On October 2, 2025, during the Digital Bridge Forum in Astana, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) and the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov (KSTU) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of artificial intelligence research.
The agreement was signed by Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol, Founding Director of ISSAI, and Dr. Gulnara Kabaeva, Director of the Institute of Information Technologies at KSTU.
This milestone follows an online meeting in September 2025, during which KSTU expressed interest in collaborating on projects related to automatic speech recognition (ASR) and text-to-speech (TTS) for the Kyrgyz language. The MoU establishes the framework for cooperation between the two institutions in areas such as joint research and development and academic exchange.
Dr. Gulnara Kabaeva emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating: “We recognize ISSAI’s strong expertise in the field of artificial intelligence and are glad to collaborate on creating high-quality ASR and TTS systems for the Kyrgyz language. This cooperation will help us bring innovative solutions to support the development of Kyrgyz linguistic technologies.”
Highlighting ISSAI’s vision for regional cooperation, Dr. Huseyin Atakan Varol added: “ISSAI is always open to such collaborations. We believe that by combining expertise and resources, we can accelerate the development of impactful AI technologies that reflect and preserve the rich linguistic and cultural heritage of our region.”
The partnership reflects ISSAI’s commitment to fostering regional collaboration in Central Asia and advancing AI technologies that support linguistic and cultural diversity. By joining forces, ISSAI and KSTU aim to strengthen local expertise in AI research while contributing to global innovation.
Founded in 1954, Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov is one of the leading higher education institutions in Kyrgyzstan, known for its strong programs in engineering, information technologies, and applied sciences. KSTU plays a central role in training highly qualified specialists for the country and the broader region, actively developing international partnerships to expand research and academic opportunities.