Department of Light Industry Technology and Design

The main goal is to train competitive, creative, and professionally mobile specialists who are capable of carrying out artistic, project-based, and design activities in various fields, developing and implementing design projects in accordance with modern trends and technologies, applying digital and innovative methods in design and the light industry, adapting to changes in the fashion, design, and production industries, as well as demonstrating professional ethics, social responsibility, and civic engagement.

The Department of Light Industry Technology and Design was established as an independent structural unit and a graduating department in September 2003. The department was responsible for training bachelor’s degree specialists in the following academic programs: 5B072600 – Technology and Pattern Making of Light Industry Products; 5B042100 – Design. A special contribution to the formation of the teaching staff and the organization of the educational process was made by the experienced senior lecturer Dosmaganbetov Batyr Amantayevich, the first Head of the Department (2003–2006).

Over the years, the department has been headed by qualified specialists with relevant academic backgrounds and scientific degrees:

2003–2007 academic year – Master’s degree holder, Senior Lecturer, member of the Union of Designers of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Union of Designers, Dosmaganbetov Batyr Amantayevich.

2007–2008 academic year – Master’s degree holder, Senior Lecturer, member of the Eurasian Union of Designers, Dzhussupova Irina Maratovna.

2008–2009 academic year – Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Kazangap Toleutay Makhmetovich.

2009–2011 academic years – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Nurmukhambetova Botagoz Tolegenovna.

2011–2012 academic year – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Kozhabergenova Kalamkul Doktarbekovna.

2012–2016 academic years – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Nurmukhambetova Botagoz Tolegenovna.

2016–2017 academic year – Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor, Borankulov Erkinbek Kagazbekovich.

2017–2018 academic year – Master’s degree holder, Senior Lecturer, member of the Union of Designers of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Eurasian Union of Designers, Bekzat Aikumis Borikhanovna.

2018–2020 academic years – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Nurmukhambetova Botagoz Tolegenovna.

2020–2021 academic year – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Umraliyeva Bella Illaridanovna.

2021–2022 academic year – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Nurmukhambetova Botagoz Tolegenovna.

From 2022 to the present – Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, Academician of the International Academy of Informatization, member of the Eurasian Union of Designers, Baizhanova Zhazira Bolatbekovna.

The department demonstrates consistently high academic, scientific, and creative performance:

• Innovative Final Assessment Format: An integrated system for the defense of final qualification projects has been introduced and successfully implemented, structured along three flexible tracks: traditional diploma projects, business-oriented startup projects, and industry-commissioned applied projects developed in response to real production needs.

• National-Level Achievements: Students of the department’s academic programs regularly win prizes at Republican Subject Olympiads (RSO, including those held at the T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts) and achieve top results in prestigious international young designer competitions.

• Strong Research Potential (R&D): The faculty actively publishes monographs and articles in international databases (Scopus / Web of Science), obtains patents and copyright certificates for inventions, and develops modern Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), including the unique discipline “National Style in Costume.”

• Social Projects: The department successfully operates the “Silver University” program, within which instructors deliver intensive practical courses such as “Art of Knitting” and “Fashion Design and Garment Construction” for senior learners.

The department maintains close academic and industry ties with leading international and domestic universities and enterprises:

• International Partners: Active scientific and methodological cooperation with the Volga State University of Service (Russia), Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry (Uzbekistan), and leading Turkish specialized institutions, including the Beylerbeyi Olgunlaşma Institute (Istanbul) and Akdeniz University (Antalya).

• Industry Partners and Internship Bases: Major domestic garment factories, leading design studios, architectural bureaus, and branding agencies of the Republic of Kazakhstan serve as direct clients for diploma projects and startup initiatives.

The educational activities of the department are aimed at developing an effective learning system focused on enhancing students’ creative potential and individual abilities. Special attention is given to the continuous improvement of teaching quality and the methodological level of classes. Within the educational process, comprehensive educational and methodological support is provided for academic disciplines, including the development and updating of educational programs, the creation of electronic educational and methodological complexes, as well as the preparation of textbooks and methodological recommendations in design and light industry technology. In addition, project-based, practice-oriented, and digital teaching methods are introduced into the educational process, while modern software tools are actively used for designing, modeling, and visualizing design solutions.

The research work of the department is focused on the development of students’ research and project activities. Students are involved in scientific and creative projects, republican and international scientific-practical conferences, design competitions, and creative exhibitions. An important area of scientific activity is the study of current issues in design, ethnodesign, sustainable fashion, and innovative technologies in the light industry.

Educational and social work is aimed at forming students’ artistic, aesthetic, and humanistic values, respect for national culture and traditions, as well as professional responsibility and design ethics. The department supports students’ creative initiatives and their participation in exhibitions, fashion shows, and socially significant projects.

