KAZAKHSTAN ENERGY WEEK - 2025
How the family science festival PRO.NRG reflects educational changes in Kazakhstan
In the context of the recent Presidential Address “Kazakhstan in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Their Solutions through Digital Transformation,” the synergy of science, education, and innovation becomes especially important for the country. The annual science festival PRO.NRG contributes to effectively overcoming these challenges. This year, it was held on September 20 in the capital.
The term “soft power,” introduced by American political scientist Joseph Nye, is traditionally associated with culture, political values, and foreign policy. Science is also a powerful tool of soft power. Countries that lead in scientific research automatically strengthen their image. Moreover, nations with high scientific potential attract top scientists, researchers, and students from around the world, enriching their internal environment and stimulating economic development.
In this context, the large-scale family festival PRO.NRG serves as a strategically important resource. It offers tools for shaping an educated, innovative, and competitive society ready to face the challenges of the digital age.
This year, the festival welcomed over 6,000 participants. PRO.NRG Fest 2025 brought together educators, historians, eco-leaders, and young startup founders. Most importantly, it opened its doors to children and their parents.
At PRO.NRG Fest, adults engaged in lectures and Q&A sessions on current topics, while young explorers discovered robotics and engineering through fun and interactive games. Teenagers attended educational workshops led by leading Kazakhstani and international experts. Educators had the opportunity to exchange experiences and gain inspiration for new teaching methods.
The festival featured over 30 speakers – thought leaders and industry professionals. Among them were medieval historian and population genetics expert Zhaksylyk Sabitov, media-savvy teacher and blogger @proactive.teacher Ayash Myrzabekova, and educator-trainer and mentor of the ustart.academy project Eskendir Bestai.
Since 2022, PRO.NRG has engaged thousands of schoolchildren, their parents, and science enthusiasts, making complex scientific ideas accessible through interactive activities. The festival also serves as an ideal platform for knowledge exchange between experienced scientists and young innovators, actively contributing to the development of Kazakhstan’s scientific potential.
The event’s permanent organizers – the Caravan of Knowledge Corporate Foundation and Chevron Eurasia – chose this year’s theme as “Rooted in the Future.” The concept is based on the metaphor of the “Tree of Knowledge” as a symbol of growth, continuity, and development: the roots of the past represent traditions and heritage, the trunk of the present symbolizes modern education, and the branches of the future embody new technologies. Together, they nourish the leaves – the generation of Kazakhstani children and youth capable of creativity, critical thinking, and responsibility for the world.
“We believe that the most valuable resource is people’s energy,” emphasized Derek Magness, President of Chevron Eurasia. “The passion of the younger generation for learning, their ability to generate ideas, and their love for nature are the foundation of the country’s future. For over 30 years, our company has invested in large-scale projects in Kazakhstan to develop education, healthcare, and environmental awareness. One such project with great potential is PRO.NRG Fest, which we have supported for four years.”
It is worth noting that last year, at a meeting of the National Council for Science and Technology under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized that global leadership today belongs to countries developing through scientific progress. “We must become one of those countries. Therefore, the development of science must be an unconditional priority,” said the Head of State.
It is encouraging that Kazakhstan is already taking real steps in this direction, paying special attention to the development of teacher education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics). One such step was the successful participation in the Southeast Asia Teacher Education Program (SEA-TEP), implemented under the leadership of the SEAMEO regional center, created to promote STEM education in Southeast Asian countries and Kazakhstan – SEAMEO STEM-ED.
Leila Aitmukhanova, Social Investment Advisor at Chevron Eurasia, noted that it is important to contribute to the future of education by introducing new methods and approaches. She emphasized the importance of developing students’ ability to view the world more broadly, deeply, and holistically than is typical in traditional schools.
According to her, STEAM directions are experiencing a process of convergence – the realization that all phenomena in the world are interconnected.
Notably, PRO.NRG Fest itself is a full-fledged platform for STEAM educators. In 2024, it received the status of Kazakhstan’s national selection for Science on Stage Europe, giving teachers the opportunity to showcase their innovative methods. Last year, winners of the Kazakhstani stage presented their work in Finland, and this year’s finalists will go to the European stage in Lithuania in 2026.
The Art&Science section was one of the most vibrant areas of PRO.NRG Fest 2025. Here, Kazakhstani artists and creators transformed scientific ideas into captivating visual stories and art objects. It was a unique opportunity to view science and technology through the lens of art, to reflect on discoveries and installations.
Zarina Biyumbayeva, the head of Caravan of Knowledge, emphasized that PRO.NRG Fest is the only family educational festival in Kazakhstan with such a unique concept and free access. Each year, organizers offer new themes that not only enrich participants with knowledge but also stimulate a creative approach to science and education in society.
This year, the festival was marked by a bright presentation from Aida Abilyakimova, an AI education trainer and English teacher. In modern science and technology, she is inspired not by speed, but by accessibility – “the fact that a child in a rural school can work with the same digital tools as their peers in Singapore or the USA.” “Artificial intelligence in education is not about whether it will replace teachers, but about how it is culturally integrated into the learning process. Today, we face the task of establishing the rules of the game: how AI should be used in schools to enhance thinking, not replace it. At the festival, I shared practical cases of using AI to develop students’ functional literacy and creativity,” said Aida.
Aslan Zholdasov, founder of the “Pythagoras” school, spoke at PRO.NRG Fest on the topic “The Power of the Background: How to Develop a Child’s Uniqueness Among Bright Peers.” With 19 years of experience in educational projects, he believes that “in the next five years, education will become more technological and individualized. However, the value of the teacher will not disappear – it is the teacher who fosters motivation and love for learning. The balance will grow: technology + live communication. Every child can unlock their potential when given the right support.”
As can be seen, PRO.NRG Fest is no longer just a festival – it is a true platform for scientific inspiration. It encourages everyone to actively participate in shaping a smart, technologically advanced future for Kazakhstan, where creativity is a cornerstone of progress.