NIS IB Astana: 15 Years of Inspiration and Educational Transformation

The Nazarbayev Intellectual School in Astana hosted the international conference “NIS IB ASTANA: 15 Years of Inspiration and Educational Transformation”, dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the school.

The event brought together more than 350 participants — educators, researchers, alumni, and experts from Kazakhstan and abroad.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks from Kuralay Tleuberdievna Akhmadiyeva, School Principal, and Anuar Kanatovich Zhangozin, Chairman of the Board of the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools AEO. They highlighted the significance of the 15-year journey of the NIS network and outlined strategic priorities for its future development.

At the plenary session, international speakers — Kiz Allen (Academic Manager, IBSCA, Oxford), Francesco Banchini (CEO of the European Azerbaijan School, Chair of the Association of IB Schools in the Caucasus and Central Asia), and Helen Tims (international educator and curriculum expert) — shared insights on intellectual leadership, current trends in pedagogy, and the evolution of the IB model of education.

The conference program featured master classes, breakout sessions, and poster presentations focusing on key issues in contemporary education, including student agency, inclusivity, academic integrity, emotional well-being, and the role of artificial intelligence in learning.

The final part of the event included a discussion panel titled “Birinshiler bastauy” (“The Beginning of the Firsts”), where the school’s founding teachers and alumni reflected on the early days of NIS and the introduction of the IB program.

The conference concluded with a symbolic performance of the traditional kuy “Balbyrauyn” by the panelists and the IB Mura Orchestra, representing the harmony of tradition and innovation.

In the closing ceremony, Anuar Kanatovich Zhangozin presented letters of appreciation to 54 teachers who have been serving at the school for over ten years, and the “Honored IB Teacher of the Nazarbayev Intellectual School” medals to five educators who stood at the origins of the school — Balnur Seitkadyrovna, Arman Imansharipov, Saule Ramazanovna, Yerbol Amankeldin, and Leila Murzagalieva.

Partner organizations also presented memorable gifts:
– The NIS Board of Directors, Center for Educational Programs, and Center for Pedagogical Measurements gifted a modern color printer;
– The Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools AEO donated a set of musical instruments and equipment;
– The Center for Pedagogical Excellence provided a free subscription to an online library featuring more than 600 methodological publications.

The conference became a symbol of professional unity, knowledge exchange, and inspiration — bringing together generations of teachers, researchers, and alumni of NIS.