​ KazNU Representatives Participate in UASR Tourism Sub-Alliance Meeting and OBOROT International Conference in Tashkent

From June 24 to 26, 2025, a delegation from the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University took part in several high-level international events aimed at strengthening academic cooperation and promoting sustainable development in the field of tourism.

UASR Tourism Sub-Alliance Meeting

On June 24, the Central Asian University in Tashkent hosted the meeting of the Tourism Sub-Alliance of the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR). The session focused on expanding inter-university cooperation among Silk Road countries in education, research, and digital innovation in tourism and the hospitality industry.

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University was represented by the following faculty members:

• Gulbaram Kulakhmetova, PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism – presented on the activities of the Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia, established jointly with The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and operating at KazNU.
• Yeldar Nuruly, PhD Candidate, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism – shared initiatives on the digitalization and internationalization of tourism education, and the implementation of innovative solutions.

The meeting was attended by representatives from universities in Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Uzbekistan. A key item on the agenda was the preparation for the 4th International OBOROT Conference, scheduled for 2026.

OBOROT 2025 International Conference

On June 25–26, the Central Asian University hosted the 3rd OBOROT International Conference, bringing together more than 300 leading scholars, educators, and tourism industry experts from over 20 countries. The event served as a vital platform for discussing current challenges and transformations in tourism.

Faculty members and students from KazNU delivered several scientific presentations that generated strong interest among participants and highlighted the university’s contribution to digital and sustainable tourism development:

1. Blockchain-Based Solutions for Enhancing Customer Data Security in Hospitality
   Authors: Yeldar Nuruly, Aisulu Sembayeva, Aliya Aktymbayeva
2. Assessing Smart Tourism Readiness in Almaty: A Multi-Dimensional Approach Using AHP
   Authors: Amina Shyryntai, Yeldar Nuruly
3. Neural Networks vs. Traditional Models in Tourism: Performance Gains, Barriers, and Ethical Considerations
   Authors: Aruzhan Serikbol, Yeldar Nuruly, Zhannat Aliyeva

The presentations by KazNU scholars attracted wide international attention, showcasing the strong scientific capacity of the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism, with a focus on digital solutions, innovation, and global partnerships.

New academic connections were established with universities in the United States, Uzbekistan, China, Thailand, and Hong Kong, opening up promising opportunities for future joint projects, internships, and academic exchanges.

Participation in these international forums not only strengthened the reputation of the faculty as a hub of advanced research but also broadened the scope of international academic collaboration in tourism and sustainable development.