Higher Education in the IT Field: An Overview of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University

The goal of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University is to become a world-class research university.

The university's mission is to enhance the potential of qualified and competitive specialists capable of responding to the challenges and intellectual demands of the 21st century. This is achieved through innovative teaching methods and the synergy of education, science, and business.

The university's vision is to become a world-class research university and achieve international competitiveness in the scientific and educational space.

Currently, KazNU is the only Kazakh higher education institution included in the list of the world's top 230 universities in the QS ranking and the top 30 higher education institutions in the QA Asia University Ranking.

More than 26,000 students study at 16 faculties under 554 educational programs. Among them are 1,305 international students from 54 countries. Special attention is paid to new directions such as cyber-physical systems, biological engineering, robotics, digital economy, creative industries, media communications, smart city economy, and virology. More than 100 foreign professors and scientists from 30 countries are involved in the educational process.

Bachelor's Programs

The Faculty of Information Technologies trains specialists in the following programs:

«Industrial Information Systems»
«Information Systems»
«Computer Engineering»
«Computer Science»
«High-Load Information Systems with Artificial Intelligence»
«Data Science»
«Information Security Systems»
«Automation and Control»
«Internet of Things and Big Data»
«Intelligent Management Systems».

Faculty

The instructors for future IT specialists are experienced professionals in the field of information technology and computer science. They are selected based on their professional qualifications and work experience to provide students with quality education and good preparation for future professional activities.

Opportunities for Students

KazNU students have great opportunities for professional and personal development:
— access to modern knowledge and technologies

— participation in scientific projects and research under the guidance of experienced scientists

— participation in exchange programs and studying abroad at partner universities

— assistance in finding internships and practicums at major companies

— cultural and sports events that help students unlock their potential, diversify their lives, and discover new interests.

Internship

Practical training at KazNU begins with preparation through study departments or practice centers—from registration. After that, students look for places for internships, complete the necessary documents, and begin tasks at the chosen organization. Based on the results of the internship, students receive trial grades or grades for their course work. Sometimes reporting or presentation is required.

Academic Mobility and Documents

The academic mobility program of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan allows students to spend a semester at a foreign higher education institution. The grant covers round-trip airfare, accommodation for 105 days, medical insurance, and visa.

Requirements for candidates:

— studying in the second to fourth years of bachelor's degree or the second year of master's degree
— citizenship of Kazakhstan
— high academic performance: average grade above 3.5
— free command of a foreign language confirmed by an upper-intermediate certificate or higher.

Additionally, candidates must pass a competitive selection process at the faculty.

List of required documents:

— application addressed to the rector
— notarized copy of the invitation with a translation into Kazakh or Russian
— student's application
— tripartite agreement
— extract from the faculty's scientific council
— transcript
— certificate of foreign language proficiency
— individual study plan
— medical certificate, form No. 082.

Partner Universities

State University of New York, USA
Higher Engineering Institute Lisbon, Portugal
Novosibirsk State Technical University, Russia
St. Petersburg National Research University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics, Russia
Lublin University of Technology, Poland
University of Porto, Portugal
University of Lisbon, Portugal
University of Stuttgart, Germany
Uninettuno University, Italy
University of West Attica, Greece
University of Vigo, Spain
KAIST University, South Korea

Student Life

Al-Farabi KazNU is a whole city for students. Young people from all regions of the country study here. 6,000 students live in 14 comfortable houses of the student campus and the House of Young Scientists.

Wi-Fi works in the KazNU and Student House of the student campus. A full-fledged educational and leisure complex operates on the university campus. In addition, student dormitories are equipped with video surveillance cameras.

The main goal of the university is to train competitive specialists and form conscious citizens capable of building a harmonious, benevolent, and sustainable society based on high ethical principles. To achieve this goal, projects such as «Illuminate Your Surroundings», «Corruption-Free University», «KazNU — Green Campus», «Healthy Lifestyle», «100 Books KazNU Student Reads», «Let's Start with Ourselves», and «KazNU — Master of Talents» are implemented. These projects, based on the principle of connecting education and teaching with life, foster an active, independent, and proactive stance among youth and ensure the personal involvement of each student in the process of achieving educational and upbringing goals.

At the university, 10 major student organizations, 3 university-wide clubs, and 15 student deaneries operate on a public basis. Hundreds of major cultural events, trainings, seminars, master classes, and sports competitions are held with the participation of students. Among them are «Graduates' Day», «Freshmen's Day», «Best Student Group», «Best Student», «Best Advisor», and others.

Today, nearly 300 clubs, circles, and student associations operate at the university.

Employment

The Faculty of Information Technologies has agreements with companies and organizations such as Mercur Auto, Halyk Bank, Jysan Bank, Kaspi Bank, «Otbası Bank», «Kazakhstan Insurance», «KazMunayGas», Eltex Alatau, «Kazhydromet», «Altaw Technopark», and «PV-5 Company» for employment.