Regional Infoday of the Erasmus+ Programme and Technical Assistance Mission (TAM) Conference on “AI in Higher Education”

On 21-22 May 2026, the Erasmus+ Regional Information Day and the Conference “Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Higher Education” were held in Astana at Seifullin University. The event was organized by the National Erasmus+ Office in Kazakhstan with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

The event served as the largest regional platform for discussing higher education development, international cooperation, and the integration of AI technologies into higher education. It brought together more than 300 representatives of ministries, universities, National Erasmus+ Offices, researchers, and members of the Higher Education Reform Experts (HERE) teams from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Among the participants were representatives of 57 higher education institutions from 17 cities across Kazakhstan, as well as 14 universities from 8 cities in Central Asian countries. The event also welcomed experts from the European Union, including:

• Dominguez Parrado Maria Sol, Project Officer, EACEA
• Matteo Testa, Project Manager-Senior Credential Evaluator, CIMEA Naric Italia
• Martin Ebner, Head of the Service Department Educational Technology at Graz University of Technology, Austria (online)

The participants were welcomed by Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who set the strategic tone and overall context for the event. In his address, he highlighted the key challenges and opportunities arising from the rapid advancement of AI for higher education systems and emphasized the importance of preparing a new generation of professionals for the digital economy.

H. E. Aleska Simkić, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Kazakhstan, stressed the importance of further strengthening cooperation between the European Union and the countries of Central Asia. She underscored the significant role of the Erasmus+ Programme in fostering international partnerships, promoting academic mobility, and strengthening connections between people and nations.

The participants and guests were also welcomed by Kanat Tireuov, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Seifullin University. In his remarks, he highlighted the importance of hosting the event for the region and acknowledged the contribution of the Erasmus+ Programme to the university’s internationalization, the development of international cooperation, and the enhancement of educational quality.

Welcome addresses were also delivered by representatives of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, reflecting the high level of regional cooperation and the strong commitment of Central Asian countries to the joint development of a common higher education space.

The programme was structured around two thematic pillars. The first day focused on the Erasmus+ Programme and its contribution to the modernization of higher education in Central Asia, as well as to the development of international partnerships. The second day was dedicated to the integration of AI into teaching and learning processes and university governance.

Throughout the two-day event, an exhibition of Erasmus+ projects and AI-related initiatives was on display. 23 universities from Kazakhstan showcased their achievements, presenting successful examples of international project implementation and innovative AI-based solutions.

A special highlight of the programme was a study visit to Astana IT University for representatives from Central Asia and the European Union. During the visit, participants were introduced to the university’s latest developments and innovations in the fields of AI and digital technologies.

One of the key outcomes of the event was the signing ceremony of cooperation memoranda between Seifullin University and leading universities from across Central Asia. The new agreements are aimed at strengthening academic partnerships, expanding research collaboration, and implementing joint educational initiatives. The memoranda were signed with Ala-Too International University, the International University of Kyrgyzstan, Osh State University, Salymbekov University, Kulob State University named after A. Rudaki, Namangan State Technical University, Sarbon University, and Karaganda Industrial University.

Key outcomes of the event:

1. Practical guidance was provided on preparing competitive project proposals, as well as on the effective management and implementation of international projects.
2. Regional ties were strengthened, and new opportunities for cooperation among higher education institutions and other stakeholders were created through the exchange of experience, networking, and discussions on prospective partnerships.
3. The impact of AI on the implementation of the objectives of the Bologna Process and the fundamental principles of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) was examined, including issues related to quality assurance and academic integrity.
4. The event provided a platform for meaningful dialogue among representatives of the Ministries of Central Asian countries, the expert community, researchers, and other stakeholders on the opportunities and risks associated with the use of AI in higher education.
5. Key approaches and recommendations were formulated for the responsible, ethical, and human-centred integration of AI technologies into higher education policies and practices, in line with the values and principles of the Bologna Process.

