NUR-SULTAN – Kaskasu Science School, an interdisciplinary summer school, held a five-day educational programme June 24-28 for young scientists and researchers to help them commercialise their projects and technological developments. The programme selected only 27 individuals from more than 100 applicants.
Photo credit: presidentfoundation.kz.
Student organisation heads, chairs of Young Scientists’ Councils and scientific research institutes, teachers and research staff under 30 years old participated in the national educational project.
The young scientists, who used the week to design and develop a project, had an opportunity to present it to potential investors. The programme differed from regular classrooms and laboratories by offering an intensive one-week opportunity to work in teams in a less formal atmosphere.
Photo credit: presidentfoundation.kz.
The Foundation of the First Kazakh President – Elbasy organised the summer school in Kaskasu gorge, in the Turkestan Region. The foundation’s science council member and certified and well-known business coach Gani Abadan mentored the participants.
“Our main task as organisers is to create comfortable conditions for the participants, thanks to which young scientists must learn to present their own projects in a popular language to convey their scientific ideas to society, media representatives and the business sphere. Kazakh science has reached a level where it is not enough for scientists to conduct research and develop projects. There is a need to commercialise scientific research, attract investments and find various sources of funding and support,” said Sukhrab Zhaparov, science council deputy chair, PhD in Medical Sciences and a winner of the 100 New Faces of Kazakhstan project, reported inform.kz.
Photo credit: presidentfoundation.kz.
The participants demonstrated their leadership skills, the ability to think outside the box, generate creative ideas and find innovative solutions in difficult situations.
The participants attended lectures, trainings and master classes to grasp the basics of project management, learn how to constructively resolve conflicts and overcome the fear of public speaking. They were also trained in copywriting skills to promote research projects through the media and social networks.
“Participation in the Kaskasu Science School is a great opportunity for me to gain new knowledge, experience and skills in presenting, promoting and commercialising my research and ideas. In addition, we all have already received a big bonus – new contacts and acquaintances, which later will bring fruitful results and, I hope, will grow into joint research. I want to thank the Foundation of the First President for the opportunity to participate and be in a great place, Kaskasu, with the best participants and excellent mentors,” said project participant Irina Chidunchi, PhD and chair of the Council of Young Scientists at Toraygyrov Pavlodar State University.
The authors of the best research project received a financial grant from the foundation.
