The international scientific forum 'Shoqan Ecology' was held in Almaty, where students from grades 3 to 12 presented scientific projects that will qualitatively change the future, reports Todayinfo.
Young scientists proposed innovative solutions in environmental pollution, waste management (reduce-recycle-reuse), alternative energy sources, as well as new ideas in business and technology. The forum is an initiative of ecologist Asel Tasmagambetova and Kazakh entrepreneur Kenes Rakishev.
The competition is divided into two sections: 'Shoqan Ecology Senior' for grades 8-12 and 'Shoqan Ecology Junior' for grades 3-7. The forum started in 2023 at the private school named after Shokan Ualikhanov. Over three years, an expert jury comprising leading Kazakh scientists in ecology, biology, petrochemistry, mining and chemical industry, metallurgy, and waste processing evaluated more than 550 works.
The prize fund of the forum in 2026 amounted to 10 million tenge, and over four years, young scientists received grants totaling 33 million tenge for scaling projects. Organizers note that interest in scientific activities among students is growing: in 2026, a record number of applications were submitted — over 277, of which 190 passed the final selection.
'Every year we enthusiastically observe the development of the scientific potential of our students. The competition receives unique projects that could compete with large-scale research by adult scientists. It is important for us to create a platform where young talents can boldly dream, create, and bring their ideas to life,' said Asel Tasmagambetova.
Winners of the forum receive not only cash grants but also assistance in the practical implementation of their projects. In 2025, the project 'Carbon forests to reduce carbon footprint' by 10th-grade student Fatima Demirstal won the 'Shoqan Ecology – 2025' competition. With the support of the organizers, more than 10,000 seedlings were planted in Almaty and the Almaty region, including the Ile-Alatau National Park.
Winners: Section 1 (Environmental pollution) — Sagynbek Iliyas (EcoPot project, PhysTech School Almaty); Section 2 (Waste management) — Mozhaeva Aliya (production of modified carbon sorbents from agricultural waste, BRIG Business School); Section 3 (Alternative energy sources) — Kamalov Damir (processing rice husk into silicon dioxide for lithium-ion batteries, Nazarbayev Intellectual School); Section 4 (Business, technology, and AI) — Mameseyit Danel (cortisol biomonitoring, private school named after Shokan Ualikhanov).
