Olympiads Archives

The First Republican Journalism Olympiad at MNU

On April 21–22, Maqsut Narikbayev University hosted the XVII Republican Subject Olympiad in Journalism and Information for the first time. This year, the student competition brought together 17 teams from various regions of Kazakhstan, uniting the most talented and ambitious students aspiring to build careers in the media industry.

According to the results of the Olympiad, first place was awarded to students from SDU University in the Almaty region. It is worth noting that this was the first time the event was hosted by MNU, as the university earned the right by winning last year’s competition. The host team participated outside the main competition, thereby passing the initiative and awards to other universities, while still demonstrating a high level of preparation and commendable team spirit.

“It is a great honour for us to host the Republican Subject Olympiad in Journalism at Maqsut Narikbayev University. The Olympiad represents a significant milestone in the development of the International School of Journalism, which opened its doors in 2023. This event provided a valuable platform for the exchange of knowledge and the establishment of new connections among students and educators,” said Sergey Pen, Provost of MNU.

The Olympiad comprised four challenging stages. In the first round, participants presented an oral self-introduction and a team video card. In the second, they were tasked with writing an informational note and a television script using randomly assigned keywords and prompts. All submissions were reviewed anonymously to ensure fairness. The third stage took the form of an intellectual quiz, where students answered questions on the history of journalism, media ethics, and fact-checking. The final round featured a crisis simulation—a true test of professional resilience. In an information vacuum, participants had to produce material that mirrored the real-life challenges faced in newsrooms.

“The Olympiad was organised at the highest level, and the competition was incredibly strong. It is a great honour for our team and our entire university to win such a prestigious event. We are sincerely grateful to MNU for the warm welcome and the outstanding organisation,” said Dinmuhamed Bolat, a student at SDU University.

That being said, the key mission of the Olympiad is not only to identify the best talents, but also to foster a space for communication, the exchange of experience, and professional development.

Law in the Age of Digital Transformation: Students from Four Countries Compete at the First CIS Legathon Hosted by MNU

On April 18–19, Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) proudly hosted the International Legathon Max UP 2025 — the first event of its kind in the CIS. This distinctive legal competition brought together students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan, blending a high-level case championship with a forward-looking research forum. Participants explored the evolving landscape of law in the era of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation.

The central theme of Legathon Max UP 2025 was “Ethics and Law in the Age of AI”. Nine student teams engaged with a complex scenario in which AI technologies posed serious implications for fundamental human rights and presented unprecedented legal dilemmas. Over the course of two days, teams analysed multifaceted cases, proposed regulatory frameworks, and defended research projects addressing critical issues in the realm of digital law.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has previously underscored the need to enhance public competencies in the field of AI. Moreover, during his recent working visit to the Mangystau region, he reiterated that the development of high-tech and AI-related sectors is now of particular national significance. The Legathon’s timely focus on the legal challenges of AI attracted the interest of students from prominent universities, including Ala-Too International University (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan), Ural State University of Economics (Yekaterinburg, Russia), HSE University (Moscow, Russia), TSUL (Tashkent, Uzbekistan), MNU (Astana), Yessenov University (Aktau), Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, AlmaU, and Kazakh Ablai Khan University of International Relations and World Languages (Almaty).

“It is particularly meaningful for us that the first Legathon coincides with the 85th anniversary of the birth of Maqsut Narikbayev, the esteemed honorary rector of our university — a man who dedicated his life to upholding the rule of law and justice. Our goal was to create an environment where students not only engage with the law but actively shape its future. Legathon addresses challenges that have yet to appear in textbooks but are rapidly approaching on the horizon,” said Talgat Narikbayev, Chairman of the Board of MNU.

The participating teams presented innovative solutions to legal dilemmas involving AI in the healthcare sector, as well as original research spanning diverse topics — from liability for autonomous AI systems and regulation of dual-use technologies to the mitigation of digital discrimination and the legal implications of digital personality replicas. Participants demonstrated creative thinking and legal knowledge, offering unconventional yet thoughtful approaches to emerging technological challenges. Their efforts were assessed by an esteemed panel of jurors, comprising representatives from the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, and partners from leading international and Kazakhstani law firms.

“Everything was organised at the highest level, down to the smallest details. Even the voting process was designed with integrity — team affiliations were revealed only after the announcement of the scores. Competitions like this offer students invaluable practical experience and insight. AI is undeniably one of today’s most pressing topics. We are already anticipating Legathon Max UP 2026 with great enthusiasm,” remarked Daniyel Vaissov, Vice Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Looking ahead, the Legathon is set to become an annual event. This year’s prize fund amounted to 1.7 million tenge. The championship title was claimed by the team from the Higher School of Economics (Moscow, Russia).

“The atmosphere was absolutely incredible, and the participants were very friendly. We are deeply honoured that our work received such recognition. It was truly an inspiring experience,” shared Tatiyana Zhmurina, a member of the winning team.

The first International Legathon Max UP 2025 marked a significant step in fostering dialogue between legal and technological spheres. It provided students with a platform to apply theoretical knowledge, showcase their expertise, and engage with both peers and seasoned professionals. MNU remains committed to advancing this initiative, with the goal of nurturing a new generation of legal professionals skilled at navigating the complexities of digital transformation.

The Future of Kazakhstani Jurisprudence: MNU Student Won 500,000 Tenge in Case Championship

Today, Maqsut Narikbayev University hosted the final round of the Civil Law Case Championship, initiated by MNU’s esteemed alumnus, lawyer and senior partner at Sayat Zholshy & Partners, Mr. Arman Berdalin.

The theme of the competition – analyzing legal risks and ensuring legal protection in the process of business acquisition in Kazakhstan – required participants to demonstrate in-depth legal knowledge, strategic thinking, and the ability to justify legal decisions within the context of modern Kazakhstani practice.

Mr. Arman Berdalin personally reviewed each case, provided expert feedback, and inspired students with his sincere engagement. He then officially announced the winner and awarded the main prize a certificate worth 500,000 tenge to Temirlan Abdullin, a third-year student at the MNU Law School.

Temirlan is more than just a successful student. He has participated in the AIFC Moot Court, Tukulov Moot, and various international arbitration competitions. At home, he is a caring older brother to two sisters and a younger brother and devoted son. At university, he is a talented, ambitious, and principled young man, truly seen as a future leader in the legal field of Kazakhstan.

We express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Arman Berdalin for his support of talented students, for his professional commitment, and for his genuine desire to inspire the next generation of legal professionals. Initiatives like this help foster a strong legal culture and lay a solid foundation for the continued development of the legal profession in Kazakhstan.

MaxUP 2025: Students from Four Countries to Present Innovative Legal Solutions at MNU

On April 18-19, MNU will host the inaugural International Legathon MaxUP 2025, aimed at finding innovative legal solutions. Nine student teams from Kazakhstan, Russia, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan will showcase their knowledge and propose relevant solutions to legal challenges. The international event is dedicated to the 85th anniversary of MNU’s Honorary Rector, statesman and public figure Maqsut Narikbayev.

The event program includes:

• Teams preparing research projects to address specific legal issues;

• Team-based work on real legal cases;

• Mentorship from leading industry experts;

• The opportunity to present ideas to representatives of the academic community, business and government bodies;

• Valuable prizes and opportunities for further professional growth.

More details about the event can be found at this link.