Bilim Innovation
About us

President

Darkhan Ote

Mr. Darkhan Ote graduated from Eurasian National University with a degree in history in 2001. He also holds a master’s degree in history from the same university.

He began his career as a history teacher at Bilim Innovation school in Astana in 2001. He held headship positions in Bilim Innovation schools in Semey, Oskemen and Kyzylorda from 2005 to 2014. He was appointed as a vice president of Bilim Innovation International Community Fund in 2014 and later in 2015 became its president.

In his role as president, he oversees the overall leadership of the fund.

Yerzhan Aubakirov

First vice president

Mr. Yerzhan Aubakirov graduated from Karaganda Buketov University with a degree in English language teaching in 2004. He also holds a master’s degree in educational psychology from Kozybayev University.

He started his career in 2004 as a teacher of English at Bilim Innovation school in Astana. He became a vice principal for academic at the same school in 2006. He later held headship positions at Bilim Innovation schools in Kostanay, Astana, Petropavl and the private Nurorda school from 2008 to 2019. He held the position of vice president for academic and further strategic development in Bilim Innovation International Community Fund from 2019 to 2023. He was promoted to the position of first vice president in August 2023.

In his capacity as first vice president, Mr Aubakirov oversees the implementation of key policies and procedures of the fund and serves as president during his absence.

Vice president for academic

Kuat Kozhakhmetov

Mr. Kuat Kozhakhmetov graduated from Aktobe State Pedagogical University in 2007 with a degree in mathematics. He holds a master’s degree in mathematics from Suleyman Demirel University.

He started his career as a teacher of mathematics at Bilim innovation school in Uralsk in 2007. He later spent two years in the same position at Bilim school in Almaty. In 2013 he joined Nurorda school in Astana as a mathematics teacher and then starting from 2015 he served as a vice principal academic. Concurrently, he served as a head of mathematics department of Bilim schools at Bilim Innovation Fund from 2010 to 2015. He was appointed as a head of Nurorda school in 2019. He later held a headship position at Astana girls Bilim school in 2020-2022. As of August 2022, he is holding a position of a vice president for academic at Bilim Innovation Fund.

In his post as vice president for academic, he provides leadership in all academic matters; initiates, participates in and supervises academic planning for Bilim schools.

Vice president for legal affairs & finance

Akvarzhan Novarov

Mr. Akvarzhan Novarov graduated from Suleyman Demirel College with a specialty in Economics in 2014. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and auditing from Narxoz University. He completed his master’s degree in economics from Kazakh Academy of Labour and Social Relations in 2021.

He started his career as an assistant economist in Global Analitik LTD in 2014. From 2015 to 2018, he served as an accountant and later chief accountant in Nurorda school, KATEV and Bilim Orda International Community Funds. He became a financial director at Bilim Innovation and Bilim Orda funds in 2018. He spent two years as a general director of Asitane Unity LTD afterwards. He was appointed as a vice president for legal affairs & finance at Bilim Innovation Fund in 2020.

In his capacity as a vice president for legal affairs & finance, he is in charge of overseeing and spearheading business and financial operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow of the fund.

Vice president for public relations

Arofat Nurlakov

Mr. Arofat Nurlakov graduated from Pavlodar State University in 2012 with a degree in Mathematics. He attended an MBA program in Fatih university in Turkey as well as Psychology program in Vizja university in Poland. He obtained his masters degree in Pedagogy and Psychology from Essenov University in 2022.

He began his career as teacher of Mathematics and head of boarding in Pavlodar Bilim school. From 2012 to 2016 he served as a Mathematics teacher and actively engaged in public projects. From 2016 to 2023 he led a national project to support teachers and served as a chair of the board in the Mugalim public association. In August 2023, he was appointed as a vice president for public relations at Bilim Innovation Fund.

In his role, he oversees the organisation-wide communications, media outreach and story-telling strategy as well as organisation of school network ECA activities and events.