President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev praised ALEM (Astana Life Ex-situ Machine), a medical device developed by specialists at the University Medical Center of Nazarbayev University, calling it “one of the most significant scientific achievements of the past year.”
The statement came during a ceremony at the Akorda honoring leading scientists. The Head of State highlighted the growing role of universities as hubs of innovation and technology and emphasized the contribution of Kazakhstani science to advances in medicine.
“This device makes it possible to preserve the functionality of a donor organ outside the human body for more than 24 hours. Such breakthrough developments demonstrate the strong potential of Kazakhstan’s scientific community,” the President noted.
The ALEM system preserves donor organs outside the body, significantly expanding transportation options and improving access to transplantation. The technology opens new opportunities to save the lives of patients awaiting transplants.
The University Medical Center is one of the region’s leading transplant centers and has successfully performed more than 100 organ transplants. It comprises four hospitals that provide internationally recognized care, including advanced transplant surgery for both adults and children.
ALEM was developed through collaboration within NU’s medical cluster, which brings together the School of Medicine, the Center for Preclinical Studies and the Center for Life Sciences. This integration of research, education, and clinical practice enables faster translation of innovation into healthcare.
NU continues to strengthen its research capacity. Huck-Hui Ng, an internationally recognized scientist and recipient of four Singapore Presidential Awards, has been appointed Vice President for Medicine.
At the same time, the NU School of Engineering and Digital Sciences is advancing cutting-edge projects in medical robotics and digital technologies. The university is investing in new research positions, further strengthening links between fundamental research, innovation, and clinical practice.
Recognition of ALEM at the presidential level highlights NU’s contribution to the advancement of high-tech medicine and reinforces Kazakhstan’s position on the global scientific stage.
