IT Fest-2024: How the Future of Technology is Being Created in Almaty

Almaty has once again become the epicenter of technological creativity, hosting the annual “IT Fest-2024. Code of Success” festival. This year, the event brought together over 3,000 schoolchildren, students, and young professionals, as well as guests from Germany, Austria, Italy, and Russia, uniting them under the banner of innovation and advanced IT solutions.

The festival was organized by the NNEF Public Foundation, with co-organizers being universities that are part of the University Alliance of Science and Technology: the International University of Information Technologies, Astana IT University, the Kazakh-British Technical University, the University of International Business, and the Almaty University of Energy and Communications. The festival was supported by the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Almaty City Akimat, and leading IT companies in Kazakhstan.

The IT Fest-2024 festival is not only an opportunity for young people to showcase their talents but also an important step in developing the technological potential of our country. We are proud to support initiatives that help unlock the creative and intellectual potential of the new generation. Today’s participants are tomorrow’s leaders of Kazakhstan’s digital transformation.

Focus on the Future of Technology

Rector of the International University of Information Technologies, Asylbek Isakhov, told journalists that the festival brought together participants from across the country, providing both beginners and experienced professionals with the opportunity to present their projects and gain recognition from experts.

Asylbek Isakhov, Rector of the International University of Information Technologies

IT Fest-2024 is a unique platform for building a creative ecosystem aimed at strengthening Kazakhstan’s technological potential and its competitiveness on the international stage.

Key areas of the event included innovations in information technology, startups, robotics, design and animation, esports, and information security. In the “Information Technology” section, participants developed projects that turned data into practical solutions. At the STARTUP BATTLE, the jury evaluated startups covering such areas as artificial intelligence, smart agriculture, and sustainable development.

A Platform for Youth

Asel Jumaseitova, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs at the Kazakh-British Technical University

We are actively working on training IT specialists in accordance with the Address of President K. K. Tokayev. Today’s event is a platform that allows participants to showcase their talents and meet potential investors. Representatives of the millennial and Z generations demonstrate here not only the use of technology but also its creation.

One of the most spectacular sections was robotics, where schoolchildren and students presented their engineering prototypes. Participants in the section competed for grants provided by the Alliance universities.

Esports and Creativity

Esports competitions, such as tournaments for Dota 2, FIFA, and Counter-Strike 2, attracted fans of virtual battles. In the “Design and Animation” section, teams created webcomics, surprising the jury with creativity and innovative approaches.

The festival also served as a platform for startups. According to the rector of Astana IT University, Askar Hikmetov, his students presented projects capable of changing the future.

Askar Hikmetov, Rector of Astana IT University, AITU

A modern trend in education is the creation of an ecosystem where students can implement startups that solve specific industry challenges. Among our projects are Q-Agro, the virtual medical assistant Jardem AI, and Eco Flow. These developments demonstrate a high level of training and creativity.

IT Fest-2024 Keeps Pace with the Times

In a conversation with journalists, the rector of the International University of Information Technologies, Asylbek Isakhov, noted that over 13 years, the IT festival has become an important launchpad for many innovative projects. The first events were initiated by the university and held on its campus.

Asylbek Isakhov, Rector of the International University of Information Technologies

For example, one of the projects first presented at IT Fest — “Tazalyk” (“Cleanliness”) — has today become one of the most successful. In 2011, when we were just starting, 400 people participated, and now their number has grown to three thousand.

Within the framework of the “Design and Animation” section, participants worked on creating webcomics with animation elements, demonstrating an innovative approach and creative mastery. Their works were evaluated by experts from the Korean Webtoon Academy. Representatives of the academy conducted practical workshops for participants and festival guests, which became one of the most engaging parts of the event.

According to the rector of the University of International Business, Anar Makhmetova, Kazakhstan already has examples of cartoons created using this technology.

Anar Makhmetova, Rector of the University of International Business

Participants use the capabilities of webtoons to develop small animated stories on given topics, which are then uploaded to a special cloud storage. Next, our partners from the Webtoon Academy carefully analyzed these works and selected the best ones.

The Role of NNEF in Education Development

The NNEF Public Foundation is a large scientific and educational cluster founded by Dinara Kulibaeva. The implementation of educational projects is carried out with the support of Timur Kulibaeva through the “Halyk” charitable foundation. To date, more than 32,000 students are studying at the Foundation’s institutions, and over 6,000 employees, including faculty members, are working there.

Festival Winners

The best projects of the festival received grants and cash prizes. Among the winners:

•​Design and Animation: Yasmin Seifulina — Let’s start Over

​•​STARTUP BATTLE: Startup Soile.ai — Omarova Uliki, Kosanova Daliya, Imash Zhasulan

​•​Information Technology: Digital University: Team Sparkstudio — Makhmatov Ruslan, Timirbayev Gaydar, Zhumabayev Erlan

​•​Information Technology: Digital School: Team SS — Imangali Tleuzhanov, Sailanbay Akylzhan, Tumash Adil (grants at IUIT)

​•​Robotics: Team LFR — Zachupeiko Matvey, Omar Amina, Assatryan Artyom (grants at KBTU)

​•​CyberSecurity: Saveliev Ivan (NNU MPEI)

​•​Cinema and Video: Team Kemenger — Aidarkhan Zursin, Kurmashev Nursultan, Bakbergen Aruzhan

​•​CyberSport:

— Counter-Strike 2: 4422 (IUIT) 

— Dota 2: Katarsis (IUIT) 

— FIFA: Alish_back (AITU) 

​•​IT FEST OPEN: Kamzabek Narkhan (KBTU). 

The IT Fest-2024 festival became not only a celebration of technology but also a powerful impetus for the development of the creative and intellectual potential of youth, ready to change the future of Kazakhstan.