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Today, the Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dinara Shcheglova met with Shymkent residents to discuss the development of science and higher education. The meeting took place at the Mukhtar Auezov South Kazakhstan University.

Before the meeting, Ms Shcheglova visited an exhibition of scientific projects developed by young researchers at the university.

During the meeting, she spoke about the government's key initiatives to promote science and higher education in the country. Topics included new strategies to improve access to higher education, the Atlas of Emerging Jobs and Skills, and the "My Career - My Future" project, which focuses on developing the workforce and anticipating changes in the labor market. She also highlighted the government's support for researchers, student grants and efforts to increase access to student accommodation.

In accordance with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's directive on the development of artificial intelligence and the training of specialists in this field, the Vice Minister highlighted that the AI-SANA education platform is expected to cover 650,000 students in its initial phase, with 227,000 students having already received certificates.

"In 20 universities across the country, 21 training programmes in artificial intelligence have already been launched," she said. "These include programmes such as 'Applied Artificial Intelligence', 'AI and Blockchain Engineering', 'Cybernetics and AI', 'AI in Medicine' and 'Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics'. New master's and doctoral programmes will also be introduced in areas such as 'Cybernetics and AI', 'AI Technologies', 'AI in Medicine', and 'Computer Science and AI'. The AI-SANA project will initially enrol 100,000 students, followed by another 60,000 in the second phase. The third phase will support the development of 1,500 start-ups, including 50 with international potential".

After her speech, the citizens and scientists had the opportunity to ask questions. Shymkent residents raised issues such as the application of Abai's "Perfect Man" philosophy in youth education, support for scientists and students, the development of artificial intelligence, publication in international journals and the funding of scientific research projects.

At the end of the main event, Vice Minister Shcheglova, along with Akerke Ablaikhankyzy, deputy chairman of the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education, Renat Elshibekov, head of the scientific projects and programs department, and Aliya Sembaieva, deputy chairman of the board of the Science Fund, held one-on-one consultations with residents on personal matters.

At the end of the visit, Ms. Shcheglova presented a lecture on artificial intelligence to the faculty and students of the university, while Aliya Sembaieva gave an overview of the current state of technology commercialization in Kazakhstan.