Hackathon TAU-InnoBattle 2025: Team “Qbit” presented the innovative AR-Lab
On November 7, 2025, Turan-Astana University hosted the Hackathon TAU-InnoBattle, organized by the Enactus Club, university departments, and the TAU Entrepreneurship Center.
The goal of the hackathon was to develop concepts for new research laboratories that will become key elements of the TAU-InnoHub entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The event brought together students from various fields, faculty members, and mentors to create, in just one day, real projects for future laboratories — research, innovation, and startup spaces. Participants worked on defining missions, research areas, funding sources, and business collaboration models.
AR-Lab — a vision for the future of Kazakhstani design
One of the standout teams of the hackathon was Team “Qbit” (Department of Design, Service, and Tourism), which presented the AR-Lab project under the mentorship of Zhanara Dauletkhanova.
Mission of AR-Lab
To advance technologies and approaches in design and IT, fostering a technological culture and shaping Kazakhstan’s visual identity.
AR-Lab aims to become a creative and commercial space where students can bring their own ideas to life.
“We want AR-Lab to become a place where the modern visual style of Kazakhstan is born,” — said the Qbit team members.
Why it matters
Today, Kazakhstan lacks a unified approach to national design, state branding, and official typefaces.
President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized that “it is time for a new visual mindset.”
AR-Lab seeks to address this challenge by developing design systems and innovative visual solutions that define a modern national aesthetic.
AR-Lab within the TAU-InnoHub ecosystem
The laboratory integrates seamlessly into the TAU-InnoHub ecosystem as a research and innovation platform.
It will connect students, faculty, and entrepreneurs — building a bridge between academia and real-world business.
The project involves disciplines related to design, architecture, and emerging technologies.
Main research areas
• Ergonomics and environmental design
• Architecture and 3D modeling
• Government visual projects
• Interface and UI asset development
Examples of potential projects include website creation, visual branding, design systems, and 3D models for governmental and commercial clients.
Partnerships and growth
AR-Lab plans to actively collaborate with businesses and government agencies, offering services in logo design, branding, typography, and 3D object development.
Primary funding sources will include grants, commercial contracts, and consulting activities.
The first pilot project will focus on creating a design system for TAU, defining the university’s visual identity.
The expected economic effect is estimated at 600,000 to 1,200,000 KZT.
Contribution to TAU and TAU-InnoHub development
AR-Lab will become a hub for research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
It will enable students to progress from idea to finished product within TAU-InnoHub’s acceleration programs, turning concepts into commercially viable projects.
Project advantages
• Practical implementation of student ideas
• Integration of science, design, and technology
• Collaboration with business and government initiatives
• Training a new generation of specialists
Hackathon TAU-InnoBattle — a territory of ideas
Participation in the hackathon allowed students to express their creativity and gain a real opportunity to implement their ideas within the university.
TAU will continue developing the TAU-InnoHub ecosystem, where every student initiative can become the start of a new research or entrepreneurial project.
Astana, 2025
Team “Qbit” — Bekturganov Rakhmet and Kiik Alisher
Mentor: Zhanara Dauletkhanova
AR-Lab — where technology meets culture.
