The \u201c30 Under 30\u201d list is more than just a compilation of successful individuals \u2014 it is a snapshot of our times, a reflection of what drives the young and ambitious generation of Kazakhstan today. It captures the energy, ideas, purpose, and momentum often hidden beneath the surface. It\u2019s about that deep layer of society where change begins \u2014 about the trailblazers who take risks, learn from failure, and create something new, often outside conventional systems.<\/p>\n
One of the event\u2019s key sessions, titled \u201cEducation as an Investment in Civilization,\u201d<\/em> featured Aselle Tasmagambetova, President of the Saby Foundation, alongside entrepreneur Armanzhan Baitassov and renowned musician and educator Zhaniya Aubakirova. The session was moderated by public figure Dosym Satpayev.<\/p>\n The discussion centered around rethinking the role of education \u2014 how it serves as a tool for fostering culture and entrepreneurship, emerging models of learning, and the critical roles played by the private sector, philanthropic initiatives, universities, and the state.<\/p>\n \u201cOver 23 years of running the Saby Foundation, I\u2019ve come to a key realization: if you want to create meaningful change in society, you must start with the child. That is why education remains one of the core areas of our work,\u201d said Aselle Tasmagambetova.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2017, we built and gifted a 1,200-seat public school \u2014 School No. 174 \u2014 to the city of Almaty. Last year, we completed and handed over the new building for the Zerde school-lyceum for gifted children in Astana. Back in 2019, we built the Shokan Ualikhanov School, where we are developing a new educational concept.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cBuilding a school is achievable. But a school is not just walls. It\u2019s about bringing in people with a true sense of mission. We need to elevate the status of the teaching profession and transform pedagogical training in universities. Teachers must be equipped with modern skills \u2014 including artificial intelligence \u2014 to stay relevant and effective in today\u2019s world.\u201d<\/p>\n This year marks the 8th edition of the \u201c30 Under 30\u201d list, featuring young leaders from diverse backgrounds, worldviews, and industries. Yet they all share one striking quality: they are not waiting for the future \u2014 they are actively shaping the present.<\/p>\n We were especially proud to see among the summit\u2019s invited guests the finalists of our own Build Your Business<\/em> competition \u2014 Rustem Yermekov, Madina Tasibekova, and Adilkhan Rakhimbekov. These talented young entrepreneurs received non-repayable grants from the Saby Foundation to launch their educational projects. Today, each of their ventures has grown into a stable, thriving business.<\/p>\n