Senators learned ENU’s scientific potential
The L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University was visited by deputies of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan headed by the Committee Chairman Nurtore Zhussip.
Accompanied by ENU Rector Yerlan Sydykov, the deputies got acquainted with the university’s scientific material and technical base. They also demonstrated innovative scientific developments of the university scientists in the field of construction, physics, green energy, biology, IT, etc.
The parliamentarians visited the ENU-Lab research and production center, where they were shown projects for the production of super-asphalt for Kazakhstani roads, the technology of manufacturing noise-insulating concrete, the composition of mineral powder for asphalt concrete from industrial waste and other developments.
The deputies also got acquainted with the laboratory of collective use "Green Technologies", where they received full information about high-tech research in the field of chemistry, biotechnology, ecology using modern equipment.
Director of the ENU Eurasian Institute of Physics and Energy Research and High Technologies Kairat Kuterbekov told the senators about the project to create the production of nanocomposite material for thermoelectric modules and sodium-ion batteries. As the researcher noted, the main advantage of the superionic material is the absence of toxic components, low price, high energy efficiency, high efficiency of converting thermal energy into electrical energy
At the ENU Engineering laboratory, the deputies learned about the scientific projects of scientists on the development of methods for modifying membranes for water purification and detection of harmful substances, were informed about the work of the DC-60 heavy ion accelerator, and also learned about other innovative research in the field of physics and chemistry
Since 2022, ENU has established an internal grant “JANA ASU” at its own expense in order to support young scientists with potential ideas for commercialization. In 2 years, 15 university scientists have received cash grants to commercialize their innovative developments in the field of architecture, construction, medicine, agriculture, IT technologies, ecology, etc. The senators were also shown the scientific and technical developments of ENU scientists who won the Jana Asu University grant. Among them are the “Electronic Nose” for measuring harmful emissions into the atmosphere, the “Sana” application for foreigners to learn the Kazakh language in an everyday format, the first intelligent Kazakh sign language recognition system in Kazakhstan, a smart garbage sorting system, etc.
The delegates were also interested in the scientific and production projects of the ENU Nuclear Technology Park for the manufacture of radiation-treated cables, the innovative Beta sorb hydrogel, which increases productivity by 30%, a high-quality hydro, heat, and noise insulator, which reduces heat loss by 30%, heat-shrinkable insulating and anticorrosive tapes for the oil and gas industry and housing and communal services, etc.
"The Head of State pays great attention to science. In recent years, the state budget allocated for the development of science has been increased 3 times. The scientific potential of our university is also expanding.
Today, the Eurasian National University provides scientific grants totaling 7 billion KZT. In 2023, the university conducted 249 studies in important fields such as nuclear and hydrogen energy, molecular biology, genetic engineering, biomedicine and others. Scientific activity is carried out at 13 faculties and 31 research centers," Yerlan Sydykov noted.
According to ENU Rector, it is possible to provide separate state funding for research universities for the purchase of laboratory equipment and material-technical base.
The Chairman of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development of the Senate of the Parliament Nurtore Zhussip spoke about the ongoing legislative work on the development of national science.
"A special project office has been founded at the Senate of the Parliament, where you can send your ideas and proposals for the preparation of draft laws aimed at solving topical issues of the Kazakhstani science. Some bills are already being tested," the speaker noted.
The deputies also met with university scientists and listened to their opinions on the development of the potential of domestic science.