On May 29, 2026, AlmaU successfully concluded the second cohort of the Humanitarian Design and Social Entrepreneurship (HDSE) Leadership Intensive, an international educational program implemented in partnership with Lehigh University (USA).
The HDSE Leadership Intensive is designed to develop leadership, social entrepreneurship, and project management skills among students, young researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. In 2026, the program brought together participants from Kazakhstan, Central Asia, and the United States, creating a unique platform for international collaboration and innovation aimed at addressing pressing social and environmental challenges.
Over the course of five intensive days, participants engaged in workshops, mentoring sessions, field research, team-based collaboration, and hands-on project development. Working in interdisciplinary teams, they applied the principles of humanitarian design, design thinking, and social entrepreneurship to create innovative solutions capable of generating meaningful social impact.
The program focused on key sustainable development challenges, including environmental sustainability, climate resilience, inclusive education, technology accessibility, and community development. Participants conducted research, engaged with stakeholders, and developed practical solutions tailored to local contexts and community needs.
During the final showcase, five teams presented their projects: Coco (Temirlan Shokparov, Narzullokh Shodmonov, Nurbek Mukhamejan, Dildana Turgantay), Rexify (Aiym Mukazhanova, Aisha Toktarbekova, Karina Akhmetzhanova), The Green Step (Amira Ilyabayeva, Aldiyar Kenesbayev, Adalyat Maripova), Almaty 4U (Rassul Kim, Mariyam Duanbek, Aizagul Sarkytpayeva, Arailym Temirlankyzy), and Commitly (Zhanar Ibragimova, Gulerke Bolat, Aizere Zheksenbek, Sarahat Sahar, Abylay Kantarbay).
The projects were evaluated by an international panel of experts consisting of representatives from academia, international organizations, industry, and the sustainability sector. The jury included Dr. Zhanna Toktarova, Public Diplomacy Specialist at the U.S. Mission in Kazakhstan; Maksat Koshkarbayev, Senior Program Manager at American Councils for International Education; Yuliya Beloslyudtseva, Director of the C5+ O.N.E. Program at American Councils for International Education; Anna Egorkina, Head of Marketing at DOS; Elmurat Nigmatov, Research and Development Manager at Verigram; Dr. Dana Tsoy, Researcher at the International Information Technology University (IITU); Zhaniya Khaibullina, Director of the AlmaU Sustainability Center; Dr. Dilyara Usmanova, Director of the Ban Ki-moon Institute for Sustainability at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Daniyar Bakimov, Founder and CEO of RocketPlastic; and Prof. Rustam Akhmetov, Professor and Future17 SDG Challenge Project Lead.
The jury assessed projects based on innovation, feasibility, sustainability, scalability, and potential social impact. Following the presentations, participants received valuable feedback and recommendations to further develop and implement their ideas.
At the conclusion of the competition, Rexify and Almaty 4U were announced as the winning teams of the second HDSE Leadership Intensive cohort. Their projects stood out for their creativity, practical relevance, and potential to create measurable positive impact within local communities.
The program concluded with a reflection session, an awards ceremony, and the presentation of certificates jointly issued by AlmaU and Lehigh University. Participants reflected on their learning experience, celebrated their achievements, and explored opportunities for future collaboration.
The HDSE Leadership Intensive continues to strengthen the partnership between AlmaU and Lehigh University while empowering the next generation of changemakers, social innovators, and community leaders. Through international collaboration and experiential learning, the program contributes to building sustainable solutions and fostering positive change across Central Asia.