Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education Saiasat Nurbek said on the sidelines of the Foreign Investors' Council on July 2, 2026, that the artificial intelligence research university will operate according to a new global model of higher education, Zakon.kz correspondent reports.
He
recalled that in September Kazakhstan plans to launch an artificial
intelligence research university.
"The
format is very new. In fact, the world is now beginning to search for a new
model of higher education based on the use of artificial intelligence. There is
such a model now — the AI-enabled university, meaning that artificial
intelligence helps both students, administrators, and teachers themselves,
permeating all processes of this university: educational, research, and
administrative," the minister said.
As
examples, he named the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence,
Northeastern University, and the Shanghai Innovation Institute.
"There
is another very interesting model. The Chinese are developing it now. That's
why, on the instructions of the Head of State, we are working with all leading
partners to create such a unique, one might say, university. For now there will
be literally two or three programs, but in partnership with Carnegie Mellon,
the Shanghai Innovation Institute, and Mohamed bin Zayed University. The
institute will be small for now because it is very experimental. Its status is
also experimental. We made a special decision. There will be programs in
artificial intelligence and cybersecurity," Saiasat Nurbek added.
He
also noted that the university will be open to both Kazakhstani and foreign
students.
"It
is open to everyone. Moreover, the training will be in a very applied format.
This is the implementation of artificial intelligence in various sectors of the
economy. We will also pay great attention to cybersecurity. The task is to form
industry specialists who will engage in the correct, systematic implementation
of artificial intelligence in agriculture, energy, and transport. That is, the
university will have an industry-specific orientation," Saiasat Nurbek
added.
The
minister also said that at the first stage, education will be funded through
state grants, and the first intake will be up to 500 people.
At
the first stage, the university will offer two basic specialties: machine
learning and physical artificial intelligence.
The
university will open bachelor's degree programs lasting 3 years and master's
degree programs lasting from one to two years, with no age restrictions for
admission.