On October 14, the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace hosted Ready Player One – KazGASA Freshmen Initiation 2026, a large-scale ceremony welcoming first-year students of the International Educational Corporation (KazGASA). The event brought together modern technology, creativity, and national values, marking the beginning of a new chapter in students’ academic lives.

The ceremony was officially opened by Aigazy Kussainov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the IEC. In his welcoming address, he congratulated the freshmen on this important milestone, emphasizing the value of quality education, professional development, creativity, and the importance of contributing to the country’s future.

Congratulatory remarks were also delivered by Aziz Kazhdenbek, Head of the Almaty City Youth Policy Department; Bakhtiyar Sabdenaliyev, Rector of KazGASA; Grigory Neshatayev, a KazGASA alumnus and representative of the event’s general sponsor, BI Group; and David Liu, representative of OPPO Kazakhstan. The distinguished guests wished the students success in their studies and highlighted the importance of civic responsibility, active participation in society, and striving for new achievements. Special attention was given to preserving national values and promoting the presidential initiatives Taza Qazaqstan and Adal Azamat, which encourage integrity, responsibility, and active citizenship.

One of the main highlights of the event was a creative competition among the academy’s four schools. The School of Architecture presented the theme of Tourism, the School of Construction focused on Sports, the School of Engineering showcased Digitalization, and the School of Design explored Culture. Through theatrical performances and innovative creative concepts, students highlighted Kazakhstan’s achievements, demonstrated teamwork, and shared their vision for the country’s future. The performances were evaluated by a jury, and the best teams were recognized and awarded.

The School of Design of the International Educational Corporation (KazGASA) won the 2025 Freshman Cup. The team impressed the jury with its original concept, expressive performance, artistic talent, and strong team spirit.

The official program featured the traditional Freshmen’s Oath and a special welcome for international students. The festive atmosphere was enhanced by performances from dance teams, cheerleaders, musical groups, and young artists. A particularly meaningful moment was the collective performance of the KazGASA anthem, symbolizing the unity of the student community and the academy’s shared values.

The event was supported by BI Group as the general sponsor and OPPO Kazakhstan as an official partner, both contributing to the development of student initiatives. During the ceremony, four winners of a creative competition organized by OPPO Kazakhstan were presented with smartphones. An award ceremony was also held as part of the My Campus Planet project.

The evening’s headline performer was SHIZA, a popular Kazakhstani artist. His performance became a memorable finale to the large-scale concert program.

Ready Player One – KazGASA Freshmen Initiation 2026 marked an important milestone for first-year students, celebrating the beginning of their university journey. The event highlighted the creativity, unity, interest in modern technologies, and determination of the younger generation to contribute to Kazakhstan’s development.