Is a futurist and a humanist, known for his unique narrative grounded in the 4PS: People, Planet, Purpose, and Prosperity.

His key objective is to help to design a Good Future for humanity. Gerd is among the top-rated contemporary futurists globally. He’s presented at over 2000 leading conferences and events in the past 20 years, working with prominent companies such as Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, NBC, Visa, Google, the European Commission, L’Oréal, Audi, Deloitte, and IBM. Gerd has influenced and inspired millions to “imagine and create a better tomorrow”. Wired magazine named him one of the most influential Europeans, and he is listed #7 in the global ranking of futurists.

As a leading voice on the future of humanity and the bestselling author of Technology vs Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine (now available in 12 languages), Gerd is renowned for his insights on digital ethics, human-centered technology, sustainability, and future-fit economic models. His five books and films on the future of technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence have reached millions of viewers.

With his uniquely cinematic super-keynote format, Gerd is continuously pioneering the art of keynoting. His digital/remote keynote television style of virtual presentations has propelled him to the top of the list of the most talked-about virtual keynote presenters worldwide.

In addition to his futurist work, Gerd is a critically acclaimed filmmaker, a fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts in London, and a visiting professor at Fundação Dom Cabral in Brazil. He frequently shares his views in major media outlets such as The Guardian, Harvard Business Review, Business Insider, and Wired UK, and has appeared on BBC, CNN, Swiss SRF, ZDF, ARD, and ARTE.

Is a distinguished leader and pioneer in climate policy and sustainable development. He is recognized as the initiator of the Green Growth paradigm since 2005—a new approach of harnessing climate action as a driver of economic growth and job creation. He is currently promoting concepts such as "Me First" and "Personally Determined Contribution" as foundations for a bottom-up approach to global climate action and New Climate Economics as the theoretical basis for Green Economy and Carbon Neutrality.

While serving as Director for the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UN ESCAP), Professor Chung published the Low Carbon Green Growth Roadmap, a comprehensive guideline for operationalizing the Green Growth paradigm. His expertise and contributions in climate policy were recognized when he received a personal copy of the 2007 IPCC Nobel Peace Prize as a lead author of the Technology Transfer Special Report.

Professor Chung has held several prominent roles, including serving as Climate Change Ambassador of Korea and as Principal Advisor on Climate Change to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. He was also the Director-General for International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Korea and Professor Emeritus of Incheon National University.

Currently, Professor Chung serves as Chairman of the International Award Committee for the Global Energy Prize, Board Director of the Ban Ki-Moon Foundation, and Founder of the New Climate Economy Center at South Kazakhstan University. He is also a Professor Emeritus at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration and received an Honorary Doctorate from Moscow State University in 2019.

Is a renowned Professor of Global History at Oxford University, specializing in the history and politics of regions including the Mediterranean, Central Asia, China and beyond. He is also a UNESCO Professor of Silk Roads Studies and a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College, Oxford.

Described by The Times as a "literary star" and by Business Standard as the "first great historian of the 21st century," Frankopan's work has earned international acclaim for its insights into global historical connections.

Is a pioneering leader in the field of AI and education. He is the Founder and CEO of LiveTech.AI, a company based in Silicon Valley that aims to transform public education by implementing AI technologies. Today, LiveTech.AI operates not only in the United States but also partners with public schools across seven countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and North Africa.

With a strong academic foundation, Younes completed his BS and MS at Stanford University, specializing in Computer Science, Math, and Statistics. He began a PhD in Social Robotics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) but left the program to fully focus on LiveTech.AI and its mission to revolutionize the education landscape.

Younes is also a highly regarded educator. For several years, he has been a lecturer at Stanford University, where he has designed and taught courses like Applied Machine Learning, Deep Learning, and Teaching Artificial Intelligence with Andrew Ng.

His contribution extends to the online education space, where he has created impactful curriculum content for platforms like Coursera. Younes’s Natural Language Processing suite of four courses has already enrolled over 100,000 learners, and other courses he has co-developed, such as the Machine Learning Course and Deep Learning Specialization, have been taken by over a million learners. As a top instructor on Coursera, he has reached an audience of more than 1,400,000 students.

Is the founder, chairman and CEO of the Minerva Project and Founder of Minerva University. He established Minerva in 2011 with the goal of nurturing critical wisdom for the benefit of the world through a systematic and evidence-based approach to learning. Since then, Nelson has built Minerva University, which is now ranked as the most innovative university in the world, and developed a business to share Minerva’s unique educational model with other like-minded institutions, corporations, and governments.

Prior to Minerva, Nelson spent a decade at Snapfish, where he played a key role in growing the company from a startup into the world’s largest personal publishing service. Serving as CEO from 2005 to 2010, Nelson began his tenure at Snapfish by leading the company’s sale to Hewlett Packard for $300 million.
Nelson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, where he created a blueprint for curricular reform in his first year. This early work laid the foundation for the principles from which he drew to frame Minerva.

Is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas. He previously held the role of Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education at the University of Oregon, where he was also a professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership. Before joining Oregon, Dr. Zhao served as a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he was the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology, the Confucius Institute, and the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a fellow of the International Academy of Education.

Dr. Zhao has received several distinguished honors, including the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association and the Outstanding Public Educator award from the Horace Mann League of the USA. His published works include over 100 articles and nearly 40 books, such as Focused: Understanding, Negotiating, and Maximizing Your Influence as a School Leader (2024) and Duck and Cover: Confronting and Correcting Dubious Practices in Education (2023). His research focuses on the effects of globalization and technology on education, and he has collaborated with schools to develop new models of education.

Is the co-founder and CEO of the Re-State Foundation, which aims to innovate public governance on multiple levels. Previously, she was the Head of Regional Agenda at the World Economic Forum, where she shaped regional strategies and engaged with various stakeholders, including governments and civil society. Anastasia was also part of the founding team of the Global Shapers Community.

She has led significant global initiatives, including the WomenHIV platform in Russia and has participated in various high-profile events such as the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Web Summit.

Is a polymath who challenges assumptions about the present and future. She is a Futurist, Economist, and Business Trends Analyst with over a decade of experience in strategic management, trend research, and strategic foresight. Bronwyn has consulted for both public and private sectors across the globe, specializing in fintech trends, alternative economic models, and sustainable futures design.

She is the co-author of The Future Starts Now (Bloomsbury UK) and Rescuing our Republic, a thought-provoking work that brings together public intellectuals, business leaders, and political figures to discuss how South Africa can rescue itself from itself. Bronwyn is also a columnist for leading business and technology publications and frequently appears as a media commentator on future trends and economic trajectories on channels like CNBC Africa and eNCA in South Africa.

Bronwyn is a partner at Flux Trends and an associate at Futurist.com. Her research focuses on how macroeconomic trends and emerging technologies will impact businesses, industries, and nations. Bronwyn has worked with top clients, including JSE(Johannesburg Stock Exchange)-listed companies, the South African Reserve Bank, the Dubai Future Forum, and various government departments. She also lectures at leading business schools, including Duke, GIBS, and Parsons New School of Design. Bronwyn is a member of the Association of Professional Futurists, an advisor at the Lifeboat Foundation, and a Futures Fellow with the UNDP.

Bronwyn has delivered hundreds of keynotes in dozens of countries. Her top speaking topics centre around “futurenomics,” the future trajectory of social, political, and economic forces that shape our world. She also speaks on topics such as consumer trends, generational cycles, macro and microeconomic forecasts, politics, philosophy, economics (PPE), and foresight strategies.

Is Coursera’s Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), a crucial region for Coursera with over 40 million learners and 2,000 institutions. Nikolaz plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic investments and growth initiatives across the region. In this role, he works closely with the global leadership team to define the business strategy and drive progress across Coursera‘s consumer, degree, and enterprise segments. Prior to joining the company, he served as EMEA Cloud and Partner Lead at NetApp, following a 17-year stint at Microsoft where he scaled the company’s EMEA operations.

Nikolaz Foucaud, with more than twenty years of experience in developing business strategies and technologies, continues to actively innovate in the field of online learning and professional skills development. Nicolaz received an MBA in Marketing and Finance from the ESSEC Business School (France) (Graduate School of Economic and Commercial Sciences, Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciale).

