Almaty hosted Industry Advisory Board Forum for the first time

On March 30, the first Industry Advisory Board Forum was held in Almaty. The organizer of the event is the AlmaU Technology Commercialization Center.

Industry Advisory Board (Industry Advisory Board) - a platform created for open communication and interaction between business, industry enterprises and leading scientific universities.

200 people showed a burning interest in the issue of commercialization of science. The curtain of the forum was opened by acting. Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek. He delighted the audience with the news that a national council for science and technology had been established. He also recalled that a few days ago the president signed a decree on giving the Academy of Sciences the status of "under the president." Now the President of the National Academy of Sciences is appointed by the President of the country.

“The development of university science is an important direction. Most of our universities are at the teaching university level. It is very important for us that as many universities as possible slowly begin to move into the format of a research university. The financing of science has been increased by 3.5 times to date. We have 620 thousand students. Of these, slightly more than 90% are bachelors, 7-8% are masters and less than 1% are PhDs. A small part defends themselves and goes to higher education, to science. Freshly minted PhDs cannot apply for any positions. Usually start with the basics. They lose motivation. To qualify for participation in grant applications, scientific projects require publications, a scientific background, a formed profile, and specialization of a young scientist. And for this you need to participate in grants. It turns out a vicious circle. That is why the format and program of targeted financing are being reviewed now. For the first time, the concept (in terms of funding) of a “mega grant” will probably be introduced, which will enable universities to form growth points,”  the minister, Sayasat Nurbek said.

The Forum announced the creation of the Alliance of Scientific Universities for Commercialization. Ten universities signed a memorandum of understanding with AlmaU: KazNU, Satbayev University, AUPET, KazNMU, KazNAIU, KBTU, KazATU, Shakarim University, INP and the Academy of Civil Aviation. 

Eight of them presented research projects aimed at solving complex industry problems and creating new value-added products. And a panel of judges made up of members of the Industry Advisory Council asked questions and provided valuable advice.

The Industry Advisory Board currently consists of 22 members, including representatives of such world leaders as Siemens, Microsoft, MC, Honeywell, Coca Cola.

In the second session, Adviser to the Chairman of the Board of JSC NC KazMunayGas, Member of the National Kurultai under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the Board of Trustees of AlmaU Zhaksybek Kulekeyev, Head, Siemens Science HUB in Almaty Martin Gitsels, Executive Director of the Republican Association of Mining and Metallurgical Enterprises Nikolai Radostovets, Regional Director of Microsoft Sergey Leshchenko, General Manager for Business Development in Central Asia, Honeywell and CTO, Coca Cola Company, Central Asia and the Caucasus Musa Ak, told what industry leaders need from university science. Andrey Beklemishev, Vice-President for the CIS of IDC, a member of the AlmaU Board of Trustees, became the moderator of this session.

Business Angel, Independent Director of Baiterek Venture Fund JSC Dana Blieva, KBTU Professor Chokan Laumullin, Vice President for Strategic Partnerships of CBC Group Vladimir Oleshchenko, Head of the Department of Economics and Accounting of the North Kazakhstan University named after M. Kozybayev Dinmukhammed Shaikin, expert in protection of intellectual property Meldir Erbulekova, business angel, Deep Tech expert Alken Kuanbay, technical expert of the Kazakhstan Association of Cement and Concrete Producers "QazCem" Timur Bukashev and Senior Commercial Specialist at the US Embassy in Kazakhstan Donald Townsend, led by moderator AlmaU Vice-Rector for Commercialization Kendrick White discussed how laws and investment in R&D affect the structure and operation of a modern market and innovation economy.

On March 31, the AlmaU Technology Commercialization Center organized a master class with Dinmukhammed Shaikin on the topic of a global strategy for the protection of intellectual property. In the end, it was decided that members of the Industry Advisory Board would prepare online courses on technology commercialization.