The development of the teaching staff is carried out based on the principle of continuous professional development and lifelong learning. Teachers improve their qualifications in the fields of design, digital technologies, and pedagogical innovations, while studying and implementing the best national and international educational practices. Special attention is also paid to methodological and professional support for young teachers.

The development of the department is connected with creating conditions to stimulate the creative and scientific activity of teachers, strengthening the material and technical base of educational and project laboratories, and attracting extra-budgetary funds for the implementation of modern educational, research, and digital technologies. In addition, the department expands cooperation with industry partners, design studios, and light industry enterprises.

6B02100 Design

The educational program is aimed at training highly qualified specialists with higher education in the fields of fashion design, graphic design, and architectural design, who possess strong professional competencies and are competitive in the international arena.

The areas of application of the acquired knowledge, skills, and abilities include architectural and interior design, graphic and communication design, digital and web design, as well as costume and textile design.

Duration of study: 4 years.

Awarded qualification: Design Specialist under the educational program “6B02100 Design”.

6B07232 Fashion Industry: Technologies and Construction

The educational program is aimed at training highly qualified professionals for the fashion and light industry sectors. The program provides comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in garment design, pattern engineering, product development, and manufacturing technologies.

Duration of study: 3 years.

Awarded qualification: Bachelor of Engineering and Technology in the educational program “6B07232 Fashion Industry: Technologies and Construction.”

6B07224 Technology and Design of Light Industry Products

The educational program is aimed at preparing highly qualified specialists equipped with modern professional competencies required for effective performance in the context of innovative economic development and digital transformation. The curriculum is developed in accordance with national educational standards, labor market demands, and employers’ recommendations.

Duration of study: 4 years.

Awarded qualification: Bachelor of Engineering and Technology in the educational program “6B07224 Technology and Design of Light Industry Products.”

7М07242 Technology and Pattern Making of Light Industry Products

The aim of the educational program is to train highly qualified master’s graduates in the field of technology and pattern making of garments, possessing professional and personal competencies in accordance with the needs of modern manufacturing and the global prospects of innovative development in the fashion industry, research organizations, and educational institutions.

Duration of study: Scientific and pedagogical track – 2 years.

Awarded qualification: Master of Technical Sciences under the educational program “Technology and Pattern Making of Light Industry Products”.

The main scientific direction of the department is the development of innovative technologies and modern design solutions for light industry products based on digital technologies, sustainable production, new materials, and national artistic traditions.

The ongoing research project is the “Commercialization of an efficient fiber-opening technology for textile production waste and its application in the production of yarn and nonwoven materials.”

Publication activity:

The faculty members of the department demonstrate strong publication activity in research and academic work. The results of their scientific studies are regularly published in international peer-reviewed journals indexed in the Web of Science and Scopus databases, as well as in scientific journals recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In addition, monographs and teaching manuals are published, and copyright certificates are obtained. The outcomes of research projects are implemented in industry and integrated into the educational process, as confirmed by relevant implementation acts, which serves as a clear indicator of the department’s effective integration of science and education.

Participation in grant-funded research:

Within the framework of program-targeted funding for scientific and scientific-technical projects, the following projects are being implemented: «81738/Initiative-OT-23 – Commercialization of an efficient fiber-opening technology for textile production waste and its application in the production of yarn and nonwoven materials” and “AP05135840 – Development of an automated testing complex (ATC) for studying thermo-fire protection properties and its implementation in the production of protective clothing materials.»

International scientific cooperation:

Professor Ömer Zaimoglu from Turkey, together with young researchers of the “TLPI&D” department, has created a modern online platform showcasing the scientific and creative outputs of young scientists and faculty members. This platform is the first of its kind in the region and is designed as an online museum, providing full information about authors and exhibited research works. It is important to note that the technical presentation of information on the platform meets modern graphic web design standards. This project will serve as a basis for participation in grant programs.

Organization of conferences, seminars and round tables:
In April 2026, the Department of “Technology of Light Industry and Design” at the Kazakh University of Technology and Business named after K. Kulazhanov held a Republican competition of student research works in the fields of “Architectural Design” and “Technology and Design of Light Industry Products.” The competition brought together students from leading higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presenting research and design projects that reflect current trends in the development of design, architecture, and light industry technologies.

Achievements of faculty members and students:

Faculty members and students of the department actively demonstrate high achievements by participating in republican Olympiads, where they have repeatedly won prize-winning places and confirmed a high level of professional and academic training.

Scientific clubs and research groups:

The “Creative-Design” student scientific club actively operates at the department, aiming to develop students’ research, creative, and project competencies through conducting scientific research, participating in competitions and conferences, and developing innovative design projects.