An extended off-site meeting titled “Engineering 4.0: Strategies, Challenges, and Partnership” was held at Akhmet Baitursynov Kostanay Regional University. The event was organized by the Head Educational and Methodological Association (HEMA) in the field of engineering education at Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University.
The university serves as the lead institution for managing projects and coordinating educational and methodological associations (EMA) in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The HEMA at KTU includes 124 members, including representatives from enterprises, organizations, universities across Kazakhstan, and educational institutions from both neighboring and distant countries. The association provides training in four main areas:
- Engineering and Engineering Sciences
- Manufacturing and Processing Industries
- Standardization, Certification, and Metrology (by industry)
- Occupational Health and Safety
The Rector of Kostanay Regional University, Seytbek Bekenuly Kuanyshbayev, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and innovative solutions in the development of the engineering sector.
The plenary session featured wide-ranging discussions on new approaches to training engineering personnel, the national model of engineering education, effective collaboration between universities and industry, and the key competencies required by transnational companies.
Speakers included:
- Aigul Sapargalievna Akhmetova – Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Allur Group of Companies
- Zhadira Konurbayeva – Vice-Rector for Strategic Development at EKTU
- Vladislav Dudarenko – KTU alumnus and Director of the KamLitKZ gear factory
- Erlan Toletov – representative of KIA Qazaqstan
as well as other experienced experts.
More than 100 scientists, engineers, and specialists from Kazakhstan and abroad (both near and far) participated in the extended meeting, both offline and online. They addressed current issues such as the modernization of engineering education content, occupational safety, technosphere safety, and geophysics.
The offline format was attended by G. Zharasova, Deputy Chair of the Committee for Industrial Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Professor S. Sagintayeva, Rector of Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University; Professor N.A. Medetov, Rector of S. Toraighyrov Pavlodar University; Vice-Rectors for Academic Affairs; Professor B.R. Nussupbekov, Chairman of the Educational and Methodological Association – Head University Division of the Republic of Kazakhstan; as well as faculty members and heads of areas including Professor N.A. Medeubayev, Professor V.V. Biryukov, Associate Professor V.V. Yurchenko, and O.Kh. Takirov. Also present were representatives from 12 universities, including Directors of Academic Affairs Departments, Faculty Deans, and Heads of Departments.
A highlight of the event was the series of industrial tours hosted by partner companies. Participants visited the modern production facilities of Allur and AgromashHolding, where they became acquainted with new technologies, dual education models, and joint university-industry projects.
At the conclusion of the meeting, HEMA members visited Allur University to explore its academic programs and new areas of activity. The participants developed concrete proposals aimed at strengthening the link between engineering education and the industrial sector, aligning academic programs with labor market demands, and expanding professional partnerships.
