Visually-Impaired Version 
Exactly one week from now, Maqsut Narikbayev University will hold its grand Student Initiation Ceremony. The university’s flagship event will take place on 19 November at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Palace of Martial Arts in Astana.
During the evening, first-year students will take the MNU Student Oath and receive congratulations from distinguished guests, as well as the university’s leadership, faculty and staff. Students will also unveil the largest flags of Kazakhstan and MNU inside the venue.
The highlight of the evening is the traditional competition between the university’s schools. Student teams will present their social projects and perform theatrical productions based on a given theme. First-year students spend two months preparing for their performances under the guidance of senior students. An independent jury comprising representatives of government bodies, social and charitable organisations, the creative industries and other fields will evaluate the performances.
The Battle of the Schools: A Tradition Spanning Nearly 30 Years
The very first Student Initiation Ceremony took place on 8 November 1994 at the M. Auezov Kazakh National Drama Theatre in Almaty. However, the competition between schools (faculties) dates back to 1997, when the university first introduced the selection of its Femida during the ceremony.
Femida is an honorary title and a traditional symbol of student self-governance, as well as the face of the university. The title was awarded from 1997 to 2019. The school (faculty) represented by the student selected as Femida was declared the winner of the Student Initiation competition. Since 2013, winners have also received the rotating Student Initiation Cup.
School of Law – Law students have won the competition numerous times, including in 1997–2013 and 2017–2018. In addition, two years ago, the School received a special Decade Cup, presented in honour of the university’s 30th anniversary.
International School of Economics – Students from this school first took to the stage in 2005. They are the current Cup holders and eight-time champions, having won in 2014–2016, 2019 and 2022–2025.
School of Liberal Arts – Students from humanities programmes have participated since 2003. However, the school first competed under its current status as a higher school five years ago. Its debut performance in 2021 resulted in the school’s only victory to date.
International School of Journalism – Future journalists joined the competition two years ago. Last year’s performance earned special recognition from the Chairman of the MNU Board, who presented the school with a special prize.
What Is the Theme of the 2026 Ceremony?
Every year, the Student Initiation Ceremony is organised around a specific theme that sets the tone and atmosphere of the evening and brings all participants together. The university’s schools also develop their performances in line with the chosen theme.
This year’s theme is “A Nation That Reads.” Through their performances, students will highlight the importance of fostering a reading culture and supporting literature.
MNU Student Initiation: Headliners and the Country’s Best Venues
Kazakhstan’s popular music stars traditionally join the celebrations to congratulate the students on this important milestone. Over the years, the stage has welcomed such artists as Irina Kairatovna, Dos-Mukasan, Dastan Orazbekov, Sadraddin, Ringo, Orda, Yenlik and many others. The 2026 headliners are Ninety One and Kairat Nurtas.
MNU’s Student Initiation Ceremony has traditionally been held at some of the capital’s best venues. Previous ceremonies took place at the Kazakhstan Central Concert Hall, Congress Hall and the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation. For the fifth consecutive year, the university’s flagship event will be held at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Palace of Martial Arts (Zhekpe-Zhek), which has a capacity of 5,000 spectators.
Read more about last year’s Student Initiation Ceremony here.