Nicolaz Foucaud is a strong advocate for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into business processes, highlighting its potential to streamline operations and unlock new growth opportunities. In his talks, he explains how AI can enhance productivity, elevate customer experiences, and enable companies to make more informed decisions. Nicolaz also emphasizes AI's role in driving innovation and its impact on the future of work, stressing the importance of upskilling and reskilling to ensure successful adoption of these technologies.

As an experienced speaker, Nicolaz has a solid track record of presenting at international forums and conferences. Among his upcoming engagements is being a keynote speaker at the EdTech World Forum 2024, where he will share insights and best practices in digital education

Is an expert on Generation Z, dedicated to helping organizations become future-ready by guiding them through the complex yet fascinating world of the next generation. She began her journey in youth engagement as a United Nations Youth Representative and has since become a prominent voice on the trends and aspirations of Generation Z. In 2020, she joined Whetston Strategic Foresight as a youth expert, contributing her insights to shape strategies for global organizations.

As the founder of Jahkini Consultancy, Jahkini has developed a keynote on Generation Z, which she has delivered to over 10,000 people worldwide. Her dynamic presentations have captured the attention of major clients such as Deutsche Telekom, the European Parliament, and Lloyds Banking Group.

Jahkini holds a Master’s degree in Crisis and Security Management with a specialization in National Security and Intelligence. As a former UN Youth Delegate, she addressed heads of state and consulted with over 4,000 young people, making her a trusted advocate for youth perspectives on global issues.

Is a leading expert on how technology reshapes the business world. As the founding UK Editor-in-Chief of WIRED magazine, David has had the unique opportunity to engage with the founders of groundbreaking companies, including WhatsApp, LinkedIn, Google, Twitter, Spotify, Xiaomi, Nest, and many others. His deep insights into technology-driven innovation have made him a trusted advisor and investor to over 150 tech startups, including two billion-dollar “unicorns.” He has also served as an adviser to venture-capital funds and organizations such as the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.

David is the author of the Amazon #1 business bestseller Non-Bullshit Innovation: 17 Proven Ways to Transform How You Work, a book that provides actionable insights on how businesses can remain resilient in the face of technological disruption. David has also been a technology columnist for The Times, GQ, Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times.

He has moderated high-profile events for the World Economic Forum, WIRED, and the UK and French governments. As a sought-after keynote speaker, he has delivered over 600 talks worldwide, helping companies understand and leverage emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and automation. His presentations offer clear, actionable insights into how businesses can innovate and remain competitive in a rapidly changing world.

Is the Chairperson of JUCCCE (Joint Us-China Collaboration on Clean Energy), a non-governmental organization that has been at the forefront of China’s environmental transformation since 2007. She is recognized as one of the world’s most influential environmentalists, having played a pivotal role in advancing China’s efforts in clean energy, Smart Grid technology, ecocities, efficient lighting, green bonds, and sustainable diets. Her work has positively impacted the health of over 1.5 billion people, driving both personal and planetary well-being.

For her contributions, Peggy has received numerous prestigious awards, including the Hillary Step Award, known as the "Nobel Prize" for climate change solutionists, Time magazine’s "Hero of the Environment" recognition, and the title of Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. In 2023, CEO Magazine named her one of the "Top 20 Sustainability Thought Leaders," and The Economist called her "one of the most innovative thinkers in Asia." The media has also referred to her as the "Green Goddess of China."

Peggy shares her expertise with communities, governments, and companies worldwide, teaching them how to scale societal movements and tackle complex environmental challenges. She developed "Tornado Leadership" lessons, empowering visionaries to drive social change and accelerate progress toward a better future. Peggy has trained 1,000 mayors and government officials across China in building ecocities, and her workshops on sustainable prosperity contributed to the creation of China’s national slogan "China Dream."

As a sought-after speaker, Peggy believes in the power of heart-based storytelling and emphasizes the vital role of cultural translators in shaping the next generation. She is the bestselling author of Mesmerize the Media: Maximize Your Impact with More Press, focused on transformational speaking.

Ph.D. is the head of Caucasus & Central Asia, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google Olga is responsible for government affairs and public policy in a number of countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. She also leads strategic AI policy engagement projects within the
Emerging Markets team covering 100+ countries at Google.

Prior to joining Google, Olga worked at an international consultancy firm advising international
clients on a variety of government and public affairs topics. She has extensive work experience in international organizations, expert community and non-governmental sectors, and was
involved in a number of international research projects focusing on global affairs, economic
history and international security.

Olga holds a Ph.D. degree in global history from Moscow State University and is an alumni of
the Fox International Fellowship at Yale University. She is the author and co-author of books and articles on economic history and international cooperation including The Era of Great Upheaval: Energy Factor in the Last Decades of the Cold War (2021). Olga speaks Russian, English, French, Spanish and basic Turkish.

Is the President of the EdTech Poland Foundation and a prominent expert in the field of educational innovation and digital competencies. From 2016 to 2021, he served as Deputy Director of the Department at the Ministry of National Education in Poland, where he was responsible for driving innovation in education. Rafal has represented Poland as a delegate to the OECD Educational Policy Committee and is currently a member of the OECD Global Forum Education 2030.

Rafal holds a degree from the University of Warsaw, completed PhD studies at the Maria Grzegorzewska Academy of Special Education, and graduated from the prestigious Top Public Executive program at IESE Business School in Barcelona. His expertise extends to various European Commission agencies, where he serves as an expert for the Research Executive Agency and the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency.

In addition to his governmental and academic roles, Rafal has contributed to the digital sector as a member of the PEGI Council (Pan European Game Information) from 2003 to 2010, providing oversight on video game content classification across Europe. He was recognized as one of the 100 most influential figures in the development of digital competencies in Poland by the members of the SPRUC chapter.

Is a serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and award-winning educator, as well as the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the School of Humanity. An internationally accredited and licensed online high school, the School of Humanity offers a personalized, interdisciplinary curriculum centered around solving global challenges and replaces traditional exams with real-world projects. The school has students and alumni from over 30 countries across 5 continents and has been designed to be the High School for the World.

Raya collaborates with public and private education providers globally to develop innovative education systems that better address the needs of today’s rapidly changing world. Originally from Iran, she grew up in Dubai and completed her degree in Neuroscience at Boston University before committing herself to the mission of reimagining education for future generations.

Raya has shared her vision as a keynote speaker at over 60 conferences in more than 15 countries, including COP28, the World Government Summit, Expo 2020, EduTech Asia, the G20/Y20 Summit, the Global Education Forum, and the GESS Summit. With over 14 years of experience, she brings a future-oriented perspective to conversations about the evolution of education.

Raya has been honored with the main award for the Next Generation Foresight Practitioner’s Award from the School of International Futures. She was also featured by the BBC as one of the most influential and inspiring women globally. As a global thought leader on the future of education, Raya continues to advocate for transformative change in learning experiences worldwide.

Is a positive futurist and reinvention specialist who specialises in guiding companies toward a transformative future. As a sparring partner and coach, he works with organizations to craft compelling visions for the future, develop innovative business models, boost productivity, and enhance profitability. He has extensive experience in (social) entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, strategy, and content-driven engagement. Often referred to as an “entreprenerd,” he is one of the most well-read entrepreneurs in Europe, having read over 10,000 books and counting. His depth of knowledge and curiosity for continuous learning position him as a thought leader in business and innovation.

Throughout his career, Ron has collaborated with a wide range of institutions, universities, and companies. His work includes partnerships with renowned universities such as Teesside University, Arizona State University, Dublin City University, Trinity College, and University College Dublin. He has also supported membership organizations like CPA, CIMA, the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, and PMI, as well as corporate clients including Bosal, ICM, KPMG, Deloitte, AIG, PM Group, Bank of Ireland, Ulster Bank, and RBS. Additionally, he has advised numerous government departments and public agencies, such as Social Welfare and Trade and Enterprise, Climate-KIC, FAS, Enterprise Ireland, the OECD, ILO, and EBRD, gaining a broad spectrum of perspectives on innovation and intrapreneurship in complex environments.

Ron is also an author and speaker. His book on business planning became a national standard in Ireland, and he has written several business bestsellers, including Engineering the Future: “The 7 mega-trends, the books, the tools and picking your number (2020), "STRATEGY, SCENARIOS + STORYTELLING: A DISCUSSION TOOL" (2021). He has also created a series of “books about books” on various business topics, including resilience, sense-making, the power of the mind, work, and intrapreneurship. Currently, Ron is working on a new project exploring books on artificial intelligence and its impact on business, work, and society. His focus is on technology abstraction and how it will redefine the future of work and business.

