleApp, which provides real-time speech recognition, text-to-speech, and multilingual translation. It has vast potential in education, public services, and cross-language communication. We’ve also developed the Mangitas 01 Inference Server, a vital step for Kazakhstan’s AI ecosystem. In the absence of AI supercomputers, we built Mangitas 01 using commercial off-the-shelf components, allowing local deployment of AI models with enhanced data security. We’re now working on expanding this line to support our Oylan language-vision model, paving the way for more advanced multimodal AI applications. TCA: Have ISSAI’s solutions been successfully implemented in Kazakhstan? Varol: Yes. SoyleApp is being integrated into governmental and enterprise systems to improve accessibility for Kazakh-speaking users. Mangitas 01 serves as a prototype for local AI infrastructure, enabling organizations to operate AI systems within Kazakhstan, enhancing both data protection and performance. TCA: How does the local context influence your AI development? Varol: Kazakhstan’s linguistic and cultural diversity demands AI systems capable of understanding and producing content in Kazakh, Russian, and other regional languages. We've created tailored datasets and models to meet these needs. Moreover, the country's limited AI infrastructure has led us to focus on efficient and scalable solutions like Mangitas 01. [caption id="attachment_31080" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Dr. Atakan Varol; image: NU.edu[/caption] The Future of AI and Kazakhstan’s Role TCA: How do you see AI evolving over the next 5-10 years? Varol: The next leap is toward multimodal and sparse generative models that handle text, images, and audio simultaneously. With proper investment, Kazakhstan can contribute meaningfully to this frontier. We’re also exploring edge AI, which enables...

International Students Uzbek Students Study TCA Interviews Russia

From Uzbekistan to St. Petersburg: An International Student’s Journey Through Challenges and Change

Five years ago, Dilshot moved from Uzbekistan to St. Petersburg to pursue higher education. Like many international students, he faced challenges adapting, cultural differences, and other unexpected difficulties. The Times of Central Asia spoke with Dilshot to learn how his life in Russia has unfolded, what obstacles he encountered, and why his future in the city has taken an unexpected turn. TCA: Why did you choose to study in St. Petersburg? What factors influenced your decision? Dilshot: After finishing school in Uzbekistan, I decided to continue my education in Russia, specifically in St. Petersburg. First of all, I believed that Russia provided high-quality education, especially in IT, where it is ahead of other CIS countries. Additionally, at that time there was no war, and I never expected the situation to take such a turn. The pandemic also played a role. Since entrance exams were conducted online, it became easier to apply. Moreover, Russian universities offered many state-funded places, and I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship. While Uzbekistan has good universities, particularly in Tashkent, tuition fees were high, and I couldn't find a suitable program in my field. Moving to a new city and country was exciting and I was full of hope, but the reality turned out to be more complicated. TCA: How would you describe the atmosphere at the university and among students? Dilshot: The university had a relatively open and multicultural environment, which helped with adaptation. Many students were supportive, regardless of nationality. However, stereotypes still existed. Occasionally, I heard remarks like, "What are you doing here? Go work at a construction site." Kazakh students were often mistaken for Chinese without people even bothering to ask about their nationality. For students from CIS countries who spoke Russian, adaptation was easier. Professors and students generally considered us as “their own”, though with some reservations. However, foreign students, particularly from China, faced a different attitude. Some professors showed impatience if a student struggled to express themselves in Russian. In dormitories, tensions arose; Chinese students were sometimes mocked over minor disputes, whereas CIS students were treated with more understanding. TCA: Did you experience prejudice from your professors? Dilshot: Some professors viewed me through the lens of stereotypes, making me feel isolated. While I didn’t face direct discrimination, there were moments when my knowledge was questioned, or my achievements were met with unnecessary surprise. One instance stands out: a lecturer made a point of noting where students were from. I happened to excel in his subject, but I still don’t understand why he felt the need to keep track of our nationalities. On a few occasions, I received high grades with remarks like, “Wow, you speak Russian so well!” Of course, I wasn’t going to complain about good grades, but it made me feel uncomfortable as if my achievements were being measured against lower expectations. TCA: Did participating in student activities help you integrate? Dilshot: Yes, I got involved in student projects and activities early on. This helped break down...

