UNESCO-ICHEI Attends the Launch Ceremony of Central Asia's First AI University
From 1 to 3 October 2026, the AI & Digital Bridge International Forum—the largest and most influential technology exchange platform in Central Asia—was held in Astana. Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended the forum and delivered the keynote address at the plenary session. As a flagship event under the forum framework, the Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU) held its official launch ceremony on the opening day, attended by senior government officials, members of international delegations, and representatives from the technology sector.
President Tokayev receives a briefing from QAIRU Rector Sapar Toksanov
In his plenary address, President Tokayev stated: “We must build national schools of science and engineering and cultivate knowledgeable, capable, and creative professionals. In this regard, the newly established Qazaq AI Research University carries a special mission. This university must not only provide education but also conduct scientific research aligned with industrial and economic needs. To this end, we are advancing the AI+X model, applying artificial intelligence to specific sectors. We must harness its potential effectively and promote the application of AI in industry, energy, healthcare, finance, and public administration.”
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev addresses AI & Digital Bridge-2026 International Forum
Established under the direct initiative of the President, QAIRU is the first AI‑Enabled University in Central Asia, dedicated to deeply integrating artificial intelligence into teaching, research, learning support, industry collaboration, and university governance. It aims to cultivate high‑level talent capable of developing AI systems and driving the practical adoption of AI technologies. Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, attended the launch ceremony and delivered remarks.
Zhaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development
JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, and XU Mingshun, Chief of the Administrative Affairs Office of UNESCO-ICHEI, attended the ceremony.
UNESCO-ICHEI delegation and Sapar Toksanov, Rector of QAIRU (2nd from the right)
Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan (front row, first from left), attends the ceremony
On-site photo from the launch ceremony
During the event, the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation held a working meeting with Serik Omirbayev, First Vice Rector of QAIRU, and Madina Tynybayeva, Vice Rector for International Cooperation of QAIRU. Both sides reached preliminary consensus on integrating their respective partner networks and resources in Kazakhstan to advance multilateral cooperation in national‑level AI faculty training, joint industry‑academia projects, joint conferences, and collaborative research.
JIN Li, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI & Vice President of SUSTech (2nd from the left), BI Xiaohan, Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI (1st from the left), and XU Mingshun, Chief of the Administrative Affairs Office of UNESCO-ICHEI (1st from the right)
Serik Omirbayev, First Vice Rector of QAIRU (2nd from the left), and Madina Tynybayeva, Vice Rector for International Cooperation of QAIRU (1st from the left)
In addition, LI Jin, Director of UNESCO-ICHEI and Vice President of SUSTech, was invited to deliver a thematic lecture to QAIRU faculty and students, sharing UNESCO-ICHEI and SUSTech’s practices and experiences in leveraging artificial intelligence to empower higher education and talent development. The lecture received enthusiastic feedback on site.
On-site photo from the lecture
💡About Qazaq AI Research University
Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU) is a flagship artificial intelligence research institution located in Astana, Kazakhstan. Established within the framework of Kazakhstan’s national AI strategy and the country’s broader efforts to build a Central Asian AI innovation ecosystem, QAIRU is designated as the first AI‑Enabled University in Central Asia. The university is committed to the deep integration of artificial intelligence across teaching, research, learning support, industry collaboration, and institutional governance, with the goal of cultivating high‑level talent capable of developing AI systems and advancing the practical application of AI technologies. QAIRU officially commenced teaching on 1 September 2026, enrolling approximately 500 students in its inaugural academic year, including around 400 undergraduate and 100 master’s students.
For details regarding this forum and the QAIRU launch ceremony, please refer to the news report from the Government of Kazakhstan: "Head of State Unveils Central Asia's First AI-Powered University—Kazakh AI Research University."
