The University awarded bachelor’s and master’s degrees in law, economics, diplomacy, journalism, linguistics, and tourism. Among this year’s graduates are winners of prestigious national and international competitions, recipients of dual degrees offered in partnership with leading universities in the United States and Germany, as well as graduates who have already secured employment offers from Big Four companies, government agencies, public institutions, and major enterprises. Congratulating the graduates, MNU Chairman of the Board Talgat Narikbayev emphasized that the University’s doors will always remain open to them.

“During your years at the University, you gained much more than knowledge. You acquired experience, learned to overcome challenges, work as a team, make decisions, and take responsibility. These qualities will define your future success. We live in an era of profound change. Artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and global challenges are transforming the world faster than ever before. Yet there are values that remain timeless: integrity, professionalism, respect for others, a commitment to lifelong learning, and a willingness to contribute to society and our country,” Talgat Narikbayev said.

The Class of 2026 was also congratulated by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek and MNU Provost Anar Ibrayeva. More than 3,500 guests attended the ceremony, including members of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, representatives of the Government of Kazakhstan and the Astana City Administration, executives of leading national media holdings and international companies, as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

“MNU has become one of Kazakhstan’s leading private universities. The recently established International School of Journalism is already among the strongest journalism schools in the country. I am pleased to see many friends here whose children are graduating from this school today. The Law School is rightly recognized as one of the country’s finest law schools. The International School of Economics offers a comprehensive education entirely in English, an opportunity that remains rare in Kazakhstan’s higher education system. The University’s Business School, where I had the privilege of teaching several years ago, is also one of the best business schools in the country. In just one generation, Kazakhstan has created the conditions for world-class higher education to be available here at home. Value this opportunity,” Sayasat Nurbek told the graduates.

The graduates took an oath, pledging to uphold the ideals of patriotism, integrity, and justice, and to dedicate their knowledge and abilities to the prosperity of the country. During the ceremony, several graduates received special recognition for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the University. Among them was Higher School of Law graduate Anel Sapargaliyeva, whose MNU team made history by finishing 12th at the prestigious Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition—the highest result ever achieved by a team from Kazakhstan.

“For me, the University became a place where far more happened than I could ever have imagined when I first walked through its doors. Here, I became the Queen of the Presidential Ball despite having no dance experience at all. Here, I prepared for my trip to Washington, where I later had the opportunity to outperform Ivy League universities, and where we, MNU students, proudly raised the flag of our homeland. These are moments I will never forget. Here, I found like-minded people, and here I turned ideas into reality—ideas that transformed not only the world around me but also myself,” said Anel Sapargaliyeva.

The ceremony concluded with a performance by renowned Kazakh singer Aikyn Tolepbergen and a festive fireworks display.

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The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings (formerly THE Impact Rankings) is the only global ranking that assesses universities’ contributions to sustainable development based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MNU was evaluated across four Sustainable Development Goals and improved its performance in both the overall ranking and each assessed category.

A particularly notable achievement was the university’s progress in SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, where MNU advanced to the 101–200 band. The university also improved to the 201–300 band for SDG 5: Gender Equality, entered the 401–600 band for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and was ranked in the 601–800 band for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

“This is our third consecutive year participating in this ranking. It is important to us not only because it strengthens our international standing, but also because it closely reflects our university’s mission—to serve people by providing high-quality and accessible education. A modern university should be more than a center for education and research; it should also be an institution that creates tangible value for society through academic integrity, the promotion of legal culture, student support, partnerships, and social responsibility. That is why a ranking based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals is of particular significance to our university,” said Anar Ibrayeva, Provost of Maqsut Narikbayev University.

More than 1,600 universities from 116 countries and territories participated in this year’s ranking. The University of Manchester (United Kingdom) ranked first globally. Among the Kazakhstani universities included in the ranking, MNU placed among the top three.

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A total of 36 applications were submitted for the competition. The winners were selected based on their key performance indicators (KPI) for the academic year and their contribution to the university’s corporate culture, including mentoring and onboarding employees, participation in organizing events, volunteering and leadership activities, brand promotion, and adherence to ethical standards. All stages of the competition were conducted openly and transparently.

