Latest news with #NazarbayevUniversity
Euronews
20-07-2025
- Business
- Euronews
The most powerful supercomputer in Central Asia launches in kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has entered the global race to build a supercomputer and has unveiled the most powerful one in Central Asia but the country's brain drain may hinder its ambitions. The supercomputer capable of about 2 exaflops speed, that is two quintillion (10^18) floating-point operations per second, has been launched at the supercomputer centre in the capital, Astana. It will be used for two purposes: One is to power the country's e-government services used more and more frequently by both the population and businesses. Another is the development of artificial intelligence (AI models) and engines. The government has prioritised these two projects for many years. Pressing the red button to activate the computer was President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who has long championed the supercomputer, so much so that the whole AI drive in the country is considered to be his pet project. He decreed the Concept of the Development of AI in Kazakhstan until 2029. It stipulates that in four years from now, Kazakhstan will stand shoulder to shoulder with global leaders in AI technology. At the opening ceremony, he said that the launch was an important step in the digitalisation of the key spheres of economy and science and that it would create conditions for the development of the new advanced technologies and everyday life solutions. 'This is an image-boosting project. Kazakhstan presents itself in the international arena as a country which has access to modern technologies and knows how to use them,' said Boris Potapchuk, Senior Expert of the Data Center Infrastructure Service at Nazarbayev University. 'The use of AI cluster will enable a much more efficient and rational use of the state resources and the budget because it will assemble and centralise information systems that are at the moment dispersed in different places and institutions. That will make the data more accessible for the citizens and provide more reliable data storage and safety,' he added. The country did have problems with data safety. Only last month a large-scale data breach, potentially affecting the personal information of 16 million citizens, was discovered. The Ministry of Digital Development is investigating the incident and suggested there was a leak of names, individual identification numbers, birthdates, addresses, and phone numbers of citizens originating from private, non-governmental databases. Kazakhstan started its e-government strategy in 2004 and has since digitalised 92 per cent of the public services. The young generation is now using digital signatures and e-government services daily. Eight out of twenty million citizens have digital signatures. It ranks 24 out of 193 countries in the world in e-government services, according to the 2024 UN E-Government Development Index (EGDI). But the central focus of the government strategy is AI's development. In 2024, a draft law on AI was approved, and a Committee on AI was established to oversee the development of this field in the country. Kazakhstan's experts and politicians alike believe that without its own localised solutions and infrastructure, no country in the future will be successful, or even independent and sovereign. AI's language problem Thus, a supercomputer. The Astana super-computer is placed in a Tier III data centre where Kazakhstan's experts will have the opportunity to learn how to cool, stabilise, detect, and correct failures as well as provide cybersecurity. Some of those solutions that have been demonstrated at the opening are the Kazakh language model of AI (AlemLLM), the system of early detection of forest fires as well as solutions in medicine, construction and education. The model that attracted the most attention for years was the Kazakh language model in AI computing and utilisation. The AI experts warn that the heavy utilisation of AI in the future might make non-Western languages go extinct. Kazakhstan reacted by investing in a large language model (LLM) in the Kazakh language. There are already six supercomputers stationed at different universities in the country that are used for research and AI development. 'Prime example (why we needed the supercomputer) is the development of KazLLM. And as we develop further, we would need even greater computing power in order to do that. If you think that the basic model, which was developed by KazLLM largely text-based. So KazLLM was a basic model. We're now building on it,' said Waqar Ahmad, President of the Nazarbayev University. 'There are new systems which focus on voice recognition. There are new tools which use image processing and so on. And some of the new models which will be developed in this area are going to be all singing, all dancing models which use a text, which use sound, which use image, and so on,' he added. His colleague from the same university, Boris Potapchuk, is, however, not sure whether the computer will be used more for the development of new AI models and new services. 