TCA Interviews Parkinson's disease Biology Science

Kazakh Researchers Uncover Important Step Towards Treating Parkinson’s Disease

Kazakhstan’s reputation in the global scientific community is evolving, thanks to research conducted by local scientists. Aizhan Ahmadi, a doctoral graduate from Nazarbayev University’s (NU) School of Natural, Social, and Human Sciences, and her team have made a discovery that could pave the way for future treatments for Parkinson’s disease. TCA: Tell us about your research. Aizhan: I recently completed my doctoral studies, defended my dissertation, and earned my PhD. Before that, I worked at a university for five years. During my research, I focused on a mutated protein called DJ-1, which is found in patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. More than 20 years ago, European scientists identified mutations in DJ-1 in some patients suffering from these diseases. Despite extensive research in dozens of laboratories, the protein’s exact role remained unclear. While analyzing previous studies, we came across a large European research project with an interesting hypothesis about DJ-1. We decided to explore this direction further and we succeeded in proving that DJ-1 has a previously unknown function. Understanding how DJ-1 protects biomolecules is not only crucial for developing new treatment methods for Parkinson’s disease but also for explaining cell aging. This discovery is vital for pharmacologists, as they cannot develop effective drugs without fully understanding a protein’s function. For the first time, we have proven a new function of DJ-1. I believe this is a fundamental breakthrough for both global science and Kazakhstan’s scientific community. We submitted our findings to Nature Communications, a leading scientific journal. After a rigorous eight-month review process, our research was accepted. This was a difficult but rewarding journey. Our study is the first from independent Kazakhstan to be published in such a prestigious journal, making it a landmark achievement for our country. TCA: What challenges come with studying biology in Kazakhstan? Aizhan: Basic biological research is extremely resource-intensive. It takes time, energy, and has no guaranteed results. We invested grant funding and used millions of dollars’ worth of equipment. However, when a discovery is made, its contribution to science and medicine is invaluable. Our study was conducted entirely within Kazakhstan, without relying on foreign laboratories. This is particularly significant because many still doubt whether serious scientific breakthroughs can come from Kazakhstan, especially in biochemistry. Alongside me, my supervisor, Darkhan Utepbergenov, and several undergraduate students participated in the research. Professor Utepbergenov, a Kazakhstani scientist, graduated from Novosibirsk State University, worked in Germany and the U.S. for nearly 20 years, and then returned to Kazakhstan as a professor. He has said that this is his most significant work to date, and even he still finds it hard to believe that such a discovery was made in Kazakhstan. His contribution to both research and teaching at Nazarbayev University has been immense. TCA: As a young woman in science, what motivated you to pursue this path? How can Kazakhstan raise the status of scientists? Aizhan: First and foremost, better financial support is essential. Salary structures need improvement, bureaucratic obstacles must be reduced, and science communication should be...

Almaty Cider Kazakhstan Almaty Business TCA Interviews small and medium businesses

A Taste of Kazakhstan: Interview with Almaty’s Apple City Cider

Englishman Alexander Thomas is the passionate founder of Apple City Cider, an Almaty-based craft cidery dedicated to producing high-quality, locally sourced ciders that celebrate tradition with a modern twist. With a deep-rooted love for orchards and fermentation, Thomas blends innovation with time-honored techniques to create crisp, flavorful ciders. TCA: What first brought you to Almaty, and what kept you here? AT: I used to work for the world’s largest publishing group, where I reported on different market sectors. When I covered aviation, I used to fly around the world to speak to different airline CEOs to discuss their route strategies and fleets. I first came to Kazakhstan to interview Air Astana’s CEO, Peter Foster. I was supposed to fly to Paris to speak with KLM and Air France, but that meeting was canceled, so I flew back to London. Sitting next to me, little did I know, was my future wife. In the same company, I very much enjoyed the coverage of the drinks industry. I had originally wanted to make wine in the south of France, but after marrying a Kazakh girl, we decided to start our business in Kazakhstan. Instead of pressing grapes in the South of France, we began pressing apples in Almaty. TCA: Can you tell us the inspiration for Apple City Cider? AT: We started the business because no one was making cider in the birthplace of the apple, around that time, cider was not even available to purchase in Kazakhstan. Around the same time we went on sale, another alcohol manufacturer began to produce cider as well, but we are the only cider specialists; the main business of the others is spirits and other alcoholic drinks. [caption id="attachment_28689" align="aligncenter" width="1706"] Image: TCA, Henry Kuvin[/caption] TCA: How did Almaty respond to your business idea, and what were the main challenges when establishing your company? AT: Consumers are very happy with the product and happy that we started our business here. Like other local companies, Almaty Cider has received a lot of positive support from the city; they love how it’s called “Almaty Cider.” The concept of eating locally and supporting local businesses is a global phenomenon, and Almaty is no exception. The fact that Almaty is the birthplace of the apple, proven by science, made it the ideal location to start such a business. The Malus Sieversii apple, native to the Almaty region, is perfect for cider. The levels of tannins, fruit sugar, and acidity, while not ideal for eating, make a great-tasting cider. TCA: Almaty, the place of abundant apples, does not have a huge cider culture – how has this changed since you established the business, and where do you see it going? AT: Cider was not available even as an imported product until about three to four years ago. Since then, we have seen imported brands come to the market, and people have developed a taste for it. In Russia, for example, there are now over 100 independent cideries. The first person...