French Educational Authorities
Educational cooperation between France and Kazakhstan
- Support for French international education
- Guidance aligned with the French National Curriculum
- Connection to the wider French educational ecosystem
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About us
Where French educational excellence meets Kazakhstan's international ambition.
Founded in 2026, the Lycée International Français d'Almaty brings together the strengths of the French educational tradition and Kazakhstan's growing international outlook. Through academic rigour, multilingual learning and cultural openness, LIFA prepares students for success in higher education and beyond.
The partnership behind LIFA
A shared commitment to education.
EPG Education
One of Almaty's leading educational groups
- Local expertise and long-term investment
- Operational, financial and infrastructure support
- Commitment to educational excellence and innovation
LIFA stands at the crossroads of two educational traditions, united by a shared ambition for future generations.
A long-term educational vision
Building a lasting French educational institution in Almaty.
LIFA was conceived as a long-term educational project designed to accompany students from Early Years to the French Baccalauréat. Rather than pursuing rapid growth, our ambition is to build each stage carefully, ensuring academic quality, institutional stability and continuity for families.
Academic Continuity
A coherent educational pathway from Early Years to university preparation.
French Educational Standards
Development aligned with the expectations and principles of the French education system.
Long-Term Commitment
A school designed to serve future generations of students and families.
A French–Kazakh Educational Bridge
Strengthening educational, linguistic and cultural ties between France and Kazakhstan.
The founder of LIFA
The vision behind LIFA.
Dossym Besbay is an entrepreneur in the fields of education and healthcare and the founder of the Human Capital Development Fund EPG. The EPG Fund implements educational projects aimed at developing intellectual potential and building modern competencies in children and adolescents. Among its projects are Prometheus School, FIZTEX — a school with an in-depth focus on mathematics, natural sciences and information technology — and the Lycée International Français d'Almaty (LIFA).
Dossym Besbay graduated from Novosibirsk State University with a degree in “Mathematical Methods in Economics” and also holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Colorado Boulder (USA), obtained through the Muskie scholarship program. He has many years of experience in the investment sector, as well as in international and private companies.
Today, he focuses primarily on developing educational initiatives aimed at preparing a new generation of leaders, researchers and entrepreneurs.
A letter from the founding Head of School
Building a school for generations to come.
LIFA begins with a clear responsibility: to build a school that families can trust for the long term.
Our ambition is not to grow quickly, but to grow well — with strong academic standards, a coherent French educational pathway and close attention to each student. French is at the heart of our curriculum, while English, Kazakh and Russian reflect the multilingual reality of the environment in which our students live and will grow.
LIFA is also the result of a shared project between France and Kazakhstan. I want our school to contribute to that relationship in a concrete way: through education, languages and the daily experience of learning together.
We are building LIFA step by step, with high expectations and a clear sense of purpose.
— Benoît Bonnet
With nearly twenty years of experience in French and international education, Benoît Bonnet has held leadership positions in France, Italy and Switzerland. A graduate of Paris-Sorbonne University and a Knight of the French Order of Academic Palms, he now leads the development of the Lycée International Français d'Almaty, bringing together the strengths of French education and Kazakhstan's international ambition.
The principles that guide us
Our educational commitments.
Academic Excellence
A rigorous French education that develops knowledge, discipline and intellectual ambition.
Multilingual Education
French at the heart of learning, enriched by English, Kazakh and Russian.
Scientific & Critical Thinking
Developing curiosity, reasoning and the ability to analyse the world independently.
Personal Growth & Well-being
Supporting each student's academic, emotional and social development.
Responsibility & Leadership
Encouraging autonomy, initiative, respect and engagement within the community.
A school rooted in Almaty and open to the world.
LIFA's ambition is to become a reference for French international education in Central Asia, bringing together academic excellence, multilingual education and meaningful cooperation between France and Kazakhstan.