'The performance calculation methods given suggest that the solution will be used primarily for applying existing models and to a much lesser extent for training and developing new ones,' said Potapchuk, who added that venturing into the new realm of AI solutions is a big step that also poses big questions and reveals weaknesses. The brain drain 'We need to understand that a supercomputer of this kind requires constant modernisation and programming maintenance, and this is something that can only be entrusted with the highest profile specialists,' he said. 'If we're honest, Kazakhstan faces serious problems in this respect. It is not a secret that we face a big brain drain in all the fields of expertise, IT specialists leading the way. This is why Kazakhstan needs to attract and train its own experts as well as provide timely updating and modernisation of software and program code'. But he noted that bearing in mind that 'the state secrets confidential citizens' information will be stored on this computer, foreign experts will not be allowed, just like we don't allow them in the oil and gas industry or logistics,' said Potapchuk. But it is exactly this computer that is the pre-requisite for such training (although with limited access to data for the trainees) and the government insists that the launch of the first super-computer in he country is the most important, first step on a thousand-mile journey. The Minister in charge of digital transformation Zhaslan Madiyev, said that there is no doubt that digital development is already as crucial for national sovereignty as energy or food security is. 'The launch of the national super-computer centre is a strategic step in the development of the technological sovereignty of the country. We are creating the conditions for the development of the AI eco-system that will be able to compete on the global level,' said Madiyev.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Duke Fuqua Helped To Build A Top B-School in Kazakhstan
Bolstered by a strategic partnership with Duke Fuqua, Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business (NUGSB) in Kazakhstan has built a leading EMBA program for Central Asia. Dana Iskakova has an MBA resume you'd expect for any number of prestigious business schools around the world: More than nine years experience in strategic brand positioning, corporate communications, and event management. Leadership roles in major national and international projects, including senior manager of marketing and communication at National Company Astana Expo. Co-founder and manager of an international PR firm. But where she earned her MBA might surprise you: (NUGSB) in Kazakhstan. Dana Iskakova, MBA '22 Many business schools in Central Asia and the former Soviet Union focus on teaching and operate under heavy government oversight. NUGSB, on the other hand, has full autonomy and a mission to lead in academic research. The school and its parent university have been built from scratch to set a standard for higher education in the region. And from day one, NUGSB had an ace up its sleeve: a strategic partnership with Duke University's 'The partnership played a major role in my decision to attend NUGSB. Initially, I was considering other schools in the U.S.,' Iskakova tells P&Q. 'When I discovered that Nazarbayev University had a strategic partnership with Duke, it immediately felt like the perfect choice. It allowed me to stay close to my family during a challenging time while still receiving an education aligned with top international standards. Looking back, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Nazarbayev University was founded in 2010 by then-President Nursultan Nazarbayev with a bold vision: to create a world-class research institution that would raise the bar for higher education in Kazakhstan and beyond. At the time, top students left for Europe or the U.S. for their education and many never returned. Nazarbayev and others wanted to build a university to train students who would put their talents to work for Kazakhstan. The university was granted full autonomy to operate independently from the country's Ministry of Education, a unique structure from traditional Kazakhstani universities. To build a university from the ground up, founders sought partnerships with some of the world's leading academic institutions – including the University of Cambridge, the National University of Singapore, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Colorado School of Mines and others. It partnered with Duke Fuqua in 2009 to develop its Graduate School of Business. 'These were top-tier institutions that have brand recognition, that have some of the best researchers and professionals in the world, and they asked them to walk alongside them to create this institution,' says Robert Olinger, assistant dean for institutional collaboration at Duke who has worked with NUGSB since the beginning. 