On June 5, 2026, the Founding Director of the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), Dr. Atakan Varol, participated in the panel discussion “Universities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation” held during the Eurasian Higher Education Leaders’ Forum (EHELF) 2026 at Nazarbayev University in Astana.
EHELF 2026 marks the revival of the Eurasian Higher Education Leadership Forum (2011–2019), a respected platform for high-level dialogue on higher education leadership and reform across the Eurasian region. This year’s forum is held under the theme “The Future We Dare to Shape” and explores how higher education institutions can contribute to sustainable, equitable, and future-ready societies.
The other panelists included Dr. Altair Akhmetov, Rector of Astana IT University (Kazakhstan) and Prof. Wayne Holmes of University College London (UK). The discussion was moderated by Prof. Yelyzaveta Arkhangelsky, Dean of the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS) at Nazarbayev University.
The panel discussion opened with a presentation by Dr. Altair Akhmetov, who spoke about the use of AI in higher education institutions. This was followed by a presentation by Prof. Wayne Holmes, who examined the impact of AI on higher education from a critical studies perspective. He highlighted several challenges associated with AI in education, including sustainability concerns, ethical issues, and the importance of incorporating student voices into AI development.
The final presentation was delivered by Dr. Atakan Varol under the theme “Why Is Higher Education Vital for National AI Strategies of Middle Powers?” He discussed the ongoing paradigm shift driven by AI, Kazakhstan’s National AI Strategy and its significance in strengthening Kazakhstan’s position as a middle power, and the importance of human capital development and universities in the AI era.
The panel highlighted both the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence presents for higher education. The speakers agreed that universities must play a central role in shaping the future of AI by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, developing future-ready talent, and ensuring that technological advancement is guided by ethical and societal considerations.