Month: September 2026

NEW YORK, Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation will become a regional partner of the Global Autism Advocacy Coalition (GAAC) and will establish a hub for the countries of Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The new platform will bring together the expertise of international and regional organizations to develop systemic support for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

The hub’s primary objective will be to adapt and implement international practices in line with the specific characteristics of the countries in the region. It will unite specialists, relevant organizations, and government representatives to facilitate the exchange of expertise, and promote broader access to evidence-based approaches, research, and data.

GAAC was established in 2025 at the United Nations headquarters in New York with the participation of Qatar Foundation, Autism Speaks, the World Health Organization, and UNICEF. The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation was a founding member of the Coalition. The creation of the regional hub marks the next stage of the Foundation’s cooperation with GAAC and will enable the further advancement of the Coalition’s initiatives.

The regional GAAC model for Central Asia and the South Caucasus was presented by Almaz Sharman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, in New York in September 2026, during the UN General Assembly.

“For the sustainable development of support systems for people with autism, it is not enough to have proven solutions – it is equally important to create the conditions for their adaptation and implementation in accordance with national and regional contexts,” said Almaz Sharman.

The foundation for this work will be the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation’s many years of experience implementing the ‘Autism. One World for All’ program under which 13 Asyl Miras autism centers operate across 12 cities in Kazakhstan, supporting more than 17,500 children with ASD. The program encompasses the development of diagnostics and early intervention, specialist training, and the introduction of new support models.

“In recent years, Kazakhstan has accumulated significant practical experience in supporting children with autism and their families, in large part thanks to the specialists at the Asyl Miras autism centers. It is important to us that the knowledge gained in Kazakhstan becomes part of the international dialogue,” said Ainur Karbozova, CEO, Bulat Utemuratov Foundation.

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-bulat-utemuratov-foundation-and-gaac-to-establish-a-regional-autism-hub-for-central-asia-and-the-south-caucasus-302892912.html

The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation unveiled the deployment of 460 million tenge, (around USD 1 million) towards the gasification of residential private properties in Almaty. Undertaken in collaboration with the Akimat of the city of Almaty (Office of the Mayor), the joint venture seeks to upgrade city infrastructure, elevate residential living standards, and boost air quality across the city.

Photo Credit: Bulat Utemuratov Foundation

The Akimat of the city of Almaty, has agreed to examine private properties, liaise with occupants on the connection process and deliver thorough guidance around the shift to natural gas heating. The required building and system installation work will then be handled by certified contractors.

Darkhan Satybaldy, Akim (Mayor) of Almaty, emphasized: “We continue targeted work to connect private homes to the city’s gas supply network. The requirements may vary in each case, which is why it is important to comprehensively support residents, from consultations to the actual connection, alongside technical work. The support of socially responsible businesses allows us to broaden this initiative.”

Throughout colder months, private residences using carbon-heavy fuels for heating are considerable contributors to air pollution. Moving these homes away from coal to natural gas is a key component in strengthening the air quality of Almaty.

Ainur Karbozova, CEO of the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, noted: “It is important for us to support a project aimed at developing urban infrastructure and creating more comfortable conditions for the residents of Almaty. The gasification of the private sector will enable families who are not yet connected to the gas supply system to transition to a modern heating method. We are delighted to support this city initiative.”

This gasification project further represents the Foundation’s enduring support for Almaty. Prior to this initiative, the Foundation enabled the upgrade of ventilation and air conditioning infrastructure at the National Central Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an extensive redevelopment of the Botanical Garden and the inauguration of one of the first Asyl Miras Autism Centers. As well as these projects, the Foundation reinforced the local healthcare sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, through the delivery of mobile laboratories designed to carry out PCR testing.

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bulat-utemuratov-foundation-allocates-460-million-tenge-to-support-almaty-gasification-project-302872126.html

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Sept. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Narxoz Business School has officially received joint accreditation from the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA), cementing its position among the world’s leading business schools. This dual recognition places Narxoz in the top 2% of global business education providers, alongside elite institutions such as INSEAD, London Business School, and HEC Paris.

Awarded following a rigorous evaluation by international academic leaders, the accreditation recognizes Narxoz’s commitment to high standards, innovation, and continuous development.

Andrew Main Wilson, CEO of AMBA and BGA, said: “I am delighted that Narxoz Business School has received joint AMBA and BGA accreditation. This recognition reflects the school’s commitment to high standards, innovation, and the continuous development of business education. The commission was impressed by the university’s strong academic heritage, its contribution to Kazakhstan’s overall development, and the leadership’s dedication to creating a world-class educational environment for students, alumni, and the business community.”

For Narxoz University, the milestone validates a multi-year transformation into a modern, globally competitive institution. The evaluating commission specifically highlighted the impact of the school’s International Advisory Board and its newly modernized campus infrastructure.

Kanat Kozhakhmet, President of Narxoz University, commented: “This landmark achievement confirms Narxoz’s unique ability to drive deep transformation and achieve results that meet the highest international standards. It was made possible through the long-term vision and support of our shareholder Bulat Utemuratov alongside the professionalism of our team, faculty, alumni, and partners.”

While AMBA evaluates specific program quality, including teaching standards and employer engagement, BGA assesses broader institutional strategy, culture, and societal impact.

Gulnara Kurenkeyeva, Dean of Narxoz Business School, said: “The true value of these dual accreditations is the continuous quality control. We will regularly update our curriculum, assessment methods, and technology to reflect market shifts and employer feedback, ensuring our training remains directly connected to real-world business challenges.”

Over the past 17 years, Narxoz Business School has trained over 3,000 top managers and entrepreneurs across its MBA, Executive MBA, DBA, and corporate programs. As a result of this accreditation, students and alumni will now receive complimentary lifetime membership in the global AMBA community, granting them access to a powerful network of 80,000 professionals across 150 countries.

SOURCE: https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/narxoz-business-school-earns-prestigious-joint-amba-and-bga-accreditation-joining-top-2-of-business-schools-worldwide-302869013.html?tc=eml_cleartime