ALMATY, Kazakhstan, May 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Narxoz University, a leading private university in Kazakhstan and member of Bulat Utemuratov’s Group, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a ground-breaking partnership with Queen’s University Belfast, a Russell Group university, to еstablish a branch at Narxoz’s new campus. The branch will provide students in Kazakhstan with access to Queen’s University’s academic programs.
Photo Credit: Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
The agreement, signed at a ceremony attended by Lord David Cameron, British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, and former UK Prime Minister, marks a significant milestone in Narxoz’s history. Since 2007, the university embarked on a transformation journey, initiated and overseen by Bulat Utemuratov, to develop into a world-class institution through investment into academia, infrastructure and international partnerships. The new partnership strengthens the relationship between Queen’s and Narxoz, building on their double degree agreement which was announced earlier this year.
Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, said: “In line with the President’s vision to establish branches of international universities in Kazakhstan, it is significant that we are signing a partnership agreement with a Russell Group university at the time of Lord Cameron’s official visit. This signing ceremony is a key moment in Narxoz University’s history and forms part of the wider trend of leading foreign universities actively opening branches in our country. I am confident this partnership will contribute to our continuous efforts to provide world-class education and foster the development of science and innovation in Kazakhstan.”
Nola Hewitt-Dundas, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Queen’s University Belfast, outlined: “As an international University, Queen’s University Belfast is delighted to partner with Narxoz University, and this partnership builds on the excellent relationships we have developed with students and university staff. We are confident that Narxoz University students will excel in their studies and through engaging with our staff and other students from across the world, become future leaders across all areas of society in Kazakhstan.”
Miras Daulenov, President of Narxoz University, added: “Our partnership with Queen’s University Belfast is an example of effective collaboration with a top university. I am confident that the partnership between Narxoz and Queen’s University will boost the training of leaders and industry experts, promote cultural exchange, and strengthen the country’s profile as an educational hub in the region.”
Elena Rybakina won the WTA-500 tournament in Stuttgart, Germany.
In the final, the Kazakhstan’s No.1 defeated world’s No. 27 Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk, with confidence, 6:2, 6:2. For 1 hour and 9 minutes of playing time the Kazakh managed to realize four break points out of six.
In the semifinals, Elena defeated world’s No.1 Iga Swiatek and thereby interrupted her potential hat-trick (the Pole won in Stuttgart in 2022 and 2023).
Photo: Kazakhstan Tennis Federation
For winning the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2024, Rybakina received 500 ranking points and a Porsche car. At the awards ceremony following the match, Elena thanked her team, coach and President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Bulat Utemuratov, who flew to Stuttgart to support Rybakina:
President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev congratulated Elena Rybakina on her victory ( http://t.me/aqorda_resmi).
Elena won her first title on the WTA Tour in 2019, which was the WTA 250 tournament in Bucharest. In 2020, she won the WTA 250 event in Hobart. In 2022, Rybakina became the Wimbledon champion. The year 2023 brought her two WTA 1000 trophies – Indian Wells and Rome. Earlier this year, Elena won the WTA 500 in Brisbane, followed by the victory in the event in Abu Dhabi a month later.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, April 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On 2 April, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation marked World Autism Day by announcing it would be using the month to raise awareness of autism. This initiative forms part of its wider mission to develop and implement a progressive support system to improve the quality of life of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
Over the month of April, the Foundation’s Asyl Miras Autism Centers, which operate in 12 cities across Kazakhstan, will hold open days to educate visitors about ASD. Activities will include site tours for those who want to learn about ASD, including regional state officials, activists, and others. Additionally, there will be practical seminars for parents, teachers and specialists across the health, social welfare, and education sectors.
Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation said, “In recent years we have seen an increase in parents requesting autism diagnostic consultations for their children. This growth in awareness among parents is a positive trend, as there is a direct correlation between early autism detection and higher chances of a child’s successful integration into society.”
