The results of the 2026 State Educational Grant competition have been announced.
The full list of grant recipients is available via this link.

This year, nearly 950 applicants were awarded state educational grants to study at SDU University.

Among the grant recipients is an applicant who achieved the highest possible score of 140 on the Unified National Testing. In addition, many grant recipients scored between 135 and 139 points, reflecting the strong academic performance of students admitted to SDU University.

Congratulations to all grant recipients, and we wish you every success in the new academic year!

The University’s Press Office announces the appointment of Arman Zhumazhanov as the Rector of SDU University.

With over 15 years of experience in higher education leadership, university governance, institutional strategy, and international cooperation, Mr. Zhumazhanov brings extensive executive expertise and a strong commitment to academic excellence and sustainable institutional development.

Below is an overview of his professional background and academic achievements.

Arman Zhumazhanov is the Rector of SDU University. He is an experienced higher education executive with more than 15 years of leadership in university governance, institutional strategy, internationalization, and higher education policy.

Prior to joining SDU University, Mr. Zhumazhanov held a number of executive and leadership positions at Nazarbayev University, including Chief of Staff to the President, Director of International Cooperation, and Acting Director of Strategy and Analysis. Throughout his career, he has contributed to institutional transformation initiatives, governance reforms, strategic planning, international partnerships, and executive decision-making, working closely with university leadership, governing boards, government authorities, international organizations, and strategic partners. He has also served as a member of the Board of Directors of Zhubanov University.

Mr. Zhumazhanov was awarded the prestigious International Bolashak Scholarship to pursue doctoral studies in Higher Education Administration at Indiana University Bloomington (USA). He holds a Master of Public Administration from Nazarbayev University, a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University Pueblo (USA), and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Selçuk University (Türkiye). His academic and professional interests focus on higher education governance, institutional effectiveness, university leadership, public policy, and strategic management.

In addition to his executive leadership experience, Mr. Zhumazhanov has contributed to international higher education research and policy. He co-authored a research report published by the TIAA Institute examining the role of philanthropic giving in expanding student access to higher education and promoting social mobility. He also contributed to national higher education research initiatives in the United States through the American Council on Education, supporting the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.

Mr. Zhumazhanov is an active member of the international higher education community. He is a member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (USA) and the Association for Institutional Research (USA), where he regularly engages with scholars, researchers, and university leaders on issues related to higher education policy, governance, leadership, and institutional research.

As Rector of SDU University, Mr. Zhumazhanov is committed to advancing SDU’s position as a trendsetting and contemporary university in Central Asia. His leadership focuses on strengthening academic excellence, student-centered education, applied research and innovation, international engagement, effective governance, and sustainable institutional development while preparing graduates who will contribute meaningfully to Kazakhstan and the global community.

The SDU University community expresses its sincere gratitude to the University’s former Rector, Alimzhan Igenbayev, for his valuable contribution to the University’s development and wishes him every success in his future endeavors. The community also wishes Mr. Zhumazhanov every success in his new role as Rector and looks forward to the continued growth and achievements of SDU University under his leadership.

SDU University, in partnership with the BF MEREKE Public Charitable Foundation, invites 3rd- and 4th-year students to apply for the MEREKE Scholarship Program.

Scholarship:

• KZT 50,000 per month
• 30 scholarship recipients

Application period: August 1–12

Eligibility requirements:

• GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan
• CV and Recommendation Letter
• No disciplinary sanctions

Interview: August 26–27

For more information:
grantoffice@sdu.edu.kz

Grant Office | Room I112

DEM ALL (English Edition) – a summer language school organized by SDU Extension Center for children aged 8 – 14. The program combines intensive English classes with practical activities and the development of essential 21st-century skills.

In the summer of 2026, the program was successfully held in two seasons with 75 participants:

Season I: June 15 – 26, 2026

Season II: July 13 – 24, 2026

Each season included 40 academic hours of English instruction, along with workshops in robotics, acting, storytelling, art therapy, mobile photography, first aid, cooking, intellectual games, and other interactive activities.

The program helped participants improve their English while developing communication skills, creativity, confidence, and teamwork.

Join the next DEM ALL season!

SDU Extension Center, SDU University
+7 (707) 702-31-34
Instagram: @sdu.extension

The national team of Kazakhstan, led by SDU University Associate Professor and PhD Samat Maksutov, achieved a historic milestone at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO 2026). For the first time in the country’s history, Kazakhstan won five gold medals, setting a national record and achieving its best-ever result at the world’s most prestigious physics competition.

The Olympiad was held from July 4 to 12, 2026, in Bucaramanga, Colombia, bringing together 381 students from 85 countries. Competing against some of the world’s strongest teams, including China, South Korea, India, and Russia, every member of the Kazakh national team earned a gold medal.

The gold medalists are:

• Nurgul Yegenbergenova;
• Amirbek Azatbekov;
• Ilyas Kazymbek;
• Roman Cheremnov;
• Damir Kurman.

The International Physics Olympiad has been held annually since 1967, while Kazakhstan has participated regularly since 1997. This year’s achievement marks the country’s most successful performance in the history of the competition.

The national team was coached by SDU University Associate Professor, PhD Samat Maksutov, together with Alisher Yerkebayev, an international physics Olympiad medalist. Their role includes identifying the country’s most talented students and preparing them for international academic competitions through intensive training, requiring outstanding expertise in physics and a high level of English proficiency.

