The new digital age of KazNU: Faculty of information technologies and artificial intelligenceFarabi University

Today, the rapid development of the world is directly related to the progressive improvement of digital technologies. The importance of Information Systems and artificial intelligence in production, science, business, medicine and other areas is growing, opening up new opportunities. Digital modernization has strengthened the competitiveness of states and made the training of highly qualified IT specialists a strategic task.

Kazakhstan is also keeping pace with this process, consistently implementing its digitalization policy. Among state programs, the direction of “Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence” holds special importance. One of these is the “Digital Kazakhstan” program, which has been implemented since 2018. This project is aimed at the comprehensive digital modernization of the country’s economy, social sphere, and public administration system .

The 21st century is the era of the digital economy. At a time when the development of a country is measured by the pace of mastering new technologies, the opening of the Faculty of Information Technologies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University on January 15, 2018 became a particularly important step. “The main goal of the faculty is to train competitive IT specialists demanded by Kazakhstan and the global labor market,” says the dean of the faculty, Timur Imankulov .

In the context of globalization, the role of information technologies and artificial intelligence is increasing, and they are becoming decisive tools in public administration, industry, security, and science. The Address of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, titled “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,” announced on September 8, 2025, defined the country’s clear strategic direction toward digital transformation. The document emphasized the tasks of training personnel, developing national infrastructure, advancing science and innovation, and forming new AI-based industries .

These changes have accelerated the development of the education system and encouraged higher education institutions to open new directions. In this regard, in September 2025, the Faculty of Information Technologies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was reorganized into the Faculty of Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. This is one of the important reforms aimed at strengthening the university’s scientific potential in the IT field and training qualified specialists in artificial intelligence, data analysis, and intelligent systems .

Today, the faculty implements educational programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels in accordance with international standards. Each of the four departments within the faculty contributes to the development of digitalization, software engineering, artificial intelligence, and information security. Experienced professors, doctors and candidates of sciences, PhD specialists, and young researchers actively conduct scientific research and improve the quality of education .

Internet of Things Laboratory (IoT)

The Internet of Things laboratory is a modern technological platform for creating digital ecosystems. It focuses on developing smart systems that integrate physical objects and enable automatic data collection, analysis, and management. Using intelligent sensors, microcontrollers, communication modules, and real-time monitoring platforms, prototypes of IoT devices are developed.
Projects implemented in the laboratory include:
– development of an intelligent system for monitoring and diagnosing sleep disorders using blockchain technology and IoMT (Internet of Medical Things);
– development of an intelligent system for monitoring and preventing cardiovascular diseases using deep learning methods and IoMT .

Department of Information Systems

This is one of the leading academic centers preparing highly qualified specialists in the field of information and communication technologies. Its main goal is to train engineers and researchers capable of meeting the demands of modern digital society, working with intelligent data, and mastering AI technologies.
Today, the development of the digital economy, automation, data-driven systems, and artificial intelligence has elevated the role of information systems to an unprecedented level. In this regard, the department plays an important role in training professional personnel for Kazakhstan’s IT industry.
Research areas include artificial intelligence and intelligent control systems, cybersecurity and information protection, big data processing and analytics, digital platforms for smart cities, automated control systems, and digital transformation architectures.
The main scientific directions include information systems architecture and mathematical models, AI-based data analysis, natural language processing (NLP) and multilingual intelligent systems, digitalization of industrial and economic systems, smart systems, and cybersecurity technologies .

Department of Computer Science

This is one of the leading structural units of the Faculty of Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence. Today, more than 500 students, including international students, are studying at the department. The educational process is ensured by a highly qualified teaching staff, including professors, doctors of sciences, and international lecturers. The department активно develops international cooperation with leading universities in China, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, and other countries .

The department offers a wide range of educational programs at all levels of higher education:
– Computer Engineering
– Computer Science
– Computational Engineering
– Software Engineering

It is especially noteworthy that within innovative programs in computational engineering and software engineering, students can obtain a bachelor’s degree in three years. These programs are based on an intensive learning model focused on practical skills in demand in the IT industry.

At the master’s and doctoral levels, a double-degree program in “Computer Science and Technology” is implemented jointly with Northwestern Polytechnical University (China). Within this program, students spend part of their studies in China and receive two diplomas, significantly increasing their competitiveness in the international labor market.

Laboratories and Scientific Projects

Scientific research in the department’s laboratories is actively carried out in several areas: high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, and network technologies. A total of 12 major research projects funded by the state are being implemented .

The Computer Science Laboratory is a fundamental laboratory equipped with modern computing equipment, designed for mastering core disciplines such as programming, algorithms, and data structures.

The Edilkhan Amirgaliyev Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics is a specialized laboratory where students and researchers work on projects in machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and robotics.

In the Software Development Laboratory, students practically master modern software development methodologies and work with актуальные frameworks and development tools.

The Student Laboratory of Information Technologies and Design is a creative space for implementing student projects in web development, mobile applications, and UI/UX design.

The Laboratory of High-Tech Intelligent Programmable Systems implements projects in embedded systems, the Internet of Things, and intelligent control systems .

