CASE-IN Petrochemistry Semifinal in Kazakhstan: 12 Top Teams Compete for a Spot in the Moscow Grand Final

The Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, through its Department of Physical Chemistry, Catalysis and Petrochemistry, hosted the semifinal of the International Engineering Championship CASE-IN in the Petrochemistry track. The event brought together 12 of the strongest student teams from across Kazakhstan. This prestigious engineering competition, uniting students from Russia and CIS countries, provides young specialists with a unique opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, apply it to real industrial cases, and gain hands-on experience in engineering project work.

This year’s case, developed with the participation of SIBUR, a leading company in the petrochemical industry, challenged participants to improve the efficiency of the recovery process for isobutylene — a key raw material used in the production of synthetic materials applied in medicine, construction, the food industry, and other fields. Each team was tasked with analyzing the existing technological process, proposing several modernization options, modeling them using engineering software, and justifying the technical and economic feasibility of their solution. The project culminated in a public defense before a panel of expert judges composed of representatives from industry and academia. (Jury names will be added later.)

CASE-IN is not only a test of engineering knowledge and analytical thinking; it is also a platform that fosters essential skills for future professionals — teamwork, clear communication, and the ability to adapt to real-world production environments. Participation in the championship marks a step forward in career development, offering students the chance to attract attention from leading employers, receive internship offers, and engage with a professional community shaping the future of science and industry. In this way, CASE-IN serves as a true springboard for developing engineering potential and applying advanced educational methodologies in practice.

Hosting the semifinal in Kazakhstan also marked an important step in strengthening academic and international collaboration. Events like this contribute to integrating Kazakhstani universities into the global engineering community, reinforce ties between academia and industry, and enhance the prestige of engineering education among students. The top teams from this stage will now advance to the final round of the championship, traditionally held in Moscow, where they will compete against the best teams from across the CIS.

Following the semifinal, the prize-winning teams were announced as follows:

1st Place – "Hydrocarbon Alliance" (Karaganda Buketov University)

2nd Place – "Golden Oil" (K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University)

3rd Place – "PetroTech" (Al-Farabi Kazakh National University)

We congratulate all the participants on their impressive performances and thank them for their creativity, dedication, and high level of preparation. We wish them continued success in their studies, research endeavors, and of course — outstanding results in the CASE-IN Grand Final in Moscow!

PhD Abdildina K.M.