KBTU Project Earns International Recognition at the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026!

The initiative “AI-Powered Lifelong Learning for SDGs”, developed by the SDG Center and the Department of SDG Projects at KBTU's Academy of Corporate Education, has earned prestigious international recognition in the Lifelong Learning category at the global QS Reimagine Education Awards 2026.

The QS Reimagine Education Awards are renowned globally for their rigorous evaluation, high competition, and strong emphasis on transformative educational innovations. Out of more than two thousand global submissions, KBTU’s project successfully navigated four stringent evaluation rounds, earning high praise from an international panel of over fifteen hundred experts in higher education and educational technology.

At its core, the project addresses a critical regional challenge by bridging the gap between traditional academic instruction and the rapidly evolving demands of the modern workforce. In today's fast-changing economic environment, professionals require actionable expertise in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and green technologies.

Distinguishing itself from standard continuing education offerings, KBTU's model is built upon internal applied research. Course curricula are directly informed by the ongoing work of the university's research units, including the AGI Lab and IoT Lab, alongside collaborative initiatives with the ISSAI institute at Nazarbayev University and the University of Salerno in Italy. Learners engage directly with live digital tools, ranging from computer vision algorithms and decision-making models to circular economy indexing and smart city management tools.

The international rigor of the curriculum is sustained through deep academic alliances with prominent European institutions. Programs are co-designed alongside the University of Salerno in Italy, Tallinn University of Technology in Estonia, and the Janser HR / TÜV Rheinland Academy in Germany, providing regional learners with direct access to benchmarked credentials.
The initiative demonstrates substantial cross-sector reach by convening diverse learning groups onto a single institutional platform. Participants include undergraduate and graduate students, corporate leaders, and municipal civil servants trained through the Smart City Lab for the Almaty city administration. Furthermore, the project advances a vital social mission through its partnership with the European Union and UNDP in the Afghan Women's Education Initiative.

Earning global acclaim on this platform marks a major milestone for the future trajectory of both the university and the broader region. It reinforces KBTU's standing as a premier scientific and educational hub in Central Asia capable of driving innovation at the intersection of AI and sustainable development. Over time, the project establishes a framework for stackable micro-credentials, facilitating flexible learning pathways and enhancing workforce mobility. Integrating university R&D into municipal and industrial operations will continue to accelerate regional digitalization and sustainable growth.

The finals and official awards ceremony will take place during the QS Reimagine Education Conference 2026 from December 6 to 8 in London, UK.