A University for founders and social leaders from regions underserved by innovative higher education projects
Arsen Tomsky,
founder and CEO inDrive
.webp)
Mission
Providing free, problem-based undergraduate education to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds, inVision U draws on a range of approaches from liberal and creative arts to engineering, design, and science, producing graduates who can develop and express ideas, are grounded in the actual problems facing their societies, and who have the tools, desire, and values to improve their world, as individuals and as members of multidisciplinary teams.
%201.webp)
After graduation, alumni can receive financial support and mentoring to grow their ideas into for-profit companies or fundable non-profit projects, empowering them to remain in and develop their communities.
Partnership
with Satbayev University
inVision U is an autonomous innovative faculty of the E. Turkebaev Institute of Project Management of Satbayev University and, in close cooperation with all other institutes of Satbayev University, creates founders, future social and entrepreneurial leaders, who develop and express ideas that are grounded in the actual problems facing their societies and who have the tools, desire, and values to improve their world, as individuals and as members of multidisciplinary teams.
Five mission pillars
01
Ready access
.webp)
Free education for all students. Free room and board and scholarship for all needy students. Fully funded foundation year prepares students from underprivileged backgrounds and regions.
02
Think differently
.webp)
The core curriculum emphasizes challenge-based learning and group projects, balancing individual growth with collective education.
03
Apply knowledge
.webp)
Five interconnected major programs balance theoretical and practical knowledge. Team-based senior capstone project must propose a solution to a real problem in the community.
04
Retain local talent
.webp)
Students and faculty are mostly from the local region. Post-graduate project support encourages alumni retention, while interactions with other inVision U campuses (in-person and via AR/VR) offer a global perspective.
05
Align teaching and research
.webp)
Faculty/student research focuses on local and regional problems and has policy implications.
Foundation
Year
A full year of post-high school education that prepares students from disadvantaged/rural backgrounds to enter and successfully complete our rigorous undergraduate programs.
Based on the successful program pioneered by the American University of Central Asia, the curriculum focuses on key skills necessary for academic success including English, Math, IT, critical thinking, analysis and self-expression.
If education is to be available to all students who are motivated and capable, it's not enough just to offer it for free and hope that a few talented students can succeed despite the challenges of a poor system.
Students from disadvantaged backgrounds need a structured program to help make up for the gaps in their education. They also need to be part of a larger group that offers support, so their voices and experiences aren't overlooked when they join students from more privileged backgrounds.
%201.webp)
Language of instruction — Foundation year
English
Kazakh
Russian
Number of Foundation students
30-35
Conditions
Free tuition, accommodation, meals, travel and a stipend will be provided
- 01
Free Training
All training will be provided at no cost
- 02
Support for Living Expenses
Free accommodation, meals, travel, and a stipend will be provided
- 03
First-Year Preparation
The first year will focus on language skills, communication, mathematics, information technology, and psychosocial readiness
English: all students to achieve upper Intermediate competency or better by the end of the year
Mathematics
Russian language
/Kazakh language (based on need)Basic
/Advanced IT coursesCritical thinking and communication skills
Who we are
President
Andrew Wachtel is the Director of EducationalPrograms for inDrive, in which capacity he is creating inVision U. Wachtel is also a co-founder of Compass College of Art and Design, which has been working in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan since 2021.Previously, he served as Rector of Narxoz University in Almaty, and President of the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
Provost
Denis Akhapkin is a leading expert in higher education and one of the architects behind the innovative Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St. Petersburg StateUniversity (Smolny College).Alongside teaching, he has held a variety of key roles there, from directing the Writing and Critical Thinking Center to serving as Acting Dean.
Chief operating officer
Anastasia is the head of the educational program at inDrive, which is aimed at preparing capable and motivated schoolchildren from developing countries to enter the world's leading universities. She was also the head of regional development projects for the Sinet Spark.
Director of Foundation
An advocate for holistic education, Nurken integrates cultural heritage and global competencies through curriculum innovations.A 2024 CEEMAN Responsible Management. Educator of the Year, he focuses on curriculum development, leadership, and fostering ethical, resilient learners in higher education. Dean of the School of Transformative Humanities at AlmaU.
Director of Recruitment
Nurkhan has been working in fields such as medicine, public policy, and education. He holds a BS in International Relations from Eurasian National University and an MS in Educational Leadership from NU Graduate School of Education.
What
you will
study
Society
Anthropology
Sociology
Psychology
Art + Media
Marketing
Media Production
Tech
Product Design
UX/UI
Policy Reform
Public Policy
Economics
Development
Engineering
Technology Leadership
Applying
to the Foundation
Program: first step