Over the last decade, around 16,000 families raising children with ASD have used the services of the centers, and most recently the Foundation launched three new Asyl Miras Centers in Karaganda, Astana and Semey, where all the services are provided free of charge. The Foundation’s resource center which was established in 2022 oversees the activities of the autism centers and is responsible for providing support and training to social workers.
Further, the Foundation has also placed video ads on billboards across the country aimed at educating the public on the early diagnosis of autism and will conduct trainings for airports’ personnel so ground staff can identify passengers with ASD and create an inclusive environment.
According to the World Health Organization, around 1 in 100 children has autism, and there remains an urgent need to correct the misconception that autism is a disease, rather than a condition that can be managed through educational and training programs. Effective ASD management can significantly improve the social skills of children with the condition, and the Foundation remains committed to supporting Kazakhstanis with autism.
Developed by a domestic programme that has grown over the past 20 years, Kazakhstan has produced a Wimbledon champion
Polskiy believes the Asian era in tennis is not far off, as the continent is already producing a large number of talented players
New Asian Tennis Federation president Yuriy Polskiy believes his federation’s members need to start looking beyond their own borders to help the sport grow | Photo: ATF
When tennis boss Kitsombat Euammongkol stepped down from his role as head of the governing body for the game in Asia last December, the regional federation turned to Kazakhstan for its next leader.
Yuriy Polskiy, vice-president of his country’s tennis federation, was handed the task of building on Kitsombat’s tenure, and raising the profile of the game in the continent.
In one respect, Polskiy came in with an advantage the likes of Kitsombat and board member Philip Mok Kwan-yat, the former Hong Kong Tennis Association president, never had.
While Hong Kong has hosted the game’s best players from the ATP and WTA tours, it had, until recently, lacked the players to make an impact on the world stage.
Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina won the Wimbledon singles title in 2022 | Photo: Kyodo
Kazakhstan, in contrast, has a Wimbledon champion in Elena Rybakina, developed by a domestic programme that has grown rapidly over the past 20 years.
It has also produced highly ranked male players such Alexander Bublik, who has won four ATP Tour singles titles and reached as high as No 18 on the tour.
Polskiy believes it is that achievement that led to his becoming the new president of the Asian Tennis Federation (ATF), and one he hopes to help others replicate during his time at the helm.
“From a country where tennis was just starting to develop, we became a country that was home to grand slam winners,” the 36-year-old said.
“We are trusted because we were successful in creating a functioning, sustainable system for developing players and the sport, and we can share our expertise with others.”
Asia is not without its stars. China has had Li Na and Peng Shuai; before Naomi Osaka there was Kimiko Date from Japan; and Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan was the first man born in the region to crack the world top 10.
But the pipeline has not always enjoyed a constant flow, and until Coleman Wong reached the main draw of the Miami Open, no man from Hong Kong had reached that stage at a Masters 1000 tournament before.
Developing the game beyond the occasional success is certainly at the heart of Polskiy’s role, and he believes his federation’s members need to start looking beyond their own borders as part of that growth.
“Many large Asian countries, such as Japan, China, India, Thailand and South Korea, have traditionally focused more on domestic, rather than international, tournaments,” he said.
Coleman Wong became the first man from Hong Kong to reach the main draw of a Masters 1000 tournament at the Miami Open | Photo: AFP
“We are trying to change this. We are working to make countries more open, to get them to host more international tournaments and to send their players to other regions of Asia more often.”
Investment is key to that, and while countries spend money trying to attract the game’s elite, he wants money focused further down the pyramid, as Kazakhstan did when it was taking tennis from being something considered “exotic and inaccessible” into the mainstream.
“One of our main objectives is to get other members of our Asian family to embrace the idea of creating and integrating a sustainable system for the development of tennis, from the construction of courts to the establishment of a support and motivation programme for juniors,” he said. “This is the foundation that will make it possible to prepare new generations of players.”
China has made the growth of youth tennis one of its main priorities, and the Hong Kong, where the federation has its headquarters, has a strong infrastructure built alongside its ability to host its Open tournaments.
