Human and AI: Winners of the VI International Video Contest "Біріккен Ұлт жеңеді!" Awarded at ENU

The grand award ceremony for the winners of the 6th International Video Contest "Біріккен Ұлт жеңеді!" ("The United Nation Wins!") was held at the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. This project, which has been organized annually since 2020, was held this year as part of the 30th anniversary of ENU and within the framework of the "Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence" declared in the country.

The theme for this year's contest was "Man and Artificial Intelligence – A New Form of Communication." The author of the idea and director of this large-scale project is Ulbosyn Meirbekovna Essenbekova, a laureate of the State Prize "Daryn" and a professor at the Department of Media Communications and Public Relations. Following the results of April and May, more than 100 top entries were received from the USA, the UK, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, the UAE, Kyrgyzstan, as well as from leading domestic higher education institutions.

Laureates and Winners

Grand Prix:

Alinura Yeralykyzy (L.N. Gumilyov ENU) — Academic Supervisor: Bauyrzhan Zhumakhanuly Omarov.

I Place:

Nurasyl Bolatuly Abdykalyk (Kyzylorda "Bolashak" University) — Academic Supervisor: Daurenbek Zhubayevich Serkebayev.

II Place:

Malika Doolotkeldiievna Dinistanova (J. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University) — Academic Supervisor: Gulmira Sabyrovna Amangeldieva.

Akzhol Nursultan (L.N. Gumilyov ENU) — Academic Supervisor: Gulmira Shaitmaganbetovna Ashirbekova.

III Place:

Guldauren Argynovna Kozhagulova (S. Baishev Aktobe University) — Academic Supervisor: Danagul Bekbolatovna Bekzhanova.

Ramazan Bakharbekov (University of Chicago, USA) — Academic Supervisor: Akzhol Nursultan

Nursultan Rakhymbay (L.N. Gumilyov ENU) — Academic Supervisor: Ulbosyn Meirbekovna Essenbekova.

As part of the contest, in addition to recognizing excellence in digital media, 16 special awards named after legendary figures of Kazakh culture and journalism were presented. The awards were handed out to the winners by directors of leading domestic TV channels, well-known media managers, and ENU professors:

Nomination named after Kul-tegin — Aknazhar Ishangali (Nur-Mubarak University). Presented by: Nazym Stambekova ("Khabar 24").

Best Idea — A. Tastemirov, I. Akhtayev (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Zhalgas Altayev (NTA "Qazaqstan").

Best Directing — Merey Omirbekovna Aldashbek (Kyzylorda "Bolashak" University). Presented by: Gulmira Ashirbekova (ENU) and Galymzhan Kenshilik.

Best Production Work — Aimaral Kuatbek, Zhansaya Tanyrkul (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Moldir Mukan (producer, entrepreneur).

Best Content — Kuatbek Kayyrbekuly Kemenger (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Serik Takhan (ENU Professor).

Nomination named after Kamal Smailov — Aidarkhan Asylovich Tursinkhan (MNU). Presented by: Saule Tapanova (ENU) and Azamat Abilkhaiyr.

Best Cinematography — Danil Vadimovich Filippov (WKITU). Presented by: Amangeldy Shurentayev (ENU) and Ardak Sagidolla.

Nomination named after Sherkhan Murtaza — Daurenbek Zhubayevich Serkebayev (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Daniyar Kaiyrtai (NTA "Qazaqstan").

Nomination named after Sagat Ashimbayev — Amir Nurlanovich Abakov (MNU). Presented by: Iskak Egemberdiev (PhD) and Dinara Kunafina.

Nomination named after Fariza Ongarsynova — Adema Kairatkyzy Kadylbekova (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Gulzhaukhar Bolatova (ENU Professor).

Nomination named after Lyaziza Aimasheva — Lunara Eldarkyzy Oryskulova (Aktobe University). Presented by: Ulbosyn Essenbekova (Contest Director).

Nomination named after Sultan Orazalin — Aisamal Kaiyrbekkyzy Kemenger (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Ardak Kasymkhan and Azamat Abilkhaiyr.

Best Editing — Nuray Kanatkyzy Alpysbek (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Aizhan Pernebekova (ENU) and Ernar Nysanbay.

Nomination named after Marat Barmankulov — Aigerim Yerzhanova (L.N. Gumilyov ENU). Presented by: Zhanar Manayeva (ENU) and Alla Gavrina.

Nomination named after Beisen Kuranbek — Aivar Abdrashuly (Stanford University, USA). Presented by: Gulmira Amangeldieva (ENU) and Ayaulym Muratkyzy.

Nomination named after Gadilbek Shalakhmetov — Syrym Kurmash (Al-Farabi KazNU). Presented by: Mukhtar Omirtay and Askar Mendibayev.

The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks from the Rector and Chairman of the Board of ENU, Yerlan Battashuly Sydykov, Vice-Rector Indira Sadybekovna Rystina, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of NJSC "Eurasian National University," Darkhan Kamzabekovich Mynbay, who all highly praised the hard work of the participants.

The academic community was represented at the event by: Nurzhan Kuantaiuly Kuantayev, Director of the Higher School of Journalism and Social Sciences, Professor Kairat Omirbaiuly Sak, Director of the Institute for Journalism Problems Research, Gulmira Shaitmaganbetovna Ashirbekova, Head of the Department of Media Communications and Public Relations, Amangeldy Meiramuly Shurentayev, Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Arts, Members of the university faculty. Prominent figures from the media industry in attendance included: Nazym Dautalievna Stambekova, Chief Editor of the News Service at "Khabar 24" TV channel, Zhalgas Sadibekuly Altayev, Director of the National TV Channel "Qazaqstan", Nurtas Soltanuly Kosherov, General Director of "Kazakh Radio" LLP, Ayna Zadabekovna Zadabek, Chairperson of the Board of "Qazcontent" JSC, Iskak Duisenbaiuly Egemberdiev (PhD), Media Manager.

The guest list also featured well-known TV presenters and broadcasters: Galymzhan Kenshilik (National TV Channel "Kazakhstan"), Ardak Sagidolla (host of "7 kún" on Khabar TV), Daniyar Kaiyrtai (analyst-editor of "Apta" on NTA Qazaqstan), Dinara Kunafina (news anchor at "24.kz"), Bayan Bakkeldi (host of the morning show "Tańsholpan"), Alla Gavrina (host of "Aqparat"), Ayaulym Muratkyzy (news anchor at "Eurasia - Birinshi Arna"), Askar Mendibayev (Khabar TV presenter), Mukhtar Omirtay (author and host of "Izgilik Formulasy"), Azamat Abilkhaiyr (news anchor at "24KZ"), Ernar Bauyrzhanuly Nysanbay (video engineer at "24.kz"), and renowned TV host Ardak Kasymkhan.

The gala evening quickly transformed from a formal gathering into a genuine celebration of creativity. Well-known singer and producer Moldir Mukan, alongside Ayim Tursynbekkyzy, delivered a moving performance of Erbolat Karakoisishy’s song "Elim de, zherim de." Following this, ENU doctoral student and poet Nursultan Rakhymbay deeply touched the audience by reciting his original poetic piece, "Elge khat." The event drew to a majestic close with a performance of the patriotic song "Zhasay ber, Qazaqstan" by doctoral student Serkebayev.

By bridging human values and new forms of media communication in the age of artificial intelligence, this year's contest successfully brought together young talents and pushed the boundaries of the future of digital journalism.