Is a renowned meditator and spiritual leader, born in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains. He was recognized as a holy child at the age of four and trained as a Lama from the very early age. His Eminence is the visionary founder of the Universal Peace Sanctuary, a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting peace, compassion, and understanding among all people and nations. Rinpoche feels that we must always work to make war unfashionable, both within ourselves and among all our brothers and sisters—one human family. Rinpoche believes we can establish world peace through inner peace and "make peace more fashionable than war" is his mantra.

Rinpoche has also established several non-profit organizations worldwide, including Buddhafield and The Center for Enlightenment in the United States, as well as the Wencheng Gongzhu International Foundation, which has branches in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia. He serves as the abbot of Shyalpa Monastery and Nunnery in Kathmandu, Nepal, and oversees various charitable foundations, such as the Bhrikuti Himalayan Foundation and the Himalayan Children’s Fund, which support education and welfare initiatives for underserved communities.

His Eminence is the author of Living Fully: Finding Joy in Every Breath and other well-read books that inspire readers to find joy and purpose in everyday life. Rinpoche’s teachings emphasize mindfulness, compassion, and the path to enlightenment, making him a sought-after speaker and guide for those seeking a deeper understanding of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.

Is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas. He previously held the role of Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education at the University of Oregon, where he was also a professor in the Department of Educational Measurement, Policy, and Leadership. Before joining Oregon, Dr. Zhao served as a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he was the founding director of the Center for Teaching and Technology, the Confucius Institute, and the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a fellow of the International Academy of Education.

Dr. Zhao has received several distinguished honors, including the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association and the Outstanding Public Educator award from the Horace Mann League of the USA. His published works include over 100 articles and nearly 40 books, such as Focused: Understanding, Negotiating, and Maximizing Your Influence as a School Leader (2024) and Duck and Cover: Confronting and Correcting Dubious Practices in Education (2023). His research focuses on the effects of globalization and technology on education, and he has collaborated with schools to develop new models of education.

Tanja Schindler is an internationally recognized futurist and expert in strategic foresight with over a decade of experience. As the Chair of the Association of Professional Futurists (APF), she plays a key role in shaping the global landscape of professional futurism. Tanja is the Founder and Managing Director of Futures2All, an organization dedicated to helping businesses navigate sustainable, future-oriented transformations.

She holds an MBA and a Master of Strategic Foresight from Swinburne University of Technology in Australia, marking her as a leader in foresight innovation and strategy. Her work as a Foresight Advisor to the European Commission highlights her dedication to participatory futures-building and the inclusion of diverse perspectives in futures thinking. With her strong leadership, innovation expertise, and excellent public speaking abilities, Tanja is a highly regarded voice within the global futurist community.

Is the Director General of CIMEA, the Italian Information Center on Academic Mobility and Equivalence. He is one of the leading experts at the Italian and international levels on higher education, bogus diplomas, and accreditation mills, foreign higher education systems degrees, TNE institutions and accreditation, digitalization of processes and blockchain technology applied to recognition.

In addition to his role at CIMEA, Luca has been actively involved in numerous international educational projects. He serves as a consultant for the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) on internationalization strategies and bilateral relations. He has also collaborated with the European Union and UNESCO on global conventions and frameworks related to higher education and qualifications. Luca is a respected advisor on the use of blockchain technology in academic credentialing and recognition.

From 2018 and 2020 Luca was the Head of the Bologna Follow-Up Group (BFUG) Secretariat of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Since 2019 he has been the President of the Lisbon Recognition Convention Committee and the current Head of the ASEM Education Secretariat. In 2022 he was elected member of the Bureau of the Ethics, Transparency, and Integrity (ETINED) platform of the Council of Europe.

Is a futurist, speculative designer, and founder of @protopiafutures, as well as a partner at @africanlifecentricdesign. Her work focuses on creating inclusive, context-aware visions of the future, firmly grounded in complex real-world challenges, as opposed to relying on generic technological solutions that are prone to short-term hype cycles and rapid obsolescence. With expertise in information technologies and immersive media—such as generative AI, spatial computing, VR/XR, UI, and UX—Monika explores both the potential benefits and dangers of innovation in a rapidly evolving landscape where the boundaries between the digital and physical worlds are becoming increasingly blurred.

Monika is particularly dedicated to incorporating inclusive design principles, addressing "invisible" disabilities, and ensuring that neurodivergence is taken into account across technology, policy, and physical spaces. Her goal is to design a more compassionate world that serves the needs of a diverse humanity. As a speculative designer, Monika creates prototypes of culturally diverse, socially, and environmentally engaged future scenarios that draw inspiration from visually and narratively compelling science fiction. Her goal is to translate these visions into actionable strategies to promote future literacy and prepare societies for complex global changes.

Monika’s career includes providing futurist consultancy for Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She has collaborated with leading organizations such as BBC, DreamWorks, Google, Huawei, IDEO, L’Oreal, McKinsey, Mexico City, Meta, Microsoft, MTN, Nike, SKY, TATA, Technicolor, Telefonica, the UAE, UNESCO, Universal, Warner Media, and the World Economic Forum.
Monika has shared her insights through lectures at renowned academic and scientific institutions, including CERN, Rockefeller University, the Royal Society, the Royal College of Art, the Indian Institute of Technology, and OCAD University, among others.

Is a recognized leader in the field of education development, with a passion for improving the accessibility and quality of education globally. His journey in education began during his secondary school years, where he organized national educational events, and since then, he has been dedicated to creating meaningful changes in the education landscape.

Since 2004, Märt has founded five NGOs and four companies aimed at driving innovation in education. He is best known as the co-founder of DreamApply, a Student Application Management Platform launched in 2011, which is now used by over 300 universities across 40 countries. DreamApply has helped streamline the application process for millions of students worldwide, with universities reporting up to 60% reduction in administrative work and a 50% increase in international applications. Additionally, Märt serves as Chairman of the Board at NGO EdTech Estonia, a community that unites over 50 founders of education innovation initiatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across Estonia.

As a sought-after speaker and thought leader, Märt has delivered numerous keynote speeches at global conferences, including events organized by the European Union, the OECD, and the Estonian Ministry of Education and Research. He regularly shares his expertise on topics such as “Hacking Learning,” “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Truth about EdTech,” and “Building an EdTech Company Based on DreamApply Experience.” Märt’s involvement in the Nordic EdTech Forum (N8), which unites 200 EdTech startup founders from eight Northern European countries, has allowed him to create a multiplier effect in advancing education technology and innovation. His dedication to fostering cooperation among key stakeholders has made him a central figure in the global movement to innovate and improve education.

Is an expert on the European Union, European politics, elections, and the digital economy. Her thought-provoking articles have been featured in The Parliament Magazine, Euronews, Le Soir, L’OBS, Revue Études Européennes, Euractiv, EUobserver, and New Europe.

Eli Hadzhieva studied economics and political science at prestigious institutions, including the Middle East Technical University, the University of Manchester, King’s College London, Sciences Po Paris, and the École Nationale d’Administration. After joining the OECD as a consultant and serving at the European Parliament as a parliamentary attaché, she founded EURELIZ, a consultancy firm, and the Dialogue for Europe think tank in Brussels.

She has conducted expert studies for EU institutions, led EU-funded projects, and lectured on EU law, foreign policy, migration, the digital economy, and geopolitics. Her wide-ranging publications cover topics such as human rights, security and defense, justice and home affairs, trade, and climate change. She is fluent in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, and Bulgarian.

Deputy General Director for technology and operations at Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). Jochen Berbner graduated from the Industrial Engineering Department of the Technical University of Karlsruhe and the University of California, Berkeley, USA. He earned an MBA from the INSEAD business school in Fontainebleau, France.

He worked for McKinsey in its offices in Europe, Russia and Kazakhstan for many years. For the last six years, he headed the Kazakhstan office and advised companies in the metallurgical and mining sectors, including ERG. He supervised projects in mining and processing aimed at increasing productivity and operational efficiency, improving production and maintenance processes as well as organizational and cultural changes.

