Today, digital transformation is a major factor that determines the renewal and strategic expansion of higher education institutions. It is not only about the use of technology in classrooms but the whole paradigm of universities organizing learning, research, and societal interaction. This study explores how universities perceive and implement digital change, what factors influence these changes, and what barriers prevent them from moving forward. This research explores both the theory and the real-world application of digital transformation in higher education with an emphasis on creating a national model of a digital university in Kazakhstan. This research adopts a qualitative design and is grounded in well-founded theory principles. A wide range of academic publications from 2020 to 2025 have been reviewed, and key studies were deeply analyzed with the help of Atlas.ti25, which facilitated the identification of recurring themes and conceptual relationships in the higher education sector. The results reveal that successful digital transformation depends on the balancing of the four interrelated factors that are articulated in this study. Among those are empathetic leadership, a trustworthy digital infrastructure, innovative teaching and learning methods, and the continuous development of employee qualifications. The universities that were able to implement digital transformation more thoroughly are usually the ones showing strategic consistency, internal collaboration, and the sustained investment in human and technological resources. However, at the same time, numerous institutions confront financial constraints, weak infrastructure, and faculty members’ varying levels of digital preparedness. To the problems mentioned above, this research offers a Digital University Model which sees the university as a changing ecosystem that merges institutional, technological, pedagogical, and cultural processes into one structure of ongoing innovation. This study continues the discussions on digital transformation in higher education in a clear and accessible manner. The authors explain how digitalization influences the development of universities and colleges, offering valuable guidance for institutional leaders and decision makers. In addition, this article presents concrete and practical recommendations that can support educational institutions in advancing their digital maturity.

In this work, the mechanical and tribological characteristics of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) sheets were enhanced by electron beam irradiation. PEEK sheets irradiated at a speed of 0.8 m/min with a total dose of 200 kGy achieved the lowest specific wear rate of 4.57 ± 0.69 (10⁻⁶ mm³/N⁻¹m⁻¹), compared to unirradiated PEEK with a rate of 13.1 ± 0.42 (10⁻⁶ mm³/N⁻¹m⁻¹). Exposure to an electron beam at 9 m/min for 30 runs, with a dose of 10 kGy per run for a total dose of 300 kGy, resulted in the highest improvement in microhardness, reaching 0.222 GPa. This may be due to the decrease in crystallite size, as indicated by the broadening of the diffraction peaks in the irradiated samples. According to the results of thermogravimetric analysis, the degradation temperature of the irradiated samples remained unchanged at 553 ± 0.5 °C, except a sample irradiated at dose 400 kGy, where the degradation temperature shifted towards a lower position of 544 ± 0.5 °C. Differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that the melting temperature ($T_m$) of the unirradiated PEEK was about 338 ± 0.5 °C, while a high temperature shift of the $T_m$ was observed for the irradiated samples.

In the modern multipolar world, regional organizations and associations are changing the existing world order. Each of these associations has its own goals and influence, which determine their place and role in the geopolitical world. The relevance of the conjunction between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Chinese Belt and Road Project (BRI) is expressed in identifying the main goals of the conjunction. This article identifies existing threats and risks, benefits and prospects as a result of the combination of two projects. The methodological research is based on system analysis, as well as a comparative analysis of the dynamics of GDP, exports and other economic indicators of the EAEU countries and China. Currently, the competitiveness of the EAEU countries with China, as well as the observance of the national interests of the EAEU member states remains an issue requiring attention. Based on the results of the analysis, a conclusion is drawn both about the benefits of building a new type of relationship, and about the remaining challenges.

