Innovation for good: the first stage of “TOM: Almaty” Makaton took place in Almaty

Satbayev University hosted the first stage of "TOM: Almaty" Makaton, which brought together everyone who wants to make the world more accessible and convenient for people with disabilities. Schoolchildren, students, teachers and professionals from Almaty and Shymkent joined together to find solutions to real social problems.

“TOM: Almaty” Makaton is not just an idea contest. This is a 72-hour marathon of scientific creativity, where participants solve the problems of real people who get there on the spot. First, participants get to know the stories and problems of the people they need to help, and then they start working on their projects. Among the tasks that the teams solved this year were the creation of a rehabilitation exercise bike for a three-year-old child, a multifunctional verticalizer for a teenager diagnosed with cerebral palsy, special walkers for a five-year-old child, and other useful projects.

“TOM: Almaty” Makaton was held in the friendly atmosphere. The participants were addressed by Satbayev Universit’s Rector Meiram Begentayev, and Vice-president of Association for  Social Technologies Development, Saniya Arapova, who emphasized that such projects help not only change the lives of specific people, but also form a culture of caring, mutual assistance and technological creativity.

After the welcoming remarks, the participants watched an inspiring film about Makaton, and then teamwork began. During the day, seven teams discussed ideas, came up with first solutions, and prepared mini-presentations of their projects.

Culmination was the presentation of the ideas - each team tells how they see their invention and how it can change the life of a particular person. The teams have a lot of hard work ahead of them to turn the ideas they have created into industrial designs.

“TOM: Almaty” Makaton showed that inventions begin with kindness and a desire to help. And when caring people get down to business, even the most difficult tasks become achievable.