Jochen Berbner has extensive experience in complex, multi-year transformation programs involving debottlenecking, process improvement, capital project analysis and performance management.
"Science in Industry: Eurasian Resources Group's Experience in Managing Technological Projects"

Jochen Berbner is a sought-after speaker and expert in the field of technology and operations management. He has spoken at numerous prestigious international events, including the World Economic Forum and leading industry conferences on technology and management.

President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 1983, he graduated with honors from the Kazakh Agricultural Institute, specializing in agrochemistry and soil science. He is a scientist-agronomist, holds a Doctorate in Agricultural Sciences, and holds the title of Professor. Throughout his career, he has held key leadership positions, including Minister of Agriculture and Rector of Saken Seifullin Kazakh AgroTechnical University, and Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences before becoming its President in 2024.

He is an active member of various governmental and international boards, including the CIS Intergovernmental Council on Agro-Industrial Complex Issues. He is also the author of four monographs and more than 100 scientific publications, and holds one patent .Recognized for his contributions to the field, Dr. Kurishbayev has been honored with multiple awards, including the Orders of "Kurmet" and "Parasat" and the title of "Honored Figure of Kazakhstan."

He has participated as a moderator and speaker in various events and intergovernmental meetings on agricultural policy, natural resources, and ecology.

Ph.D., is the co-founder and managing director of the Center for Creative Training Bulgaria (CCT) and CCT Poland, companies dedicated to innovation, developing new partnerships and projects and comprehensive implementation of Google solutions for education. His work focuses on helping schools develop digital competencies, modernize teaching methods, and improve management practices to prepare headmasters, teachers, and students for the challenges of the 21st century. Alexander is also a shareholder in Wind of Change Jsc and a board member of Climate Change Consultancy, as well as a member of the Board of the Bulgarian Association of Software Companies.

With 15 years of experience in digital technologies and education, Alexander has contributed significantly to the Bulgarian educational landscape. He is a member of the Commission for Innovative Schools at the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) and is recognized as the first Google Certified Innovator in Bulgaria and Central and Eastern Europe. His doctoral dissertation focused on “Changing Educational Organization with the Implementation of Cloud Technologies,” and he currently lectures at Plovdiv University.

Alexander is committed to the qualitative transformation of Bulgarian education, striving to place Bulgaria on the global map as a leader in the meaningful use of technology and innovative educational methods. He has shared his vision as a speaker at TEDx Varna (2017) and TEDx Stara Zagora (2019).

Is a leading expert in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and learning. Her research focuses on how people learn, especially in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. Oakley is known for her groundbreaking research on developing deep thinking skills and creative problem-solving. Her background combining humanities and technical fields allows her to offer unique approaches to learning and intellectual development. She pays particular attention to studying the challenges of learning and developing perseverance and resilience. Her books, including ‘A Mind for Numbers,’ have solidified her reputation as a leading authority on education and self-improvement.

Barbara is the author of several bestselling books that have had a significant impact on the fields of education and self-development. Her bestseller, "A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science," offers evidence-based strategies for improving cognitive functions and enhancing learning efficiency, helping readers develop flexible thinking and creativity. In "Mindshift," she explores the concept of mindset and its influence on our lives. Oakley argues that by cultivating certain mental models, we can transform our abilities and achieve greater success. Overall, Barbara Oakley's books are a valuable resource for anyone seeking to enhance their cognitive abilities and inspire lifelong learning, helping individuals overcome obstacles on their path to self-improvement.

Professor Oakly is a sought-after speaker on the topics of learning and the brain. She has presented at prestigious conferences and leading universities worldwide (Harvard-MIT-Dana Alliance, Yale University, Princeton University, UCLA, the University of Tokyo, Google headquarters in Silicon Valley, and the Financial Times in London). Oakly is also actively involved in media projects (NPR Science Friday, Bloomberg News), publishing articles (The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal), and giving interviews on various channels. Her expertise and knowledge in the field of learning make her a valuable expert for a wide audience.

Is the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Sayasat Nurbek is the initiator of the "Atlas of New Professions" project, which provides a forecast of in-demand professions for the next 5-10 years based on the Foresight methodology. This project aims to anticipate future labor market needs and guide educational and professional development strategies accordingly.

Sayasat Nurbek is one of the most prominent experts in education, education management, program design, and the analysis of education and labor market policies. He is the founder of several milestone education projects in the region, including the Ecole 42 partner school, the first National Public Policy School, the National Skills Foresight project, and a public policy and analysis think tank.

A certified expert in Foresight and Future Studies, Mr.Nurbek has a proven track record of managing large-scale national and international education programs, with an annual budget exceeding $100 million. He is a multilingual public figure, speaker, lecturer, and educator, having delivered over 1,000 public lectures and talks, and reaching a social media audience of over 100,000.

As an Early Stage Investor at Plug and Play and a serial entrepreneur, his expertise lies in nurturing innovative startups towards growth and success. At Plug and Play, he focuses on technology scouting and fostering open innovation, contributing significantly to the evolving tech ecosystem in Uzbekistan.

Is the Chairman of the Board of JSC Science Fund. He was born in 1991 in Zhambyl region. Graduated from the University of Wollongong (UAE), Kazakh University of Technology and Business, Astana IT University. Kamil Akatov has extensive experience in the field of fostering innovations and digital technologies.

Kamil worked at the JSC "Kazakhstan Center for Public-Private Partnership" as an expert in 2015, where he contributed to PPP projects in ICT and digitalization. He then served in various capacities at the JSC Zerde National Infocommunication Holding from 2016 to 2022, where he played a key role in technology commercialization and digital integration initiatives. His subsequent roles included Chairman of the Board at the National Agency for Innovation Development Qazinnovations and Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education, where he implemented grant funding programs and supported research and development projects on a national scale.

His achievements include implementation of public-private partnership (PPP) projects in ICT, digitalization, and information security, integration of digital platforms, grant funding for innovation activities, technology commercialization, and fostering innovation on a national scale.

He participated as a speaker in various international events such as UN SPECA Economic Forum, Huawei "Seeds for the Future," Forum on Cooperation of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan in the field of Higher Education, Science and Innovation" within the framework of the International Week of Innovative Ideas InnoWeek.uz-2023 and other.

Is a Head of Innovation Community Development Department at GITA, Fostering valuable partnerships between the ecosystem players and creating supporting mechanisms for startups and youngsters to stimulate innovation in Georgia.


Salome is an alumni of Business and Technology University and Polytechnic Institute of Braganca, Portugal. She is the youngest management member in the Agency. Passionate about women empowerment initiatives, teaching entrepreneurship and innovation management at BTU (Business and Technology University).

Is an expert in data literacy, learning, and change management. She spearheads innovative digital literacy transformation programs, leading the development of effective, engaging initiatives. She leverages the framework she created for operationalizing data literacy culture change based on best practices of instructional design, psychology, business, and organizational change management and her experience working directly with clients for nearly two decades. She consults directly with clients to evaluate and align data capabilities, processes, and tools that achieve business objectives.

Taryn Hess has led several impactful projects across various industries. She led an enterprise-wide Data Literacy transformation program at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, an EDM Data Literacy transformation program at a multinational pharmaceutical corporation. For a health insurance provider, Taryn developed a Data Product operating model, detailing roles, responsibilities, and growth plans alongside a comprehensive data product training plan. She also launched a Digital Readiness program at a global automobile manufacturer, which included creating pathways for leadership and associates to advance their digital capabilities.

Taryn Hess has been a prominent voice in promoting data literacy through her recent thought leadership contributions. Taryn Hess led the development of a first-of-its-kind Data Literacy Program at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, creating a multi-tier strategy that included designing an engaging awareness program, piloting targeted initiatives, and nurturing a data literacy alumni community. In her thought leadership piece "Data Literacy: The Key to Unlocking AI & Skills-Based Transformation in HR," she highlighted the critical role of data literacy in bridging the AI and skills gap within HR.

Is an international journalist, author, and public speaker widely recognized for his flagship international TV interview shows on CNN International and Al Jazeera English. He was a key founding member of BBC World, CNN International, and Al Jazeera English.

Through the span of his career, Riz has conducted more than 10,000 high-profile interviews with prominent figures such as Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, Mikhail Gorbachev, Kofi Annan, Prince Alwaleed, Stephen Hawking, Antonio Banderas, Peter Gabriel, Martina Navratilova, Margaret Atwood, Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, and Bill Gates. He also chose to actively cover key issues often ignored at the time by the mainstream news media, including human development, wildlife conservation, and the environment concerns.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Riz is a sought-after moderator, speaker, and media trainer at major global events covering politics, business, finance and health, including the World Economic Forum (WEF), UN conferences, WHO, OECD, Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), PhRMA, YPO, EO, World Capital Markets Symposium, and the Dubai Knowledge Summit. Over the past two decades, Riz has moderated and spoken at more than 300 high-level events worldwide.

