He started with a water delivery business. Today, the Tech Orda graduate works as a Product Manager, develops digital products, integrates AI solutions, and has launched his own app on the App Store, DKNews.kz reports.
Ahmed shared his story in an interview about the results of studying under the Tech Orda program. Before moving into IT, he ran his own business, taught himself iOS development, and gained experience managing projects remotely.
From running a business to IT without starting from scratch
Ahmed’s move into technology began before Tech Orda. He studied iOS development independently and later worked as a Project Manager with a team of people he knew. His goal was to gain hands-on experience in project management and develop a deeper understanding of internal workflows.
At some point, that experience was no longer enough. Ahmed wanted to move beyond individual tasks, work on large-scale digital products, and develop professionally in product management.
“I realized that I wanted to grow professionally, work on large-scale digital products, and reach my full potential in product management,” he said.
Ahmed had known about Tech Orda for some time. He had previously won a grant but was unable to begin the program due to personal circumstances. When he applied again, he did so with a clear goal: to fill gaps in his knowledge and systematize the experience he had already gained.
The Tech Orda program provides funding for IT training at private technology schools in Kazakhstan. Basic eligibility requirements include Kazakh citizenship and an age range of 18 to 45.
The class project made it beyond the presentation and into the App Store
One of the most visible outcomes of the program was Aloma, a mobile app for learning English.
According to Ahmed, the service adapts its content to the user’s professional background and personal interests. Although the project was initially developed as part of his studies, it continued to evolve and was eventually published on the App Store.
“During the program, I developed my own project, Aloma, a mobile app for learning English. It adapts its content to each user’s professional background and personal interests. The project did not remain merely an academic exercise: the app has now been officially released and is available on the App Store,” the Tech Orda graduate said.
The product can also be found on the Aloma: Speak English with AI page in the App Store. The app is listed in the Education category and uses AI features for personalized English-language learning.
For IT education programs, that is a meaningful result: the outcome is not limited to a certificate or a final presentation before a jury, but becomes a real product that can be used outside the classroom.
Three days on 3–4 hours of sleep — and first place in the cohort
Getting the app to the finish line was not easy.
Ahmed said the most difficult stage was dealing with the heavy workload and lack of time before the final presentation. For three consecutive days, he slept only three to four hours a night while continuing to refine the project in detail.
“Having a clear goal and maintaining discipline helped me manage the workload. In the end, all the effort paid off — I ranked first in my cohort based on the jury’s evaluation,” he said.
The story goes beyond the app itself. The program gave Ahmed a structured approach to product hypotheses, user problems, metrics, and solution architecture — skills directly applied in product teams.
After the program, his role changed — and his salary increased
Ahmed does not describe first place or even the app launch as his main result.
He was already working at a company while studying. The knowledge and skills he gained helped him transfer internally to the product department and take on the role of Product Manager. His salary increased along with the new position. He did not disclose the exact amount.
“The most significant result was substantial career growth. I was already employed by a company while studying, and the knowledge and skills I gained helped me transition internally to the product department and take on the role of Product Manager. My salary increased along with my new position,” Ahmed said.
His experience is also consistent with the broader program statistics.
According to the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development of Kazakhstan, more than 12,500 Kazakhstanis studied under Tech Orda between 2021 and 2026. Among economically active graduates, 90% are employed, while their average salary is about KZT 725,000. More than 3,200 participants changed professions after the program and started careers in IT.
The ministry also reported that Tech Orda graduates have been hired by 1,287 companies, including Kaspi.kz, Halyk Bank, Kolesa Group, Kcell, EPAM Kazakhstan, Yandex, Wolt, Deloitte, KPMG, and EY.
The next challenge is harder: integrating advanced AI into a product
Ahmed now works full-time as a Product Manager.
He formulates and validates product hypotheses, designs new features, and brings them to market. One of his major responsibilities was building a new analytics layer for the product from the ground up.
The next stage is directly connected with artificial intelligence.
Ahmed is now working with external providers and AI solution vendors to integrate artificial intelligence technologies into the company’s product.
This shift also illustrates how expectations for IT professionals are rising. In the past, basic development or project management skills could be enough to enter the industry. Today, product teams increasingly need people who understand analytics, user scenarios, solution architecture, and the capabilities of AI tools at the same time.
That trend is also reflected in Tech Orda’s 2026 curriculum. The program includes artificial intelligence, software development, data analytics, Cloud & DevOps, cybersecurity, GameDev, product management, and UI/UX design.
Applications for Tech Orda are open until September 7
For those considering a similar transition into IT, Ahmed’s story coincides with a new Tech Orda admissions cycle.
In 2026, applications remain open until September 7. Eligibility requirements, the list of accredited schools, and registration are available through the Astana Hub platform.
Ahmed himself advises future participants not to join the program simply to “give it a try.”
“Join the program with a clear understanding of your goals, rather than simply to try something new. Make the most of every module, do not be afraid to take on challenging practical tasks, and remember that your results largely depend on your personal commitment and discipline,” he said.
A few days ago, we also wrote about another Tech Orda graduate who moved from marketing into AI products and secured a Product Manager role while still studying. Ahmed’s path was different: running his own business, teaching himself iOS development, ranking first in his cohort, launching an app on the App Store, and then moving on to work with AI solutions inside a commercial product.
