ASTANA – The Astana Times has selected articles on Kazakhstan featured in international media worldwide this week. Today’s foreign media digest covers Kazakhstan’s AI education initiatives, political reforms and upcoming Kurultai election, investment prospects, and growing role in Central Asian and Eurasian cooperation.
Almaty. Photo credit: Almaty’s city administration.
Kazakhstan rolls out AI education from school to university
In the 2026-27 academic year, Kazakhstan’s first artificial intelligence university plans to enroll 600 students and trainees. AI use is also being expanded in schools, with a separate pilot planned for ten small rural schools. Kazakhstan is therefore trying to build its AI talent pipeline from both ends of the education system, reported The Times of Central Asia on Aug. 18.
Science and Higher Education Minister Sayasat Nurbek announced the first intake at Qazaq AI Research University (QAIRU) during a government meeting.
Nurbek said 400 students would be admitted to bachelor’s programs, including 308 on state grants, while another 100 would join master’s programs.
“In addition, the Samruk Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund will send 100 of its employees to study under the MBA AI+X program,” he said.
Kazakhstan’s next chapter: Reform, resilience, and partnership with Europe
EU Reporter published an article on Aug. 18 by Roman Vassilenko, Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Belgium, highlighting Kazakhstan’s political reforms, economic resilience, strategic importance in energy and transport, and growing partnership with the European Union.
“On 23 August, Kazakhstan will hold its first elections to the Kurultai, the new highest representative body established under our new Constitution. The elections represent an important stage in the political modernization and the building of a Just Kazakhstan initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The new Kurultai and the elections to it are part of a broader effort to strengthen representative institutions, widen political participation and build a more resilient political system. A total of seven political parties compete in the elections, seeking to clear the 5% threshold.
As a Kazakh saying goes, ‘Where there is unity, there is strength.’ For us, the strength of a modern state rests not only on economic performance, but also on effective institutions, public participation and confidence in the future.
As we approach this critical milestone, it is important to put it in a broader geopolitical context, including our cooperation with the world and with the European Union,” reads the article.
Investment outlook for Kazakhstan equities: Strategic allocation to Eurasia’s hidden blue-chip market
EU Reporter published an article by Rainer Michael Preiss, Partner & Portfolio Strategist at Das Family Office in Singapore on Aug. 18, highlighting Kazakhstan as an under-owned but increasingly attractive investment market, citing its strong economic growth, competitive valuations, robust banking sector, strategic position in uranium, energy and the Middle Corridor, and ongoing economic reforms while acknowledging risks such as commodity-price volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and market liquidity.
The article argues that Kazakhstan offers global investors and family offices a compelling long-term diversification opportunity beyond traditional developed and emerging markets. It highlights the country’s expected GDP growth of around 4-4.5%, strong performance of the tenge and domestic equities, leadership in uranium production, growing logistics and financial sectors, and improving institutional and corporate governance. While recognizing risks linked to commodities, geopolitics, currency movements and market liquidity, the author concludes that Kazakhstan’s attractive valuations, strong financial institutions, strategic resources and economic reforms support a BUY recommendation for Kazakhstan equities as a strategic long-term allocation.
Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyz Republic’s multidimensional foreign policy and the future of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
The article by Ahmet Sağlam, a Turkish international relations and business development specialist, in EU Reporter on Aug. 17 examines the evolving role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) amid the Russia–Ukraine and Iran–US conflicts, highlighting Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic as key Central Asian actors whose multidimensional foreign policies and balanced relations with China, Russia, the EU, the US and the Turkic World can help keep the SCO focused on regional stability, economic cooperation and connectivity rather than becoming an anti-Western military bloc.
The article particularly emphasizes Kazakhstan’s role within Central Asia and the SCO, portraying it alongside Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic as an important balancing actor that maintains diversified partnerships across major geopolitical centers. Kazakhstan’s cooperation with China through the Belt and Road Initiative, security and economic ties with Russia, growing energy and investment cooperation with the European Union, and strategic engagement with the United States and the Organization of Turkic States are presented as part of a broader multi-layered balancing approach. The author argues that this multidimensional diplomacy strengthens Central Asia’s ability to maintain open communication between competing powers and could contribute to the SCO remaining an inclusive platform for dialogue, connectivity and economic cooperation rather than becoming a confrontational geopolitical or military bloc.
EU backs Middle Corridor expansion through South Caucasus
In August 2026, the European Union launched a new transport connectivity platform aimed at linking Europe with Central Asia through the Black Sea and the South Caucasus, reported Azernews on Aug. 18.
“According to the Europe-Caucasus-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA), EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos said that cargo volumes along the Trans-Caspian route could increase fivefold over the next 15 years.
Together with international financial institutions, the EU plans to mobilize approximately €2 billion for infrastructure development in the Black Sea region and the South Caucasus.
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are highlighted as the key participants in the development of the corridor.
Kazakhstan has invested $35 billion in transport infrastructure over the past seven years and has indicated that it plans to continue investing in the sector to strengthen its position as one of the key links between China and Europe,” reads the article.
