The Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University has officially launched the ISSAI Summer Research Program (SRP) 2026, welcoming 77 talented high school and university students from across Kazakhstan and beyond.
This year’s program has attracted a record-breaking level of interest, with more than 1300 applications submitted by aspiring young researchers and innovators. Following a highly competitive selection process, 77 participants were admitted to the Program.
The six-week program will run from June 8 to July 17, 2026, providing participants with a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge artificial intelligence research and development under the guidance of ISSAI researchers, engineers, and industry experts.
Throughout the program, participants will combine theoretical learning with practical project work in several advanced AI domains, including:
- – Image Generation and Animation
- – AI Avatars
- – AI Agents
- – Robotics
- – Audio-Visual Models
- – Software Engineering
- – Mobile Applications
The opening ceremony began with welcoming remarks from Dr. Atakan Varol, Director of ISSAI, who encouraged participants to make the most of this unique opportunity to learn, collaborate, and contribute to the future of AI innovation.
Yerbol Absalyamov, Executive Director of ISSAI, also addressed the participants, sharing words of encouragement and outlining the program’s Safety guidelines and key expectations for the weeks ahead. Aliya Tussupova, Senior PR Manager at ISSAI, introduced the Program Agenda, presented highlights and achievements from the previous year’s Summer Research Program, and shared examples of successful projects developed by past participants.
A significant part of the opening event was dedicated to Mentors’ self-presentations, allowing participants to meet the experts who will guide them throughout the program. The session also provided an opportunity for mentors and participants to become acquainted and begin building a collaborative research community.
Beyond the formal program activities, participants also enjoyed an informal networking coffee break, providing an opportunity to meet fellow students, mentors, and ISSAI team members in a relaxed setting. The opening day concluded with a guided campus tour of Nazarbayev University, allowing participants to explore the university’s academic facilities, research spaces, Library, Athletic Center and student life environment while becoming more familiar with the campus that will host their summer research journey.
The coming days will focus on orientation activities, during which participants will explore the available research tracks and select the area that best matches their interests and ambitions. Following track selection, they will join project teams and continue their work under the mentorship of ISSAI specialists.
In addition to research projects, participants will benefit from a series of master-classes, workshops, and guest lectures delivered by leading researchers, engineers, and industry professionals.
The ISSAI Summer Research Program has become one of Kazakhstan’s leading AI education initiatives, helping talented students gain practical skills, conduct research, and contribute to the development of next-generation AI technologies.
We wish all participants a productive, inspiring, and successful summer filled with learning, innovation, and new discoveries.