We are a single-piece product: Kazakhstan’s community of metallurgists held the Republican Metallurgy Olympiad at Satbayev University

Satbayev University hosted the second stage of the Republican Subject Olympiad in metallurgy, which brought together students and teachers from all over the country. Participants gathered at Ulykpan Sydykov Creative Center to continue the professional dialogue within the professional community and give a start in life for young metallurgists.

Kanai Rysbekov, director of O.Baikonurov Mining and Metallurgical Institute, delivered a welcoming speech at the Olympiad opening. Kanai Rysbekov emphasized the importance of evolving the engineering competencies and practical skills of future industry specialists. His thought was continued by the famous metallurgist, academician, professor Bolotpai Baimbetov, who addressed the students with the inspiring speech:

"To be a metallurgist, you need to have a wide range of knowledge," said the professor, "this is a complex, multifaceted and truly elite specialty. Because even in the era of artificial intelligence, it remains in demand, especially if an engineer knows how to work with it and use its capabilities."

Olympiad organizer, the head of Metallurgy and mineral processing department, associate professor Madina Barmenshinova, stressed that metallurgy is one of the key industries in Kazakhstan, in which there is an acute shortage of personnel, so such Olympiads make it possible to strengthen cooperation between universities and train specialists capable of responding to the challenges of the country's industrial development:

"Metallurgy is one of the most competitive sectors, it is export-oriented, stimulates the development of related industries and provides about 10% of GDP," the scientist said. – Therefore, the shortage of personnel in the mining and metallurgical sector of Kazakhstan is a critical issue hindering our industrial growth. Metallurgists are now a single-piece commodity, and our Olympiad has become a professional holiday that has helped build a professional community and pass the baton to future generations."

Olympiad ended with an award ceremony for the winners and prize-winners. The winner in the team competition was Daulet Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University. In the individual competition, the winners were Grigory Lyapunov (D. Serikbayev EKTU), Daniyar Akanov (K. Zhubanov ARU), Izetkhan Sabitkhan (M. Auezov SKU), Azamat Amanzholov (Toraigyrov University), Aissymbat Kopbossyn (Abylkas Saginov KTU), as well as Nurdaulet Assilbekov (KIU), who demonstrated a high level of training and professional skills.

Olympiad confirmed the role of Satbayev University as a key platform for training the engineering personnel and advancing the scientific cooperation in the mining and metallurgical industry. Such initiatives help strengthen ties between universities and industry, build a talent pool and contribute to the sustainable development of Kazakhstan's economy by ensuring the influx of qualified professionals into the strategically important sector and supporting the achievement of sustainable development goals, including quality education, industrialization and innovation.