MNU Chairman of the Board Talgat Narikbayev congratulated the winners and presented them with certificates of recognition and vouchers for a one-week vacation for two at one of Vietnam’s leading hotels. Earlier, the university also announced the winners of the “Teacher of the Year” award. The purpose of these competitions is to motivate and recognize outstanding achievements of MNU faculty and staff, as well as to enhance the quality of teaching and administrative performance.

Anargul Yerezhepova was named Employee of the Year 2026 in the academic category. She serves as a Manager at the Practice, Career and Employment Center of the MNU Law School. Anargul Yerezhepova has been working at the university for more than 21 years and was previously recognized as the Faculty of International Law’s Teacher of the Year in 2009. She is also an MNU alumna, having completed her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at the university.

Aigerim Bekova was recognized as Employee of the Year 2026 in the service category. She is a Student Affairs Coordinator in the Accounting Department at MNU. Aigerim Bekova is a professionally certified accountant and has been working at the university for nearly 18 years. She is also an MNU graduate, having earned degrees in Finance and Law.

The university plans to continue recognizing its best employees and teachers on an annual basis.

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The Montenegro leader is paying his first official visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. The meeting brought together more than one hundred university students. Chairman of the Board of MNU Talgat Narikbayev expressed his gratitude to Jakov Milatović for the opportunity to engage in discussion and noted that the visit takes place in the year marking the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“Over the past two decades, our countries have developed friendly and constructive ties based on mutual respect and cooperation. Maqsut Narikbayev University also seeks to contribute to strengthening relations between Kazakhstan and Montenegro. This meeting is yet another example of the important role education plays in bringing people and nations closer together. Direct conversations with leaders of this caliber help students broaden their horizons, deepen their understanding of international relations, and appreciate the importance of dialogue in fostering mutual understanding between peoples,” said Talgat Narikbayev.

The event was also attended by the First Lady of Montenegro, Milena Milatović, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan Assel Zhanassova, MNU Provost Anar Ibrayeva, members of the Montenegro government delegation, and media representatives. Jakov Milatović delivered a lecture titled “Foreign Policy in the Balkans and Central Asia: Navigating a Complex Geopolitical Landscape”. The President of Montenegro highlighted Kazakhstan’s emergence as a leading political and economic power in Central Asia.

“Thanks to its balanced and well-considered multi-vector foreign policy, Kazakhstan has established itself as a pillar of regional stability and a partner whose voice is heard in all major capitals. In an era of profound geopolitical changes, your country is increasingly becoming a decisive force and a genuine balancing factor in the evolving global distribution of influence. Furthermore, Kazakhstan serves as an inspiration for Montenegro due to its unwavering commitment to the principles and mission of the United Nations, which constitutes the third pillar of Montenegro’s foreign policy,” emphasized Jakov Milatović.

At the same time, the Montenegro leader supported President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s proposal for comprehensive UN reform. Jakov Milatović noted that both countries share the belief that a stable and prosperous international order should be based on multilateralism, international cooperation, respect for international law, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. He also answered a number of questions from students.

“Today’s meeting was a great opportunity for me as an International Law student to interact with distinguished personalities and leaders who shape global politics. The discussion was highly interactive, and we had the chance to ask all our questions. I asked the President of Montenegro how the effectiveness of the United Nations could be improved. According to him, only through the reform of the UN Security Council can cooperation among states be strengthened and global security enhanced,” said MNU student Shynar Baiton.

During the meeting, President Milatović shared his personal story of coming to power. Students also asked about the global consequences of climate change, brain drain, and the development of academic mobility programs. Participants were particularly interested in Montenegro’s prospects for joining the European Union.

“It was a memorable meeting, and the President of Montenegro’s answers were truly inspiring. Various topics were discussed, including education and relations between our two countries. Jakov Milatović also spoke about his country’s aspiration to become a member of the European Union and emphasized the importance of setting ambitious goals,” noted MNU student Dana Kumargazy.