'Building an educational institution in the post-Soviet Union has tremendous challenges, so I believe that this group really thought deeply about how they would truly be able to transform the educational system (in Kazakhstan).' Fuqua was a natural fit. It was one of the first Western business schools to go to the post-Soviet Union in the mid-1980s during Perestroika, Mikhail Gorbachev's reform policy to restructure the economy and government. It led management training programs in the region, following a strong institutional desire to play a positive role in the world while establishing a presence in emerging economies such as Russia, India, China, and Latin America. As part of the partnership with NUGSB, Fuqua has lent its expertise in everything from curriculum development, course design, and faculty recruitment. Its faculty teach courses at NUGSB – less so now than in the early years – while also advising NUGSB research scholars and co-authoring studies. Fuqua also plays a key role in admissions, quality assurance, and keeping academic standards high. While some of the university's original partnerships have since dissolved or became less active, the business school's strategic partnership is still intact, extending at least through 2026. 'I think our partnership ended up being quite unique, because I think we understood the assignment,' Olinger says. Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business EMBA students spend 10 days at Duke Fuqua and take courses there as part of their program. Today, NUGSB offers a full-time MBA with a cohort of between 20 to 25 students. It recently launched a hybrid delivery format with online classes during the week and in-person classes on the weekends, to allow Kazakhstani students to stay in the work force if they choose or need to. It also offers a Master of Finance, a Masters in Engineering Management (MEM) in collaboration with its engineering school, and a PHD in Business Administration. It launched a Bachelor of Business Administration last year with nine students. But its flagship remains its , launched in 2013 with deep involvement from Duke Fuqua. It was the first program NUGSB launched to address major gaps in Kazakhstan's business landscape. Then, Fuqua faculty taught all the courses, Olinger says. A key factor in its success was that it permitted dual-language study with courses taught in English and simultaneously translated into Russian. 'In the first cohort we had 17 students. Most of them we had to get from the university itself, and others came because the Prime Minister and President were telling people, 'You have to join this program,'' Olinger says. 'It was a really cool class. One of the people is now the Minister of Energy. Another used to be the head legal officer on their sovereign wealth assets. We have people in that class who are all over the place. Some of them are in government. Some of them are entrepreneurs now.' The 2025 EMBA cohort has 38 executives averaging 15 years of professional experience across industries such as oil and gas, finance, and hospitality. Along with their NUGSB EMBA degree, students receive a Duke certificate in global management and gain access to the Fuqua alumni network. Students also complete a 10-day residency at Duke, taking two courses there each year – a key recruiting tool for the region's top talent. 'Developing an Executive MBA program is extremely challenging because you need to get these top executives in top positions in companies to commit weekends to come to campus,' says Joep Konings, dean of NUGSB since 2022. 'Now, 10 years down the road, it's one of the most successful programs in all of Central Asia. That Duke experience is a very important leverage.' Students in the NUGSB Financial Markets Lab. Iskakova agrees. 'I encouraged a friend, a top manager at a major company in Kazakhstan, to join the Executive MBA program at NUGSB. They were initially considering other prestigious U.S. schools, but I emphasized the value of building a strong local network. With NUGSB, they could stay with their family, keep their management role, and apply their knowledge directly to current business challenges,' she tells P&Q. 'Plus, they'd have a platform to discuss these challenges with peers – top consultants in their industries at no cost. And with the Duke partnership, NUGSB stands among the top programs. I'm proud they enrolled, knowing this program will give them the right tools and network for their career.' NUGSB's EMBA program attracts some of Kazakhstan's most accomplished professionals, many of whom go on to make significant contributions in industries like energy, finance, and technology. 'These are top-tier executives who, after completing the program, often launch new ventures or drive major transformations within their companies,' Konings says. Joep Konings, NUGSB dean One graduate built a multimillion-dollar solar energy business, a major achievement in a country historically reliant on oil and gas. Another founded a chain of medical centers specializing in traditional Chinese medicine. The school's influence extends beyond individual success stories. Advancing women's leadership is another key impact in a traditionally male-dominated space. The full-time MBA is typically 60% female while the EMBA is around 20 to 30%, Konings says. 