The Department of Computer Science combines rich academic traditions with an innovative approach, providing students with high-quality IT education and broad opportunities for scientific activity.

Department of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

This is a leading division of the faculty that trains specialists in Data Science, artificial intelligence, and intelligent control systems. All educational programs are internationally accredited, ensuring their global recognition .

Bachelor’s level programs:
– “6B06107 Data Science”
– “6B06109 Artificial Intelligence”
– “6B07113 Intelligent Control Systems”

Master’s level programs:
– “7M06115 Data Science”
– “7M07113 Business Analytics and Big Data”
– “7M07128 Intelligent Control Systems”

Doctoral (PhD) level programs:
– “8D06107 Data Science”
– “8D06114 Artificial Intelligence in Medicine”
– “8D07109 Automation and Internet of Things”
– “8D07116 Intelligent Control Systems”

The department also implements a double-degree program in “Artificial Intelligence” jointly with Northwestern Polytechnical University .

The department is equipped with modern scientific infrastructure, and various projects are carried out in its laboratories.

Artificial Intelligence Laboratory

The AI laboratory is a research center focused on the study and development of modern intelligent technologies. Applied and theoretical research is conducted in machine learning, deep neural networks, computer vision, and natural language processing. High-performance GPU servers and cloud computing resources enable training complex models on large datasets.

Projects implemented in the laboratory include:
– rehabilitation of upper limb motor functions in post-stroke patients using computer vision and gamification technologies;
– development of innovative technologies and modern infrastructure for sustainable development of the South Kazakhstan region;
– creation of a large language model (LLM) to support the Kazakh language and technological progress .

Digital Twins Laboratory (Industry 4.0)

This laboratory is a unique scientific center that creates virtual replicas of industrial facilities to simulate, predict, and optimize their operation. It fully aligns with the Industry 4.0 concept and plays a major role in the digital transformation of industrial processes.

Projects include:
– development of a digital twin of a food processing enterprise using artificial intelligence and IIoT technologies .

Digital Innovation Solutions Laboratory (Erasmus)

This is a scientific and engineering center aimed at developing modern IT products, digital services, and intelligent platforms. The laboratory creates applied solutions based on web and mobile applications, smart automation systems, data analytics tools, and cloud architectures.

Projects include:
– Erasmus+ project “Fostering Dual Green and Digital Transitions through Education and Innovation in the Neighbourhood East, Central Asia, and Asia – GreenTech Horizons” .

Department of Cybersecurity and Cryptology

This is one of the leading scientific and educational centers in Kazakhstan training highly qualified specialists in information security, cybersecurity, cryptography, secure software, and digital forensics. The main goal is to prepare specialists with deep theoretical and practical knowledge in protecting information infrastructure, detecting and preventing cyber incidents, designing modern cryptographic systems, and conducting information security audits.

Educational programs include:

Bachelor’s:
– “6B06301 Information Security Systems”
– “6B06302 Cryptology”

Master’s:
– “7M06301 Information Security Systems”
– “7M06302 Information Security Audit”
– “7M06303 Cryptology”

PhD:
– “8D06301 Information Security Systems”
– “8D06303 Cryptology”

Research areas include cybersecurity systems, cryptography and protocols, AI-based threat analysis, protection of bioinformatic data, and security auditing and modeling of information systems .

Faculty members actively present at international conferences and publish in journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science. Students participate in research projects, hackathons, startups, and innovation competitions, developing their practical skills.

Key Scientific Projects

Among the important projects are:
– development of an intelligent question-answering system based on semantic approaches for the state language in the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
– automatic generation of a parallel speech corpus for Turkic languages and its application in neural models (including Kazakh, Turkish, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, and others);
– development of an intelligent information system for optimal resource allocation in industrial enterprises and forecasting its dynamics .

The department maintains close cooperation with the international scientific community, supports student participation in research projects, startups, and innovative initiatives. Modern laboratory infrastructure enables students to develop strong practical skills.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Faculty of Information Technologies and Artificial Intelligence of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University makes a significant contribution to the country’s digital development. With a strong scientific potential, the faculty implements innovative projects and trains IT specialists востребованных at the international level. The university’s transformation in this area is an important strategic step toward shaping Kazakhstan’s digital future .

The faculty contributes to the development of the national digital ecosystem by introducing innovative educational programs, expanding industrial partnerships, and supporting scientific projects and startups. Students and young researchers conduct studies based on modern technologies and achieve competitive results at the international level.

At the same time, the restructuring of the faculty is a significant strategic decision aimed at further developing Kazakhstan’s IT and artificial intelligence sectors. This transformation opens new opportunities for training highly qualified specialists required for the country’s digital transformation and strengthens the university’s scientific and innovative potential. Thus, the faculty is becoming not only an educational institution but also a major intellectual center shaping Kazakhstan’s digital future.

Aigerim SAMETOVA,

deputy dean for educational, methodological and educational work, Senior Lecturer

2 april, 2026

The new digital age of KazNU: Faculty of information technologies and artificial intelligence

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