Recommendations based on the outcomes of the event

As a result of the regional event, participants from the Central Asian countries formulated the following recommendations:

1. To transition towards a new logic of internationalization that requires stronger regional cooperation by moving beyond traditional mobility models towards integrated educational ecosystems. In this context, transnational education should be viewed as the next stage in the evolution of academic mobility, encompassing the mutual recognition of qualifications, harmonized quality assurance mechanisms, shared digital infrastructure, strategic partnerships among higher education institutions, and coordinated policy frameworks.
2. To strengthen regional cooperation in Central Asia in response to increasing global competition by building on successful international examples where strong regions unite and collaborate effectively, such as the EU, ASEAN, EUI, and AUN initiatives in higher education, enhanced regional collaboration can strengthen the global competitiveness, resilience, and international visibility of Central Asian higher education systems and institutions. Additionally, establish a Central Asian higher education network on AI to facilitate the exchange of expertise, joint research initiatives, shared educational resources, and regional policy dialogue.
3. Develop a conceptual framework outlining the principles for the use of AI in higher education as a foundation for national and institutional policies.
4. Develop and utilize AI avatars for MOOC courses.
5. Broaden approaches and perspectives in AI research and application. For example, explore the relationship between AI and the environment, including the large amounts of water used to cool data-processing systems. What mechanisms exist for water reuse and recycling? This highlights the need to initiate interdisciplinary research into related and indirect impacts associated with the implementation of AI.
6. Recognise mathematics as a fundamental pillar for the development of AI. In this regard, it is essential to strengthen education in mathematical disciplines, including both fundamental mathematical sciences and the training of mathematics teachers. As a practical measure, educational institutions are encouraged to develop AI-generated assignments containing intentional errors that students are required to identify, analyse, and correct. Furthermore, greater emphasis should be placed on the teaching of mathematics, data analysis, computational thinking, and related disciplines as the foundation for AI development and digital transformation. Efforts should also be made to support the modernisation of mathematics education and the continuous professional development of STEM educators.
7. The challenges related to the implementation of AI in higher education across Central Asia are highly similar; therefore, solutions can also be developed collaboratively. The stronger each individual country becomes, the stronger the region as a whole will be.
8. Support the development of national and institutional strategies for the responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence in higher education. Such strategies should address issues related to academic integrity, data protection, quality assurance, inclusiveness, digital ethics, and the impact of AI on teaching, learning, and research processes.Universities in Central Asia should focus not only on the adoption of AI technologies, but also on building educational ecosystems where AI systems are transparent and trustworthy.
9. Establish AI innovation centers and interdisciplinary research centers in universities that bring together researchers, students, industry, and government institutions to provide practical AI solutions to solve national and regional problems.
10. Enhance digital and AI-related capacities of higher education institutions by investing in modern digital infrastructure, staff development, and innovative teaching methodologies. Special attention should be given to strengthening digital competencies among academic staff and students, particularly in regional universities and institutions with limited technological resources.
11. Promote interdisciplinary approaches to artificial intelligence by integrating AI-related topics across various academic disciplines, including education, engineering, social sciences, environmental studies, healthcare, and public administration. Universities should encourage research on the broader societal, environmental, and ethical implications of AI technologies.
12. Encourage the use of AI-driven educational tools and digital learning resources, including AI-supported online courses, adaptive learning systems, virtual laboratories, and digital educational assistants, while ensuring that such technologies complement rather than replace critical thinking, creativity, and human interaction in education.
13. Preserve the central role of educators in the learning process. AI should augment, rather than replace, teachers. HEIs should ensure a “human-in-the-loop” approach, avoid fully automated assessment systems, and use AI as a tool to support pedagogy while maintaining meaningful human interaction in education.
14. Promote wider participation of universities, students, researchers, and young professionals in Erasmus+, Horizon projects and other global partnerships related to digital transformation, innovation, and AI and support the creation of thematic regional consortia among Central Asian universities for the joint development and implementation of projects in priority areas of higher education.
15. Support stronger cooperation between universities, government institutions, private sector actors, and international partners to ensure that higher education reforms and AI-related initiatives respond to labour market needs, technological developments, and national development priorities.
16. Ensure that the implementation of AI in higher education contributes to inclusion and equal access to educational opportunities by reducing digital inequalities between urban and rural regions and supporting access for vulnerable and underrepresented groups.
17. Promote continuous dialogue and exchange of experiences among Central Asian countries regarding the implementation of AI in higher education, including the sharing of good practices, policy approaches, research outcomes, and innovative educational solutions through similar Erasmus+ regional Infodays.

The regional event demonstrated the strong commitment of Central Asian countries to international academic cooperation, digital transformation, innovation, and the development of resilient higher education systems. It confirmed that collaboration, dialogue, and a shared vision are key drivers in building a more interconnected, inclusive, and future-oriented academic community across the region.

The programme of the event is available here.

Presentations from the event are available here.

Photos from the event are available here.

Recording of the event is available here.