'But those who do enroll are among the most ambitious and capable professionals in the region,' he says. 'These women command respect. You walk into a room full of executives, and it looks intimidating, but they hold their own. They are going to be the ones who redefine leadership in this region.' Further, about half of EMBA graduates go into entrepreneurship – launching businesses in sectors like solar energy, healthcare equipment, and the restaurant industry – even if they initially work in state-owned or corporate positions. 'When I arrived in 2016, I noticed a shift happening. More professionals were speaking English, more companies were adopting global best practices, and you could feel a real transformation in the business culture,' says Konings, who originally joined Nazarbayev University as part of the Economics Department before transitioning to the business school. There he has played a key role in boosting research intensity, faculty engagement, and strengthening the school's partnership with Duke University. Iskakova sees it too, and not just from the EMBA graduates, but from the other business programs as well. 'The program is not just about theory. It emphasizes practical, real-world application, preparing students to make immediate contributions to their industries,' she tells P&Q. 'I've seen the impact of this firsthand. Many of my classmates are business owners and industry leaders, and it's inspiring to see them apply what they've learned to their companies. Whether in technology, retail, consulting, or manufacturing, they are leveraging their MBA experience to optimize operations, refine strategies, and scale their businesses sustainably.' Along with their NUGSB EMBA degree, students receive a Duke certificate in global management and gain access to the Fuqua alumni network. NUGSB's partnership with Duke University was always designed so that the school would eventually stand on its own two feet. But Konings sees areas on which the two can continue a partnership beyond 2026. NUGSB now has about 28 faculty with room to grow, and the Fuqua partnership is critical for recruitment as well as research development. One of the most promising areas he sees for future collaboration is in sustainability and climate change. 'Kazakhstan is an energy-rich country – oil, minerals, commodities – but Kazakhstan stands nowhere in terms of their climate change policy. They are thinking about it and trying to implement certain things, so I think there is a big gab the business school can help fill.' Of course, Duke University will be a key player. Leveraging resources such as Fuqua EDGE – its Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment – NUGSB aims to integrate sustainability into its curriculum, expand research initiatives, and develop business leaders capable of driving climate-conscious change in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Konings also wants to increase the business school's visibility and reputation around the region. 'Kazakhstan does not realize what kind of a top-notch business school we have with NUGSB,' he says. 'The world does not know it. Europe does not know it.' Iskakova's career trajectory after completing her NUGSB MAB in 2022 is a good example. Dana Iskakova spent a full semester at Duke University as an MBA student at NUGSB. She took on a leadership role as Chief Marketing Officer at one of Kazakhstan's largest companies, significantly raising her salary. She also launched her own company, Myshyraq, which makes sustainable waxless candle centerpieces. Not only did she apply lessons on pricing strategy, data-driven decision making, and negotiations, her MBA gave her the confidence to strike out on her own. 'My experience at NUGSB was transformative. Studying both locally and internationally, including a semester at Duke, provided top-tier academic training, a diverse peer network, and lifelong professional relationships,' she tells P&Q. 'The challenging yet rewarding curriculum played a key role in my growth.' Looking ahead, Iskakova wants to help build an alumni network at NUGSB in the image of the one she has experienced at Duke. She volunteered at a Duke Alumni Reunion and was both amazed and inspired to see graduates from 60 years ago show up to engage with the school. While that's almost a foreign concept in Kazakhstan, NUGSB's small but growing network are starting to engage. 'I hope that Nazarbayev University GSB will also build a community of dedicated alumni who stay in touch, support each other, and continue to contribute to the school's growth,' she says. 'People are the heart of this program – motivated, ambitious, and inspiring. This experience reinforced the importance of lifelong learning and adaptability. I truly believe NUGSB is shaping Kazakhstan's current and future business leaders.' DON'T MISS: INSIDE IE UNIVERSITY'S ALL-IN AI STRATEGY AND TRUMP TAKES AIM AT B-SCHOOL FACULTY DIVERSITY The post How Duke Fuqua Helped To Build A Top B-School in Kazakhstan appeared first on Poets&Quants.
