What do young scientists need to reach their full potential?

The First Congress of Young Scientists took place in Almaty. The event was held under the slogan "Zhas Satpaevshylar." The project was organized by the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The congress is dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding scientist, academician, and first president of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR, Kanysh Satpaev. Among the honored guests of the congress were Majilis Parliament deputy Zhuldyz Suleimenova and Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education Darkhan Akhmed-Zaki, who delivered greetings to the forum participants.

Before the congress commenced, an exhibition of modern innovative developments by young scientists was launched. They showcased their projects across various fields, with most of them already having practical applications, either implemented in production or in the waiting phase for investment proposals.

– According to statistics, the average age of employees holding scientific degrees is 57 years, with 15 percent being of retirement age, – stated the president of the National Academy of Sciences Akhylbek Kurishbaev. – Therefore, our main task now is to attract talented youth to science. This is our primary resource. We are conducting the Congress of Young Scientists to hear their opinions, understand what they need for development and realization of their potential, what is lacking in scientific activity, and what conditions need to be created.

^{Zhansaya Umiralieva is working on plant protection methods}

He noted that many talented young people from Kazakhstan are currently working abroad, at leading scientific centers and universities around the world. We should leverage this important strategic resource for the development of the scientific and technical policy and the economy of Kazakhstan. Therefore, it is essential to attract young individuals working overseas so that their knowledge becomes accessible to the scientific community of our country.

– The academy publishes an annual national report on the state of science in promising directions and on global trends. For the first time in history, we created a separate section on the status of young scientists and the problematic issues that exist in this environment. The national report will be presented to the country's leadership for necessary measures to be taken. It is very important that we systematize this work, meaning it is not a one-time event, but a system, – emphasized the head of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He also added that a council of young scientists has been established at the academy, consisting of leaders in the scientific community, and a feedback system has been put in place. This means that young scientists have the opportunity to voice their problems, which can then be escalated on behalf of the academy, depending on the level of the issue, all the way to the highest authorities. Notably, such a system did not exist before.

The Chairman of the Council of Young Scientists of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the National Kurultai Maksat Zhabagin, in turn, informed that this year the congress unites eight scientific conferences on various relevant topics. Issues related to legislation concerning science and education are being discussed here.

– We are also conducting a unique format of networking for young scientists, featuring over 120 speakers. Their projects were previously selected by national scientific councils and underwent state expertise, – he said.

According to Maksat Zhabagin, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education has undertaken significant work to encourage young scientists to conduct their research and continue their scientific activities. Now, it is necessary to create conditions for mirror laboratories to open in our country, to establish crystallization centers for young scientists, and to form new scientific groups.

As stated by the organizers, the goal of the congress to create a platform for dialogue among young scientists, exchange scientific achievements, and develop scientific research in Kazakhstan has been successfully achieved. The "Zhas Satpaevshylar" congress is not merely a scientific event; it is an investment in the future of the country. It provides young scientists with a unique opportunity to present their research to a broad audience, including leading scientists from Kazakhstan, establish connections with potential partners and employers, discuss pressing issues in science, and find solutions.