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December 8, 2023, Astana. The celebratory forum dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the Bolashak International Scholarship brought together over 300 alumni from various fields: medicine, science and education, engineering and technology, the creative industry, business, and more. The event was organized by the Center for International Programs JSC and the Bolashak Alumni Association.
Established in 1993, the Bolashak International Scholarship has awarded over 12,500 young Kazakhstanis the opportunity to study at top universities around the world. With Kazakhstan's independence, the country needed highly qualified personnel, scientists, and specialists to reform and advance the nation.
Today, more than 1,400 Bolashak alumni are studying at world universities ranked in the top 200 of international academic rankings such as QS World University Rankings and Academic Rankings of World Universities (Shanghai Ranking). In 2020, President K. Tokayev initiated the «500 visiting scholars» scientific internship program to build scientific human resources, and today, hundreds of scientists are conducting research in leading scientific laboratories.
The forum opened with a welcome address from Deputy Prime Minister T. Duysenova on behalf of the Head of State. The President congratulated the program's alumni on the 30th anniversary of the Bolashak International Scholarship.
«This is a milestone for the program, which has been a social lift for youth from different corners of our homeland. Over the years, the project has contributed to creating a cadre reserve with advanced knowledge and competencies in the country. Today, thousands of Bolashak graduates are successfully working for the benefit of Kazakhstan, acting as agents of positive change in many areas. The state will always support talented, hardworking, and determined youth embodying the ideals of ‘Adal Azamat.’ I am confident that Bolashak graduates and all young professionals in the country will contribute to the large-scale and comprehensive transformation of Kazakhstan», said President K. Tokayev.
Minister of Science and Higher Education S. Nurbek noted that many Bolashak alumni are highly qualified professionals in their fields.
«Bolashak has become an integral part of our educational system, bringing new ideas and approaches to our homeland and strengthening our ties with the global professional community. This program provides an opportunity for high-quality education and has become a full-fledged social lift for many of our compatriots, creating significant opportunities for the realization of ideas aimed at developing our country. Today, thousands of graduates work for the benefit of the state. Of the 12,605 specialists, 6,958 obtained a master’s degree, 2,626 a bachelor’s degree, 2,537 completed internships, and over 200 received a PhD», - said Minister S. Nurbek.
Forum speakers included distinguished Bolashak alumni who shared inspiring stories of their development and innovative discoveries.
Associate Professor at Satbayev University, Sezim Mustapaeva, made a scientific discovery in paleontology during her internship under the «500 visiting scholars» category at Johns Hopkins University (USA) – the development of a zonal scale of Devonian and Carboniferous boundary deposits of the Birshogyr stratotype section and correlation with the global stratotype, linking it with the international stratigraphic scale.
Otorhinolaryngologist Medet Mahanbet, who completed a scientific internship, shared his creation of a unique surgical method for tympanic membrane reconstruction. Medet is the first ENT doctor to perform endoscopic transcanal tympanoplasty in Kazakhstan (previously used only in five countries worldwide), having conducted 70 surgeries.
Julia Safarova (Yantsen), who studied under the Bachelor’s program at the University of Auckland (New Zealand), focuses her research on optimizing cell transplantation, specifically on targeted delivery of cells, stem cell studies, and developing new approaches for bone tissue restoration.
Leading Engineer for Logistics Resources Delivery at North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC) Talgat Ramazanov shared his experience in designing and building marine fleets at a shipbuilding plant. He studied at Boston University (USA) under the Master’s program in «Marine Engineering and Technology».
Almas Kebekbaev, founder and first head of the Top.kz service marketplace, created a linear service marketplace with $6 million in revenue, more than 500 jobs, and over $1 million in foreign investments. Almas studied computer science at the American University.
Adat Adilkhan’s studies in «Construction Management» at the University of Reading (UK) helped him implement industrial modular construction technologies for building in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
The forum also featured an exhibition of scientific projects by Bolashak alumni, showcasing 11 innovative projects covering various fields of science and industry.
Bolashak graduate Erbol Sagatov, a master’s and PhD holder from Cardiff University (UK), presented a project on efficient production of household chemicals under the concept of «Science of Simple Things».
Gulzhan Tuzelbaeva, another notable Bolashak graduate and senior researcher at Satbayev University, presented her project for large-scale production of perfume products under «Gulzhan Parfum». G. Tuzelbaeva plans to produce over 10,000 units per month.
The exhibition also featured projects by Bakdaulat Kenjegaliyev (refined selenium production), Sayebek Sakhiev (radiopharmaceutical production), Bagdat Azamatov (development and production of medical implants for neurosurgery, traumatology, and orthopedics), Azat Nurkasimov (modification of polymer cable insulation), Dastan Aubakirov (anticorrosion nano-coating «Saktau»), Aslan Oringaliev (processing of complex petroleum feedstock), Dos Sarbasov (D-Isascorbic Acid (D-VC)), and Shamenov Abildila (Braille font self-teaching tool Sezual in Kazakh for people with disabilities).
The forum included four panel sessions where Bolashak graduates discussed relevant issues on topics such as «Digital Development of Kazakhstan», «Medicine», «Media», and «Science and Education».
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