Freshman Initiation Ceremony “WELCOME TO BUKETOV”

One of the brightest and largest events of the year, the official freshman initiation ceremony “WELCOME TO BUKETOV,” took place at the Zhastar Sports Complex! The celebration brought together thousands of first-year students, faculty members, and guests.

This year’s celebration was marked by several outstanding achievements:

National Status: Exactly one year ago, on August 12, the university was awarded the prestigious status of a National University.

International Recognition: For the first time, the university entered the prestigious international Times Higher Education rankings, securing an honorable 7th place among universities in Kazakhstan and earning a spot among the world’s top 2,000 universities.

Record-Breaking Enrollment: This year, more than 15,000 students joined the ranks of Karaganda’s leading higher education institution, reaffirming its position as a top choice for ambitious young people.

The official ceremony was opened by Acting Rector Madina Maksimovna Umurkulova, who congratulated the freshmen on the beginning of an exciting new chapter in their lives.

Honoring the Best Students
The most active first-year students representing all 12 faculties were recognized with commemorative gifts and letters of appreciation.

“Жігер — 2026” Freshmen Sports Competition
The results of the Жігер — 2026 sports competition among first-year students were announced. The Faculty of Physical Education and Sports and the Faculty of History achieved the best results.

Football Team Triumph
The university’s football team, which won the regional championship among higher education institutions, received well-deserved medals and a trophy from Aisulu Alimzhankyzy Yerniyazova, Head of the Karaganda Region Department for Youth Policy. The team is now preparing to represent the region at the national finals in Astana!

A Spectacular Concert and Exciting Surprises
The celebration continued with a spectacular show featuring the university’s talented creative groups, including the folk ensembles Zharkyn and Saryn, the contemporary dance studio Oyu, the vocal studio Zhastar, and the folk theater Shattyq, which received its honorary title this year.

The audience was especially thrilled by an interactive experience powered by artificial intelligence, the traditional freshmen’s oath, and the electrifying performances of the evening’s headliners — Baygaystan project residents, the trio Aru Voice, Baxa, and Koba.

The grand celebration concluded with the university anthem, “Бөкетов Жастары,” a spectacular confetti show, and a festive disco!