ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s AI education initiatives, political reforms and upcoming Kurultai election, investment prospects, and growing role in Central Asian and Eurasian cooperation.
Almaty. Photo credit: Almaty’s city administration. Kazakhstan rolls out AI education from school to university In the 2026-27 academic year, Kazakhstan’s first artificial intelligence university plans to enroll 600 students and trainees. AI use is also being expanded in schools, with a separate pilot planned for ten small rural schools.
Kazakhstan is therefore trying to build its AI talent pipeline from both ends of the education system, reported The Times of Central Asia on Aug. 18. Science and Higher Education Minister Sayasat Nurbek announced the first intake at Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU) during a government meeting.
Nurbek said 400 students would be admitted to bachelor’s programs, including 308 on state grants, while another 100 would join master’s programs. “In addition, the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund will send 100 of its employees to study under the MBA AI+X program,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s next chapter: Reform, resilience, and partnership with Europe EU Reporter published an article on Aug. 18 by Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Belgium, highlighting Kazakhstan’s political reforms, economic resilience, strategic importance in energy and transport, and growing partnership with the European Union.
“On 23 August, Kazakhstan will hold its first elections to the Kurultai, the new highest representative body established under our new Constitution. The elections represent an important stage in the political modernization and the building of a Just Kazakhstan initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The new Kurultai and the elections to it are part of a broader effort to strengthen representative institutions, widen political participation and build a more resilient political system. A total of seven political parties compete in the elections, seeking to clear the 5% threshold.
As a Kazakh saying goes, ‘Where there is unity, there is strength.’ For us, the strength of a modern state rests not only on economic performance, but also on effective institutions, public participation and confidence in the future.