Still, Polskiy is little more than three months into his initial four-year term, and laying the groundwork for what he hopes to achieve has taken up much of his time since.
That does not mean he has not outlined his main goals for the year, one of which is to try to secure an Asian qualifier for one of the game’s four grand slams.
He and his team also have designs on building on the foundation for junior tournaments in the region, doubling those available for under-14s and adding another 30 to the schedule for the best at the under-16 level.
“This kind of intraregional competition would, on the one hand, greatly reduce the cost of player development and, on the other hand, enrich the entire region by spreading a greater variety of styles and approaches to the game,” he said.
Yuriy Polskiy wants money focused further down the pyramid rather than just the elite | Photo: ATF
Polskiy, who began his journey in 2014 as the CFO at the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF), said success, both short and long-term, would be ensuring the ATF was “financially secure and has the necessary resources to develop tennis in the region”.
The annual US$1 million grant from Bulat Utemuratov, vice-president of the International Tennis Federation and president of the KTF, would certainly help with that. And Polskiy said some of the funds would be used to pay for players’ travel costs.
It is not just the elite of the game he wants to help; success for the new president would also mean children in the region having a legitimate expectation of being able to pursue a career in the game.
“I believe that the Asian era in tennis is not far off, as Asia is already producing a large number of talented players,” he said. “I will consider it a huge success if we can make sure that every child playing tennis in Asia believes in their tennis dream and believes in what they can accomplish.”
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, April 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On April 1, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation donated $1.5 million to help the victims of severe flooding across 12 regions of Kazakhstan.
Photo Credit: Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan / PRNewsfoto / Bulat Utemuratov Foundation
The snowmelt floods, caused by abrupt and unexpected warm weather, have affected thousands of people. At least 19,000 people, including more than 8,000 children, have been rescued and evacuated, while residential and commercial buildings, as well as roads and bridges, have been destroyed. Emergency rescue operations continue in the Aktobe, Akmola, Pavlodar and West Kazakhstan regions, which have suffered significant damage.
“Today, like millions of our fellow citizens, we empathize deeply with those people whose lives have been devastated in the flood-affected regions. We hope that these funds will enable them to purchase basic necessities and provide vital support during these challenging times”, said Marat Aitmagambetov, Director of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation provides humanitarian assistance to Kazakhstanis affected by natural and man-made disasters, and since 2018, in conjunction with the Red Crescent and ForteBank, has provided targeted financial support to victims of flooding.
Over 6 years, the Foundation’s Aid Card project in particular, has provided financial aid to people in areas affected by disasters including floods, fires, and dam failure, and more than 16,000 Kazakhstani people have received targeted financial support. In total, the Aid Card project has provided $2.6 million in financial assistance.
Since the Foundation’s inception, Kazakhstan has experienced numerous natural disasters, and the Foundation recognizes the importance of forming partnerships with other organizations to address them. The Foundation remains focused on allocating funds to those most in-need and is well-positioned to continue supporting the people of Kazakhstan.
Yuriy Polskiy, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation and President of the Asian Tennis Federation – Photo Credit | KTF
Elena Rybakina’s victory at Wimbledon in 2022 was a milestone for tennis in Kazakhstan. Her success caused a mixed reaction, however, raising questions among many observers.
Where were all the tennis players who had been developed in Kazakhstan? Would any of the juniors trained at tennis centres across the country be able to play for national teams, and did Kazakhstan even have a pool of homegrown talent?
To answer these questions, you just need to look at the world rankings. Ten Kazakhstanis finished the 2023 season in the top 100. While some of the players that compete for Kazakhstan in the professional rankings were born elsewhere, all the players in the junior rankings were born and trained in Kazakhstan. Amir Omarkhanov, who in 2024 became the first Kazakh player to ever reach the Australian Open Junior Championship quarterfinals, is ranked 16th in the ITF junior rankings, and Asylzhan Arystanbekova, who made it to the quarterfinals at the junior doubles tournament this year is ranked 53th.
