On April 10, 2026, the International Engineering and Technology University officially launched the Decade of Science under the theme “The Development of Science and Technology in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” This large-scale academic event was organized at a high level and marked an important milestone reflecting the university’s scientific and innovative potential.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by the Rector of the University, Darkhan Berikuly Akpanbetov, who personally oversaw both the organization and the substantive direction of the event. In his address, the Rector highlighted the new directions of scientific development in the era of artificial intelligence, emphasized the role of innovative technologies, and outlined the strategic priorities for strengthening the university’s research activities. His speech defined the conceptual and intellectual framework of the Decade of Science and set clear guidelines for the events to follow. The ceremony brought together the university leadership, faculty members, the staff of the Department of Social Sciences and World Languages, as well as students and young researchers. This clearly demonstrated the academic community’s readiness to engage collectively in discussing the pressing scientific processes and challenges of the present day.

The key event of the first day was a guest lecture entitled “Alikhan Bokeikhanov and the Alash Intelligentsia,” which served as the opening and intellectually significant component of the scientific program. The lecture was delivered by Candidate of Historical Sciences, Professor Salkynbek Dosaly Isakhanuly. In his presentation, the distinguished scholar offered a profound academic analysis of the historical significance of the Alash movement led by Alikhan Bokeikhanov and proposed new interpretations of its role in the history of Kazakh statehood. The lecture was distinguished by its solid source base, theoretical depth, and effective integration of historical issues with contemporary scholarly approaches. Professor Salkynbek Dosaly Isakhanuly characterized the Alash intelligentsia as an intellectual elite that played a crucial role in awakening national consciousness and convincingly substantiated the significance of its legacy for contemporary Kazakhstan. The lecture was delivered at a high academic level and attracted considerable interest among students and young researchers. The discussion also featured Zhandos Zhumalbekuly Kumganbayev, PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of History of Kazakhstan at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. In his remarks, he emphasized the relevance of studying political parties and movements of the early twentieth century and analyzed the continuity of the ideas of the Alash movement in the context of contemporary academic research.

The first day’s program continued in an interdisciplinary format and included guest lectures, an intellectual hackathon, and bioengineering workshops. In particular, an online guest lecture entitled “Spiritual Traditions in the History of Turkic Peoples” was delivered by Professor Mehmet Emin Şen of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Suleyman Demirel University (Isparta). In addition, a substantive lecture on “Intelligent Medical Devices and Sustainable Development” was presented by Chingiz Abdraimovich Alimbayev, PhD, Associate Professor and Corresponding Member of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. These activities clearly demonstrated the interdisciplinary nature of the scientific agenda and the university’s commitment to the comprehensive development of science and technology.

Overall, the Decade of Science includes a broad range of academic events. Specifically, on April 13 a round table and scientific seminars devoted to the development of research capacity will be held; on April 14–15 open lectures, scientific seminars, and competitions for young researchers will take place; on April 16 the international scientific and practical conference entitled “The Quality and Effectiveness of Science in the Era of Artificial Intelligence” will be organized; on April 17 the official opening of the university’s Advanced Technology Center and an exhibition of scientific achievements are scheduled; on April 17–18 a technological hackathon will be held; and on April 20 an open lecture by an international-level speaker, along with the closing ceremony of the Decade of Science, will take place.

Thus, the ceremonial opening of the Decade of Science marked an important stage in the development of the university’s academic life and launched a fundamental scientific platform systematically organized under the Rector’s leadership. From the very first day, the event demonstrated a high level of organization and intellectual content, while the academic depth of the guest lecture clearly indicated that the subsequent events of the decade would also be held to a high scholarly standard.