LUPIC: A Student Program Uniting the Youth of Kazakhstan and Korea
From August 15th to 23rd, Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University once again served as a venue for the international LUPIC student program, hosting a delegation of students from the Republic of Korea. The primary goal of the program is to foster academic, professional and cultural exchange between the two countries’ youth, as well as to strengthen international student cooperation.
The visit program for the Korean students included presentations on the activities of several scientific, educational and innovation centers at the university. Particularly, the guests visited the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, where they learned about startup projects at the Kyzylorda Hub regional center and innovative youth initiatives. This meeting allowed the students to exchange experiences in the fields of technological development, innovation and artificial intelligence.
The Korean students met with their peers from Korkyt Ata University as part of the program, sharing their views on the higher education systems and student life in their respective countries in an informal format. The discussion covered topics such as admission requirements for Korean universities, youth cultural life, visual design, K-Trends, travel culture, urban lifestyle and the activities of student organizations.
One of the Korean students emphasized the importance of academic ties between Kazakhstan and Korea, noting that he was particularly impressed by the ambition and interest in new technologies shown by the students of Kyzylorda University.
«My major is architecture, and I am also studying artificial intelligence and engineering. During the meeting with the students of Korkyt Ata University, I was impressed by the passion for their work and professional drive. Today, the development of artificial intelligence and digital technologies requires not only technical infrastructure but, above all, qualified specialists and scientific cooperation. In this regard, I believe that student and academic exchange between Kazakhstan and Korea is a vital opportunity that not only brings knowledge and culture closer together but also lays the foundation for future joint scientific projects», shared Hongmin.
Key agenda items for the visit were the presentation of the 2026–2027 admission requirements for the Institute of Artificial Intelligence and participation in the dual-degree program’s entrance exam. The Korean students studied the selection procedure, paying special attention to the institute's educational tracks and the training system for future specialists.
Nurlan Kulmurzayev, Director of the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, spoke about the institution's current activities and its main development vectors.
«The Institute of Artificial Intelligence, established in 2023 under the instruction of the Head of State and led by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, is becoming an important center for building human capital in the field of regional digitalization. Currently, 353 students are enrolled at the institute. This year, 128 applicants were awarded state grants, 34 of whom successfully passed the selection for the dual-degree program. These works will continue in the future. Our main goal is to nurture a new generation of specialists capable of transforming artificial intelligence into an intellectual resource that solves regional and national development challenges», the director noted.
The LUPIC program is aimed not only at academic exchange but also at strengthening cultural ties between the youth of the two countries. During the visit, the Korean students toured the historical and cultural landmarks of Kyzylorda, gaining insight into the rich history and spiritual-cultural heritage of Syrdarya region.