The event concluded with the presentation of branded souvenirs to the distinguished guests and a commemorative group photo. It is worth noting that MNU has previously hosted meetings between students and the leaders of France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Finland.

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The undergraduate program Artificial Intelligence and Frontier Systems: AI + X is set to welcome its first cohort of students. The curriculum covers intelligent systems engineering and provides fundamental knowledge and practical skills in programming, data analytics, machine learning, deep learning, and the design and deployment of AI systems. The program will be delivered in English.

A distinctive feature of the program is its AI+X model, under which students choose one of three specialization tracks as Finance, Economics, or Business Management, gaining in-depth expertise in their selected field alongside advanced AI competencies. Graduates will earn a bachelor’s degree in Information and Communication Technologies, becoming not only AI engineers but also professionals capable of applying artificial intelligence in economic and business contexts. The program is implemented in collaboration with Seoul Cyber University and Kazakhstan-based companies Shai.pro and Alpha.Tech.Edu.

For those seeking postgraduate education in AI, MNU has launched the AI Law master’s program. This innovative professional graduate program is designed to prepare specialists capable of working at the intersection of law, artificial intelligence, data governance, and digital transformation. The program will also be taught in English and has a duration of 1.5 years.

The curriculum combines a strong legal foundation with the study of artificial intelligence technologies, data analytics, algorithmic regulation, digital compliance, and AI governance. It includes courses on legal big data analytics, Python for legal applications, research and professional internships, as well as a capstone project focused on solving real-world challenges of the digital economy. The program is offered in partnership with the China University of Political Science and Law.

It is worth noting that MNU is currently transforming its academic programs to align with evolving labor market demands and the rapid development of artificial intelligence. Alongside the launch of new programs, the university will strengthen the integration of AI-related components across existing curricula. MNU also plans to implement a practice-oriented education model based on the regular alternation of academic study and real-world professional experience.

For more information about admission requirements and application procedures, prospective students may contact the University’s Admissions Office.

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The project seeks to develop a platform capable of interpreting and understanding legal norms using artificial intelligence. The technology is designed to transform formal legislative texts into clear, actionable algorithms. This will help accelerate the drafting of legislation, identify legal inconsistencies, conduct comprehensive legal assessments, and improve legal literacy among citizens.

MNU researchers, together with specialists from the Kazakhstani company ITByDesign, have begun expert annotation of a legal corpus and the development of a legal knowledge core based on their own methodology. Over the past six months, more than 2,000 articles from four legal codes have been annotated, creating a foundation for training and testing the system. The team emphasized that building a high-quality platform requires representing law as a structured system of legal knowledge.

The Minister of Justice positively assessed the progress of the project and highlighted its importance. According to Erlan Sarsembayev, Legal Graph has the potential to benefit government agencies, businesses, and the public alike. He also expressed the Ministry’s readiness to support the project in its further stages of development.

The Legal Graph project is funded by a scientific and technological consortium established at the initiative of MNU and ITByDesign. The consortium’s partners include universities from Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia. In addition, the project involves research on the resilience of AI technologies to legal argumentation and the dynamic evolution of legislation.

Earlier, MNU also presented representatives of government agencies with the best regulatory solutions in the fields of law and artificial intelligence developed during the Second International Legathon MaxUP 2026 Legal Case Championship.

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More than 50 applications were submitted for the competition. The selection process took into account student evaluations of teaching performance, assessments by Academic Quality Committees, and evaluations by senior university leadership. All stages of the competition were conducted in a transparent and open manner.

The honorary certificates and one-week holiday vouchers for two people at one of the best hotels in Vietnam were presented to the winners by the Chairman of the Board of MNU, Talgat Narikbayev. He congratulated the winners as well as the university’s faculty on the completion of the academic year. The aim of the competition is to motivate and reward high teaching performance and to enhance the quality of education.

The Best Teacher from the MNU Law School for 2026 is Aigerim Kusainkyzy. She has been working at the university for about a year and a half and teaches “Constitutional Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and “Theory of Law.” She holds a Master’s degree in International Law from the University of Montreal (Canada), is a PhD candidate in Public Administration, and is a well-known expert in human rights, gender equality, and constitutional law.

