Two new representatives have joined the Board of Trustees of AlmaU: Bolat Zhamishev, Member of the Board of Directors and Independent Director of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, and Kairat Balykbayev, a digital transformation expert, former Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan, former CEO of Jusan Mobile and AlmaU alumnus.
Bolat Zhamishev is a public figure, economist, Candidate of Economic Sciences and expert in finance, banking and corporate governance.
He currently serves as a Member of the Board of Directors and Independent Director of Samruk-Kazyna JSC, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank RBK JSC, Member of the Alatau City Development Council and Honorary President of the National Skating Federation of Kazakhstan.
Throughout his career, he has held several senior government positions, including Minister of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2007-2013), Minister of Regional Development (2013-2014), Deputy Chairman of the National Bank and Chairman of the Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan for Regulation and Supervision of the Financial Market and Financial Organizations. From 2014 to 2019, he served as Chairman of the Management Board of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC, and from 2022 to 2025, he headed the Kazakhstan Khalkyna Public Foundation. He has extensive experience serving on the boards of directors of major national companies and financial institutions, including KEGOC, Kazakhtelecom JSC and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy JSC. His awards include the Order of Barys, III Class, the Order of Kurmet and the Order of Parasat.
Kairat Balykbayev is an expert in digital transformation, telecommunications, corporate governance and public administration, and an AlmaU alumnus. He holds an MBA in Corporate Management from the International Academy of Business (AlmaU), as well as higher education qualifications in Economic Cybernetics and Oil and Gas Engineering.
Throughout his career, he has served as Deputy Minister of Information and Communications of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2017-2019) and Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration (2022-2024). He also served as Managing Director of the Eurasian Development Bank, where he oversaw the Digital Initiatives Fund. From 2024 to 2025, he headed the Management Board of Jusan Mobile JSC, and from 2025 to 2026, he chaired the company’s Board of Directors. He also held senior positions at KazMunayGas National Company JSC, overseeing the development of information technology and telecommunications, as well as the company’s digital transformation. He was directly involved in the development and implementation of the Digital Kazakhstan state programme and the advancement of digital infrastructure and e-government. He has received the Excellence in Digitalization Award and the Honorary Telecommunications Professional distinction.
AlmaU warmly welcomes the new members of its Board of Trustees and looks forward to their active contribution to the University’s strategic objectives, the development of its educational and research activities, and the strengthening of engagement with professional and expert communities.
About the AlmaU Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees is a collegial governing body that participates in defining AlmaU’s strategic priorities and supports their implementation. As of October 2026, the Board comprises 11 representatives from the business community, international organisations, government and academia in Kazakhstan, Singapore and China, as well as the University’s founder and Rector.
The Board’s key responsibilities include contributing to the development of the University’s strategy and monitoring its implementation; supporting fundraising and endowment development; promoting student support and social initiatives; strengthening partnerships with businesses and international universities; and providing expert support for AlmaU’s educational, research and digital transformation.