The ISSAI Fall Research Program (FRP) 2026 has successfully concluded at the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI), Nazarbayev University. Over the course of the intensive eight-day program, 29 participants successfully completed their research projects and presented their final results. 

The program brought together talented and motivated students from different regions of Kazakhstan, including Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Taraz, Kostanay, Pavlodar, Atyrau, and Kyzylorda, as well as international participants from Manila. Nearly half of the students travelled from outside Astana to join the program. They represented a diverse range of educational institutions, including Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), Bilim Innovation Lyceums (BIL), Republican Physics and Mathematics Schools (RFMS), Spectrum International School, Riviera International School, Astana Garden School, Canadian International School Astana, International School Manila, and other schools. 

The ISSAI Fall Research Program served as a unique platform for talented high-school students to explore Artificial Intelligence and Robotics through hands-on learning, practical experience, and research-oriented projects. 

Robotics Track

Under the mentorship of Dr. Gourav Moger, participants explored robotics and engineering concepts, developing and testing their own robotic systems and prototypes.

The projects presented at the final session included:

• Diana Karymova, Sabina Serikkali, and Adina Sarmanova – Robot Manipulator – A Robotic Arm Designed to Calculate and Execute Movements to Reach and Manipulate Objects in 3D Space.
• Aisultan Zhambulov, Maksat Khazhmurat, Zhasmin Jumanova and Aldiyar Amanzhol – A Drone That Sees Obstacles – An Autonomous 27-Gram Mini Drone That Avoids Obstacles, Reaches a Waypoint, and Maps a Room.
• Miras Sailaugazy and Almadi Nurlanbek – Octopus Arm Soft Gripper.

AI Engineering Track

The AI Engineering track was mentored by ISSAI Data Scientists Vladimir Albrecht and Arailym Raikhankyzy. Participants worked on developing AI-powered applications and solutions addressing practical challenges across different areas.

Their final projects included:

• Adiya Tursyn – Rehab: A Camera-Based 3D Rehabilitation Trainer for Arm Mobility.
• Aisha Nurekeyeva and Amina Karymova – Cure Brainrot + Presentation Coach: Practise Your Talk with a Camera.
• Aruna Bekniyaz – Solar Yield Predictor: A Day-Ahead Forecast for the Otrar Solar Plant.
• Mustafa Ergali and Ibragim Khojanazarov – Marginalia: An AI Map of Ideas from Your Books.
• Akzhan Bakitay and Assem Turemuratova – Scam Detector: Finding Fraud Messages in Kazakh, Russian, and English.
• Aisara Kydyrma and Aruzhan Batyrshinova – Oynova: A Voice-Led 3D Learning Game for Children.
• Dosmukhammed Zhumabek – Sign Language Recognition, Live Through a Camera.
• Madi Sultanbekov – IvyPath: An AI Guide to Choosing and Applying to Universities Abroad.
• Dayana Idiris – Business AI Agent: Market Analysis & Product Recommendations.
• Amirali Rakymzhan – Cure Brainrot 2: A Smart School Quiz Instead of Scrolling.
• Adiya Khassan – Taste Engine: Song Recommendations from Sound and Lyrics.
• Yerkenzhe Toleubek – Tetris RL Arena: Can an AI Learn Tetris Better Than Hand-Written Rules?
• Karina Shin – Caspian Sea Desiccation: Mapping Emerging Dust-Source Susceptibility with Mars-to-Earth Transfer Learning.
• Aiaru Tilep – Presentation Coach.
• Nurbek Nurakhmet – Calorie Estimation & Tracking App Powered with AI.
• Diar Khabzadinov – School Videos: AI-Made 1-Minute Lessons, Checked for Mistakes.

Throughout the 8-day program, all participants demonstrated dedication, curiosity, and a strong commitment to their projects, achieving encouraging results within a short period of time. To support their research and development activities, participants were provided with access to ISSAI’s research laboratories and high-performance computing resources, as well as the Institute’s educational materials and databases. These resources allowed them to gain practical experience with modern AI technologies and apply their knowledge to developing their own solutions. The final project presentations marked the culmination of an intensive learning experience, giving participants an opportunity to demonstrate their achievements and showcase the results of their work.

The closing ceremony was attended by Dr. Atakan Varol, Founding Dean of Nazarbayev University’s School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI), General Director of ISSAI, who delivered the closing remarks, congratulating the participants on their achievements and expressing his gratitude to both students and their parents for their trust and participation in the program. At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Varol personally presented certificates of completion to all 29 participants, marking the successful conclusion of their research journey at ISSAI. 

ISSAI sincerely thanks all participants and their parents for their trust and interest in the Fall Research Program 2026. We congratulate all graduates on successfully completing the program and wish them continued success in their academic journeys, future research, and exploration of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. We look forward to welcoming new young talents to future ISSAI educational and research initiatives!