From 17 to 27 November 2025, the Tolyq Adam School of Transformative Humanities and Education at AlmaU held a series of educational events titled “Tolyq Adam: Education and Personal Development in the 21st Century,” bringing together faculty members, researchers, experts, and students from leading universities, educational institutions, and NGOs in Almaty.
The concluding event – the final forum “Tolyq Adam: Education for the Future” – drew particular attention due to the participation of Akerke Abylaikhan, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Higher and Postgraduate Education. 
In her speech, Ms. Abylaikhan emphasized the strategic importance of prioritizing holistic personality development within higher education and outlined the state’s key priorities in its youth policу. She underscored the need to rethink the role of universities amid rapid technological change, social polarization, and a more complex global landscape.
Referring to the Address of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, she noted that today “education must not only provide knowledge but also foster a mature individual capable of withstanding the challenges of time.” The President has repeatedly stressed that “while adopting global scientific and technological practices, we must not lose our own values and cultural foundations.” According to Ms. Abylaikhan, these principles form the methodological basis for transforming higher education.
She emphasized the importance of youth engagement in digital environments, the development of volunteerism, and students’ involvement in social initiatives, as well as the role of universities as spaces that develop civic consciousness and moral integrity.
“Personality development must be grounded in our traditions. It is crucial to work with young people in social media, foster volunteerism, and strengthen social projects. I would also like to stress the importance of Abai’s heritage and national ideology within the university environment. I encourage students to be active, responsible, and contribute to the development of society,” she noted. 
Ms. Abylaikhan paid special attention to the Tolyq Adam program implemented at AlmaU, highlighting that it represents a significant step toward shaping a new quality of higher education − one centered on the individual, their values, thinking, flexibility, and potential.
Key events of the educational decade
Throughout the ten-day program, the Tolyq Adam Institute organized:
- a foresight session “Architecture of the Future Personality”;
- masterclasses on motivation, communication, soft skills, and inclusive practices;
- a roundtable “From Thought to Research: Critical Thinking and Research Design”;
- Tolyq Adam Talks in TED format;
- a guest lecture by Zira Nauryzbayeva on “Ecology and Kazakh Traditional Culture.”
The Institute also hosted representatives of the International Educational Corporation, which includes KazGASA and the Kazakh-American University. Visitors were introduced to the Tolyq Adam program, its conceptual foundations, and its philosophy of holistic development. The presentation sparked high interest among IEC leadership and faculty, demonstrating the model’s strong potential for broader implementation across Kazakhstan.
All events focused on a human-centered educational model that responds to the challenges of the 21st century. In an age of technological revolutions, environmental risks, and social fragmentation, it is crucial to cultivate individuals with empathy, critical and creative thinking, ethical responsibility, and resilience.
Philosophy of Tolyq Adam at AlmaU
Inspired by the legacy of Abai Kunanbayuly, the Tolyq Adam model is based on harmony between mind (aqyl), heart (zhürek), and willpower (qaırat). The program is structured around the LEADER competencies:
- Lifelong Learning – motivation, self-awareness
- Empathy – active listening, social sensitivity
- Analytical, Critical & Creative Thinking
- Discourse & Dialogue – oral, written, and visual communication
- Ethics – civic responsibility, environmental ethics
- Resilience – adaptability and personal sustainability
The final session brought together faculty, researchers, and practitioners from AlmaU and partner organizations, presenting a wide range of perspectives on educational transformation and holistic personal development.
The presentations contributed to the overall picture of AlmaU’s transformative approach, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the Tolyq Adam program and its relevance across all levels of education – from primary school to higher education and professional communities. 
The session also presented key areas of the Tolyq Adam program, including the transformation of the humanities curriculum, the development of critical thinking and research design skills, the formation of civic identity, life design, service to society, biohacking, and the advancement of communication competencies.
Strategic Significance for the Higher Education System
The participation of Akerke Abylaikhankyzy in the final forum became an important acknowledgment of the significance of the Tolyq Adam program and confirmed that AlmaU’s initiatives align with the state’s priorities in education.
AlmaU continues to strengthen its position as an innovative educational platform that introduces modern human-centered practices and shapes a new generation of leaders focused on mindfulness, development, and service to society. The university is ready to share its experience with other educational organizations to ensure systematic, consistent development based on the best international and national practices.