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Education

Kazakhstan’s Gumilyov Eurasian National University Opens Branch in Kyrgyzstan’s Osh

Kazakhstan’s L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU) has opened a new branch at Osh State University in Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, Osh. The new branch will offer training in ecology, information and communications technology (ICT), and the service sector. Students will also study Russian language and literature, translation, foreign languages, journalism, and physics, earning dual diplomas from both ENU and Osh State University. ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov said that the new branch would help strengthen regional human capital and “create a strong intellectual foundation for the sustainable development of Central Asia.” ENU currently collaborates with 16 Kyrgyz universities through academic mobility initiatives and dual-degree programs.

Higher Education

Indian Regulator Flags Concerns About Uzbek University

India’s National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a warning to Indian students regarding enrollment at the Chirchik branch of Tashkent State Medical University in Uzbekistan, as well as three medical schools in Belize. As reported by The New Indian Express, the NMC cited multiple concerns, including alleged non-compliance with Indian medical education standards, subpar infrastructure, inadequate clinical training, high tuition fees, and instances of student harassment. According to the NMC, all of the institutions in question “did not comply with Indian medical education standards, lacked adequate or functioning campus infrastructure, provided poor quality educational and clinical training, and had instances of harassment of Indian students. Additionally, they reportedly charged excessive fees and refused refunds upon withdrawal from the course.” In response, the Chirchik branch issued an official statement categorically denying the accusations, calling them “unfounded.” The university emphasized that it adheres strictly to academic and clinical guidelines established by Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health and the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). Established by presidential decree in July 2023, the branch began full operations in December 2024. It currently enrolls 801 students, including five from India, alongside others from Jordan, Pakistan, and Egypt. The university highlighted its modern facilities, which include fully equipped classrooms, laboratories, simulation centers, and student dormitories. “An open and transparent environment is created for students,” the statement read, underlining a commitment to academic freedom and equal treatment. The Chirchik branch is listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools, jointly maintained by WFME and FAIMER. It offers English-language medical programs and maintains partnerships with several international universities and clinical institutions. “We take the concerns raised by the NMC seriously,” the university stated. “However, we believe these claims are based on information that has not been verified locally and are unfounded.” The university expressed openness to inspections and dialogue with Indian authorities and reassured students and families of its adherence to global academic standards. “We categorically reject attempts to damage our reputation,” the statement concluded.

Philanthropy

Kazakhstan to Launch “School for Philanthropists” to Support Endowment Sector

Kazakhstan is set to establish a “school for philanthropists” at one of its universities, a specialized training center for professionals working in endowment funds. The initiative was announced by Gulzat Kobenova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education. Currently, 22 endowment funds operate in Kazakhstan. These targeted financial structures support the long-term development of education, healthcare, and cultural institutions through private donations. Unlike traditional charitable organizations, endowments invest the principal and use only the investment income to fund their programs, ensuring financial sustainability over time. A significant step toward institutionalizing the sector came in June 2025 with the enactment of the Law on Endowment Funds. The legislation established a regulatory framework requiring independent audits, the publication of financial statements, and strict accounting standards. Endowments must also form a governance structure, including a board of trustees, an executive body, and an internal audit service. For endowments with assets exceeding USD 75,000, management must be transferred to a licensed professional asset management company. The law also caps administrative and operational costs at 15% of investment income, or 0.5% of average asset value if there is no income. Kobenova stressed that the development of this sector demands a new class of skilled professionals both fund managers and financial investors. To address this need, the ministry is launching a “school of philanthropy” based on international best practices, with input from Indiana University (USA). "The school will train endowment fund employees, prospective investors and donors, and professional fund managers. There are also plans to create a professional community, including an endowment fund association," Kobenova stated. The creation of the school is part of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education’s roadmap through 2029. As part of this plan, five pilot university-based endowment funds will be launched by the end of 2029, with a total targeted capitalization of approximately USD 94 million. According to Kobenova, these efforts aim to reduce universities’ dependence on the state budget and tuition fees, helping to ensure long-term financial independence. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan’s investment in research and development (R&D) nearly tripled over the past five years, reaching USD 430 million in 2024. However, science continues to contribute only 0.16% to the national GDP.

