During a press conference organized by the Central Communications Service under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Vice-Rector for Science and Innovation of D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU), Zhadira Konurbayeva, presented the outcomes of implementing the national model for engineering personnel training. The project, carried out in partnership with Satbayev University under the program-targeted funding of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan, aims to bridge the gap between academic education and industry needs. The importance of the project lies in its focus on training specialists who can quickly adapt to the rapidly changing conditions of the industrial sector.
The national model highlights three key types of engineers: technicians, line engineers, and innovative engineers, including research engineers. This approach meets the demands of the modern labor market and helps graduates to swiftly adapt to industrial transformations.
The model is unique due to its integration of core principles from both the European (Bologna Process) and American practice-oriented educational systems. This combination fosters the development of competitive specialists capable of contributing significantly to both national and global industries.
A central element of the model is the integration of academic training with real-world industrial tasks through initiatives such as the Network Engineering School, Leaders of Engineering Education, Fab Lab, and Centers of Scientific and Academic Excellence.
EKTU is the first and only university in Central Asia to adopt the international CDIO standards, which emphasizes the university's role as a leading innovation hub in the region. CDIO facilitates the fusion of theoretical knowledge with practical skills, preparing students to solve real engineering problems.
To effectively implement CDIO, EKTU is developing an innovative infrastructure, including a Fab Lab where students engage in technical projects. The Lu Ban Workshop, equipped with modern tools for working on automotive electrical systems, has laid the foundation for a new Research Center for the Development of Battery Materials, established in collaboration with international R\&D centers from China, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
The university is also implementing a large-scale project-the Center for Scientific and Academic Excellence-which is evolving into a multifunctional platform for research in various fields, including mining and metallurgy and environmental sciences. Additionally, the Industrial AI Competence Center, which develops technologies for industrial safety and predictive analytics, holds significant potential for implementation and commercialization within the mining and metallurgical sectors.
In conclusion, Zhadira Konurbayeva emphasized that the success of these initiatives is already evident thanks to the active integration of innovations and modern methods into the educational process. This ensures that EKTU graduates are in high demand and fully prepared to meet the professional challenges of today.
