Kazakh PM Bektenov highlights need to create conditions for research projects and their commercialization
Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov held a meeting of the Supreme Board of Trustees of Nazarbayev University, Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools and Nazarbayev Fund, Kazinform News Agency cites the official website of the Kazakh government.
In his report, President of Nazarbayev University Waqar Ahmad highlighted that the university is among the leading facilities of higher education, research and innovations in Central Asia. In 2011, the university presented nearly 360 research projects, over 9,000 articles and up to 500 startups.
During the meeting, approaches were announced to increasing the quality of education and efficiency of NU to join the top-300 of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and become the second-leading university in the CIS.
Anuar Zhangozin, Chairman of the Board of Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools Autonomous Educational Organization, made a report on the promotion of secondary education. Under the ‘Development of potential of hub schools in rural areas’ project, Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools provided support to 135 regional educational facilities, trained 583 specialists, who, presently, head rural schools. 200 hub schools are slate for construction next year in rural areas.
During his visit to the technopark of Nazarbayev University, housing 32 Kazakhstani companies, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov got familiarized with the latest scientific developments in areas of health and AI promotion, mining, that are under implementation by university researchers and seek to commercialize scientific solutions.
Among such projects is Kazakhstani startup Codiplay, which aims at developing digital skills among schoolchildren. Currently, the project expands to over 450 educational facilities in 10 countries, including GB, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Azerbaijan. Coditeach company’s product was recognized by UNICEF a Digital Public Good, set to pave the way towards additional opportunities to enter international markets.
The Smartview Innovation startup seeks to increase the efficiency of mineral production, enabling to save up to 90% of the working hours of labor force, increase the employee safety measures by 80% and boost the efficiency of equipment operators’ work by 50%.
Premier Bektenov was also presented with IHT Central Asia project, specializing in development and production of medical devices, projects for production of exoskeletons for rehabilitation of people with motor disorders, establishing a system for long-term transportation of donor organs in the preclinical stage, creation of a new type of anti-cancer drug.
Besides, the head of the Kazakh government was presented with 10 new developments with commercial potential in the sphere of information technology, medicine, robotics, AI, energy and education.
In conclusion, Premier Bektenov highlighted that the government supports advanced projects aimed at developing the economy and increasing the quality of life of the population. The university leadership and heads of the interested government bodies were tasked to integrate science and production, ensure marketing and export-orientated production.