Riz is also a published author. In 2005, he wrote Alwaleed: Businessman, Billionaire, Prince (Harper Collins), a candid look at the life of Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Al Saud, who was then the fourth richest man on the Forbes list and the largest foreign investor in the United States. In 2010, he released his first novel, We Interrupt Our Programming…, a satirical take on the world of broadcast journalism.

Is the Head of Education Reform for Europe, Central Asia, and Pakistan at the Cambridge Partnership of Education. He has spearheaded initiatives with UNICEF in Bangladesh to enhance educational access for Rohingya children and collaborates with the Ministry of Education and Science in Mongolia, as well as government entities in Pakistan, to support educational transformation. Additionally, Steve played a significant role in developing the Uzbekistan Presidential Schools, earning recognition for his contributions to the educational sector.

Is a Managing Partner at DOMiNO Ventures, focusing on high-tech, pure-digital, and first-day global startups from Central Asia, and Turkey. With a vision to create the DOMiNO Effect for a Better Future, he supports founders solving the modern world’s problems in AI, Deeptech, Cleantech, Healthtech, Fintech, Hrtech, Edtech, Gametech, Cybersecurity, and Life Sciences.

He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Master's degree in International Trade and Economics. Prior to his role as Managing Partner, Yağız served as Managing Director at DOMiNO Ventures from 2021 and held senior positions at Tarvenn Ventures and Advisors and TechOne Venture Capital. Additionally, he is actively involved in various NGOs and investment networks related to entrepreneurship.

Is the Deputy Chairman of Georgia's Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA), responsible for TeachParks, Innovation Community Development, International and Donor Relations, and IT Education. He is also an Associate Professor at Business and Technology University, lecturing on Innovation, Startups, and Entrepreneurship.

Is the CEO of Good Tech Advisory and a globally recognized leader in the field of artificial intelligence governance and ethics. She was named a TIME 100 Impact Awardee in 2024, a Who’s Who Emerging Innovator in 2024, and is listed in Who’s Who in America as well as Forbes 50 Over 50. As the inaugural and former Head of Artificial Intelligence at the World Economic Forum, and a member of its Executive Committee, Kay made history in 2014 by becoming the world’s first Chief AI Ethics Officer. With her deep expertise in law, technology, and policy, she is one of the foremost authorities on AI governance globally.

Kay is a Barrister, former Judge and Professor, technologist and entrepreneur who has an abiding interest in how humanity can benefit from new technologies, especially AI. Kay is a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Texas, Visiting Scholar at the University of Notre Dame and Fellow at New America in the Future of Work and Innovation team. She has authored several books on human rights, artificial intelligence, and modern slavery.

She served as Vice-Chair of the ground-breaking IEEE Global Initiative for Ethical Considerations in Artificial Intelligence and Autonomous Systems and was a part of the group that created the Asilomar AI Ethical Principles. Her advisory roles span multiple international organizations, including the Polaris Council for the Government Accountability Office (USA), the UNESCO International Research Centre on AI, and the AI and Philanthropy Steering Committee of the Partnership on AI. Additionally, Kay serves on the board of the Earth Species Project and is a member of the UKRAI TAS Hub and the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on AI.

She is an Ambassador for the Global Trust Challenge co-created by OECD and IEEE, and regularly engages with international audiences on the technical, economic, legal, geopolitical, and social implications of AI. Her contributions have been consistently recognized since 2018, including being featured in The New York Times as one of the 10 Women Changing the Landscape of Leadership. She is also an Associate Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers and a Master of the Inner Temple in London, having served on the Lord Chief Justice’s Advisory Panel on AI and Law.

Is a visionary leader committed to driving social and economic transformation across Africa. Guided by his belief that diversity and equal access to opportunities are essential for building a better world, he founded Africa 2.0, a non-for-profit pan-African civil society organization focused on creating a sustainable vision for Africa's transformation. In 2014, he was recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Influential Men in Africa by Forbes Magazine.

Building on his extensive experience in finance and investments, Mamadou launched the Ubuntu Group in 2015 and later founded Ubuntu Tribe, a digital platform that uses the tokenization of gold and other natural resources to promote financial inclusion and wealth redistribution. His efforts have earned him a finalist position at the African Bankers Awards in 2019 and a spot among the Top 30 Most Influential in Blockchain Technology in 2020.

Over the past two decades, Mamadou has held leadership roles in institutions such as KPMG, BNP Paribas Investment Banking, and General Electric, managing projects worth over $25 billion across sectors like infrastructure, mining, and agriculture. He continues to advocate for a digital economy as a tool for empowerment and shared prosperity throughout Africa.

President of Nazarbayev University, is a distinguished scholar specializing in sociology and social policy. He previously served as President of Abu Dhabi University and Deputy Vice Chancellor of Middlesex University, where he championed strategic initiatives to enhance university performance. His extensive experience also includes significant involvement in UK education policy through various research funding commissions.

Professor Ahmad Waqar is the author of several books and scholarly articles in sociology and social policy, making significant contributions to key discussions on higher education reform. His work includes developing innovative faculty training approaches and obtaining funding for groundbreaking research initiatives. Ahmad has served on the Board of the UK Research Council, shaping educational policy and practice. He is also recognized for his leadership at Abu Dhabi University, where he implemented strategic initiatives that significantly improved the university's ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings (251-300) and the THE Young Universities Rankings (top 60).

Professor Waqar Ahmad has been a speaker at prestigious events such as the Global Forum on Higher Education and the World Conference on Sociology. He has delivered numerous presentations worldwide on the future of higher education, institutional improvement, and public policy reform. In his talks, he offers practical advice on fostering academic innovation and collaboration, helping universities address the challenges of a rapidly changing educational landscape. Ahmad's engaging style and extensive experience make him a prominent figure in global discussions on the development of higher education.

Is an expert of the Council of International Schools and currently serves as the CEO of the Bibigul Tulegenova Creative School. He is a scholarship holder of the Bolashak programme and is actively involved in the development of innovative educational projects in Kazakhstan.

He graduated from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, Scotland, and the University of Sussex in England, gaining profound knowledge and expertise, which he successfully applies in his professional endeavors.

Arnur Madenov has been actively involved in several major educational initiatives, including the Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools, Open School 2035, IQanat High School of Burabay, and the Bibigul Tulegenova School of Arts.

Is an education expert at the UNESCO Almaty Regional Office, overseeing educational projects across Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. She coordinates initiatives related to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), global citizenship, teacher professional development, ICT in education, and higher education. Meirgul has raised over $10 million USD for educational projects in Central Asia, focusing on areas such as digitalization, competency-based education, STEM education, mainstreaming gender equality in and through education.

Prior to UNESCO, Meirgul worked at the International Youth Foundation in STEM and life skills development and at TALDAU National Centre for Research and Evaluation of Education, where she coordinated the OECD Review of Higher Education in Kazakhstan. She holds a Master's degree in Pedagogy and Psychology from L.N. Gumilev Eurasian National University and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Michigan State University. Meirgul is also an alumna of the Bolashak Scholarship Programme and was named among its top 30 female graduates in 2021.

Meirgul has contributed to various international forums, conferences as speaker, trainer and moderator in the field of education. Her publications include UNESCO Report on “Ensuring Lifelong Learning Opportunities for All in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan: Country Experiences and Policy Recommendations,” Policy Brief on “Higher education in Central Asia,” an article in the Journal of the European Higher Education Area: " Reforming university autonomy in Kazakhstan : a project to evaluate the current status and generate precise reform directions using the EUA university autonomy tool ", and others.

Is currently co-chairing the Bologna Follow-up Advisory Group on Social Dimension for the period 2018-2020, whose goal is to create a new strategic document Principles and Guidelines for Social Dimension to help countries in the European Higher Education Area improve social dimension policies. He is a senior expert of the European Expert Network on Economics of Education, which includes some of the leading European experts in education and advises the European Commission. In Croatia, he is a member of the National Committee for Enhancing the Social Dimension of Higher Education, of the National Council for Human Resources Development, of the Accreditation Council of the Agency for Science and Higher Education, and of the Governing Board of the National Center for External Evaluation of Education.

