On September 18, 2026, the IX Eurasian Forum on Quality Assurance in Higher Education was held in Astana with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
The Forum was held in a hybrid format (100 participants offline and 107 online) at Maqsut Narikbayev University and brought together a wide range of participants: rectors and vice-rectors of Kazakhstan’s higher education institutions, leading national experts, university faculty members, as well as representatives of universities from Azerbaijan, China, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
The following thematic areas were discussed within the framework of the IX Eurasian Forum:
- Artificial Intelligence;
- Digitalization.
Adlet Zhunusovich Toibayev, Chairman of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, delivered a welcoming address to the participants, noting the relevance of the forum’s theme and emphasizing the importance of quality assurance in higher education.
The Eurasian Forum was organized into two sessions, moderated by: Tursynzada Kuangalievna Kuangaliyeva – Rector of the Kazakh National University of Sport, Associate Professor, Candidate of Economic Sciences; Margarita Bulegenovna Kadyrova – Chief Research Fellow at the Institute of Applied Research and Public Administration Analytics, Professor at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Chair of the IQAA Accreditation Council; Bakhytkul Telkhozhaevna Abdizhapparova – Head of the Department of Accreditation and Quality Assessment at M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Associate Professor, Candidate of Technical Sciences; Svetlana Gennadyevna Karstina – Professor, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Karaganda National Research University named after Academician E.A. Buketov.
The following speakers delivered presentations at the Forum:
– Anar Bauyrzhanovna Ibrayeva, Provost of Maqsut Narikbayev University, Associate Professor, Candidate of Philological Sciences: highlighted the value of individual digital services in creating an integrated university ecosystem;
– Alibek Saparbekovich Bisembayev, Dean of the International School of Economics at the Kazakh-British Technical University, Associate Professor, PhD: analyzed the development of a global AI hub and the role of universities as creators of technologies, companies, and new markets;
– Ayapbergen Aldanaevich Taubayev, Rector of Esil University, Professor, Doctor of Economic Sciences: emphasized that the university creates an environment in which graduates can compete, adapt, and continue their development;
– Rinat Maratovich Iskakov, Professor at the China University of Petroleum, Associate Professor, Doctor of Chemical Sciences: described the university’s experience in developing courses, conducting classroom instruction and laboratory sessions using AI, as well as conducting materials research with generative AI;
– Alexander Vladimirovich Kostyuk, Fulbright Program Scholar for 2025–2026, Candidate of Medical Sciences, PhD: shared his experience of using artificial intelligence in research and data analysis;
– Zhenish Tunkatarovich Beksultanov, Associate Professor, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Kyrgyz-Japanese Institute, Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: noted that the use of AI in Kyrgyzstan’s education system has transformed teaching practices and prompted a rethinking of educational ideas;
– Assylbek Abdiashimovich Issakhov, President of the Kazakh-American University, PhD, Professor: emphasized that the future of civilization depends on whether we can preserve our humanity in the age of machine intelligence;
– Azamat Zhanbulatovich Amirov, Member of the Management Board – Vice-Rector for Digitalization at Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University, PhD: shared his experience in commercializing a university-developed innovation and bringing it to market;
– Miras Mukhtarovich Daulenov, President of Coventry University Kazakhstan, PhD: addressed the rethinking of higher education values in the age of artificial intelligence, the importance of international cooperation in higher education, and the creation of a new generation of global universities.
In conclusion, the outcomes of the Forum were summarized, and it was noted that digital transformation requires a rethinking of approaches to quality in higher education. Today, quality is determined not by the number of technologies implemented, but by the extent to which they contribute to learning outcomes, competency development, and each learner’s individual educational pathway. Therefore, regardless of the scale of digital change, the learner must remain at the center of the educational process.
The IX Eurasian Forum once again demonstrated its status as a leading platform for dialogue bringing together higher education institutions and accreditation bodies. The event underscored the importance of developing solutions in response to the impact of digitalization and artificial intelligence on quality assurance in higher education.