ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AT AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY: A STRATEGIC DIRECTION FOR HIGHER EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT

In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 2026 has been declared the “Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence.” This initiative opens up new opportunities to accelerate the digital transformation of the education system and the systematic integration of artificial intelligence technologies into the learning process. As part of the implementation of this initiative, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University organized a winter school on “Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education” from January 12 to 16, 2026.

This educational platform is aimed at enhancing the professional competencies of the university’s faculty and staff in the application of artificial intelligence technologies in higher education. Special attention is also given to the effective implementation of modern methodological and digital solutions in the design and delivery of educational programs.

During the winter school, participants focused on improving skills in using artificial intelligence tools in the learning process, mastering innovative pedagogical approaches aimed at increasing the quality and effectiveness of education, and studying and disseminating best practices in integrating artificial intelligence technologies into the university’s educational and methodological activities. The event was conducted in both online and offline formats, providing an accessible and open professional environment for participants.

As part of the program, on January 12, the Director of the Department of Academic Policy and Educational Program Management at Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University, Erzhan Domalatov, delivered a presentation on “Application of Artificial Intelligence in Higher Education,” highlighting key areas of digital transformation in the education system.

In his speech, Erzhan Domalatov emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in the modern higher education system:
“Today, artificial intelligence is not just a technology but a strategic tool that fundamentally changes the higher education system. Modernizing curricula, organizing learning based on the individual characteristics of students, automating academic processes — all of this is closely linked to the capabilities of artificial intelligence. Therefore, improving the digital literacy of faculty in this area is a requirement of our time,” the speaker noted.

He also stressed the practical significance of the winter school, noting that such platforms allow instructors not only to familiarize themselves with artificial intelligence theoretically but also to master concrete methods for its implementation in the real educational process.

Overall, the winter school became an important dialogue platform aimed at digitalizing and modernizing higher education, as well as enhancing the professional potential of the academic community in the field of artificial intelligence. Initiatives like this contribute to raising the quality of university education to a new level and creating a modern educational environment that harmoniously integrates international experience.