Schmidt has repeatedly served as consultant and expert in prominent international organizations like the World Bank and the European Commission, various government bodies, higher education institutions and professional organizations, working on the reform and development of higher education, as well as on social and economic development. He is the author and editor of numerous professional and scientific publications concerning higher education policy development.

Ninoslav Scukanec Schmidt is the founder of the Institute for the Development of Education in Zagreb, Croatia, where he served as Executive Director since 1999. He has dedicated his career to the development of higher education policies. His main expertise lies in the social dimension of higher education, financing of higher education, quality enhancement in higher education, and in the development of qualifications frameworks.

Is the Founder and CEO of Koding Next, the largest coding school in Southeast Asia. He is also a founder and president of EdTech Poland. He strongly believes in the power of collaboration among companies within industry clusters, which led him to initiate the idea of establishing the foundation EdTech Poland. Additionally, he co-founded several other educational technology ventures, including Skriwar, CyberFox, and Coding Powers.

Is a visionary systems change designer and the driving force behind United Planet and the UP.Game. He creates immersive experiences that empower teams to envision and implement strategies for a thriving future. As a catalyst for global transformation, Lucian harnesses over two decades of expertise in community building and knowledge sharing to accelerate the emergence of a harmonious Planetary Civilization.

The UP.Game serves as a transformative design thinking protocol for systems change, enabling participants to collaboratively explore and prototype innovative solutions. Through engaging scenarios, it encourages teams to reverse-engineer their paths from a flourishing future. Lucian has produced 24 episodes of the UP.Games, establishing the world’s largest narrative focused on sustainable futures. As a Young Global Leader recognized by the World Economic Forum since 2010, he convenes transformational leaders to drive planetary change. Lucian created the world’s first Planetary Embassy prototype in San Francisco - a vision for the transformation of cities into a planetary community of hubs of innovation.

Previously, Lucian spent a decade as Founder & CEO of BraveNew, where he empowered Fortune 1000 clients and collaboratives to enhance collaboration around shared visions through online learning communities. His mission addresses the crisis of meaning and trust by crafting unifying narratives that inspire multi-stakeholder cooperation.

In addition to his role at United Planet, Lucian leads Take Heart India, a charity dedicated to providing vocational skills to blind and handicapped individuals in rural India. He speaks globally on the convergence of time, talent, intelligence, and capital, and their transformative impact on society.

Co-founded with Vint Cerf, the People-Centered Internet, a nonprofit organization working to ensure that the Internet is a positive force for good that improves the lives and well-being of people around the world. She is a leading voice in digital rights, and digital public infrastructure for community empowerment and resilience especially for the Global South. She is also a Chair of the Technical Committee on Sustainability in IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for the benefit of humanity.

In her career she was an early pioneer of Customer Relationship Management and ERP systems while at Intel and Oracle, working with Marc Benioff, now CEO of SalesForce.She was also a socio-technical lead for the U.S. Federal Health Futures and business partner to internet pioneer Douglas Engelbart, Mei Lin organized the Digital Governance Series at the 2024 UN Science Summit working actively with the ACM, IEEE, ITU, UNDP and the World Bank.

Is the Vice-President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, PhD in biochemistry and molecular biology, Professor at the School of Sciences and Humanities of Nazarbayev University. He was born in 1967 in Almaty. In 1991, he graduated from the Faculty of Biology of the Kazakh State University (KazNU named after Al-Farabi). In 1997, he defended his doctoral dissertation in biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. From 1999 to 2006, he worked at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Later, he was invited to head a research laboratory at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the leading cancer centers in the United States.

Since 2006, Associate Professor of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology at UTHealth University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. Dr Sarbassov is a leading expert in cancer research and a pioneer in developing innovative treatment methods for the disease. He has extensive experience conducting scientific research at prominent health institutions abroad. Since 2020, Dr. Sarbassov has led the National Laboratory Astana (NLA) at Nazarbayev University, where a drug for KRAS-mutant cancer was recently developed.

Dr. Sarbassov is a globally recognized researcher in cancer research and treatment, with over 25 years of scientific experience at international institutions. He brings extensive expertise in organizing, coordinating, and managing cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. He has authored over 80 scientific publications, including 37 manuscripts, and is renowned for contributing to the discovery of the MTOR protein's role in cell growth, proliferation, mRNA transcription, and protein biosynthesis. Dos Sarbassov has participated in various international scientific conferences and forums both in Kazakhstan and abroad.

Is a highly qualified expert in the field of education management and development. She holds a PhD in Education from Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom (2015-2019), as well as a Master’s degree in Education Management from the University of Warwick (2010-2011), which she completed with honors. Additionally, she has a Master’s degree in Translation and a Bachelor’s degree in Linguistics with a specialization in English Language Teaching, both earned with honors from Abai Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages.

Gulmira’s academic contributions include co-authoring several books such as "Introduction to Research in Education" (NUGSE, 2022) and "Leadership of Kazakhstani Teachers" (Zhibek Zholy Publishing House, 2023). She has also contributed chapters to numerous publications, including works by Cambridge University Press and Routledge, focusing on topics such as teacher leadership, education reform, and innovative financing of schools.

Gulmira has presented her research at numerous prestigious conferences and forums, showcasing her expertise and contributing to global educational discussions. These include American Educational Research Association (AERA), New York, USA (2018), Leadership in Professional Learning, Cambridge, United Kingdom (2019), International Online Conference of the Professional Development Association (IPDA), Birmingham, United Kingdom (2020), European Conference on Educational Research (ECER), Geneva, Switzerland (2021) and others.

Is a leading expert in educational programs and education management. She is an international expert in International Baccalaureate (IB) educational programs and Council of International Schools (CIS) accreditation. Her extensive experience includes key administrative positions at Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools (NIS), where she played a crucial role in developing innovative learning approaches. Additionally, Gulnara is actively involved in coaching and is an English teacher and a certified ICU coach.

Gulnara holds a master's degree in "Education Management" from the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University and is the founder of the Caucasus and Central Asia International Baccalaureate Schools Association (www.ccaiwbs.org). She has held key administrative positions at NIS and actively participates in the development of new educational initiatives in the region. Her contributions to education are recognized internationally.

In 2020, Gulnara founded the public fund Teach for Qazaqstan, which was recognized as the initiative of the year. The fund aims to improve the quality of education in Kazakhstan by developing teachers and providing education in remote regions of the country. This program is inspired by the global Teach for All network and helps implement progressive teaching methods, contributing to the development of future leaders and social responsibility.

Gulnara Salmen regularly speaks at various international forums and conferences, such as Nobel Fest, Academy of Women Entrepreneurs, Abay Gylym Fest, and the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), the largest collegiate team programming competition. At these events, she shares her knowledge and vision for the future of education. Her presentations always include practical recommendations and strategies for transforming the education system and preparing future leaders. She regularly participates in international educational forums and summits, helping to implement the best global practices into Kazakhstan's education system.

Is a Managing Partner at DOMiNOVentures focusing on high-tech, pure-digital and first-day global startups from Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Turkey with an ambition to create DOMiNO Effect for Better Future. He is backing founders who are solving new problems of the modern world in AI, Deeptech, Cleantech, Healthtech, Fintech, Hrtech, Edtech, Gametech, Cybersecurity and Life Science. He is carrying different roles in many NGOs and investment networks related to entrepreneurship. He has a Master's degree in Business Administration and Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering.

Is the CEO of BGlobal Ventures, a subsidiary of Qazaqstan Investment Corporation JSC (Fund of Funds), with a mission to develop the venture capital market in Kazakhstan and Central Eurasia. With over 10 years of experience in investments, business consulting, startup ecosystem development, and venture capital, Abay has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and supporting entrepreneurial growth in the region.

At BGlobal Ventures, Abay leads efforts to provide both financial and non-financial support tools for business angels, limited partners, and corporations. Prior to his role at BGlobal Ventures, Abay served as Managing Director at Astana Hub, a leading technology park. He also held the position of Senior Investment Manager at Samruk Kazyna from 2017 to 2021, where he oversaw multiple investment projects and production plants, focusing on strategic and operational planning, digitalization and transformation, asset management, investment analysis, and mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Chairman of the board-rector of the Non-profit joint stock company D.Serikbayev East Kazakhstan technical university, has held this position since 2022. She is an experienced specialist in higher education and engineering sciences. Under her leadership, the Lu Ban Workshop and the Kazakh-German Institute were opened, which are significant international projects aimed at training specialists and developing educational initiatives between Kazakhstan and other countries.

