On January 20, 2026, the Fifth Meeting of the National Kurultai was held in the city of Kyzylorda under the chairmanship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. Alongside defining the country’s key strategic development priorities, the meeting comprehensively addressed issues related to higher education, science, historical consciousness, and the effective use of modern technologies in public policy. The Kurultai platform was distinguished by its integrated approach, viewing these areas not in isolation but as an interconnected system. As noted by the Head of State, education, science, history, and technology form the foundation of Kazakhstan’s long-term intellectual, institutional, and value-based development.

The modernization of the education system was addressed in substantive terms during the meeting. The President emphasized that the quality of education should not be assessed solely through material infrastructure or formal indicators, drawing particular attention to the importance of education, values, and the formation of historical consciousness within the educational process. In this context, the role of the humanities—particularly history—within higher education was highlighted. It was explicitly stated that the purpose of historical education extends beyond recounting past events and should contribute to fostering social responsibility, legal culture, and civic engagement.

Issues related to science constituted one of the core substantive pillars of the National Kurultai. The President stressed the need to regard science as a strategic resource for national development and underscored the importance of enhancing systemic approaches to supporting scientific research. In this regard, the adoption of the concept for developing scientific hubs was presented as a significant step toward integrating science and higher education. These initiatives were noted for their potential to strengthen university-based research, develop research infrastructure, and provide institutional support for young scholars. The openness of science to society and its orientation toward concrete development objectives were identified as key guiding principles.

The meeting also extensively covered issues related to modern technologies, including digitalization and artificial intelligence. The President highlighted that technological transformation has a direct impact on education and science, emphasizing the need for responsible and targeted use of digital solutions and artificial intelligence tools. The application of artificial intelligence in education, scientific research, and governance systems was considered an important component of overall national development. It was noted that digital technologies enhance access to education and science, improve the quality of data processing, and enable the introduction of new methods of scientific analysis. At the same time, the President emphasized that technology alone cannot resolve deficiencies in governance and must be accompanied by improvements in managerial culture.

These approaches are of particular importance for higher education institutions and the academic community. Within the framework of the Kurultai, universities were viewed not only as educational institutions but also as key components of the scientific and innovation ecosystem. As emphasized by the President, higher education institutions face the tasks of advancing scientific research, mastering new methods based on digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and upholding principles of academic integrity and scientific standards. Addressing these tasks is aimed at improving the quality of university-based research and strengthening the country’s overall intellectual potential.

The development of historical science and the formation of historical consciousness were considered in close conjunction with education, science, and technological advancement. The President emphasized the necessity of ensuring academic rigor, reliance on primary sources, and professional responsibility in the study and teaching of national history. Expanding archival research, digitalizing historical data, and integrating such materials into scholarly circulation were identified as key directions for the development of historical science. These initiatives are intended to enhance the academic quality of historical research and ensure broader public access to historical knowledge.

In addition, the Kurultai addressed other aspects of societal development. It was noted that strengthening the principles of the rule of law, improving governance systems, and expanding civic dialogue are directly linked to the development of education and science. High-quality education and a strong scientific base were identified as essential prerequisites for fostering legal culture, enhancing social responsibility, and ensuring political stability.

Overall, the Fifth Meeting of the National Kurultai held in Kyzylorda identified the development of education, science, history, and modern technologies as strategic priorities for Kazakhstan. The positions articulated during the meeting provide a substantive reference point for higher education institutions and the academic community, reflecting the continuity of state policy aimed at strengthening the country’s intellectual and institutional capacity and defining its long-term development trajectory.