Today's technological and social transformations have made lifelong learning a key priority, extending education beyond traditional approaches. In this context, non-formal education at Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University has become a strategic tool for enhancing professional competencies, rapidly acquiring digital skills, and opening up new career opportunities in the regional labor market.
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Office of Personnel Retraining and Professional Development, together with the university's structural divisions, established an ecosystem of continuous learning and professional development for faculty members, students, schoolteachers, and residents of the region.
AI-Sana: Developing Artificial Intelligence Competencies
As a leading regional higher education institution, Atyrau University has played an active role in implementing the AI-Sana project, initiated by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
During the preliminary stage of the program, participants acquired fundamental knowledge, and thousands of students and faculty members earned certificates through international educational platforms.
The university community achieved significant results during the main technological and applied stages of the program:
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More than 5,200 students expressed their intention to take the qualifying test for admission to the second stage.
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3,960 students successfully passed the assessment and were admitted to the advanced training program.
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Under the guidance of 43 faculty mentors and coordinators, participants completed a 10-week training program developed using educational approaches from leading institutions such as Stanford and MIT. They learned Python programming, worked with Google Colab and Jupyter, and developed their own minimum viable products (MVPs) based on large language models (LLMs).
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Despite the demanding and practice-oriented nature of the program, 2,617 students successfully completed the intensive online course. This represented 66% of the selected participants, demonstrating their strong academic engagement and determination.
In addition, as part of the national ChatGPT Edu initiative for educational institutions, more than 600 faculty and staff members actively integrated licensed artificial intelligence tools into teaching and research activities.
Digital Learning Platforms and International Certifications
To support non-formal education in a digital environment, the university operates its own massive open online course platform, mooc.asu-edu.kz.
Currently, the platform offers 32 MOOCs developed by university faculty members, providing learners with an accessible and flexible learning environment.
Cooperation with Coursera has also produced significant results in expanding students' access to world-class education. Through this partnership, university students have completed courses offered by leading international educational institutions and companies, earning a total of 4,569 international certificates.
The following international professional specialization courses have also been integrated into educational programs as micro-credentials:
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IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate
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Google Cybersecurity
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Google UX Design Professional Certificate
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Business English for Non-Native Speakers
Furthermore, applied micro-credentials such as “Economic Investigation,” developed in cooperation with the Financial Monitoring Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and “Teaching Chess in Primary School” provide students with opportunities to gain practical professional competencies alongside their main academic qualifications.
Language Learning and International Academic Opportunities
The university has established a comprehensive language-learning environment to promote academic mobility, integration into the international scientific community, and the development of students' global communication skills.
Free English language courses are regularly organized for students and faculty members.
These programs are adapted to learners' proficiency levels and help participants work confidently with scientific literature, prepare articles for international academic journals, and participate in academic exchange programs.
In addition, the English Club provides an informal environment for overcoming language barriers, developing speaking confidence, and engaging in discussions.
Club activities not only help young people develop leadership skills but also strengthen their confidence in an increasingly international educational environment.
Professional Retraining and Faculty Development
To improve the quality of education in the region and address workforce needs, more than 100 participants completed pedagogical retraining programs and obtained new qualifications in their respective subject areas.
To support young academics, 23 faculty members participated in seminars organized as part of the “School of Young Lecturers” initiative, strengthening their professional and methodological competencies.
In addition, 94 faculty members completed the professional development course “Application and Development of IT and AI in the Educational Process.”
The course enabled participants to introduce interactive assessment tools and artificial intelligence services into classroom teaching.
Educational Programs for Regional Institutions and Professionals
The university's continuing education programs are tailored to the needs of regional government agencies, institutions, and professional communities.
In particular:
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Employees of the Department of Economic Investigations received training on the ISO 37001 international standard for anti-bribery management systems.
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Regional schoolteachers participated in the course “Integration of Cloud Computing, IoT, and Robotics,” aimed at developing engineering and STEM competencies.
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20 educators working in the arts completed professional development courses in solfeggio and music theory.
Silver University: Lifelong Learning for Older Adults
As part of the socially significant “Silver University” project, educational programs were organized for older adults.
These included “Digital Literacy and Opportunities of Artificial Intelligence” and an art therapy course titled “Colors That Warm the Soul.”
The courses were designed to help older participants adapt to modern society, develop new skills, and enhance their social well-being.
Building a Sustainable Ecosystem of Lifelong Learning
At Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau University, the non-formal education ecosystem combines digital infrastructure, including MOOCs and a media studio, with major national innovation initiatives such as AI-Sana and ChatGPT Edu, language-learning programs, and international educational platforms such as Coursera.
These achievements contribute to improving the quality of human capital in the region and establish a strong foundation for preparing a new generation of professionals equipped with competitive skills, innovative thinking, and the ability to adapt to the changing demands of the labor market.