On February 20, 2026, AlmaU hosted the public defenses of the finalists of the XIII Kazakhstan Public Relations Awards «Aq Mergen – 2026» for the third time.
This year, 30 communication cases from 24 companies competed in the final. In the «Marketing Communications» category, AlmaU School of Media and Cinema participated with the project «School in the Industry».
The expert jury evaluated participants’ professionalism and creativity. A well-established tradition, the student jury also took part, consisting of representatives from various courses of the AlmaU «Public Relations» program. Students gained unique experience participating in national and international professional competitions, highlighting the university’s commitment to cultivating a new generation of PR and marketing professionals and reinforcing its status as a platform where industry leaders are shaped.
During the judging process, particular attention was paid to the relevance of the projects to society and business.
Award winners by category:
- Internal Corporate Communications: «KMF Life» – JSC «KMF Bank»
- Corporate Communications: «TVой Рудный» – Mediacenter LLP «Service Center ERG»
- Marketing Communications: «Online Booking» – Kolesa Group
- Charity: «Sheksiz Mumkindikter” – Corporate Fund «Samruk-Kazyna Trust»
- Corporate Social Responsibility: «SIMKIDS» – Tele2
- Digital: Digital Communications and Influencer Marketing: «Ozvucheno inDrive2» – PR Agency «ITCOMMS»
- Social and Public Programs: «STEM Hanym» – Corporate Fund «Samruk-Kazyna Trust»
- Student Jury Choice: «AI-DANA» – JSC «KMF Bank»
The Grand Prix of the award was granted to Tele2’s «SIMKIDS» project.
Additionally, special certificates were awarded for unique solutions and contributions to the industry, and AlmaU received a commemorative statuette for its contribution to the industry and sustainable collaboration.