ANNUAL REVIEW: SOCIAL AND YOUTH POLICY

Traditionally, at the end of the calendar year, results are summarized in the “Annual Review” section, where achievements and work carried out over the year in each area are analyzed. In this regard, we begin this review with the university’s social and youth policy.

The Department of Social and Youth Policy of Abai University, having successfully concluded 2025, organized the ceremonial event “Best of the Year – 2025”, dedicated to honoring student organizations and learners who achieved outstanding results.

This event became a vivid demonstration of the university’s systematic efforts to support social development policies, youth initiatives, and the enhancement of student engagement.

The ceremonial evening was attended by the Chairman of the Board – Rector of the University, Bolat Tilep, who congratulated students on their achievements. He highly appreciated the contribution of young people to the university’s public, social, cultural, and creative development. In his address, the Rector emphasized that students’ activity and initiative are key driving forces of the university’s strategic development and wished them great success in the coming year.

During the event, the most active and creative student organizations and students were awarded in 15 nominations: “Best Faculty for Public Engagement,” “Best Student Self-Government Bodies,” “Best Dormitory Council,” “Best Student Club,” “Best Theatrical Performance of the Year,” “Best Creative Team,” “Best Public Activity Group,” “Best Sports Section,” “Best Coordinator of Educational Work,” “Best National Style Representation,” “Volunteer of the Year,” “Activist of the Year,” “Best International Creative Student,” “Highest GPA Holder,” and “Creative Media Host.” The winners received special diplomas and cash prizes.

In Abai University’s development strategy, the great Abai’s concept of “Tolyk Adam” (“Holistic Personality”) is established as the foundation of national education. It is interpreted through the principles of “Bright Mind” — intellectual development, “Strong Will” — physical development, and “Warm Heart” — spiritual development. Currently, 48 student organizations operate at the university, including 28 creative, 10 sports, 4 student theaters, and 6 charitable organizations. A total of 1,250 students are involved in their activities. This year, 19 performances staged by the student theaters “Shyn,” “Ürker,” “Ushqyn,” and “Qaganat” were attended by 5,889 spectators. The instrumental band “A-Bluse” features 21 students, and a new studio was opened in 2025. Meanwhile, 560 students showcased their talents in the “Zhetisaz” orchestra. Within the framework of the “Law and Order” program, the “Code of Ethics for Students,” the “Young Teacher’s Oath,” the “Internal Regulations for Students,” and the regulation on the university’s mentoring service were approved. Digital platforms for youth policy were launched.

In particular, 10,632 students registered on the psychological platform senim-kaznpu.kz, expanding access to online psychological support. In addition, a unified digital platform abai-jataqana.kz was introduced to provide social benefits and allocate dormitory places. Over the year, 35 cooperation memoranda were signed, strengthening partnerships with regional and city organizations. A total of 46 charity events were held, engaging 8,950 students in acts of kindness. A methodological office of the “Abai” club for toǵyzqumalaq was opened, aimed at promoting national intellectual games. In 2025, the university conducted 454 social and educational events, covering 33,255 students. Among them were 23 national, 69 city-level, and 364 university- and faculty-level projects. The achievements of talented students are also noteworthy. A total of 625 students became winners of international and national competitions, enhancing the reputation of Abai University.

In sports competitions, students won 115 gold, 76 silver, and 75 bronze medals — a total of 266 awards. In addition, Zhumamyrza Shukirbekov was awarded the “Qurmet” Order, and two students received medals “For Courage Shown in Firefighting.” In the intellectual project “Azamat” aired on the Khabar TV channel, two students were honored with the “Best Aspiration” nomination.

This year, the rate of providing students with dormitory accommodation increased significantly. While 2,800 students were accommodated in the 2024–2025 academic year, 3,322 students received housing in the new academic year. A total of 1,341 students reside in the university’s five dormitories, and 1,981 students live in nine privately rented dormitories, including 133 international students. Within the framework of the “100-50-20” social expenses project, 665 students received rent subsidies totaling 22,576,800 tenge. Regarding social assistance for tuition fees, 338 students received benefits amounting to 143,102,040 tenge.

As part of the healthcare policy, medical services for students were strengthened: 1,239 students were registered with three medical clinics. The university implemented a comprehensive three-year “Health” program, and 257 socially vulnerable students gained access to a 15% discount at university cafeterias. The university bearing the name of the great poet and thinker Abai implemented a wide range of scientific, cultural, and creative projects dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the Hakim Abai. These included the republican debate tournament “Atameken CUP,” educational manuals and collections such as “Fundamentals of Abai’s Doctrine of the ‘Holistic Personality’,” “Study Abai — Inspire Wonder,” “Following the Path of Abai by Mekemtas Myrzakhmetuly,” Malik Gabdullin’s work “Oral Folk Literature of the Kazakh People,” and the student poetry collection “In Harmony with Abai.”

In addition, the tradition of presenting Abai’s “Words of Edification” to graduating students was established, with 4,000 graduates having received the book to date. An Abai Studies museum-classroom was opened in the university’s main building. From April to July of the current year, the festive cycle “Abai Dästüri” was held to enhance the creative potential of young people. Among students, competitions such as “Abai’s Lady and Gentleman” and the art contest “The Wonderful World of Nature” were organized, while school students participated in the “Abai Readings” and “Asyl Mura” competitions. At the end of the year, the First Republican Student Aitys “Qazaqta qara sözge des bermedim…” took place, featuring 14 young akyns. The prize fund of the aitys amounted to 6 million tenge, attracted through sponsorship. Additionally, the republican VIA festival “Abai Musical Melody” and the intellectual and educational game “Temirqazyq” contributed to the development of young people’s creative and intellectual potential.

Youth are the driving force of Abai University. Alongside education, special attention is given to nurturing students’ creative talents and providing social and psychological support.

Abai University helps each student to “find their place in the world and become a valuable part of it.”

Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University

Press Service