On 31 March 2020, the 1st International Student Scientific and Practical Conference «Youth Digital Forum YDF-2020», dedicated to the 10th anniversary of JSC International Information Technology University, was held online.

The Youth Digital Forum YDF-2020 is aimed at developing research potential in the field of digital transformation among the younger generation and addresses many topical issues of digital development, in particular:

• Software Development and Knowledge Engineering
• Infocommunication Networks and Cybersecurity
• Intelligent Systems
• Digital Technologies in Economics and Management
• The World of Language and Digital Technologies in Mass Media

During the opening of the conference, the Vice-Rector for Research and International Activities of JSC IITU, E.A. Dayneko, dwelling on the relevance of digitalization and the development of digital technologies, wished success in the work of the conference.

Students, master's students, and young researchers from various universities of Kazakhstan delivered reports at the 5 sections of the online conference: International Information Technology University, Kazakh-British Technical University, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Satbayev University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, E.A. Buketov Karaganda State University, Turan University, Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau State University, T. Zhurgenov Kazakh National Academy of Arts, Kostanay State Pedagogical University, Pavlodar State Pedagogical University.

It is worth noting the relevance and diversity of the topics presented, the high level of the research conducted, and the preparation of the participants. After each presentation, there were questions from the participants and moderators. The speakers answered the questions competently, which confirms the independent nature of the work.

In general, the section commissions noted the qualified preparation of the reports and the topical research topics.

Section I «Software Development and Knowledge Engineering»:

Nine reports were heard at the section. The topics of the presentations are as diverse as the composition of the conference participants. During the discussion, a wide range of issues in the field of software development and knowledge engineering was addressed. Following the results of the section, the commission, which included Nurzhan Tokkuzhaevich Duzbaev – Vice-Rector for Digitalization and Innovation of IITU, PhD, Associate Professor, Nurzhan Kakenovich Mukazhanov – Dean of the «Information Technology» Faculty, PhD, Assistant Professor, Zhuldyz Beishenalievna Kalpeeva – Director of the Department of Science, PhD, Assistant Professor, A.S. Alipbekov – lecturer of the Department of Computer Engineering and Information Security, PhD doctoral student, after hearing all the reports, awarded places to the following participants:

Section II «Infocommunication Networks and Cybersecurity»:

At Section II «Infocommunication Networks and Cybersecurity», 14 reports were heard. Each report was of scientific and practical interest and had professional discussion, comments, and recommendations. The commission evaluated each report and distributed the places as follows:

Section III «Intelligent Systems»:

Fifteen reports were heard at the section in such areas as artificial intelligence, computer vision, business processes, and others. The competition commission, which included V.V. Serbin – Head of the «Information Systems» Department, G.U. Bektemyssova – Director of the Department of Postgraduate Education, R.Zh. Satybaldieva – Associate Professor of the «Information Systems» Department, A.N. Moldagulova – Acting Professor of the «Information Systems» Department, after hearing all the reports, marked the following reports with prize places:

Section IV «Digital Technologies in Economics and Management»

35 participants took part in the section with 19 reports. At the end of the conference, the results were summed up, highlighting the main trends and directions of digital technology development in business and management, Kazakhstan's place in the era of digital transformation, and the contribution of participants to its development.

The commission consisting of E.Zh. Shildibekov – Head of the «Economics and Business» Department, Z.T. Sharapieva – Senior Lecturer of the «Economics and Business» Department, B.N. Kobadilov – Senior Lecturer of the «Economics and Business» Department, after hearing the participants' reports, singled out the most distinguished in the following order:

Section V «The World of Language and Digital Technologies in Mass Media»

Six reports were heard at the thematic section.

The members of the commission, which included A.A. Niyazgulova – Head of the Department of Media Communications and History of Kazakhstan, S.N. Velitchenko – Associate Professor of the Department of Media Communications and History of Kazakhstan, N.M. Utelbaeva – Associate Professor of the Department of Languages, A.T. Shetieva – Assistant Professor of the Department of Languages, after hearing all the reports, singled out the most distinguished in the following order: