ALARIS principal investigator Dr. Almas Shintemirov was awarded with a Certificate of Merit of the Republic of Kazakhstan signed by President of Kazakhstan Nursulatn Nazarbayev for “…achievements in state and public activities, significant contribution to the social-economic and cultural development of the country, strengthening friendship and cooperation among nations”. The award was delivered to Dr. Shintemirov by Nazarbayev University President Shigeo Katsu at the beginning of the End-of-Year Meeting on 14 December 2017.