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Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU) intends to train over a thousand Kazakhstani citizens in applied artificial intelligence skills. The university has launched a free course, AI Upgrade, for its graduates.
The initiative is being implemented as part of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. During the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Artificial Intelligence, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that every specialist, in addition to their core profession, should acquire digital skills and be able to apply AI in their work. MNU aims to support its graduates by equipping them with relevant knowledge to help them stay competitive in today’s world.
“Last year, the Head of State поручил the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to implement the AI Sana program for all students. While universities have ensured that 100% of students completed a basic course in artificial intelligence and its responsible use, MNU has already moved to the next stage by beginning to train its graduates. This is a unique program that we, as a ministry, support and plan to scale across all universities,” said Dinara Shcheglova, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The first cohort of the course launched at MNU on the eve of Kazakhstan’s Science Workers’ Day. The training was delivered by experienced university experts. In just two days, more than 50 graduates transitioned from everyday use of AI tools to systematic automation.
“Our course is structured so that on the first day participants gain general AI skills. They are then given a specially designed assignment and return the next day to describe the professional tasks they handle. Based on these tasks, our instructors offer each participant personalized automation scenarios. Upon successful completion, every participant will have their own customized AI assistant tailored to their specific needs,” said Sergey Pen, Deputy Chairman of the Board for Science, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at MNU.
As part of AI Upgrade, the university plans to train over a thousand people. The course includes practical cases and prompts for designing automated scenarios, mastering modern no-code tools, integrating AI into workflows, automating tasks, structuring interactions with GPT, and integrating AI with popular online services. Upon completion, graduates will receive a customized AI assistant for professional use, a ready-made case for their portfolio, and will be able to build an automated workflow scenario and achieve a professional level of proficiency with AI tools.
“I work as a lawyer, so I came to this course with a practical goal — to learn how to use AI for filling out legal protocols and drafting legal documents. In today’s professional environment, such skills are becoming increasingly in demand and help save time. During the course, I gained useful knowledge and tools that I can already apply in my work. I am grateful to the university for this opportunity,” said MNU graduate Serik Sabit.
It is also worth noting that the university has previously launched two AI laboratories, announced a new educational program, AI+X, and held the international competition International Legathon MaxUP with the participation of students from 13 countries.
