Digital Almaty 2025 Forum: The Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics at the Heart of AI and Education Discussions

On January 31, 2025, the important Digital Almaty forum took place in Almaty, featuring leading experts in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The Dean of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, Doszhan Nursultan., and the Vice Dean on SIWandIA, Sabirova Roza, attended the session focused on AI workforce training — "National Education Strategy: AI Workforce Development."

The session was moderated by Nurbek Sayasat, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Among the key speakers were: Kuanyshbek Yessekeyev, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who emphasized the importance of state support in training AI specialists, and Nurtay Abilgaliyev, CEO of BTS Digital, who shared his experience in implementing programs aimed at acquiring practical AI skills.

A key announcement was made by Nurbek Sayasat, who unveiled the launch of the Ai-Sana program, which aims to train 100,000 students in the field of artificial intelligence.

These initiatives are closely linked to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 "Quality Education," as the discussion focuses on training highly skilled specialists in new technologies. SDG 8 "Decent Work and Economic Growth" is also addressed, as AI development contributes to job creation and economic growth. SDG 9 "Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure" plays a crucial role as it relates to technological advancement and infrastructure improvement. Finally, SDG 17 "Partnerships for the Goals" is essential, as the forum discussed collaborative efforts between the government, educational institutions, and businesses to address pressing challenges.

The forum became a significant milestone for discussing the role of AI in education, with a focus on enhancing student competitiveness and integrating advanced technologies into the learning process. Session participants also discussed new forms of cooperation and partnership between universities and industry, which will undoubtedly open new opportunities for students of the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics.