On August 22, 2026, ALT University officially inaugurated Student Residence Hall No. 1 following extensive capital renovations. The facility will continue to house the Student Crisis Center, operating with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Almaty City Administration (Akimat).
The opening ceremony was attended by delegates from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Almaty Akimat, and ALT University leadership.
The Ministry was represented by Akerke Abylaikhan, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee of Higher and Postgraduate Education. The Almaty Akimat was represented by Miras Nysanaliyev, Deputy Head of the Youth Policy Department. ALT University leadership included Meruert Zharmagambetova, Chairman of the Board – Rector, and Nuriddin Balkiyuly, Chairman of the Council of Elders at M. Tynyshpayev ALT University, along with vice-rectors, administrative officers, student activists, student ombudspersons, and academic community members.
Akerke Abylaikhan emphasized that reopening the updated residence hall and sustaining the Crisis Center are vital initiatives for supporting youth relocating to Almaty for higher education:
“This is a significant milestone for us. In partnership with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Almaty Akimat, we are ensuring that students coming from other regions do not face housing instability. For four consecutive years, ALT University has championed this Ministry initiative, and we extend our sincere gratitude to the university for its commitment.”
Miras Nysanaliyev noted that the Crisis Center expands the existing framework for student welfare, addressing both domestic and broader social needs:
“Almaty is the nation’s primary academic hub. It is essential that students arriving here feel fully supported in challenging circumstances. Young people may encounter various difficulties, ranging from temporary housing loss to needing psychological or social aid. The Crisis Center serves as a safe refuge regardless of a student’s institutional affiliation. Our goal is not merely to provide short-term shelter, but to help young individuals navigate difficult transitions and successfully return to their studies and normal life.”
Meruert Zharmagambetova highlighted that ALT University considers student infrastructure an integral component of the academic ecosystem:
“To train high-caliber specialists who will serve Kazakhstan’s future, we must first provide them with dignified living conditions. We place equal emphasis on expanding academic infrastructure and enhancing student living environments. Our mission is to ensure students feel genuinely at home in our residence halls.”
Following capital renovations, Student Residence Hall No. 1 offers a capacity of 487 beds, fully equipped for living, studying, and leisure. Living quarters feature individualized sleeping and study zones for each student, complete with beds, wardrobes, and essential furnishings. Each room includes integrated kitchenette modules, allowing students to manage their daily living requirements independently.
Communal amenities include a computer-equipped reading hall, a fitness gym with showers and changing rooms, a cafeteria, utility rooms with refrigeration and water dispensers, a medical clinic, and dedicated storage units for personal luggage.
A key feature of the renovated complex is the continuation of the Student Crisis Center, for which 50 beds are specifically allocated. Entering its fourth year of operations, the center remains a key asset within Almaty’s student support framework in 2026.
The center offers temporary accommodation alongside confidential social, psychological, and administrative counseling. Assistance is available to students enrolled in any higher education institution across Almaty.
Students requiring emergency lodging contact the central Situation Center. Specialists evaluate each application, first assessing housing options at the applicant’s home institution. If the student’s university cannot provide a room, they may be accommodated at the ALT University Crisis Center, subject to availability.
This framework guarantees secure short-term housing while permanent living arrangements are finalized, preventing residential hardship from interrupting academic attendance.
Students accommodated in the Crisis Center enjoy full access to all amenities at Student Residence Hall No. 1, including study zones, kitchen modules, gym facilities, and medical care, supported by confidential and individualized case management.
The reopening of Student Residence Hall No. 1 marks another step forward in ALT University’s efforts to expand modern campus infrastructure and foster a safe, supportive educational environment. The continued operation of the Crisis Support Center strengthens Almaty’s overall student welfare system, providing a vital safety net for those facing housing emergencies.