The Best Teacher from the MNU International School of Economics for 2026 is Sagadi Kisikov. He joined the university in the fall of 2024 and teaches “Foreign Policy Analysis” and “International Security.” He holds an MBA in International Public Administration and Management from the University of Southern California (USA), is a PhD candidate in Public Administration and Political Science, and is an experienced expert in international security, peacekeeping operations, strategic planning, and analytical research.

The Best Teacher from the MNU School of Liberal Arts for 2026 is Aizat Zhaksylyk. She has been working at the university for six years and teaches “Basic Foreign Language (I, II),” “Cambridge English B2+, C1, C1+,” and “History of Foreign Language Teaching Methods.” She organizes academic writing seminars for undergraduate and graduate students, conducts workshops for faculty on innovative teaching approaches, and leads the popular intellectual quiz UniQuiz among students in Astana.

The Best Teacher from the MNU International School of Journalism for 2026 is Kalima Tazhikul. She joined the university in December 2024 and teaches “History of the Media Industry in Kazakhstan,” “News Writing I,” and “News Journalism II.” She is an experienced media expert, media critic, book editor, and mentor for students participating in the Republican Subject Olympiad in Journalism.

It is also noted that the winner of the “Best Staff Member of the Year” competition will be announced in the near future.

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The Admissions Office of Maqsut Narikbayev University has officially started its work. Applications from prospective students will be accepted for nearly three months.

MNU’s mission is to serve people by providing quality and accessible education. In the upcoming academic year, the University offers around 30 educational programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, MBA, and DBA levels. Students can also take advantage of academic mobility and dual-degree programs with leading international universities, as well as opportunities to pursue additional specializations.

A key highlight of this year’s admissions campaign is the launch of a new educational program — Artificial Intelligence and Frontier Systems: AI + X. The program provides students with a strong technical foundation in artificial intelligence and equips them with the skills to apply AI across various industries. It also covers emerging fields and includes hands-on project work with partner companies to develop real-world AI solutions. The program is implemented in partnership with Seoul Cyber University (South Korea) and the China University of Political Science and Law (China).

It should be noted that MNU is accredited by 10 prestigious international accreditation agencies and consistently demonstrates high graduate employment rates. Applicants may also participate in the competition for state educational grants and the annual Maqsut Narikbayev Scholarship Olympiad. Applications for undergraduate programs will be accepted until August 25, 2026 (inclusive), while applications for postgraduate programs will be accepted until August 28, 2026 (inclusive).

More information about the educational programs is available via the corresponding link. The Admissions Office operates on weekdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at 8 Korgalzhyn Highway, Astana. For консультации and additional information, applicants may contact the Admissions Office at +7 700 170 30 30 or +7 7172 70 30 30.

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The Olympiad was held from May 19 to 21 at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics in Moscow. The event was organized by the Interstate Statistical Committee of the CIS with the support of the CIS Executive Committee. More than 60 students from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan took part in the competition.

The central theme of the Olympiad was the 35th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States, symbolizing many years of cooperation among member countries. Participants were required to demonstrate their knowledge, analytical skills, and ability to apply statistical methods in practice. The program included team presentations, individual testing, defense of team research projects, and thematic discussions dedicated to current issues in statistics and its role in the modern world.

During the Olympiad, students of the MNU International School of Economics Aslan Seidalin, Aida Ogay, and Nikita Piltsov presented a project on panel data analysis of CIS countries focusing on factors contributing to the gender pay gap. As a result of the competition, Aida Ogay won first place in the individual category, outperforming participants from the Altai Branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and the Azerbaijan State University of Economics. In addition, the MNU team received awards in the nominations “Coverage of a Relevant Topic” and “Competitors’ Choice”.

Earlier, MNU students also became champions of the Central Asian moot court competition Asia Zangeri 2026.

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Maqsut Narikbayev University wishes everyone good health, prosperity, and peace!

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