Event Program
2 October 2026
14:00 – 14:15
Opening Session
Sapar Toxanov, Rector, Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU)
Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (TBC)
Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, AlmaU President and Founder, “Rectors’ Club: Central Asia+” initiative’s founder
Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (TBC)
Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, AlmaU President and Founder, “Rectors’ Club: Central Asia+” initiative’s founder
Welcome remarks
14:15 – 14:20
Signing of the Memorandum of Mutual Cooperation between Almaty Management University
(AlmaU) and Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU)
(AlmaU) and Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU)
Signatories:
• Sapar Toxanov, Rector of QAIRU
• Timur Buldybaev, Rector of AlmaU
• Sapar Toxanov, Rector of QAIRU
• Timur Buldybaev, Rector of AlmaU
14:20 – 15:00
Keynote speech
Alexander Sidorkin, Professor of Education and former Chief AI Officer, California State University, Sacramento (USA); co-author of Universities After AI
How AI is changing the core functions of the university: knowledge production, learning, credentials, academic work and institutional models
How AI is changing the core functions of the university: knowledge production, learning, credentials, academic work and institutional models
“THINKING IN THE AGE OF AI: FROM AUTOMATION TO THE RELATIONAL UNIVERSITY”
15:00 – 16:00
Panel discussion
Moderator:
Madina Tynybayeva, Vice-rector for international cooperation, QAIRU
Speakers:
• Rustem Bigari, President of the International Information Technology University (IITU), expert in digital transformation and AI policy
• Sergey Pen, Deputy CEO for Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU)
• Zhanar Rysbekova, Rector of Tashenev University
• Neil Marshall, Director of Development, ChangeSchool; expert in executive education, innovation and entrepreneurship development
• Björn Birgisson, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Nazarbayev University
Madina Tynybayeva, Vice-rector for international cooperation, QAIRU
Speakers:
• Rustem Bigari, President of the International Information Technology University (IITU), expert in digital transformation and AI policy
• Sergey Pen, Deputy CEO for Research, Innovation and Artificial Intelligence, Maqsut Narikbayev University (MNU)
• Zhanar Rysbekova, Rector of Tashenev University
• Neil Marshall, Director of Development, ChangeSchool; expert in executive education, innovation and entrepreneurship development
• Björn Birgisson, Vice Provost for Research and Innovation, Nazarbayev University
«THE HUMAN AND THE UNIVERSITY IN THE AGE OF AI»
16:00 – 16:30
Coffee Break
16:30 – 17:30
INTERACTIVE WORKSHOP:
University Transformation Framework
University Transformation Framework
Facilitator – Pavel Luksha, CEO Global Education Futures, expert in the future of education and systemic change
17:30 – 18:00
Closing Session
Closing of the 8th Meeting of the “Rectors’ Club: Central Asia+” and drafting of the Astana Universities’ Statement on AI (Astana AI Declaration) 2026
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