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.
Balzhan Myrzabayeva, Chief Executive Officer of the AIFC Academy, said:
“Minor programmes help students adapt swiftly to changes and demands in the labour market by equipping them with additional skills in new and emerging fields. They acquire new competencies, while the financial sector, in turn, benefits from a pool of well-prepared professionals with relevant expertise. The AIFC Academy is proud to contribute to the development of higher education in Kazakhstan by sharing its knowledge and experience in finance.”
Berik Sabdenaliyev, Dean of the SDU School of Law and Business, emphasised:
“Our partnership with the AIFC Academy represents a strategic step forward for our School. For the first time, we are introducing minor programmes in management and finance developed by leading market experts. This gives our students the confidence to pursue careers in a globally competitive environment, which we wholeheartedly welcome. I am confident that, together, we can broaden the range of such programmes and further strengthen SDU’s reputation as a university preparing the next generation of professionals.”
Zhanna Kashenova, Director of Educational Projects at Freedom Broker, said:
“The transfer of the AIFC Academy`s minor programmes to SDU represents a significant contribution to shaping a new generation of professionals equipped to meet the complex challenges of our time. We believe that the combination of practice-oriented learning, a strong academic foundation, and direct links to the real economy offers students not just a career starting point, but a genuine mission – to become architects of Kazakhstan`s new financial landscape. We are proud that such strategically important initiatives are made possible through the support of Freedom Broker and the Freedom Shapagat corporate foundation. It is a clear example of how business can invest in the country`s long-term development through education”.
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.
Reference:
The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) is a leading financial hub in the Eastern Europe and Central Asia region, designed to connect global capital with the vast opportunities of emerging markets. Positioned at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the AIFC combines international best practices with innovative approaches to create a world-class platform for investment, business, and financial services.
The SDU School of Law and Business is one of the university’s leading faculties, training specialists in law, management, economics, marketing, and finance. Its programmes meet international standards and combine academic theory with practical application, while partnerships with businesses and organisations provide students with access to internships and real-world projects.
Freedom Broker (JSC “Freedom Finance”) provides clients with brokerage services on the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) and Astana International Exchange (AIX), acts as a market maker to support securities pricing, and offers debt and equity financing solutions, as well as financial consulting services.
Freedom Finance Global is a next-generation broker specialising in services for retail investors. The company is registered with the Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC), licensed by the Astana Financial Services Authority (AFSA), and operates under elements of English law. Freedom Finance Global clients have direct access to trading on international financial markets – including the NYSE/NASDAQ, London Stock Exchange, HKEX, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange – as well as local platforms such as KASE and AIX. The company also offers access to one of the Freedom Holding group’s most in-demand services: participation in initial public offerings (IPOs).
Freedom Finance Global is part of the international investment group Freedom Holding Corp., whose shares are listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker FRHC. Freedom Holding Corp. is regulated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Freedom Shapagat Corporate Foundation was established to streamline the selection and management of ESG projects for Freedom Holding Corp. The foundation focuses on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors as the core of its investment strategy.
