A hub for science and business has been launched in the Karaganda region

The first regional innovation and industrial hub in Kazakhstan has been established in the Karaganda region on the basis of the Abylkas Saginov Technical University. The project, developed based on international experience, was supported by the regional akimat.

QarTech has combined science and industry and will become a platform for the introduction of advanced technologies into production. Hackathons can already be held here, startups can be promoted, and a laboratory and industrial complex will appear next.

A meeting of the Council on Science and Technology was held at the hub with the participation of Akim of the region Ermaganbet Bulekpayev, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Gulzat Kobenova, scientists and industrialists.

— There are 2,000 enterprises operating in the region, of which 15% are actively innovating in production processes. And this has already produced results in the form of profits and cost reductions. Major projects for the development of innovative infrastructure are being implemented," said Ermaganbet Bulekpayev. — A Communications Center for the study of the latest global technologies has been formed on the basis of the hub. Here, industrial enterprises are provided with laboratory infrastructure, services and programs to support innovative projects, create start-ups and develop technologies in technical industries.

This year, it is planned to equip the laboratory and industrial complex, as well as create, together with enterprises, an Aluminum Technology and Engineering Center, a design bureau and a laboratory for rock and soil mechanics.

Ermaganbet Bulekpayev noted that there are other science and business collaboration platforms in the region.

The Scientific Technopark named after Zhambyl Akylbayev was established at the E. A. Buketov Karaganda National Research University.

Gulzat Kobenova voiced the greetings of the Minister of Science and Higher Education. He congratulated on the opening of the hub and stressed the importance of developing regional science.

"Currently, more than 1,500 scientists in the Karaganda region are conducting scientific and technical research aimed at the development of industries such as manufacturing, processing of raw materials, chemical industry, mining, etc.", - noted in the welcoming address.

Saule Sagintayeva, the rector of the Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University told about the hub's activities.

According to her, the new structure is already showing practical results: more than a hundred university staff have completed advanced training, 120 scientists have been trained in innovative entrepreneurship, 10 startups have been incubated, 8 projects have been selected for acceleration, 2 industrial hackathons have been held, and more than 400 people have participated in the regional innovation forum.

Dmitry Lepekhov, Technical Director of Kazpromavtomatika LLP, spoke about the introduction of digital technologies in industrial enterprises.

Talgat Zhusipbek, a member of the Board of Cardiff University Kazakhstan, spoke via video link and shared the possibilities of international cooperation.

Summing up, Aganbet Bulekpayev said that such meetings will be permanent.

The next council is planned to be held at the site of the Karaganda National Research University named after E.A. Buketov Technopark.