A Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Qazaq Independent Directors (QID) and the AIFC Academy
On September 26, 2025, during the Kazakhstan Legal Forum, a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Kazakhstan Association of Independent Directors (“Qazaq Independent Directors”, QID) and the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Academy.
The AIFC Academy contributes to the development of the legal system and corporate governance by providing a platform for professional training and knowledge exchange among legal professionals and experts. The Academy’s Chief Executive Officer, Balzhan Myrzabayeva, emphasized that the signing of the Memorandum symbolizes the unification of efforts between independent directors and a leading educational institution in the fields of law and finance. According to her, this collaboration will serve as a solid foundation for implementing joint projects, promoting best practices, and strengthening the institution of independent directors both in Kazakhstan and beyond.
Deputy Chairman of the QID Supervisory Board, Yerlan Beysembinov, noted that the AIFC is a unique international platform for finance and business attraction. He stressed that cooperation with the AIFC Academy aims to foster a new management culture, introduce international standards, and train leaders capable of ensuring sustainable development of companies and the economy as a whole. Currently, QID includes around 100 Kazakhstani graduates of the UK Institute of Directors (IoD), which opens broad prospects for joint initiatives.
The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation between the AIFC Academy and the Kazakhstan Association of Independent Directors marks an important step toward developing the legal ecosystem and strengthening corporate governance.
Minor Programmes from AIFC Academy to be taught at AlmaU
On 21 August 2025, educational programmes developed by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Academy were formally transferred to Almaty Management University (AlmaU) for integration into its academic curriculum as minor disciplines – supplementary specialisations offered as part of students’ individual learning pathways. AlmaU is among the first universities to adopt these programmes, which address key areas of modern finance and are designed to boost students’ competitiveness in the graduate job market.
The minor programmes were developed by the AIFC Academy with the support of Freedom Broker, through its corporate foundation, Freedom Shapagat. The collaboration is based on a memorandum of understanding signed during the Astana Finance Days 2024 forum.
The newly adopted minor programmes will equip students with skills and knowledge aligned with current labour market demands, better preparing them to address interdisciplinary challenges and enhancing their appeal to employers across the industry. Subjects covered include Derivative Securities – Options, Asset Management, Financial Market Regulation, and International Commercial Dispute Resolution, among others.
The implementation of the minor programmes at AlmaU is set to begin in the upcoming academic year. Students enrolled in the Finance and Law programmes will be eligible to take these new minor disciplines, enabling them to deepen their expertise in key areas of the financial sector.
It is worth noting that minor programmes are short-term certificate courses that form part of a university`s general education offering. Their duration typically ranges from three to four months, depending on the course type and complexity.
AIFC Academy`s Educational programmes to be delivered at SDU
A formal ceremony was held in Almaty on 14 August to mark the handover of minor programmes developed by the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) Academy to SDU University. The educational modules focus on modern finance and are designed to boost SDU students’ competitiveness in the job market by equipping them with up-to-date knowledge across various areas of the financial sector.
The development of these minor programmes for Kazakhstani universities, including SDU, was made possible with the support of Freedom Broker, delivered through its corporate foundation, Freedom Shapagat. The basis for this partnership was laid during the Astana Finance Days 2024 forum, where a memorandum of understanding was signed.
Minor programmes are short-term certificate courses integrated into the general education curriculum at universities and other higher education institutions. They typically run for three to four months, depending on the programme`s type and complexity.
Among the minor programmes being introduced are Derivative Securities – Options, Asset Management, Financial Market Regulation, and International Commercial Dispute Resolution, among others. These courses are intended to provide students with additional opportunities to broaden their skills and knowledge, enhance their competitiveness in the labour market, and prepare them more effectively for interdisciplinary challenges.
The integration of the minor programmes into the academic curriculum is expected to begin this academic year. Senior students at the SDU School of Law and Business will have the opportunity to select from these modules to deepen their understanding of key areas within the financial sector.
Astana Finance Days 2025: Where Capital Empowers the Future
AIFC Academy is delighted to invite you to the VIII International Forum Astana Finance Days 2025, which will take place on September 4–5 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
This year’s theme is “Where Capital Empowers the Future”, reflecting the dual meaning of the word “capital”:
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Astana — the capital of Kazakhstan and a rapidly developing financial hub bridging East and West;
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Capital — human, financial, and intellectual, as the driving force of sustainable development and new opportunities.
The forum will bring together more than 5,000 delegates from over 70 countries, including leaders in finance, business, education, and technology.
AIFC Academy Panel Session
Minor Programmes: A New Vector in Preparing Competitive Specialists
September 4, 2025
We will discuss how minor programmes empower students to broaden their horizons, strengthen competencies, and remain in demand in a rapidly changing labor market.
🔗 Learn more about the programme and register at: astanafindays.org/start
Join us to shape the conversation about the future of education and finance in the heart of Eurasia!
