You have worked in higher education since 1997. How has the university—and the academic environment itself—changed over that time?
— I truly live and breathe my profession. I began working immediately after graduating from university, organizing the educational process, teaching, and conducting research. I started my career at one of the country’s leading regional universities, Karaganda Buketov University, and today I serve as Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at Astana IT University.
Almost everything has changed over these years: the pace at which new knowledge emerges, labor market demands, technologies, and, of course, students themselves and their expectations. All of this directly affects what modern education should be and what exactly a university should teach its students. That is why an academic program today is not a static set of courses, but a living, continuously evolving process that responds to changes in the professional environment, technology trends, and new educational needs.
Astana IT University was established in 2019, when Kazakhstan faced the challenge of rapidly training specialists to support the country’s digital transformation. From the outset, the university focused on practice-oriented education: a three-year bachelor’s degree, instruction in English, a trimester system, dual education, and close engagement with employers.
Today, the university has seven schools, six of which offer degree programs. They cover a broad range of fields, from software engineering, artificial intelligence, and data science to creative industries, digital public administration, intelligent systems, and other areas.
The extent to which the very concept of IT has changed in recent years is particularly revealing. Today, the field is no longer limited exclusively to programming and technology development. For example, the School of Creative Industries trains specialists in media technologies and digital journalism. These are no longer traditional journalists, but professionals who know how to work with content, visualization, and modern IT tools.
Today, IT is present virtually everywhere: in health care and education, industry and public administration. Our task, therefore, is to train specialists who understand not only technology but also the specific characteristics of the fields in which that technology will be applied. That is why we work continuously with employers and professional associations. Through academic committees, they participate in developing and updating academic programs and help us take account of the real demands of the professional environment and changes in the labor market. It is important to us that Astana IT University graduates be in demand not only in Kazakhstan but also beyond its borders.
So, a modern university must constantly evolve alongside the market. What does this mean for students themselves—how are their studies and educational experience changing?
— Today, education is no longer limited to obtaining a formal degree. Non-formal and informal education are becoming increasingly important: people can independently take online courses on open educational platforms, acquire new skills, complete internships, and even change the direction of their professional development. And this applies not only to IT specialists. Anyone seeking professional development and career advancement must continuously grow and update their knowledge. Technologies and professional competencies are changing so rapidly that knowledge acquired just a few years ago may no longer meet current requirements. That is why further education and the development of new skills are becoming not merely an advantage, but an important part of professional development.
Speaking specifically about Astana IT University, what opportunities does the university offer students for professional and personal development?
— In this respect, we truly have much to be proud of. The university gives students the opportunity to participate in academic mobility and international exchange programs. Depending on the program, students may spend one or two semesters at an overseas university, gain experience studying in a different learning environment, broaden their academic and professional knowledge, become familiar with new approaches to learning, and immerse themselves in another culture. We also offer double degree programs: students may study here at Astana IT University for two years and then continue their studies at a partner university abroad, receiving two equivalent degrees upon completing the program. These opportunities are available through partnerships with universities in the United States, Germany, China, and other countries.
There is much discussion today about how universities should provide not only professional knowledge but also an environment for personal development. What do students gain besides education itself?
— The university years are indeed an important stage in a young person’s life. A university is not only a place where students acquire professional knowledge, but also a space where they learn to communicate, work as part of a team, find like-minded people, build professional connections, and engage in professional networking. In addition to hard skills directly related to their future profession, students also develop soft skills—communication, teamwork, leadership skills, the ability to interact with others, and decision-making. Student clubs and extracurricular activities—creative, musical, athletic, intellectual, and others—play a major role in this. All of this is also part of university life. It is through such a diverse university experience that students develop not only as specialists, but also as individuals ready for independent professional and social lives.
At the same time, you continue to conduct research. Which fields and topics are of particular interest to you as a researcher today?
— For the past ten years, I have been actively engaged in research: I have participated in grant and international competitions, and have been the manager of international projects and national scientific grants.
My doctoral and master’s students and I study women’s entrepreneurship, women’s leadership, and gender equality. One of the most relevant areas we are developing today is the use of artificial intelligence to advance women’s leadership and women’s empowerment.
It is particularly important to me to draw attention to the potential of women in the regions, which, in my view, is far from being fully realized. At the same time, many opportunities are now available for women’s professional and entrepreneurial development: grants, venture funding, associations, non-governmental organizations, and businesswomen’s networks. They help women acquire new knowledge and skills, develop their own ideas, establish businesses, and launch their own projects.
Why has women’s leadership become one of the key areas of your research?
— Because the topic is both novel from a research perspective and practically significant. Today, there are many initiatives and opportunities for women in our country, but a lack of information and understanding of how to navigate this landscape often prevents women, especially in the regions, from taking full advantage of them.
At the same time, the socio-economic profile of women varies across regions. Women in Northern, Central, or Southern Kazakhstan may have different life circumstances, professional interests, skills, and priorities. In addition, opportunities for professional development are affected by family responsibilities, childcare, and household duties. Therefore, our task is not simply to talk about women’s leadership, but to study the real barriers women face and seek practical tools that will help them fulfill their potential and use existing opportunities for professional and personal development.
And in your research, does women’s leadership primarily mean career advancement and employment?
— No, of course not. Employment is only one possible outcome of developing women’s leadership. Today, women are successfully fulfilling their potential in virtually every field. Until recently, there were stereotypes that IT, engineering, heavy industry, and the military sector were predominantly male domains. Today, the situation is changing: more and more young women are consciously choosing such academic programs and pursuing careers in these fields.
However, the socio-economic factor is equally important. A woman who fulfills her potential becomes an active participant in economic and public life and helps address the socio-economic challenges facing her region and country. Personal example is equally important: the children of such women are motivated to pursue education, acquire new skills, and strive to develop their abilities.
Are you already using the capabilities of artificial intelligence in this research?
— Yes. Today, we are integrating artificial intelligence technologies and the capabilities of NLP (natural language processing methods. — Editor’s note.) to help women navigate the vast information landscape more easily and use the resources available for their own development.
To me, the connection is very simple: a fulfilled person is a happy person. A happy woman, a happy mother, is essential to building a prosperous society. That is why I believe it is important to create opportunities that enable people to fulfill their potential.
What do you see as the main difference between today’s students and those of previous years?
— Probably, above all, their greater independence. In the past, there were fairly clear, approved plans that we followed year after year. Today, the situation is completely different: the market is changing, new technologies and professions are emerging, and academic programs are changing along with them. This requires students to show greater initiative and be prepared to define their own learning and career pathways.
And I think this is a very exciting time to be a young person. Young people have access to an enormous wealth of knowledge and technology, international educational opportunities, professional networking, and supplementary programs. They can explore different fields and gain new experience.
Perhaps that is why I identify with our students’ motto: Enjoy every moment. Every day and every new experience can teach you something. University is not only about preparing for a profession; it is also a time when people learn to recognize opportunities, make choices, and use them for their own development.
