From UNT preparation to robotics: AI solutions developed by students in Kazakhstan

University students in Kazakhstan are developing AI-powered tutors to help students prepare for the Unified National Testing (UNT), chat assistants for university dormitories, and platforms for programming robots. What challenges are these solutions designed to address, and which have already been integrated into university services, El.kz reports.

Chat Assistant Provides Guidance on Using the University Dormitory Management System

If a student accesses a university portal but does not know where to find the information they need, Dorm Helper can provide guidance. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the assistant has been integrated into QyzPU, the university’s dormitory management system. The chat interface can be opened using a button in the corner of the screen, allowing students to request instructions directly from the page where they encounter a problem.

The assistant is based on the user manual for the university’s information system. Accordingly, it has a clearly defined purpose: to explain how to use the service and answer questions related to student accommodation. It supports communication in Kazakh, Russian and English.

Students at the same university have also developed iHelpDesk, a solution designed to digitalise university services, and Avatar QyzPU, a digital avatar representing the university.

What students have developed for school graduates

At the university, Zerde AI is described as a digital tutor designed to help students prepare for the Unified National Testing (UNT). Another solution, Aqyl AI, is intended to serve as an educational platform for school students. The Ministry has included both projects among the solutions that can support UNT preparation.

Preparing for the examination also involves addressing organisational and procedural questions. AI-Talapker, a chatbot developed by the National Testing Centre, provides information about the UNT and university admission procedures. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education cites it as a separate example of AI application in education. While the digital tutor focuses on examination preparation, the consultation chatbot helps users navigate the relevant procedures.

How AI Can Help Teachers Evaluate and Improve Lessons

A team at QyzPU has developed the AI-Lesson Study platform for teachers and students undertaking teacher training. The platform is based on the Lesson Study approach, a collaborative professional development methodology. Teachers jointly plan lessons, observe how students engage with learning activities, and subsequently discuss what aspects of the teaching process could be improved.

The platform provides a single digital environment for managing the entire process, from lesson planning to the analysis of classroom observations. It also uses artificial intelligence to provide methodological recommendations. The project was developed at the Digital Lady Technology Park, with the participation of software engineer Ramazan Baysultan and Lesson Study research lead Lyazzat Rsalina.

Students at the same university have developed solutions addressing other areas as well. IncluLearn AI focuses on inclusive education, StepCash AI promotes financial literacy among university students, and NavIQ helps users identify suitable fields of study and potential career paths. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, students at the university have developed 20 AI-related projects.

How AI-Sana Supports the Transition from Student Projects to Practical Implementation

Under the AI-Sana programme, students in Kazakhstan learn to apply artificial intelligence to challenges within their respective fields of study, ranging from agricultural data analysis to the development of digital services for higher education institutions. According to the Government, 515 solutions are currently undergoing testing and implementation. The next phase of the programme is scheduled for 2027. During this phase, promising teams are expected to receive support in transforming their developments into technology start-ups, with the involvement of Astana Hub and Alem.AI.

Daniil Rush and Zhangir Satmyrza, students at Baitursynuly University, have developed an AI-powered system that identifies potential signs of plant diseases using images captured in agricultural fields, including images taken by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The analysis enables users to identify areas of cultivated land that should be prioritised for further inspection.

How Universities in Kazakhstan Are Preparing Students to Apply AI in Their Professional Fields

In his Address to the Nation on 28 October, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified the development of an AI-driven digital economy as one of Kazakhstan’s national priorities. Higher education institutions are already preparing for these changes. Students are acquiring practical skills in the use of AI tools and exploring how to apply them to professional tasks in their respective fields, whether analysing crop conditions or developing digital services for universities.