KazNU Hosts “Creative and Innovative Ideas” Fair in Celebration of Republic Day

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted the “Creative and Innovative Ideas” Fair in celebration of the Republic of Kazakhstan’s Republic Day. Held at the Al-Farabi Library square, the event aimed to promote domestic products, student start-ups, national traditions and crafts, while fostering environmental awareness and a culture of sustainability.

The celebrations opened with a ceremonial procession of students carrying the State Flag of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The programme featured an exhibition of student start-up projects developed at the University. Visitors had the opportunity to explore AIQaz-Media, KazNU Ilearn, Zhurek AI, Lamus AI, AlfaBrain, Embico, Alfadiscovery and Alfaflow. These projects highlighted the students’ innovative thinking, interest in emerging technologies and entrepreneurial potential.

As part of the “Reading Nation” initiative, publishing houses Adal Kitap, Alash Book, Almanakh, Daryn, Jogary Bilim, Lantar Books and Kazakh University presented their publications. The programme also included a presentation of the Darhan Radio media platform, an exhibition of students’ creative works and an art exhibition dedicated to Republic Day. The “Zhas Sheber” start-up project showcased handmade jewellery and textile products. In addition, a charity fair was organised by the Komek Public Foundation.

National traditions and sporting activities formed an important part of the celebrations. Visitors had the opportunity to explore Kazakh traditional wrestling, asyk atu (traditional knucklebone game), tug-of-war and togyzkumalak, as well as enjoy intellectual games and a concert featuring patriotic songs. With the participation of the Consul of Türkiye, guests were introduced to the traditional art of preparing coffee on hot sand and Turkish tea-drinking customs. A total of 1,000 servings of Turkish coffee were made available to visitors.

Supporting domestic producers was another key focus of the fair. The initiative included plans to distribute the locally produced Zamran beverage free of charge to 10,000 students. Products from the University’s Agrobiological Station were also presented. The festive food court featured 2,000 kilograms of pilaf and 2,500 kilograms of baursaks, traditional Kazakh fried dough pastries. The initiative aimed to bring the University community together and create a shared festive atmosphere.

As part of the programme, the Almaty Nomad Travellers Club presented the large-scale road expedition “I Am Here. 1001 Stories”, implemented with the support of Turan TV. The project aims to promote Kazakhstan’s historical and cultural heritage, its landmarks and tourism potential.

Environmental initiatives were another significant component of the fair. A battery recycling facility was opened at the EcoHub, located near the Technopark. Furthermore, a tree-planting event was held as part of the “Taza Kazakhstan” environmental campaign, with the participation of ECONETWORK representatives, officials from the Almaty City Akimat, University leadership and academics. These initiatives focused on environmental protection, responsible waste management and strengthening environmental awareness.

The “Creative and Innovative Ideas” Fair, held in celebration of Republic Day, served as an important cultural and public platform bringing together national values, domestic entrepreneurship, student initiatives and environmental responsibility. The event contributed to strengthening unity within the University community, showcasing the creative and intellectual potential of young people, and promoting patriotism and civic responsibility.