Kurultai: A Platform for Uniting National Interests

Shakarim University hosted a roundtable discussion titled "Kurultai: Scientific Thought, Public Dialogue, and National Interests," dedicated to discussing the outcomes of the Kurultai elections. The discussion platform, which brought together representatives from the scientific and public spheres, examined the content of the country's new stage of political development, the social significance of the election results, and upcoming tasks.

During the meeting, participants discussed the need for a professional analysis of the election results, their impact on societal development, and the importance of civic engagement and public dialogue.

The discussion was attended by Duman Orynbekov, Rector of Shakarim University; Syezbek Akhmetov, founder of the "Zhan-Er" multidisciplinary clinic; Airat Bazenov, Vice-Rector of Alikhan Bokeikhan University; Kuanysh Moldakashev, Chairman of the "Association of Intellectual Youth" Public Foundation; lawyer Aigerim Zhumakhanova; Nazigul Gazizova, Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Academician of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and expert; and Ilyas Zhumadilov, a young scientist, PhD, and Associate Professor.

Opening the discussion, Duman Orynbekov noted that one of the key missions of the academic community is to provide a scientific and expert assessment of significant social changes, analyze their causes and consequences, and reflect on future development paths. According to him, Shakarim University should serve not only as an educational and scientific center but also as a platform for open discussion of pressing social issues, where scientific thought and public opinion intersect.

Syezbek Akhmetov spoke about his meetings with residents of the region's districts and villages held during the election campaign. He noted that during these trips, he was able to hear the proposals and concerns of the population and witness the high level of activity among young people and their interest in the country's future.

Airat Bazenov focused on the reasons for the transition from a bicameral parliamentary model to a unicameral Kurultai, and outlined the features and advantages of the new representative body. According to him, the Kurultai, as the supreme representative body exercising legislative power, is intended to unite the interests of various social groups on a single political platform.

At the same time, the expert noted that the effectiveness of the new model should not be evaluated solely by the speed of lawmaking."The main criteria should be their validity, quality, viability, and alignment with real public demands. Unlike the previous two-tier model of representation and lawmaking, the new Kurultai aims to concentrate these processes within a single political space. This could facilitate more open discussion of legislative initiatives and increase accountability in decision-making.

Expert Nazigul Slyambolovna emphasized the public significance of establishing the Kurultai as a new state institution.

'The formation of any new state institution is of great importance to society. There is hope that the Kurultai will become an important representative body that will express the interests of citizens and strengthen the bond between the state and society. Its decisions and legislative initiatives will directly influence the country's social and economic development,' she noted.

According to the expert, the Kurultai faces a wide range of tasks: developing new economic sectors, creating stable jobs, effectively utilizing regional potential, improving the social conditions of rural areas, and enhancing the quality of education and healthcare. Addressing these requires long-term planning and concrete steps based on public demands and the country's strategic priorities.

In his speech, young scientist Ilyas Zhumadilov highlighted the special attention paid to education, science, and youth policy in the Head of State's reforms.

According to him, in recent years, scholarships for undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students have been gradually increased, funding for science has grown several-fold, and opportunities for young scientists—such as grant support, research internships, and the conduct of research—have expanded.

'This is a concrete manifestation of a policy in which education and science are viewed not as state expenditures, but as investments in the country's future,' said Ilyas Toganovich.

The young scientist also noted the opening of branches of leading foreign universities in Kazakhstan. In his view, despite varying assessments of this initiative at the initial stage, the presence of foreign universities today is shaping a new competitive environment in domestic education, raising requirements for the quality of education, scientific research, and compliance with international standards.

This is particularly important for regional universities, as the new competition creates incentives for improving the quality of education, expanding scientific research, and developing international cooperation.

At the end of the meeting, the participants asked the speakers questions and exchanged views on pressing issues. In particular, they touched upon the restoration of the previous time zone, lowering the retirement age for women, water scarcity, the formation of a legal culture, and the provision of benefits to citizens affected by the consequences of the Semeу nuclear test site.

The discussion demonstrated that the Kurultai elections are not just a completed political campaign, but the beginning of a new stage associated with new tasks and responsibilities in the country's development. In this process, the importance of the expert position of the scientific community, the activity of the youth, and an open dialogue between society and state institutions is increasing.