On March 19, 2025, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University welcomed high school students from the Nazarbayev Intellectual School (NIS), participants of the 1st Network Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence, for an insightful event into the world of artificial intelligence and data science. The event was part of ISSAI’s ongoing efforts to inspire and engage the next generation of AI researchers and innovators.
Senior PR Manager Aliya Tussupova greeted the students and introduced the program of the event. Following this, Senior External Affairs Manager Aigerim Sarsenova delivered an informative presentation about ISSAI’s work, highlighting key projects and initiatives in AI development. A central focus of the presentation was to provide students with comprehensive insights into ISSAI Summer Research Program (SRP), detailing its opportunities and application process.
A key highlight of the event was a hands-on demonstration by ISSAI Data Scientist Rakhat Meiramov, who showcased several groundbreaking AI applications, including SoyleApp, the Oylan Language Vision Model, and the photorealistic AI avatar Aibike. These projects demonstrated the institute’s commitment to advancing AI-driven language processing, computer vision, and digital human technology.
The event concluded with a dynamic Q&A session, where students had the opportunity to ask in-depth questions about ISSAI’s research, internship opportunities, and ways to engage with the AI community. A focal point of discussion was the ISSAI Summer Research Program (SRP), which attracted great interest among the students.
By the decision of ISSAI General Director, Dr. Atakan Varol, ISSAI provided three grants to the winners of the inaugural AI Olympiad, awarding them spots in the prestigious SRP 2025 program. This underscores ISSAI’s dedication to nurturing young AI talent and fostering academic excellence in Kazakhstan.
On March 20, 2025, during the conclusion of the AI Olympiad and the award ceremony, ISSAI General Manager Gibrat Kurmanov and Senior External Affairs Manager Aigerim Sarsenova visited NIS to officially present the SRP 2025 internship certificates to the Olympiad winners: Qasymqan Zhanibek (Taldykorgan NIS), Eleuov Rasul (Aqtobe NIS), Ershov Aleksandr (Qostanay NIS).
About the ISSAI Summer Research Program (SRP)
Since 2021, we have been proudly organizing the Summer Research Program (SRP) for talented students from Kazakhstan and around the world. This program provides participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and build expertise in Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning, data algorithms, and related fields. Participants will collaborate closely with ISSAI’s data scientists and researchers, offering a unique chance to deepen their understanding of cutting-edge technologies.
This year, we are offering both paid participation options and merit-based grants for students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance, knowledge, and skills. Scholarships are available to outstanding university and high school students from Kazakhstan and beyond who excel at every stage of the competitive selection process, including the final interview.
Applications are now open and will close on the 25th of March 2025 at exactly 23:59. Final decisions will be announced in mid-May 2025. The number of places in the program is limited.
ISSAI remains committed to building a thriving AI ecosystem in Kazakhstan by engaging young minds and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field. The event with the NIS students marks another step toward fostering collaboration between academia and future AI leaders, ensuring that Kazakhstan remains at the forefront of technological innovation.