The medalists were officially welcomed at Almaty International Airport, where they were congratulated by Zhuldyz Suleimenova, Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Abzal Nukenov, Deputy Akim of Almaty; Timur Davlet, Director of the Daryn Republican Scientific and Practical Center; and Saken Aralbayev, Head of the Almaty City Education Department.

For SDU University, the international achievements of its faculty members reflect the University’s strong academic environment, research excellence, and commitment to preparing future generations of talented scientists.

The SDU University community sincerely congratulates Associate Professor, PhD Samat Maksutov on this remarkable achievement and wishes him continued success in research, education, and future accomplishments on the international stage.

Application requirements:

1. Applications may be submitted by tuition-paying students and recipients of the Freedom Grant, Akimat Grant, or Internal Grant.
2. Applicants must be citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3. The cumulative GPA for the entire period of study must be above 2.5.
4. Students with grades of “F”, “FX”, “AW”, or “NP” are not eligible to apply.
5. The application must be submitted in accordance with the sample provided in the attached file below. Be sure to fill out the “Vacant state grant” Google form. Make sure that you have filled out the Google form correctly, as incorrect information may lead to the application being rejected.;
6. Applications will be accepted until 5:30 PM on July 20, 2026.

Please note:
Applications that do not meet the specified requirements will not be considered.

For additional information, please contact: ssc@sdu.edu.kz

SDU University is strengthening its international cooperation with Birkbeck, University of London, one of the United Kingdom’s leading higher education institutions.

This initiative provides SDU students with an opportunity to earn a British degree from a globally recognized university. Birkbeck, University of London is renowned for its academic excellence, strong research capacity, and international learning environment.

The program offers students several key advantages, including:

• the opportunity to obtain a British degree;
• internationally recognized qualifications;
• enhanced competitiveness in the global job market;
• career opportunities within the UK education sector;
• valuable experience in an international academic environment.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, the annual tuition fee for international students at Birkbeck, University of London is £18,500.

In addition, students with outstanding academic performance may be eligible for a £6,000 academic scholarship. Scholarship applications can be submitted when applying for admission to the university.

The program is available to fourth-year students enrolled in SDU University’s Foreign Language: Two Foreign Languages educational program. Applications must be submitted by July 24, 2026.

For further information, please contact abbas.bodaubekov@sdu.edu.kz.

This initiative provides SDU University students with a unique opportunity to pursue internationally recognized education, broaden their academic horizons, and strengthen their competitiveness in the global professional arena.

Dear students and applicants,

The KAZENERGY Association announces the opening of applications for its educational grant competition for the 2026–2027 academic year. The grants are intended to cover tuition fees for students enrolled in higher and postgraduate education institutions.

The grants are funded by the Association’s Contractors – NCOC N.V. and KPO B.V.

About the Program

Over the 11 years of the program’s implementation, more than 16,000 applications have been received from university and college students. More than 5,800 students have been awarded financial support, with 60.2% of the recipients representing socially vulnerable groups.

Application period:

• Opens: July 25, 2026
• Deadline: August 31, 2026

Eligibility and Required Documents

Detailed information on the competition requirements and the list of required documents is available on the official website of the KAZENERGY Association.

Contact Information

For further inquiries, please contact:

• Tel.: +7 (7172) 79-49-75
• E-mail: candidate@kazenergy.com

From June 29 to July 10, 2026, the SDU Extension Center successfully hosted the DEM ALL (Korean Edition) – Summer Edition 2026 Summer Language School.

The program brought together school students and adult learners, offering them an opportunity to improve their Korean language skills while gaining a deeper understanding of Korean culture. A total of 33 participants joined the program and studied in three groups according to their language proficiency levels.

Throughout the two-week program, participants enhanced their Korean language skills through interactive lessons and practical activities. They also explored various aspects of Korean culture, took part in creative and sports events, discovered the world of K-pop, built new friendships, and created lasting memories.

The SDU Extension Center extends its sincere appreciation to the 20 volunteers of the PAS Team, project leaders Won Dae Hee, Lee Yongseok, and Kim Dongeon, as well as the nine SDU University student ambassadors whose dedication and support contributed to the successful implementation of the program.

The SDU Extension Center remains committed to expanding international educational initiatives and language programs and welcomes new opportunities for collaboration.

For partnership and collaboration inquiries: +7 775 595 22 15.

A ceremonial event dedicated to the Day of Mass Media Workers was held at the Cardiff University Kazakhstan campus in Astana. During the ceremony, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, presented departmental awards to media professionals for their contribution to the development of science, higher education, and the state language.

Among the award recipients was Bagdat Sultankyzy, a second-year master’s student in the Media Studies and Journalism program at SDU University and a journalist at the Ana tili newspaper. She was awarded the “For Contribution to the Development of the Native Language” departmental medal of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In his remarks, Minister Sayasat Nurbek highlighted the essential role of journalists in promoting science and education, showcasing the achievements of young researchers, and expanding the use of the state language.

Receiving the award, Bagdat Sultankyzy described it as a great honor and responsibility, emphasizing that it inspires her to continue contributing to the development of the Kazakh language and to the promotion of education and science.

Currently, she is pursuing her master’s degree at SDU University, where her research focuses on the representation of socially significant issues in contemporary Kazakh media, as well as the analysis of media framing and discourse.

The SDU University community congratulates Bagdat Sultankyzy on this distinguished recognition and wishes her continued success in her academic and professional endeavors.