Global Minds Meet in Astana as Nazarbayev University Hosts Landmark Conferences
In just 15 years, Nazarbayev University (NU) has transformed into one of Central Asia’s most vibrant educational and research hubs. Through large-scale conferences and research exchanges, the university not only advances science and technology but also strengthens Kazakhstan’s role in the global academic community. Over the past months — and in the year ahead — NU is hosting a series of events that span disciplines from math to nanotechnology, from energy systems to AI.
Math Without Borders: ISAAC-2025
This July, NU became the epicenter of global mathematical thought as it hosted the 15th International Congress on Analysis, Applications and Computation (ISAAC-2025) — marking the first time the prestigious event was held in Central Asia.
More than 700 participants from across the globe, including leading scientists, researchers, and young mathematicians, convened to explore modern developments, new methods, and interdisciplinary applications of mathematics.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Gonzalo Hortelano, Dean of the School of Sciences and Humanities at NU, emphasized mathematics as a truly universal language: “While English is our working language, mathematics is our second language. It is international. It requires no translation — equations and graphs are understood by any mathematician, anywhere in the world.”
For the first time, ISAAC included sessions on artificial intelligence, reflecting the field’s expansion into emerging technologies. The Congress also coincided with NU’s 15th anniversary, noted Congress Chair Professor Suragan Durvudkhan: “Perhaps most symbolically, the 15th ISAAC Congress coincided with the 15th anniversary of NU.”
Previously hosted in the US, Germany, Japan, Canada, and the UK, ISAAC’s Astana edition underscored Kazakhstan’s growing role in modern mathematics. NU also treated guests to traditional Kazakh kui on the dombra, adding cultural flair.
Powering the Future: INESS-2025
From lithium-ion batteries that power our devices today to solid-state designs that could define tomorrow, NU’s International Conference on Nanomaterials and Advanced Energy Storage Systems (INESS-2025), held this August 6-8, showcased breakthroughs that may reshape how the world uses and stores energy.
The three-day event brought together leading scientists from Asia, Europe, Africa, and North America to tackle a pressing question: What will power the phones, electric cars, and energy systems of the future?
In his opening speech, NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad reflected on INESS’s growth since its inception: “The development of nanomaterials and advanced energy storage systems stands at the heart of our efforts to create a more sustainable, efficient, and resilient future. Since the university’s founding, it has grown into a center of academic excellence, committed to advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and driving meaningful change.”
The conference program featured more than 60 presentations on advanced materials, battery technology, fuel cells, supercapacitors, electrochemical engineering, and computer modeling. It also included practical workshops and mentoring sessions for early-career researchers, underlining NU’s dedication to developing the next generation of scientists.
While researchers are pushing forward with solid-state and sodium-ion technologies, keynote speaker Professor Kiyoshi Kanamura of Tokyo Metropolitan University — a leading voice in Japan’s battery sector — noted that lithium-ion systems will remain dominant for at least another decade:
“Lithium-ion batteries remain essential, but in the future, attention will shift toward next-generation technologies, such as solid-state batteries. The challenge lies in their commercialization. Perhaps in 20 years, we’ll see entirely new battery types — but first, we must overcome many technological and scientific hurdles.”
Upcoming: Belt and Road Science Conference
From August 21 to 23, NU will host an international scientific conference on sustainable energy materials and intelligent technologies as part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This gathering will bring together top researchers, industry experts, and officials from over 150 BRI partner countries to explore topics such as renewable energy, photovoltaic systems, triboelectric nanogenerators, robotics, and smart materials.
This event carries particular symbolic weight: the BRI itself was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at NU in 2013. Since then, the university has become a key platform for international scientific cooperation and a symbol of the strategic partnership between China and Kazakhstan.
Academic partners for the upcoming conference include Beihang University, Soochow University, Shenzhen Technology University, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, alongside leading universities in Kazakhstan.
NUARC-2025: Innovation for the Next Generation
Looking further ahead, from September 17 to 19, NU will host the second Nazarbayev University Annual Research Conference (NUARC-2025) under the theme “Empowering Innovation: Nurturing Kazakhstan’s Next-Gen Researchers.”
The conference will feature poster sessions, keynote addresses, panel discussions, and interactive workshops. Participants will explore NU’s priority research areas: health and well-being, socio-economic transformation, advanced materials and technologies, artificial intelligence, energy, and environmental sustainability.
The event is open to both established experts and early-career scholars, providing a rare opportunity for interdisciplinary exchange and skill development.