Chairman of the Mazhilis and Leader of the Amanat Party Yerlan Koshanov, accompanied by a group of deputies, paid a working visit to the East Kazakhstan Region.
The delegation reviewed the operations of several social facilities and industrial enterprises across the region. The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Sayasat Nurbek, and Akim of East Kazakhstan Region, Nurymbet Saktaganov, also took part in the meetings.
As part of the visit, the guests toured the Luban Workshop — an innovative international centre for technical education operating at D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU).
The centre was established in cooperation with the Tianjin Vocational Institute (China) and the China Automotive Technology and Research Centre Corporation (CATARC).
Today, the Luban Workshop implements advanced engineering programmes based on the Engineering Practice Innovation Project (EPIP) learning methodology and uses state-of-the-art Chinese equipment in the field of transport technologies.
Students are trained in diagnostics of traditional vehicles, hybrid and electric systems, unmanned smart vehicles, and the organisation of traffic flow and smart-road design.
The Workshop comprises five modern laboratories, including facilities for diagnosing petrol, hybrid, and electric vehicles, as well as laboratories for simulation and testing of intelligent transport systems.
Students work with real Haval and BYD cars, use Smart City models with autonomous traffic control systems, and undertake dual training in cooperation with the national automotive holding Allur.
During his visit, Yerlan Zhakanovich Koshanov familiarised himself with the laboratories for technical maintenance, diagnostics, and smart technologies, and met with EKTU’s academic staff and students.
Currently, over 400 students from 12 countries — including Liberia, Nigeria, Mongolia, China, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Germany, Pakistan, and Egypt — are studying at the Workshop.
Students presented their innovative scientific projects and shared their learning experiences at EKTU.
Chairman Yerlan Koshanov highlighted that the Luban Workshop represents a successful example of strategic educational cooperation between Kazakhstan and the People’s Republic of China.
He highly praised EKTU’s work in this field, noting:
“Through workshops such as Luban, we are introducing advanced technologies in Kazakhstan and preparing young people for technical and high-skilled professions of the future. Graduates of this workshop will soon become in-demand engineers in the production sector. This is a vivid embodiment of the Head of State’s policy: ‘The working person is the backbone of the economy.’”
He also wished the university continued success in its educational, scientific, and innovative endeavours.
As part of the visit, Minister Sayasat Nurbek presented the national model for training engineering and technical specialists for Kazakhstan’s economy and industry.
He emphasised that engineering education forms the economic potential of the nation through cutting-edge scientific and technological developments, made possible by practice-oriented training and close collaboration with high-tech companies.
The Kazakhstani model of engineering education is being developed in line with international best practices and global trends, focusing on close university–industry partnerships, digitalisation of education, sustainability, and the development of soft skills.
Its implementation is supported by international partners and covers all levels of higher education — bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programmes.
In his remarks, the Minister noted that there are already examples of successful implementation of this model, including the Luban Workshop at EKTU.
Further plans include expanding the Workshop’s capacity through the creation of the Kazakhstan Engineering Centre for the Application and Advancement of Automotive Intelligent Technologies, jointly established by EKTU and Tianjin Vocational Institute.
The Centre will focus on training in intelligent network technologies, professional development of technical specialists, and research in intelligent systems across Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
Today, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University stands as a research and educational platform dedicated to technology transfer, training of highly qualified professionals, and driving the innovative development of the regional economy.
