Foundation Year at inVision U by inDrive
A year that changes everything
This year marks the beginning of their journey toward leadership, innovation, and sustainability.
Why we do this
At inVision U, we believe that access to education is only the beginning. To truly unlock potential, students need support, attention, and a community where they can grow.
Recognizing that the level of preparation among high school graduates may vary, the university team created a program where motivation is the key. For those eager to learn and grow, the Foundation Year helps fill knowledge gaps and provides everything necessary for their talent to flourish.
The mission of inVision U is to nurture a new generation of leaders who are ready to create positive change in their communities and in the world.
The D.R.I.V.E. Approach: Growth Through Action, Values, and Vision
inVision U educates young leaders capable of initiating, guiding, and sustaining positive change.
Disciplined Resilience
Emotional self-regulation, healthy habits, and determination.
Responsible Innovation
Creative problem-solving, ethical use of technology, hypothesis testing, and data-driven decision-making.
Insightful Vision
Systems thinking, foresight, analysis, and well-balanced judgment.
Values-Driven Leadership
Dignity, inclusion, dialogue, and learning through service.
Entrepreneurial Execution
Opportunity seeking, partnerships, financial literacy, and storytelling.
Key Features of the Foundation Year
Builds critical thinking, confidence, and independence.
Practical learning fosters creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork.
By the end of the year, students reach an upper-intermediate English level or higher.
Courses include math, logic, Kazakh language and culture, and digital and AI skills.
Special focus on critical thinking, writing, debate, and reflection.
Courses in mindful leadership, yoga, and teamwork strengthen resilience and focus.
A nurturing environment designed to help students grow without unnecessary stress.
World-class education fully funded by inDrive and Arsen Tomsky.
Free accommodation in a modern dormitory.
Full daily meals.
Paid travel to and from Almaty.
A monthly stipend for stability and confidence.
To apply for the Foundation Year, candidates must:
Application deadline: May 30, 2026
Record and submit a video presentation
Tell us about yourself (up to 5 minutes; you may include a simple presentation):
Why do you want to study at inVision U?
What major challenge have you overcome, and what helped you through it?
What are your long-term goals, and how will this program help you achieve them?
What does being a leader mean to you? Share a real-life example.
Describe a team situation and your role in solving a problem.
How does your family support you and your decision to study at inVision U? Who inspires you?
Finally, share your dream in English: how do you learn the language, and what progress have you made?
Take the UNT (ЕНТ) in one of the following subject combinations:
Math + Geography - Sociology: Leadership and Innovation, Public Policy and Development
Math + Informatics - Innovative IT Product Design and Development
Math + Physics - Creative Engineering
History of Kazakhstan + Reading Literacy + 2 creative exams - Digital Media and Marketing
Pass an interview in English, Kazakh, or Russian
Eligible candidates: High school graduates from rural areas, small towns, or underprivileged communities who are highly motivated to learn.
Up next — Bachelor’s degree!
Graduates of the Foundation Year receive priority admission to continue their studies in inVision U’s bachelor’s programs. They arrive already confident, capable, and ready for new challenges.
The next step
We invite ambitious, curious, and motivated students from Kazakhstan and Central Asia to take a step toward their future.
Location: Almaty
Next enrollment: September 2026
All expenses are covered by inDrive: tuition, housing, meals, travel, and stipend.
Foundation Year Faculty
Director, Foundation Year at inVision U
Nurken Aubakir is a PhD candidate in Translation studies and has served as a visiting fellow at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA and exemplified dedication and innovation in education that meets the standards of responsible and relevant education by winning the prestigious CEEMAN Responsible Management Educator of the award in 2024. He is an advocate for holistic education and integrates cultural heritage and global competencies through developing rigorous curricula. He is an author of award-winning “Tolyq Adam” GenEd curriculum and previously served as the Dean of School of Transformative Humanities AlmaU.
Instructor, English Language (General English)
Irina Kruglova has MA in TRanslation studies and is a holder of several international certificates in Teaching English (CELTA, TESOL, TKT) and an author of courses: «Academic Writing» in English, «Language in Business» in English and a trainer in preparation for international tests IELTs, FCE, CAE, CPE and has been teaching English for 20 years. Co-author of a textbook on English for university students approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Member of the Referee Commission of the Republican Olympiad in English among schools. Her communicative approach to teaching helps students get adapted to the new reality of life in global society. Now her goal is to give students an opportunity to use language as a tool to access information from anywhere in the world.
