IT FEST 2025 in Almaty: 2 days that brought together schoolchildren, students, and young innovators

IT FEST became a platform for future IT specialists, where teams were formed, real-world problems were solved, participants developed project thinking, critical analysis, presentation skills, and practical experience in working on technology projects.

The organizers were the NNEF Public Fund and the University Alliance of Science and Technology, which includes KIMEP University, Kazakh British Technical University (KBTU), Nazarbayev University (UIB), and Astana IT University, with the support of the Halyk Charitable Foundation by Timur Kulibayev as part of the state AI-Sana program.

The festival covered eight key areas, each offering unique opportunities for participants: Hackathon, Startup Battle, CyberSecurity CTF, CyberSport, Movie & Video, Design & Animation, IT FEST Cup, and Robo Competition.

Each university prepared its own unique section where participants could showcase their knowledge, demonstrate talent, and gain practical experience.

The final of the republican robotics competition brought together the best school teams from across the country. The students, who had passed two months of selection, assembled, programmed, and launched robots right on stage.

Maratbek Gabdullin, Rector and Chairman of the Board of KBTU
We are holding this event to attract talented students and give them the opportunity to show themselves in competitions. The robotics section is aimed at schoolchildren to attract as many talented young people as possible to the university and give them a chance to receive an international education.

The Cyber Range became one of the most popular venues at the festival. Participants solved real cases related to the protection of critical infrastructure, faced practical tasks, and learned to work under time constraints, providing unique experience in teamwork and applying knowledge in practice.

Altair Akhmetov, Rector of Astana IT University
Through participation in IT-Fest, we want to give participants the opportunity to demonstrate their talents, abilities, and knowledge. For schoolchildren—potential applicants—it was also a chance to win one of three rector's grants and receive free tuition in undergraduate programs. Among the eight sections, cybersecurity is particularly relevant today. At the Cyber Range organized by Astana IT University, participants competed in protecting critical infrastructure—a topic that is extremely important today for both government and private companies.

The Halyk Charitable Foundation by Timur Kulibayev served as the general partner of IT FEST 2025. For nearly 10 years, the foundation has systematically supported the development of educational and sports projects in the country.

Nariman Abilshaikov, Managing Director of the Halyk Charitable Foundation
IT FEST 2025 brought together over 3,000 students to identify the best IT specialists and support their development. Already today, the strongest projects of Kazakhstani students are represented here, and it is on such platforms that future unicorns may emerge. The event fully aligns with the agenda of the Halyk Foundation, which focuses on supporting education, sports, and ecology.

Over two days, the festival gathered more than 3,000 participants who presented their ideas, technologies, and solutions in eight key sections. The best teams were awarded cash prizes, grants, and educational bonuses—in addition to prize places, participants received 50%, 75%, and 100% discounts on tuition at universities within the Alliance. The festival's prize fund amounted to approximately 10 million tenge.

Each section demonstrated a high level of participant preparation and the innovativeness of projects. From robotics to cybersecurity and media creativity, IT FEST 2025 became a platform for showcasing talents, exchanging experience, and inspiring Kazakhstan's future digital generation.