On August 31, 2023, before the start of the academic year, the League of Academic Integrity and Maqsut Narikbayev University hosted a Roundtable Discussion on the Impact and Use of Artificial Intelligence in Academic Activities.

The event was conducted in an online format and gathered leading experts and scholars from various universities in Kazakhstan, including Al-Farabi KazNU, AlmaU, KBTU, MNU, UIB, Zhangir Khan ZKGATU, Satbayev University, SDU, Zhubanov University, KazUMOiMY Abai Khan, and East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbayev. The discussion focused on the role of AI in education and its ethical aspects, with approximately 80 participants attending the Roundtable.

To provide a comprehensive perspective on this matter, speakers from three MNU Schools were invited. This approach allowed for a detailed examination of problem areas and specificities within the context of various specialties and fields of study. Their opinions and expert knowledge provided valuable insights and a deep understanding of the complex aspects of this issue, ultimately contributing to more effective problem-solving.

The topics discussed during the Roundtable included:

– “Elaborating AI policy from the Global South perspective” – Ikboljon Qoraboyev, Associate Professor at the International School of Economics.

– “Risks and Benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Developing Critical Thinking Skills” – Lyubov Sartakova, Senior Lecturer at the International School of Economics.

– “Chat GPT in the Academic Sphere: Foe or Friend” – Abay Abylaiuly, PhD, Assistant Professor at the School of Law.

– “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching English Language” – Yulia Babaeva, Senior Lecturer at the School of Humanities.

This Roundtable provided an excellent opportunity for participants to discuss the prospects of AI application in education and explore ethical issues associated with its use.

We extend our gratitude to all the speakers and participants for their engaging presentations and active discussions. Based on the insights gathered from this Roundtable, the Project Office of the League of Academic Integrity plans to prepare a comprehensive document titled “Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence by Students in Academic Activities.”

Maqsut Narikbayev University remains committed to actively supporting Academic Integrity and innovation in education, and the Academic Integrity League plans to conduct several more Roundtables on this important and timely topic throughout the year.

On February 23, 2022, the Academic Honesty League announced the ranking of the top 10 universities in Kazakhstan. The top three universities are Kazakh Humanitarian Law University named after M.S. Narikbayev, Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU), and Kazakh Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP).

The ranking was compiled using data from the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs “Atameken” regarding the employment rate of graduates, the median salary of staff, and the quality of educational programs.

On December 22, 2021, the Kazakh Humanitarian Law University named after M.S. Narikbayev hosted the Forum – General Assembly of the Academic Honesty League. Representatives from 16 universities in Kazakhstan participated in discussions on pressing issues in higher and postgraduate education, such as university self-regulation, anti-corruption measures, mechanisms for promoting a culture of academic integrity, and quality assurance through collegiality.

During the forum, speeches were delivered by Vice Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kuanysh Erghaliev, the Head of the public association “Adildik Joly,” Didar Smagulov, as well as representatives from the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Atameken” and the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Countering Corruption.

New leaders of the Academic Honesty League were elected through an open vote: Gulnara Kurenkeeva, the rector of AlmaU, was elected as the Chairperson of the General Assembly, and Talgat Narikbayev, the Chairman of the Board of the Kazakh Humanitarian Law University named after M.S. Narikbayev, was elected as the Chairperson of the Council.

On December 9, 2020, a ceremony took place at the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan to award the Project Office for Combating Corruption “Adal Bilim,” operating under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with the “Қоғамдық құрмет” (Public Respect) medal in the category of “Best Project of the Year.”

On September 27, 2019, a roundtable discussion was held at M.S. Narikbayev University, organized in collaboration with the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

As part of the event, a video conference was conducted on the topic: “Effective Participation of Student Youth in Improving Public Morality and Reducing the Level of Corruption.” During the conference, speakers discussed matters related to enhancing legal mechanisms to eliminate corruption risks in the fields of science and education. They also presented proposals for collaboration in the implementation of anti-corruption programs in higher education.

Furthermore, the “Interactive Map of Open Budgets” was introduced, designed to simplify access to public information regarding the expenditure of state funds.

On July 19, 2019, by the Order of the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aimagambetov Askhat Kanatovich, dated July 19, 2019, Talgat Maksutovich Narikbayev, the Rector of M.S. Narikbayev University, was appointed as the Head of the Project Office for Combating Corruption of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan “ADAL BILIM.”

On July 2, 2019, at the base of M.S. Narikbayev University, the opening of the Project Office for Combating Corruption of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Adal Bilim” took place.

The Project Office for Combating Corruption of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan is being implemented under the auspices of the national project “Adaldyk Alan”. Jointly, the Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.Zh. Shpekbaev, and the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A.K. Aimagambetov, signed the Charter of the Project Office.

The goal and tasks of the Project Office are monitoring, analysis, and development of measures to counter corruption in the field of education and science at all levels, including legislative regulation.

Any citizen and concerned resident of our country can directly contact the Project Office with reports of corruption or potentially corrupt situations in the field of preschool education, secondary, vocational, higher, postgraduate education, and scientific activities. Address: Nur-Sultan city, Korgalzhyn Highway 8, M.S. Narikbayev University, Office 609.