In 2022, Kazakhstan’s 14U team competed for the first time at a world team championship, where they reached the semi-finals. At the Billie Jean King Cup Juniors Finals in Córdoba, Spain, the Kazakhstani team finished in 9th place among the best 16 teams in the world. This was the first-ever world championship competition for Kazakhstan’s 16U girls team. Meanwhile, the 16U boys team also finished in the top 10 at their debut world championship. Even back in 2021, juniors from Kazakhstan won a record 37 ITF Juniors tournaments in singles and doubles and reached the finals in 44 others. In Tennis Europe 14 & Under tournaments, players from Kazakhstan won 19 tournaments and reached the finals in 15 more.
These achievements would not have been possible, of course, without proper training and, most importantly, accessible infrastructure. Players who are now 14–16 years old began playing tennis about 10 years ago. Bulat Utemuratov, President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation (KTF), played a key role in making tennis accessible to children when he became head of the Federation in 2007. Not long after taking over leadership of the KTF, Utemuratov spearheaded an ambitious effort to build state-of-the-art tennis facilities across the country. Home to only 7 tennis centres and 60 courts in 2007, Kazakhstan now boasts 48 modern facilities with 364 courts, most of which are indoors.
According to the KTF, the average hourly cost for court rental has decreased from $50 in 2007 to $10 at present. The number of children playing tennis has grown from 900 in 2007 to 30,000 in 2023, and 3,500 of the most talented young players are given an opportunity to train free of charge and have access to the equipment they need as well as tournament support.
In addition to building the required infrastructure, the KTF has also been active at every level, starting with grassroots tennis for 5–7-year-olds.
A great deal of attention is paid to the 10 & Under Tennis project, where children learn the foundations for further growth. KTF experts attend the main tournaments for players 10 and under in order to scout the most promising players in this age group. The Federation also has a targeted programme that provides financial support for more than 100 young players aged 11–14 years old from all over Kazakhstan.
In addition, an important part of the junior development system is the Team Kazakhstan Academy, which was created in 2008 for promising juniors 14 and up. More than 300 of the country’s most talented children, juniors and young tennis players have already passed through the Academy.
The results we have seen from our junior players suggest that investments in the development of tennis infrastructure and targeted programmes for children have helped make tennis in Kazakhstan more accessible and taken it to a qualitatively new level, while also laying a solid foundation for training talented young players. They are the ones who will represent Kazakhstan at professional tournaments in the future, and the country won’t have to bring players from elsewhere.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Feb. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Since 2014, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has been steadfast in bringing together people, ideas, and resources to create valuable and sustainable solutions that move society forward. Today, it reviews its impact over the past decade and looks forward to making further progress.
Photo Credit: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation
In a decade characterized by COVID-19, natural disasters and geopolitical tensions, the Foundation has remained dynamic in allocating funds to those most in-need. During this time, it has implemented over 20 projects, and in 2023 alone spent around US$90 million on healthcare, education, infrastructure and disaster relief.
Education and culture remain central to the Foundation’s mission. Last year it funded the construction of a municipal school for 1,500 children in a suburb of Astana. Next year it will complete a public sports and cultural center of 8,500 sq m in the same area.
Other major projects include the Asyl Miras network of autism centers, which currently operate in 12 major cities across the country. Since then, the Foundation has helped 16,000 autistic children, supported by its partnerships with international experts including the Kasari Lab, and the Marcus Autism Center.
The Foundation has also provided housing for 650 families in need and financial assistance over US$2.6 million under the Aid Card program jointly with Red Crescent of Kazakhstan, to support victims of natural disasters, providing a unique case study for collaboration between non-governmental and private charity. In 2023 the Foundation provided disaster relief to victims of an earthquake in Turkey worth US$5 million and families of miners who died in the Kostenko mine worth US$1 million.