Introduction. The article analyzes water security issues in river basins of the Kazakhstan-Russia border region, as well as transboundary cooperation in this area. These issues are analyzed from a Kazakhstani perspective, which has distinct characteristics compared to the Russian perspective but cannot be considered without taking the latter into account. Methods and materials. The study is based on the concept of water security. For the first time, the northern water basins of Kazakhstan with their transboundary rivers are viewed through the lens of this concept as a single entity with common problems, many of which require solutions at the international level. The study also relies on an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of Kazakhstan-Russia agreements on transboundary river issues, as well as a quantitative analysis of water levels, pollution, and other characteristics of the relevant water basins. Data obtained from Kazakhstani state institutions, particularly from the state enterprise “Kazhydromet,” are analyzed. Using this data and the ArcGIS program, maps of Kazakhstan’s hydrographic basins were compiled. Analysis. The key security issues of the northern Kazakhstani transboundary water basins, including water scarcity, floods, pollution, and the degradation of biodiversity in coastal areas, are examined. Additionally, the effectiveness of Kazakhstan-Russia cross-border cooperation in addressing these issues is evaluated. Results. In the long term, water scarcity is the most serious challenge to water security, but natural disasters also require serious attention and more effective transboundary cooperation. It would be unjustified to place the primary responsibility on either single side for the water security issues in the region, as both countries have similar infrastructure and inherited economic development priorities from the Soviet era. The effectiveness of Kazakhstan-Russia cooperation in addressing water security issues remains ambiguous: on the one hand, the parties strive to resolve existing problems constructively, but on the other hand, their willingness to undertake coordinated and costly steps is quite limited. Contributions. K. Abdrakhmanov conducted SWOT analysis of empirical issues related to transboundary rivers and (together with S. Golunov) issues of transboundary cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia; S. Golunov conceptualized the problem of water security, applied it to the empirical parts of the work, and analyzed the issues of floods and threats to biodiversity; M. Muzdybayev collected and analyzed data on hydrography, hydrology, water use, and the environmental state of Kazakhstan’s water basins; Ye. Karakulov and A. Kabdeshev categorized and compiled cartographic material for the hydrographic basins of Kazakhstan using the ArcGIS program.

Digital transformation in higher education represents a comprehensive strategic process that transcends technological modernization and embraces institutional, managerial, and pedagogical innovations. This paper explores the evolution of digital transformation in Kazakhstan – from informatization and digitalization to a fully integrated transformation – based on a systematic analysis of 44 academic publications. The study proposes a structural model of university digital transformation, integrating three key dimensions: strategic management and institutional processes, technological ecosystems and pedagogical innovations, and the development of human capital. The findings demonstrate that digital transformation serves as a crucial framework for bridging the digital divide, enhancing institutional efficiency, and ensuring the sustainable development of higher education. Moreover, the proposed model contributes to the alignment of national digital policies with university strategies, reinforcing competitiveness and adaptability in the global digital environment. The study provides theoretical and practical insights for universities navigating digital transition toward sustainable growth.

Introduction. This paper focuses on the publication and analysis of two little-known maps from the mid-18th century, preserved in the 192nd collection of the Russian State Archive of Ancient Acts (RGADA). These maps are directly related to the history of the Old Ishim and New Ishim (also known as Presnogorkovskaya) borderlines. These lines marked the frontier between territories administered by the military and civil authorities of the Siberian and Orenburg provinces of the Russian Empire and the lands of the Kazakh steppe. The study aims to demonstrate the significance of these cartographic documents for understanding imperial frontier planning and decision-making during the 18th century. Methods and materials. The primary materials are two manuscript maps held in RGADA’s 192nd collection. These documents include not only geographic representations but also narrative cartouches containing administrative and descriptive information. The study applies descriptive and historical-comparative methods, as well as spatial analysis and the method of “neighboring context.” The combination of cartographic and textual analysis allows for a comprehensive interpretation of these historical artifacts. Analysis. The paper provides a detailed description of the maps and a transcription of the texts within the cartouches. These texts offer insights into how border lines were projected and justified, shedding light on Russian imperial decision-making processes in frontier governance. The analysis of historiographical literature reveals that such cartographic sources have received insufficient scholarly attention. This neglect limits the potential to understand the full scope of spatial and administrative strategies employed in 18th-century Russian expansion. The study highlights the need to treat maps not merely as illustrations but as integral historical sources. Results. The expected outcomes include the integration of these newly published sources into ongoing research on the history of Siberia and Kazakhstan, the stimulation of academic interest in historical cartography, and the recognition of maps as valuable tools for reconstructing imperial spatial practices. By bringing these maps into scholarly discourse, the paper contributes to both the regional historiography of Central Eurasia and methodological advancements in the use of visual documents in historical research. Authors’ contribution. Sergei Rasskasov discovered the maps in the 192nd collection of RGADA, conducted their description, and prepared the transcriptions of the cartouches. Taissiya Marmontova and Kairat Abdrakhmanov contributed to the analysis of the historiographical context and the interpretation of the archival background. All authors participated in framing the theoretical approach and finalizing the analytical structure of the paper.