The grand opening of Satbayev University’s new building took place in Astana

The grand opening of Satbayev University’s new building took place in Astana. Department's branch is intended to become a center for engineering education, science and innovation, combining the academic training, research and industry.

Over its more than ninety-year history, Satbayev University has trained more than 160,000 engineers who have contributed to the industrialization of Kazakhstan, the evolvement of energy, geology and mechanical engineering of the country, where industrial sectors of the economy are rapidly growing.

The engineering campus of the first National Research Technical University of Kazakhstan in Astana will train new generation engineers who are in demand in the northern regions.

The project received active support from the leadership of Astana in the person of Akim Zhenis Kassymbek and was implemented by Ministry of RK Science and Higher Education under the leadership of Minister Sayassat Nurbek.

To create a productive scientific and educational environment, Satbayev University engineering campus was equipped with modern laboratories for additive technologies, robotics, energy and mechanical engineering, as well as coworking spaces and comfortable research spaces. The educational process is built according to the academic standards of Satbayev University, taking into account the needs of industrial partners and employers.

As President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted, in the context of transition to a knowledge economy, the country needs qualified engineers, real masters of their craft in technical professions: "Our specialists must be educated and qualified to withstand global competition."

Satbayev University has updated the degree programs for training the engineers who will not only apply, but also create high technologies.

In her speech during the opening ceremony, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Gulzat Kobenova noted that the opening of the new Satbayev University campus in Astana has become another symbol of the growth of the higher education system, which strives to respond to the challenges of the time and train personnel necessary for the economy of the central region of Kazakhstan.

The expansion of Satbayev University educational space will allow for closer communication with the developing industrial centers.

"Our goal is to combine education, science and industry to make technical education accessible to everyone who aspires to become an engineer of the future," said Meiram Begentayev, Rector of Satbayev University.

Traditions of the Kazakh engineering school at the university are inextricably linked with the name of Academician Kanysh Satbayev. With his support, Kazakh Polytechnic Institute, now Satbayev University, has become the base for many technical universities in the country’s industrial regions.

"The opening of the new Satbayev University campus is a continuation of the traditions laid down by Kanysh Satbayev, who believed that scientists and engineers should serve the people," said Temirtai Izbastin, Chairman of Supervisory Board of K. I. Satbayev Geological Sciences Institute.

Satbayev University is actively implementing an open model for evolving the science and education, and is establishing links with the world's leading universities and research centers. This year, more than two hundred students and teachers had the opportunity to study and work at top universities in the world: Penn State, University of Glasgow, University of Lorraine, University of Exeter, City University of Hong Kong, Baku State University, NFSU, China University of Petroleum.

Participation of partner universities representatives in the opening of Satbayev University campus proved their interest in forming a new engineering center in Kazakhstan.

Delegation of City University of Hong Kong, a key partner of Satbayev University, was led by Vice President for Talent Development and International Strategy Wen Lee, who noted the importance of cooperation between scientists and universities to compete in the global education market and develop high technologies.

List of Kazakhstani university partners who participated in the campus opening ceremony: Union of Machine Builders of Kazakhstan, National University of Defense, Ministry of RK Trade and Integration, KazMunayGas, Kazakhmys Corporation, Allur, Alageum Electric, RHINO CENTRALASIA, Astana Electro-Technical Plant, Institute of Geology and Economics of Mineral Resources, ADAM manufacturing, INKAR – I, Kazecotech, QSM Resources, KazStandart.

On the opening day, a number of memorandums of cooperation were signed on the campus with enterprises of Kazakhstan in the electrical industry sphere, which will ensure the sustainability of the new educational institution in Astana: Alageum Electric, Astana Electro-Technical Plant, LocosystemsKZ, “Plus One” Charitable Foundation.