On October 14-15, 2026, the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) at Nazarbayev University participated in the Women Leadership Development Programme, organised by the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Education.
The two-day programme brought together university leaders, researchers, and industry experts to explore the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in leadership, strategic decision-making, academic administration, and institutional development.
Amina Baikenova, Deputy Director of Product and External Affairs at ISSAI, served as a module facilitator, guiding discussions on AI and its applications in leadership and institutional development. Yerbol Absalyamov, Executive Director of ISSAI, delivered a session on Managing Digital Technologies and Tools, discussing the role of digital solutions and AI in organisational management and institutional operations.
The programme featured contributions from distinguished speakers representing Nazarbayev University and the private sector, including Azamat Zhumakhmet, Vice-Rector for Artificial Intelligence at Qazaq AI Research University; Dr. Gulzhanat Gafu, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Education; and Dr. Aida Sagintayeva, Vice-Provost for Academic Planning and Budget and Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University; Dr. Zarema Khon, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Graduate School of Business.
Other speakers included Marzhan Amanzai, Head of Bilim AI at Bilim Group; Dr. Assel Ualiyeva, Vice President of Nazarbayev University; Dr. Vladimir Kozlov, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy; and Mukhtar Kancherov, Head of Information Security Services at Nazarbayev University.
The sessions covered AI in organisational transformation, strategic decision-making, data-driven management, operational efficiency, cybersecurity, digital trust, ethics, transparency, and responsible AI adoption.
ISSAI’s participation highlighted the importance of integrating AI expertise into leadership development and equipping current and future women leaders with the knowledge and skills to navigate the opportunities and challenges of digital transformation.