KazNU Doctoral Student Wins Prize in Startup Competition within the V International Farabi Forum

From April 3 to 13, 2026, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University hosted the V International Farabi Forum, within which the annual competition of innovative startup projects from student business incubators was held. This large-scale event aims to enhance the university’s scientific and innovation potential, support young researchers, and promote the practical implementation of their ideas.

The startup competition served as an important platform for showcasing scientific developments, innovative solutions, and entrepreneurial potential of students and young scientists. The projects were evaluated based on their scientific novelty, practical relevance, innovation, and societal impact.

In this prestigious competition, a second-year doctoral student of the “Geobotany” educational program at the Department of Botany and Agroecology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Zhaukhar Aralbaikyzy Kenzhebaeva, won a prize with her project titled “Digital Smart Map of Medicinal and Rare Plants of Kazakhstan and a Bioeconomic Platform.”

The project stands out due to its relevance, scientific novelty, and practical significance. It is aimed at systematizing data on medicinal and rare plants of Kazakhstan in a digital format, visualizing them through an interactive map, and developing modern approaches to their bioeconomic utilization. The project contributes to biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of natural resources, and the integration of digital technologies into scientific research.

The scientific supervisor of the project is Associate Professor Asem Tleuzhankyzy Mamurova, whose professional guidance and support played a crucial role in the successful development and high evaluation of the project.

It is worth noting that 100 projects from 16 faculties were submitted to the competition. In such a highly competitive environment, this project received high recognition and became the only awarded project from the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology. This achievement highlights the doctoral student’s strong research potential, innovative thinking, and the scientific strength of the Department of Botany and Agroecology.

This success represents not only a personal achievement but also the result of systematic efforts in training young researchers. The Department of Botany and Agroecology actively supports research initiatives, fosters academic growth, and encourages participation in scientific and innovation projects.

Modern interdisciplinary research at the intersection of botany, geobotany, bioeconomics, and digital technologies plays a crucial role in sustainable development and environmental conservation. In this context, the presented project has significant potential for further development and real-world application.

We sincerely congratulate Zhaukhar Aralbaikyzy Kenzhebaeva and her scientific supervisor Asem Tleuzhankyzy Mamurova!
We wish them continued success in their scientific careers, inspiration, and new achievements!