Saule Rakhmetullina actively participates in the modernization of educational standards and the introduction of innovative teaching methods, which contributes to improving the quality of training specialists in the field of engineering and technology.

Is a seasoned media professional, filmmaker, and entrepreneur with a diverse background in journalism, technology, and storytelling. He currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of The Helsinki Times, Finland’s leading English-language online newspaper, and SixDegrees, a monthly magazine. Under his leadership, these publications have expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of readers globally, making him a key figure in English-language media in Finland.

In addition to his editorial work, Alexis is the founder and CEO of VitalSigns, a groundbreaking medical technology startup focused on smart AI coupled medical devices for diagnostics. His innovative approach to merging medical science with cutting-edge technology showcases his ability to operate at the intersection of media and healthcare, bringing impactful solutions to hospitals and patients around the world.

With over two decades of experience in film production through Dream Catcher Productions, Alexis has directed and produced award-winning documentaries and films that have been recognized at international festivals. His unique storytelling ability, combined with a deep understanding of cultural and human rights issues, has earned him critical acclaim globally.
His books have been translated to multiple languages and won awards domestically and internationally.

A multi-disciplinary professional, Alexis combines technological foresight with creative media strategies, making him a prominent voice in both the technological and media landscapes. His expertise spans public health and epidemilogy, diagnostics, film production, journalism, and cross-platform content creation, positioning him as a leader capable of driving innovation in today’s media-rich environment.

Has 18 years of experience in advancing innovative models of education reform, international development, and female empowerment. At Korda Institute for Teaching, she is leading initiatives to scale a wildly effective teaching method that is transforming educators and students across 33 countries.

Alison also founded a skills organization for young female changemakers, co-directed Hawken School’s Entrepreneurial Studies program, served as a Global Shaper with the World Economic Forum, and helped scale social enterprises founded by Ashoka Fellows, Bono of U2, and Richard Branson. Her perspective on social impact is informed by her interdisciplinary background and global experience spanning the U.S., Latin America, the Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia.

Is the CEO of Quantum Education and one of the leading specialists in STEM education in Kazakhstan. He is an experienced educator, coach for the national chemistry team, and an active advocate for innovation within the education system. Almas possesses deep knowledge in teaching chemistry and nurturing student talent, as well as promoting science and technology among youth.

Throughout his career, Almas has trained over 30 winners of international and national Olympiads, launched the regional chemistry Olympiad named after academician Abiken Bekturov, authored chemistry textbooks for grades 8 and 9, and led the inclusive OYLA School of Sciences. He has also served as the scientific editor for the popular science magazine OYLA, which is published in 10 countries. Since 2019, Almas has been the deputy director at RFMSH, where he implemented educational innovations, prepared the Olympiad team, and coordinated extracurricular science clubs. In 2020, his students won the grand prize at the international Technovation competition. Almas also oversees the Fizmat STEM for Teachers professional development program, supported by Chevron.

Almas Ordabayev actively speaks at educational forums and conferences, promoting STEM education in Kazakhstan and participating in the development of the Ministry of Education's roadmap for its advancement. He is an honored worker of education in the Republic of Kazakhstan and holds the title of "National teacher of the Year – 2016."

Is the head of the business incubator at NURIS (Kazakhstan). She is also a co-founder of the Founder Institute Kazakhstan program and a certified startup tracker (Russian Internet Initiatives Fund).

With over 6 years of experience in developing, launching, and conducting startup support programs, Assylzhan has worked closely with startups in Central Asia. Since 2018, she and her team have conducted 12 incubation programs, which have involved more than 700 startups.

Is the program director at SITF, PhD, and an expert with over 17 years of experience in teaching and project management in the education sector. For the past 4 years, she has specialized in supporting and developing startups, creating online incubation programs for early-stage ventures.

Throughout her career, Bakyt has led startup preparation programs, including those focused on entering international markets. For the last 2 years, she has actively been preparing startup founders for selection in the StartX accelerator at Stanford University, helping them adapt to the requirements of international ecosystems.

Is Government Affairs & Public Policy Lead for Central Asia&Turkey at HP Inc. Before joining HP, Diana has worked in international organizations strengthening the bilateral economic relations between the U.S. and Eurasia. Significant part of her job included Government Relations and Commercial Diplomacy, and support to the commercial interests of international firms operating in the region.

Diana comes with a wealth of experience and sectoral knowledge in IT, Telecom, Education, Infrastructure and Services industries. Her previous jobs included positions in multinational companies like Unilever, E.ON and Ericsson. Diana is a graduate of MBA Program at Heriot-Watt University Business School, she also studied at Thunderbird Business School (ASU) and Monterey Institute of International Studies (Global Education program).

Is the Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with expertise in business administration and information technology. She holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the EU Business School (2017-2021) and a Master’s degree in Information Technology with a specialization in Information Systems from the Kazakh University of Economic, Finance, and International Trade (2010-2012).

Dinara has been actively involved in driving digital transformation in education and science, both nationally and globally. She has participated in key international forums and high-level discussions focusing on AI, digitalization, and economic cooperation, including events in San Francisco, Tokyo, Istanbul, and Kazan, among others.

Is the head and founder of the Maruf Fellows educational leaders accelerator and the CEO of Paradigm Shift, an investment group focused on education. He is the founder of the Urban Schools business school network and the Perspective Schools primary schools.

Gabit is a member of the Royal Society of Arts in the UK and a permanent resident of the Oxford Union. In his work, he advises international corporations, investment funds, and government institutions on educational matters. Gabit Bekakhmet is also the author of several books, including "Knowledge Ships: NIS, BIL, RFMSH," "Barsa Kelmes: The Nomads Return," and "Fundamentals of Critical Thinking."

Is a leading Global Impact Strategist and one of the first C-level executives in this field, known for coining and shaping the term. With nearly two decades of experience spanning over 14 countries, Nisaa has been instrumental in designing and implementing catalytic impact models that drive growth across government sectors, family offices, major brands, and NGOs. Her expertise lies in developing holistic, sustainable strategies for driving positive change.

In addition to her role as a trained solicitor with private equity experience, Nisaa has held senior board positions and C-suite roles across various sectors globally. She has also been recognized as one of the top 20 Impact & Sustainability Start-Up Leaders across Europe by the Founder Institute. Nisaa has served as a Founding Member of Chief (UK), a prestigious organization for top female executives, and has contributed to impactful projects with the United Nations, the World Economic Forum, and the National Climate Taskforce of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Nisaa is a sought-after speaker at global forums, including high-profile events like COP28 and COP27, where she has delivered keynote speeches and participated in panel discussions on climate finance, health, and sustainability. Her work and insights continue to shape global discourse on impact and sustainability, positioning her as a key thought leader in the field.

Over the course of his career, Sergei has held leading and senior roles in public authorities, start-ups, and Fortune 500 corporations, including Shell, Nokia, and Thomson Reuters. He has led joint projects and strategic initiatives in cooperation with ministries of education, academies of sciences, and higher education institutions all across emerging markets in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. Sergei is a graduate of the Executive MBA programme of the London Business School.

He is an expert in university and business school rankings, scientometrics, research analytics, big data, and machine learning. Sergei actively contributed to the development of the Arabic and African Citation Indices as well as projects of Research4Life, an organization that provides free access to scientific content for scholars and researchers in low-income countries. He works with leaders and experts of higher education institutions in Central Asia, Azerbaijan, and Türkiye on university performance evaluation and digital transformation.

Sergei is a frequent speaker at high-profile events in higher education and scientific research such as QS Higher Education Summits, Africa Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation, conferences of the International Rankings Expert Group – IREG, International Symposium of URAP – University Rankings by Academic Performance, and other professional fora.

Is a public figure and an expert in sustainable territorial development. He has over 10 years of experience in leading sustainable development projects, including participation in international projects and programs aimed at the strategic development of destinations and improving the quality of life in rural areas of Kazakhstan. Since 2023, he has been the Executive Director of the Aitas Foundation, which oversees more than 200 projects in education, healthcare, tourism, landscaping, and regional development in Kazakhstan's villages. The AITAS holding has invested 3.9 billion tenge in the implementation of these projects aimed at improving the quality of life in rural areas of Kazakhstan.

