On October 16, 2026, Astana hosted the International Conference titled “Admissions Exams in a Rapidly Changing World,” organized by the National Testing Center of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
ALT University was officially represented at the international forum by Shamil Askarovich Abdreshov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.
The conference brought together leaders of international educational assessment organizations, heads of national examination centers, scholars, experts, and representatives of higher education institutions. Participants included representatives from ETS and the College Board (USA), AQA Global (UK), Vretta (Canada), the Higher School of Economics (Russia), as well as experts from Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan.
During the plenary session, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, emphasized the vital importance of international knowledge exchange in educational assessment and the search for modern candidate evaluation models. Special emphasis was placed on broadening international partnerships and integrating Kazakhstan’s higher education system into the global educational landscape.
A key focal point of the conference was the paradigm shift in entrance examinations driven by rapid technological advancements. Attendees discussed transitioning from testing rote knowledge to a comprehensive assessment of applicant readiness for higher education, encompassing critical thinking, data analysis, communication skills, and adaptability.
Particular focus was directed toward the development of the Admissions Insight Test (AIT)—an initiative designed to evaluate core competencies essential for successful university-level learning. Experts also examined the impact of artificial intelligence on educational assessment, test reliability and objectivity, and strategies for adapting international best practices into national educational systems.
Nurseit Baizhanov, Director of the National Testing Center, highlighted the necessity of a scientifically grounded approach to developing evaluation tools, maintaining test material quality, and ensuring result validity. International collaborative frameworks for refining entrance examination structures were also presented during the sessions.
Throughout the thematic panels, international experts evaluated modern methodologies for assessing critical and creative thinking, academic writing, research skills, digital literacy, and AI literacy. Delegates from national examination boards of Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan presented case studies on evolving their respective university entrance models.
ALT University’s participation in this international forum supported the benchmarking of cutting-edge educational assessment standards, professional networking, and strategic alignment with global higher education trends. The insights gained will directly inform the university’s academic development and enhance the training of highly competitive transport and engineering specialists.
ALT University’s involvement in advancing modern assessment standards aligns directly with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education), while integrating innovative digital tools and solutions into the learning framework contributes to UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
Author: Aliya Yerlan
