Overall results of the year: Satbayev University Rector’s report for 2022 was summed up

On December 20, there was held a reporting meeting of Satbayev University’s Rector. During the meeting, Meiram Begentayev announced the year results before the teaching staff and public as well as answered the questions.

One of the most significant events of the year was State Head’s instruction on creating the research hub of new technologies in engineering education and science on the basis of Satbayev University. The given project was included in the number of the state’s investment projects. This instruction was a recognition of the university staff’s merits.

In 2022, Satbayev University rose 100 points in the best universities’ list and ranked 405^th place in QS ranking. The amount of educational programs available to students has increased: now the university trains specialists in 117 educational programs, 96 of them have successfully passed accreditation in international and national accreditation agencies. The work is underway to update the programs and enlarge the number of Minor programs. Silver University has started working, next year it is being planned the graduation of silver IT specialists with 500,000 tenge salary.

Another important area of work is creating the digital university. This will allow us to scale our achievements in academic sphere, to advance in online education market and to enter the education market of Central Asia. In the future, University will develop both cooperation with third-party platforms and its own developments. This is how Polytech-online platform, which proved its effectiveness during the pandemic, will continue to grow. It will help not just to improve the education quality and respond promptly to changes in the labor market, but also to implement Life-long learning principle. Along with Polytech-online, SU electronic information systems are being developed, business processes are being simplified and converted into an electronic format.

One of the most crucial areas of University's work is advancement of fundamental science as the basis on which we will evolve international cooperation. University is working to make the scientific research become an integral part of educational process at National Research University. Based on "triple helix" model, Satbayev University also offers scientific expertise in identifying and solving the problems for business and government agencies and creates conditions for entrepreneurship.

In 2022, University scientists submitted a record number of applications to take part in technology commercialization contests. As a result, University and its affiliated scientific organizations approved 13 "Science Foundation" grants for a total amount of more than 3 billion tenge. This is a unique and previously unattainable result. A lot of work has been done and is being done to support young scientists: startup competitions are being held and grants are being awarded among young scientists of Polytech University. The first "Tech Startup 2022" contest in University’s history was held for students and employees separately. Next year, the work will continue on creating an ecosystem for startups that will be extended to all interested universities.

World practice shows that patents bring a significant part of the income to universities. To increase the amount of inventions made within University walls, the participation of university scientists in grant financing and contract research projects is being intensified.

In 2022, 2 projects on program-targeted financing of Science Committee for a total amount of 789 million tenge were approved for University. 25 projects totaling 1 billion 754 million tenge were won at grant funding competitions. 36 patents have been obtained and the same number of patents are being maintained. According to "Zhas Galym" project for 2022-2024, 15 projects were won for a total of 260 million tenge. Another 280 million tenge will be received as part of implementing the 4 projects submitted for young scientists’ contest. Thus, in 2022, University won 44 projects with a duration up to 2024 for a total amount of 2 billion 295 million tenge. University team is also awaiting the results of Science Committee's grant funding competitions for 2023-2025, Zhas Galym program and Young Scientists competition. The given contests’ results will be declared in January-February 2023.

Such scientific activeness has also affected the growth dynamics related to publication movement. The number of issuing in high-quality publications with high percentile indicators has considerably increased. University has elaborated a roadmap that makes it possible to augment this indicator even more. Together with Elsevier and Clarivate Analytics, University conducts seminars and trainings on the quality of publications, criteria for "predatory" journals and on affiliation adjustment.

Another direction of development is the strengthening of international collaboration. There was held a meeting with National Geological Survey of France, projects on advancing the hydrothermal potential of Zharkent thermal water basin and projects on water security of the Republic of Kazakhstan were presented as well. Cooperation offer has been received in 2023. Alongside, the program is actively working on the invitation of foreign professors, creation of double degree programs and expansion of cooperation with overseas higher educational institutions.

University infrastructure is one of the largest in the city. In 2022, owing to cooperation with Halyk Bank, a modern video surveillance and access control system was installed at the campus, which includes 14 turnstiles, all employees’ and students’ database, and 269 cameras that meet all the necessary requirements in terms of their technical characteristics. All the collected data are displayed in Single video center, where the situation on campus is monitored around the clock and thus its safety is ensured.

The campus is being actively modernized, University has carried out a significant amount of repair work on sewer networks and water supply systems. Over 40 thousand sq. m. of the university premises have been renovated. There are new conference halls, kitchen-room, co-working areas, project office, "Aksakaldar Alkassy" meeting room etc. All furniture for the university is made within its walls. Large-scale work has been fulfilled to improve the students’ living conditions. Dormitories are being upgraded: thus, changes in the design and estimate documentation of the hostel in Ladygin street will increase the number of beds from 290 to 955. With the purpose to create necessary conditions for students' educational practice, the hotel, dining room and residential houses of the training ground in Kapchagai were renovated as well.

The work is underway to increase University employees’ income and provide them with new opportunities, including the career opportunities. The geography of international internships has expanded, purchase of equipment, consumables and creation of essential infrastructure has been made.

Student self-government is an integral part of the entire university-wide management system and implements the most important functions of organizing the student life. Students elected 19 student deans, elections were held in dormitories and Student Councils’ chairpersons were elected. Students are gradually becoming University’s driving force: at the initiative of students, Student construction team was formed at University and a number of events were held that became the cultural events of Almaty and the whole country.

In 2022, the opening of "Almaty clinic" student polyclinic took place, where all interested students and staff receive medical services within the guaranteed capacity of free medical care. Among other things, medical support during the field practices, maintenance and support of all sports and academic events of University helps to keep the students’ and staff’s health.

The meeting was traditionally broadcast on social networks, at the end of the speech, Meiram Begentayev addressed the staff and students with words of gratitude for the effective work in 2022:

- Many thanks to all of you, our Satbayev University team, as well as to everyone who provides comfort and convenience of staying at our second home. In 2023, we will have to launch a flywheel for the growth of scientific activity and higher educational institutions’ economic development as well as entire sectors of the economy. And the key to realizing our mission is digital transformation! - said the Rector.

Introduction of digital universities in Kazakhstan in a pilot mode is an important task of 2023. As reported by Minister of RK Science and Higher Education Sayassat Nurbek, two universities were selected for implementing the given project.

- We are launching the large pilot project - digital university. There was made a decision related to two universities: one at the national level, the second at the regional level. Satbayev University was chosen out of national universities, and D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University – out of regional ones," Minister said.

For Satbayev University, the project on implementing the digital university model will be an inspiring challenge, since the introduction of digital economy competencies, and the digital technologies is one of University activities.  In addition, Polytech is ready to develop in this direction!