Before his current position, he served as the Executive Director of the Sustainable Development Fund of the Katon-Karagay District from 2019, where he led projects to equip rural schools according to the NIS standards and develop a tourism cluster to create jobs in rural areas. Previously, from 2017, he held the position of Executive Director of the Public Association "Tourism Association of East Kazakhstan," during which 86% of the Association's proposals were accepted in the Concept for the Development of the Tourism Industry of Kazakhstan until 2023.

From 2010 to 2016, he led the NGO "LEM," successfully implementing 34 projects aimed at community development and support, as well as establishing three independent non-governmental organizations.

Is a renowned historian and philosopher, best known for his international bestsellers Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, and 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. His works have sold over 45 million copies in 65 languages, positioning him as one of the most influential public intellectuals globally. Harari's research and writing explore broad macro-historical questions and the intersection of history, biology, and technology. He received his PhD from the University of Oxford and is currently a Lecturer at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as well as a Distinguished Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge.

Prof. Harari has lectured at major global forums such as the World Economic Forum in Davos and regularly engages in discussions with world leaders, including the Prime Ministers of Austria, Greece, and the Netherlands, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. In addition to his academic work, Harari co-founded Sapienship, a social impact company, which focuses on addressing global challenges through education and storytelling. His expertise spans topics such as geopolitics, artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity.

Harari's contributions extend beyond his books, with frequent appearances in major media outlets like The Guardian, The Financial Times, and The New York Times. He has received numerous accolades, including an honorary doctorate from the Free University of Brussels and the US Association of Foreign Press Correspondents Honorary Award. Harari continues to be a sought-after speaker on the global stage, where his insights into history, technology, and humanity’s future continue to shape public discourse.

Is the Director of the Department of Social Projects and Programs at Nazarbayev University Social Development Fund, where she is responsible for developing strategies to drive social impact through various projects and programs implemented by NU community. She oversees partnerships with governmental, international, business and non-governmental organizations, utilizing innovative approaches, including impact investments, to foster social change. She is a strong advocate for the potential of impact investments to create meaningful and lasting transformations.

Before this role, Dina served as Deputy Chief Executive at the Civil Initiatives Support Center from its inception, where she laid the foundations for the management and monitoring of social projects at the state level.

Is the Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In 2002, he graduated from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and in 2007 from Satpayev Kazakh National Technical University with a degree in Oil and Gas Engineering. His career includes roles such as Physics and Mathematics instructor at the Republican Medical College in Almaty (2002), Software Engineer at KazakhOil's Center for Technological Research (2003), and various academic positions at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University from 2004 to 2012, including Assistant Professor, Senior Lecturer, and Head of the Informatics Department. He served as Dean of the Mechanics and Mathematics Faculty (2012-2013) and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs (2013-2016) at Al-Farabi KazNU. He was Director of the Higher and Postgraduate Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Science (2016-2017), President of the University of International Business (2017-2020), Rector of Astana IT University (2020-2022), and Chairman of the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (2022-2023). Since September 2023, he has been serving as Vice-Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Prof. Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki has authored over 150 scientific works published in international and Kazakhstani journals, with research focusing on program verification theory and the organization of distributed and parallel computing, as well as the modernization of the higher education system. He is a recipient of the State Scientific Scholarship for scientists and specialists who have made an outstanding contribution to the development of science and technology.

Prof. Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki participated in many prestigious events, one of which was the Ministerial Conference on Science and Technology Policy of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) held in Paris on 23-24 April 2024. The conference was attended by Member states and Partner countries of the OECD. The conference discussed cooperation in the fields of science and higher education, including the extension of the agreement on the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Centre under the auspices of UNESCO and the participation of Kazakhstani scientists in the International Hydrological Programme. In his speeches Prof. Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki informed the distinguished audience about the current reforms being carried out in Kazakhstan in the organization of scientific research, strengthening the connection between universities, research organizations, and companies in the industrial sector to promote scientific innovations and their practical implementation.

Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In 2010, he graduated from the National School of Public Policy at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He holds qualifications in economics and law, as well as a PhD in “Public and Local Administration.”

From 2006 to 2012, he completed training programs on public administration and audit at Indiana University (USA), the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, the Sanford School of Public Policy at Duke University (USA), the Netherlands Institute of Public Administration (The Hague, Netherlands), and the Institute of Government Audits of South Korea.

Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, Talgat Yeshenkulov, is actively participating in international forums and events. He represented Kazakhstan at the TNF 2024 Industrial and Energy Forum in Tyumen, held on September 18. Additionally, Talgat Iliyasovich participated in a forum on ecology and the development of green energy in Kazakhstan, where he emphasized the importance of sustainable use of natural resources and environmental education.

Vice Minister Talgat Yeshenkulov also participated in the following international forums and events:
The 9th meeting of Education Ministers of the "Asia-Europe" forum (ASEMME9), held in Floriana, Malta, from January 25-26, 2024.
The 13th meeting of the Kazakhstan-Turkey Intergovernmental Trade and Economic Commission in Ankara, Turkey, from April 24-25, 2024.
The European Higher Education Area (EHEA) Education Ministers' Conference and the Global Policy Forum, held in Tirana, Albania, from May 29-30, 2024.
The 8th meeting of Education Ministers of the Member States of the Organization of Turkic States, held in Shusha, Azerbaijan, on June 1, 2024.

The session to defend Kazakhstan's report on measures taken to implement the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which took place on March 4-5, 2024, in Geneva, Switzerland.
These events underscore his substantial contributions to the advancement of science and education in Kazakhstan and support the promotion of international cooperation.

Is recognized as the best IT educator in Central Asia and has been featured in Forbes' "30 Under 30." He is the developer of the local STEAM kit QBit and a leader in educational innovation, specializing in STEAM and sustainable development. Rustem actively implements artificial intelligence and modern technologies in the educational process, collaborating with international partners such as Google to enhance educational programs in schools.

As a speaker at conferences like EdCrunch X Global and Connected, he shares his experience with educators and professionals. Additionally, Rustem is actively involved in improving education in rural regions of Kazakhstan through initiatives by the Foundation for Sustainable Education Development. His contributions have been acknowledged by his inclusion in the list of the top 50 teachers for the National Award "Teacher of Kazakhstan."

Is QID Member, Investment Director at MOST Holding Ltd. With over 18 years of outstanding experience in corporate finance and investment activities, she began her career at one of the world’s leading Big 4 consulting firms (Deloitte). She has held key leadership positions such as Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director in large international holdings with capitalization exceeding a billion dollars, including Samruk-Kazyna, United Cement Group (Visor), and Mercury Properties. She has led the development and implementation of financial strategies, business transformation, and operational efficiency improvements across various industries.

Is the Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, with extensive experience in the field of education. Born in 1969 in the Kyzylorda region, he graduated from the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and holds a PhD in philosophy and psychology.

He began his career in 1989 as a teacher of the Kazakh language and deputy principal at a school, later holding leadership roles in various educational institutions, including principal of a secondary school and scientific secretary at the I. Altynsarin Kazakh Academy of Education. In 2020, he was appointed Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center "Textbook," and in 2022, he served as Vice Minister of Education and Science, followed by Vice Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Since January 2023, Gani Beisembaev has held the position of Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Throughout his career, he has been awarded the "Yeren enbegi ushin" medal for his outstanding contributions to education.

Is a venture Investor and AI Enthusiast. Since early 2022, Yerbol Kapishev has been actively involved in the startup ecosystem and venture investments through his work with JAS Ventures. With a strong belief in the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, Yerbol focuses on driving innovation across sectors such as biotech and fintech. His interest in these fields allows him to stay at the cutting edge of emerging technologies and investment opportunities.

Recently, Yerbol and his team launched the AI Dala Fund I, designed to strategically capture opportunities in AI-driven innovation, solidifying his role in advancing technology and investment in key growth sectors.

Is a media manager and the founder and CEO of ER10 Media, a platform dedicated to IT and technology. With over 12 years of hands-on experience in PR and brand strategy, Elnora has successfully led numerous projects focused on brand promotion and corporate reputation building.

For 6 years, she taught at universities such as KIMEP and AlmaU. Elnora is also the author of a unique methodology and training programs on reputation management and brand development from scratch.