Instructor, Mathematical and Logical Thinking
PhD in Physics, lecturer and researcher in the fields of nanotechnology, big data analysis, and blockchain technologies. T. Akhmetov’s professional activities are connected to both academic and applied domains. He has worked as a nanotechnology laboratory engineer at KBTU, senior lecturer at Almaty University of Power Engineering and Telecommunications, senior lecturer at the Department of Physics at KBTU, and assistant professor at Kazakh National Technical University. Since 2021, he has been an assistant professor at the Department of Computing and Data Science at Astana IT University, as well as a business analyst at Era Labs, where he develops blockchain ecosystems such as Mina and Cosmos. His research interests include nanomaterials and nanotechnology, physics of ion-beam processes, machine learning methods (k-means, decision trees), big data analysis, blockchain technologies, and their application in business processes.
Instructor, Kazakh Language, Communication, and Culture
Akmaral Oserovna Nurtazina, MA, as a Kazakh language instructor applies modern teaching methods in classes. In particular, she uses differentiated instruction, developmental teaching, step-by-step comprehensive analysis, and level-based learning technologies, taking into account the abilities and individual characteristics of each student. In the teaching process, she is guided by the principle of student-centered education.
Recognizing that students’ language proficiency levels vary in a language environment, it is extremely important for both her and the students to determine an individual learning trajectory. In lessons, she places special emphasis on presenting theoretical knowledge in connection with linguistic practice and culture.
Instructor, Academic English
Stephanie Dvareckas is a PhD candidate at Rutgers University in the Art History department with a passion for helping students succeed in academia. She is CELTA certified - a globally recognized qualification for teaching English to non-native speakers issued by Cambridge University - and has led workshops designed to guide prospective students through the graduate school application process.
Instructor, Digital Literacy and AI Fundamentals
Senior AQA Engineer (SDET) at inDrive, graduate of the Higher School of Economics (HSE).
Mikhail is an IT specialist who enjoys searching for causes and ways to solve problems. He applies this approach to teaching as well, showing how IT tools can help find unconventional solutions to complex situations. He has experience developing a course on critical thinking, which he considers the foundation for effective work with information. He also gained organizational experience by assisting in the SetUp science-popular lecture series and a critical thinking conference.
Student projects
FAQ
How is inVision U different from traditional universities?
inVision U is a place for founders, the future social and entrepreneurial leaders of regions of the world underserved by innovative educational projects. Its mission is to provide quality, accessible education to students from underserved backgrounds and regions. The curriculum of the university focuses on teaching students how to identify and solve important problems through team-based and hands-on learning that provides both breadth and depth. Students work intensively in small groups and focus on real-world problems filtered through various academic lenses.
University values?
inVision U follows five core mission pillars: ready access to education, a focus on thinking differently, applying knowledge, retaining local talent, and aligning teaching and research with local and regional problems
What benefits do students receive during the Foundation Year?
All Foundation Year students receive free tuition, accommodation, meals, travel, and a stipend
Is there a fee for tuition in the undergraduate program? Is the program free for everyone?
Tuition in this program is 100% free. Students who qualify may also receive free accommodation, meals, travel and a stipend
What is the Foundation year
The Foundation Year is a full-year post-high school program designed to prepare students from disadvantaged or rural backgrounds for university-level education. It provides essential skills and knowledge needed for the following years of study. This is not the first year of a bachelor's degree, but a year of study between school and university, which will improve academic skills and facilitate adaptation.
Who can apply for the Foundation program?
Only students in their final year of school (11th grade) — those graduating this academic year — are eligible to apply. The program is not a set of preparatory courses to be taken alongside school; participation is only possible after completing school.
Can I take the Foundation program while still in 11th grade?
No, the program is exclusively for graduates who are finishing school this year and are ready to fully dedicate their time to the Foundation studies.
What subjects are taught in the program?
The one-year program is designed to bring students up to the academic requirements that will be in the inVision U faculty, such as English. There will also be classes in Kazakh and Russian languages, mathematics, IT, and training in critical thinking and communication skills. The program will build individual tracks for each student based on their strengths and weaknesses. Preparation for the Unified National Testing is also included in the program.
What language is used in the Foundation
The Foundation Year program is taught in English, Kazakh, and Russian
How many students are accepted into the Foundation?
The Foundation year program admits 30-35 students each year
Where the university is located?
Campus of Satbayev University, Kanysha Satbayev Street 22/1
What are the next steps after completing the Foundation?
All successful graduates of the program receive four years of free education, room and board and scholarship in the inVision U undergraduate program
What will be studied within the university?
Students at inVision U will study in one of 5 majors:
- Sociology: Leadership and Innovation
- Innovative IT Product Design and Development
- Public Policy and Development
- Digital Media and Marketing
- Creative Engineering
The curriculum is designed to develop a broad set of skills for social and entrepreneurial leadership
Do I owe anything to inVision U or inDrive after graduating from the university or the foundation year?
No. All education at inVision U is provided free of charge by our sponsor, Arsen Tomsky, founder and CEO of inDrive. There is no payback requirement for students who are free of any obligations to Mr. Tomsky or the university. However, the goal of the university is to produce graduates who will contribute to the development of their society, so we hope that many of our graduates will decide to remain in Central Asia after graduation