KazNU Holds a Ceremonial Welcome for First-Year Students

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University held a ceremony to welcome first-year students into the university community. This year, the traditional event combined modern technologies with the extensive use of artificial intelligence.

The ceremony was attended by Zhanseit Tuymebayev, Chairman of the Management Board and Rector of KazNU; Aziz Kazhdenbek, Head of the Almaty City Youth Policy Department; university leaders and professors from China, Russia, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan; diplomatic representatives of Iran, Afghanistan, and Azerbaijan; as well as university alumni and prominent public figures.

Opening the ceremony, Rector Zhanseit Tuymebayev congratulated the first-year students on joining the university community and wished them success in their studies.

In his address, the Rector highlighted the importance of implementing President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s vision of building a Just, Safe, Progressive, and Clean Kazakhstan. He emphasized the importance of fostering a strong sense of responsibility, integrity, and respect for the law among young people.

“President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has set a clear direction: ‘Building a Just, Safe, Progressive, and Clean Kazakhstan is our shared sacred duty. We must all work actively towards this goal. We must all be honest, sincere, and responsible.’ Therefore, alongside deep knowledge, young people today must develop a strong sense of responsibility and respect for the law,” the Rector noted.

Zhanseit Kanseituly also highlighted the university’s international achievements and outlined ongoing efforts to develop the KazNU campus. He drew attention to the university’s scientific and technological infrastructure, which supports students’ research potential, including Farabi Hub, the Supercomputer Center, the Kazakhstan–Singapore Quantum Technology Center, Farabi Robotics, and the Institute of Digital Technologies and Robotics. These facilities provide students with opportunities to engage in scientific research, develop innovative projects, and acquire skills in cutting-edge technologies.

“Today marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in your lives. KazNU offers you opportunities to access world-class education and research. It is important to learn foreign languages, launch modern startups, and become not merely consumers of the digital world, but its creators,” the Rector concluded.

During the ceremony, first-year students represented by Olga Nazarova from the Omsk branch of KazNU and Dastan Tazhiev from the Bishkek branch, as well as international students, addressed the audience and shared their thoughts on the beginning of their university journey.

The festive program featured student performances combining choreography and music, with themes including “Retro,” “AI, Science and Innovation,” “Taza Kazakhstan,” and “A Nation That Reads.” Students from KazNU’s branches in Kyrgyzstan and Russia also took part in the program, alongside students from the branch of Northwestern Polytechnical University in China and North Caucasus Federal University.

The ceremony continued with a concert featuring stars of the Kazakh pop music scene and concluded with a dance event for students.

In the 2026–2027 academic year, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University admitted 8,117 students. Of these, 6,236 enrolled in undergraduate programs, 1,167 in master’s programs, and 462 in doctoral programs. Among the newly admitted undergraduate students are 674 recipients of the Altyn Belgi distinction and 58 winners of national and international competitions and contests.

For the new students, the ceremony marked the beginning of an important chapter in their university lives. KazNU offers students opportunities to receive a high-quality education, pursue scientific research, develop innovative projects, and gain experience in an international academic environment.