KazNU and Akimat of Almaty held the forum "Integration of science, business and production"

The Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted the forum "Integration of Science, Business and production", organized jointly with the Akimat of Almaty.

The event was attended by Akim of Almaty Erbolat Dosaev, Chairman of the Board – Rector of KazNU Zhanseit Tuimebayev, representatives and experts in the field of ecology and environmental protection, seismic safety, as well as companies introducing innovative technologies into production, scientific communities and about 200 representatives of business and stakeholders.

Akim of Almaty Erbolat Dosaev spoke at the plenary session, outlining the urgent tasks of urban infrastructure development, ecology and digitalization. He noted that one of the key priorities of the Head of State's policy is the promotion of science and innovation. "Almaty is given special importance in the implementation of the ideas of our President as the scientific and educational center of our country. One third of all universities in Kazakhstan are located in the city, more than 280 thousand students study and more than 130 research centers operate, which is one third of the total number of scientific organizations in Kazakhstan", - Erbolat Dosaev said.

In his speech, Rector of al-Farabi Kazakh National University Zhanseit Tuimebayev spoke about the achievements and future plans of the university. He stressed that today's forum is dedicated to the cooperation of science, business and production.

"At the National Kurultai, the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan raised the issue of creating a "science city", which still does not exist in Kazakhstan. The Head of State instructed the Government to comprehensively study this initiative and prepare a corresponding bill. It should be noted that specialized scientific and technological zones unite scientific organizations, enterprises and innovative start-ups. We intend to join a specialized economic zone – the Park of Innovative Technologies. KazNU has great opportunities to integrate into the innovation ecosystem of Almaty and commercialize scientific developments. This will give us the opportunity to become a science town. In the future, it is planned to build the largest technopark, innovation park and artificial intelligence center among Kazakhstani universities", -  The Rector  said.

The Center for Innovative Products and High-tech Projects of KazNU "Farabi Hub" was presented to the forum participants. The hub houses the Kazakh-Chinese Laboratory for Remote Sensing Technologies, a branch of the Northwestern Polytechnic University, the RoboMech Robotics and Mechatronics Center, the Technopark Laboratory, the Center for Medicinal Plants, the ZTE Innovation Center, the Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Technologies, as well as the Laboratory of Forensic Examination. The guests were also shown exhibition stands for innovations in chemistry and chemical technology, biology and biotechnology, physics and nanotechnology. A supercomputer cluster based on the university, a master plan for the second stage of construction of KazNU and a video about the university's activities are presented.

Aliya Aktymbaeva, Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Management, noted that the Kazakh-Chinese Laboratory for Earth Remote Sensing Technologies was established jointly with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography. The research of scientists at the Center focuses on environmental monitoring, natural resource management and adaptation to climate change.

"Large-scale changes are taking place in Central Asia, such as drought, land degradation and water scarcity. To solve these problems, the laboratory's specialists use drones to conduct field research, summarizing satellite data. The Center's researchers are also considering innovative solutions for the efficient use of natural resources and are developing a proposal for "Sustainable agricultural development in regions with arid climates", - said A.Aktymbaeva.

Amirkhan Temirbayev, General Director of the Cluster of Engineering and High Technologies, reported that a branch of the Northwestern Polytechnic University of China is successfully operating at the university. One of the common projects implemented by this university is the development of a microsatellite.

"KazNU is the only university in the country with experience in launching nanosatellites into space. Currently, university researchers are working on the development of the "NKSAT" microsatellite. It will be the first university microsatellite in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The microsatellite launched into space will perform three main tasks: measuring the Earth's gravitational field, radiation radiation and conducting geological exploration", - A. Temirbayev noted.

Alina Galeeva, Dean of the Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, presented the Laboratory of Chemistry and Chemical Technology. The "Farabi Chem Science" cluster includes eight advanced laboratories and a research and production center for the production of chemical electroplated packaging.

«The faculty's scientists are working on chemical current sources, in particular on new materials for sodium-ion batteries, as well as on the development of fandomats for battery recycling and collection.

The research and Production center Chemical Coating Innovations is engaged in the production of special electroplating packaging for the needs of mechanical engineering and instrumentation, as well as the processing of souvenirs and jewelry.

The pharmaceutical industry is developing eight drugs based on Kazakhstani herbal raw materials, hydrogel coatings for the treatment of wounds and burns, as well as implants for the treatment of bladder cancer. Researchers at the faculty have improved the surgical thread used during operations and developed an antibacterial coating for its surface. This scientific project can save people's lives. The chemical thread developed by the university's scientists is three times cheaper than its analogues", - emphasized A.Galeeva.

At the end of the forum, a ceremony was held to sign a cooperation agreement between KazNU and "Astana Motors Manufacturing" and "Dragon Lakshme Group KZ". The parties will cooperate in the field of personnel training and innovation in the automotive industry, as well as develop joint projects on water supply and ecology.

The forum's plenary session was also attended by leading scientists and business experts, including Maxim Tarasov, Director of the Astana Motors Manufacturing Kazakhstan plant, Amangeldy Bisenbayev, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Wei Wei, CEO of ZTE Corporation in Kazakhstan, Mukhambetkali Burkitbayev, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor of KazNU, Adilbek Adilbek, CEO of the National Research Center "Alageum Engineering" Tazhibaev, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor, Director of the Zhanar Zhenis Center for Medicinal Plants, and others.

During the forum, an open discussion was held between scientists, entrepreneurs, representatives of the Akimat and other participants. At the panel session, the participants considered the prospects for cooperation to address the current challenges of the urban environment, industry and sustainable development.

Press-service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University