In 2024, the Foundation is set to complete construction of two more schools in the Almaty region and a new terminal for Kyzylorda Airport and donate them to society. It will also continue to contribute to school level educational development through the Young Leaders and Green School projects.
Dr. Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, commented: “The Foundation’s ten-year anniversary is testament to our dedication to improving the lives of Kazakhstanis. We initially focused on healthcare, education and culture, but now the breadth of activities has expanded, and we are proud of the Foundation’s progress. This anniversary inspires us to keep going and we are excited to achieve even more over the next decade.”
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Amir Omarkhanov, a 16-year-old tennis player from Kazakhstan, made history during his debut at the Australian Open Junior Championships. Omarkhanov, No. 27 in the ITF Junior rankings, became the first Kazakh junior player ever to reach the tournament’s quarterfinals.
In the first round, Amir sensationally defeated the tournament’s top-seeded player. However, due to a muscle strain, he couldn’t play at his best in the quarterfinals, and lost to a strong opponent.
After the match, Omarkhanov expressed gratitude to the fans, the President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation, Bulat Utemuratov, and his team for their unwavering support.
In another junior tournament held in Australia, the Asia-Pacific Elite 14U Trophy, Kazakhstan’s Eva Korysheva reached the girls’ final. Eva won all her group matches and secured a straight-set victory against an Australian player, whom she faced again in the finals. It was a highly intense and emotional match where luck ultimately favoured her opponent.
Another talented Kazakh player, Asylzhan Arystanbekova, reached the quarterfinals of the junior doubles tournament.
These victories mark significant milestones for young Kazakh players on their journey towards achieving even greater success on the international stage.
Their success on the global tennis stage is no coincidence. Since 2007, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation led by Bulat Utemuratov has built 41 modern tennis centres, increasing the number of courts in the country sixfold to 364. The number of children participating in tennis reached 30,000 last year, with 3,500 of the most talented young players being granted the opportunity to train free of charge, along with access to tennis equipment and tournament support.
The Federation also runs a targeted programme that offers financial support to more than 100 young players aged 11–14 from across Kazakhstan. Another integral component of the junior development system is the Team Kazakhstan Academy, established in 2008 for promising juniors aged 14 and older. More than 300 of the country’s most talented young players have already received training at the Academy.
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Jan. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Narxoz University, a preeminent private university in Almaty in the Republic of Kazakhstan, has entered into a historic Institutional Partnership and Double Degree Agreement with Queen’s University Belfast, a prestigious Russell Group UK university.
Photo Credit: Narxoz University
The agreement provides Narxoz students with the opportunity to study joint programs from Queen’s Business School and Narxoz School of Economics and Management in English. As part of the Double Degree program, Narxoz students can receive a degree (BSc Business Management, BSc Business Economics or BSc Finance) from Queen’s, a degree (Bachelor of Business Administration) from Narxoz University and the opportunity to undertake internships and employment with British companies.
Signed with the participation of Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Lord Malcolm Offord, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State and Minister for Exports of the United Kingdom, the agreement will further educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries.
Narxoz University has an extensive history of cooperating with British universities through joint degrees, summer schools and research. Several grant research projects were conducted in cooperation with the University of Birmingham.
Miras Daulenov, President of Narxoz University commented: “This agreement opens a new chapter for Narxoz and higher education in Kazakhstan. Narxoz has become the first university in Kazakhstan and Central Asia to form an institutional partnership with Queen’s University Belfast. The 24 Russell Group universities provide students with the best educational and research programs, and their graduates with leading international career opportunities in the private and public sectors.”
Professor M.N. Ravishankar, Dean, Queen’s Business School, Queen’s University Belfast commented: “Queen’s Business School looks forward to partnering with Narxoz University and building valuable relationships in Kazakhstan. We are a welcoming community at Queen’s, and Narxoz students will get an enriching educational and cultural experience in Northern Ireland. This Narxoz-Queen’s partnership will help both institutions nurture principled and effective leaders ready to take on the big global challenges of our times.”
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