Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, met with students to mark the start of the new academic year, infohub.kz reports.
The meeting presented the results of KazNU's work carried out under the directives of President Qasym-Jomart Toqaev on developing artificial intelligence, broadly introducing digital technologies and transforming Kazakhstan into a modern digital state. The rector also outlined the university's future plans and reported on the implementation of the tasks set out in the president's address aimed at supporting and developing young people.
The event brought together first-year students, holders of the "Altyn Belgi" badge, winners of international olympiads and competitions, and active young people involved in the university's public life. Al-Farabi Kazakh National University currently enrolls around 30,000 students. In the new 2026-2027 academic year, 8,117 first-year students joined the university, including 674 holders of the "Altyn Belgi" badge and winners of national and international competitions.
The head of the university congratulated the students on the start of the new academic year. In his speech, Zhanseit Tuimebayev noted that higher education now faces new challenges.
"The student is our main value. That is why digital transformation must above all contribute to young people's quality education, their scientific pursuits and professional development. KazNU students must become a new generation of specialists who will shape our country's digital economy," the rector said.
During the meeting, special attention was paid to civic responsibility and the public culture of young people. The rector stressed that observing law and order, following ethical norms in public life, respecting elders and caring for younger people should become an integral part of every student's daily life.
In addition, the university head urged students to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat properly, exercise regularly and give up bad habits. It was noted that keeping the university grounds clean and treating green spaces with care are also the shared responsibility of every young person.
Particular attention was given to building a reading culture and raising the intellectual level of young people. Zhanseit Tuimebayev noted the importance of reading the best works of national literature recommended by the head of state and stressed the need to boost students' interest in reading books.
In closing, Zhanseit Tuimebayev noted that students' new ideas and initiatives play an important role in the university's development and called on young people to actively contribute to the development of science, innovation and the country's digital transformation.