Dates: 21 - 23 December 2026
Venue: Astana, Kazakhstan
NJSC «Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University»
Conference objective: to discuss current trends and strategic directions in the development of higher education; exchange experience and best practices in implementing educational policies, strengthening university–industry collaboration, developing educational ecosystems, introducing innovative approaches to educational content, and fostering future-oriented competencies.
Particular attention during the conference will be given to the presentation and discussion of the intermediate results of the EduFusion NSG project, obtaining feedback from external stakeholders, including representatives of the project's key target groups, and discussing prospects for the further implementation of the project.
The outcomes of the discussions, together with participants’ proposals and recommendations, will be used to improve specific areas of activity, implementation mechanisms, and project strategies, as well as to ensure the project’s continued alignment with the current needs of the higher education system and its stakeholders.
Organizers:
· NJSC «Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University»
· NJSC «Karaganda National Research University named after аcademician Ye.A. Buketov»
· EDUFUSION NSG Project Consortium
The conference is held with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Conference Languages: Kazakh, Russian, and English.
Participants:
· faculty members of higher and technical and vocational education institutions;
· university leaders and staff;
· representatives of government bodies and organizations;
· representatives of enterprises and industry partners;
· representatives of professional and public organizations;
· master’s and doctoral students;
· researchers and education professionals;
· other interested stakeholders.
Main Conference Themes:
Section 1. Government Policy and Institutional Reforms in Higher Education
Current priorities in national education policy; institutional transformation of higher education; contemporary mechanisms for quality assurance; development of universities in the context of globalization, digitalization, and social change.
Section 2. University–Industry Collaboration Models and the Development of Educational Ecosystems
University–industry partnerships; corporate learning; dual education; workforce development aligned with labor market needs; mechanisms for engagement with industry partners; development of university–industry ecosystems.
Section 3. Innovations in Educational Content and the Development of Future Skills
Innovative educational technologies; digitalization of education; artificial intelligence in education; interdisciplinary and STEAM education; project-based learning; development of professional and transferable competencies among students and faculty members.
Round Table for All Participants: Faculty Professional Development and Evaluation of the Results of the EduFusion NSG Project Implementation.
The round table will provide an opportunity to discuss the intermediate results of the project, identified best practices, emerging challenges and barriers, as well as proposals from external stakeholders and representatives of the project's target groups.
Forms of Participation
In-Person Participation allows to:
· attend the conference events and activities;
· deliver a presentation at the plenary session;
· deliver a presentation at a thematic session;
· publish an article in the Conference Proceedings;
· conduct a master class on an innovative educational practice;
· present and share their teaching experience;
· participate in the round table;
· take part in excursions and study visits to enterprises and partner organizations in the region.
Remote Participation allows to:
· deliver a presentation remotely;
· publish an article in the Conference Proceedings.
Inclusive Participation
The conference is organized in accordance with the principles of inclusiveness, equal access, and non-discrimination.
The organizers are committed to ensuring meaningful and full participation for all registered participants, including persons with disabilities and other participants who may require reasonable accommodations.
The preparation and organization of the conference will include:
· ensuring physical accessibility of the main conference venues;
· providing opportunities to participate in selected events remotely or in a hybrid format;
· providing essential organizational information in accessible formats;
· taking participants’ individual needs into account when planning their participation;
· creating appropriate conditions for participation in plenary sessions, thematic sessions, round tables, and master classes.
Participants who require specific accommodations to take part in the conference are encouraged to indicate their needs in the registration form.
Conference Proceedings
Following the conference, the organizers plan to prepare and publish Conference Proceedings, including articles and other materials selected by the Organizing Committee.
The Conference Proceedings will be assigned the relevant UDC, BBK, and ISBN identifiers.
An electronic version of the Conference Proceedings is planned to be made available on the official website of Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University: https://kazatu.edu.kz.
The Organizing Committee reserves the right to select materials for publication in the Conference Proceedings.
There is no conference registration fee.
Submission Deadlines and Registration
To participate in the conference, by 15 October 2026 participants are required to complete the Registration form and are invited to submit the full text of the article, prepared in accordance with the specified formatting requirements.
Proposals for master classes and presentations showcasing teaching or innovative practices must also be submitted by 15 October 2026.
All materials should be sent to the Organizing Committee by email: midterm.conference@gmail.com
Participants are encouraged to use the following file naming convention:
· Surname_Registration
· Surname_Article
· Surname_MasterClass
