On October 15, SDU University hosted the 12th International Conference Building Cultural Bridges (ICBCB 2026), dedicated to the theme “Future of Education in the Digital Era and Transformative Learning.” The conference was organized by SDU University in partnership with KIMEP University.

The conference brought together researchers, educators, and experts from different countries to discuss current challenges in education, share research findings, and strengthen international academic collaboration. Participants included scholars from leading universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, and other countries, including the University of Oxford, the University of Calgary, the University of St Andrews, and University College London.

The conference programme began with an online session on October 9. On October 14, the 4th Annual ELIPro Conference was held under the theme “Multilingual Futures: Language, Identity & Educational Policy Across Borders,” featuring a roundtable on language, multilingualism, and educational policy. The main ICBCB programme took place at SDU University on October 15 and continued at KIMEP University on October 16.

The first day of the main programme featured plenary talks by international scholars and thematic sessions. Professor Karlygash Dyussupbayeva presented research on the role of personal motivation and speaking development in learning Kazakh as a foreign language. Professor Heath Rose discussed how English-medium instruction influences language acquisition and subject learning. Professor Andrew Peterson focused on the development of civic values within communities.

Davronzhon Gaipov, Executive Deputy-Rector of SDU University, highlighted the conference’s role in advancing multilingual education and international collaboration.

“Science and education are pathways to peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and understanding between different cultures. Conferences like this provide master’s and doctoral students, as well as researchers, with opportunities to share experiences and work together to address current challenges in education,” said Davronzhon Gaipov.

Professor Andrew Peterson, Professor of Character and Citizenship Education and Deputy Director of the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, also emphasized the value of the conference in bringing together people from different disciplines and creating opportunities to exchange ideas.

Participants paid particular attention to artificial intelligence and digital transformation in education, STEM approaches, inclusive learning, multilingualism, and language policy. Discussions also covered the future of education, the application of artificial intelligence, and modern teaching methods. During parallel sessions, researchers presented their work and shared practical insights.

The conference served as a platform for strengthening international academic connections, presenting research findings, and establishing new professional relationships.

On October 16, the conference programme continues at KIMEP University, where participants discuss new research and approaches to advancing education.