Higher Education

Italian University Opens Branch in Kazakhstan to Train Agricultural Specialists

Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona, Italy, has officially opened a branch campus at Zhetysu University named after Ilyas Zhansugurov in Taldykorgan, the administrative center of Kazakhstan’s southeastern Zhetysu region. The inauguration ceremony on July 16 was attended by prominent officials including Zhetysu Region Governor Beibit Isabayev, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek, and Italian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Antonello De Riu. Marche Polytechnic University is a public institution that offers a broad range of academic programs in agriculture, engineering, economics, medicine, and biology. The new branch in Kazakhstan is expected to focus on disciplines that align with the region’s agricultural priorities, including agriculture, food engineering, tourism, economics, and digital technologies. Addressing the Region’s Workforce Needs In his remarks, Nurbek emphasized the importance of developing local expertise to support the region’s growing agri-tech and greenhouse sectors. “Our region is in need of agronomists and digital specialists to support the growth of our greenhouse complexes,” he said. “This new branch will help meet that demand with targeted academic programs.” Isabayev highlighted the regional administration’s support for the initiative, announcing 14 scholarships for students during the first stage of enrollment. “Our region is an agricultural one,” he said. “We need skilled professionals who can introduce innovation and advanced technologies into the sector.” A Boost for Bilateral Cooperation De Riu praised the initiative as a significant milestone in Kazakh-Italian academic cooperation. “Collaboration with Zhetysu University is a key part of Italy’s international strategy,” he said. “We will implement joint projects in education and scientific research and share expertise that enhances both institutions. This is not just about opening new opportunities, it's a real step forward in strengthening the friendship and partnership between Kazakhstan and Italy.” Faculty members from Marche Polytechnic University will deliver courses at the new branch, while students will benefit from access to joint research opportunities and international internships. Graduates will receive dual diplomas from both institutions.

University

Iranian President Honored as Professor at Tajik Medical University

The President of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, has been awarded the title of honorary professor by Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, according to the Khovar news agency. On January 16, during his first state visit to Tajikistan, Pezeshkian, accompanied by Tajik Prime Minister Kohir Rasulzoda, toured the university. He met with faculty members and learned about the institution’s achievements, including advancements made at its Simulation Center. In a special ceremony, Pezeshkian received the title of honorary professor in recognition of his significant contributions to medical science and his efforts to foster cooperation in training skilled medical specialists. Expressing his gratitude, Pezeshkian thanked the people of Tajikistan for their warm hospitality and highlighted the importance of strengthening partnerships in healthcare, stating, “We are ready to enhance cooperation in healthcare, including sharing expertise in pharmaceuticals, surgery, and medicine.” Pezeshkian concluded his visit to the university by signing the guest book. This is Pezeshkian's first state visit to Tajikistan. Upon his arrival on January 15, he was welcomed personally by Tajik President Emomali Rahmon at Dushanbe International Airport.

Education

Redefining Work and Innovation: The Impact of AI and Its Rise in Kazakhstan

Will artificial intelligence be able to replace humans? What professions will disappear in the future, and will mankind face an “aggressive” neural network? Aigerim Abdenbayeva, head of educational programs at the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University (NU), answers these questions and discusses how AI is developing in Kazakhstan. TCA: Most people have heard the term “artificial intelligence” in one way or another, but only a small proportion know about the practical possibilities of AI. In your view, what is artificial intelligence? Artificial intelligence can be characterized as the ability of machines to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. This includes recognizing images, understanding language, making decisions, and solving complex problems. In everyday life, we encounter AI in many different forms, from voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to recommendations on streaming platforms like Netflix, which suggests movies based on your preferences. The term “artificial intelligence” was coined in 1956 by American scientist John McCarthy, who is considered one of the field's founders. Although the concept of AI was proposed more than half a century ago, its modern form only began to develop in the 1980s, when so-called expert systems emerged. These systems used rules and knowledge bases to solve specific problems, such as disease diagnosis or financial forecasting. Since then, AI has gone through several stages of development. The 2010s saw a significant breakthrough with the emergence of deep learning and big data technologies. Based on neural networks, deep learning has allowed computers to process and analyze vast amounts of information, dramatically improving their ability to recognize patterns and understand speech. This progress has made AI more accessible to a broader audience and has become an integral part of our daily lives. Several trends in the field of artificial intelligence can be distinguished: "Narrow AI" is a specialized system for specific tasks. For example, algorithms are used to recognize faces or diagnose diseases. They outperform humans in a narrow domain, but cannot perform functions outside their specialization. “General AI” involves creating machines that can perform any intellectual task at a level comparable to humans. General AI remains a theoretical concept and has not been achieved in reality. "Generative AI" is a field that deals with creating new data based on existing data. Examples include generating text, images, and music. Algorithms such as GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) can create text that looks like a human wrote it, and they are already being used extensively in various applications. Generative AI, in particular, has become popular due to its ability to make human life more manageable. For example, platforms like ChatGPT can help with writing articles, creating content for social media, and automating routine tasks, saving users a lot of time and effort. Other AI applications have already become part of our daily lives. For example, in medicine, AI is used to analyze medical images, which helps doctors in diagnosis and treatment selection. In finance, AI helps analyze market data and predict trends, allowing investors...