International Internship of Department Master’s Students in China: New Horizons and Cooperation Prospects

From June 8 to June 17, 2026, second-year master’s students in "7M05304-Technical Physics" and "7M07109-Thermal Power Engineering" at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University completed a scientific and practical internship in the People's Republic of China. Organized upon the official invitation of Chongqing Electric Power College, the host institution fully covered tuition, accommodation, local transportation, and medical insurance, excluding airfare. The primary aim of the visit was to gain direct insight into advanced international solutions in energy generation, renewable sources, and industrial digitalization.

The itinerary centered on hands-on activities at the college's high-tech campus, opened in 2023. Students executed targeted practical assignments across several specialized units:

• Wind Energy Unit: Practical work on stands illustrating wind-to-electricity conversion processes, complemented by timed exercises in assembly, calibration, diagnostics, and maintenance aligned with WorldSkills standards and international student engineering contests;

• Hydrogen Technologies Lab: Studying methods for production, safe storage, and utilization of hydrogen within the framework of the "green" transition;

• Emergency Scenario Simulation: Refining rapid-response protocols for plant operating personnel using computerized crash modeling;

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Lab: Designing and configuring drones aimed at remote monitoring of power grids and major infrastructure;

• Relay Protection & Automation: Modeling digital control architecture for substations and industrial facilities.

The high training efficiency at Chongqing College stems from its dual-educational integration with China's leading energy enterprises, including State Grid Chongqing Electric Power Company and China Huadian Corporation, allowing theoretical learning to directly align with real-world industry practices.

Drawing from their experience, the interns proposed establishing a specialized wind energy laboratory at KazNU equipped with simulation stands. This initiative aligns with the strategic vision of the Sectoral Center for Technological Competencies (SCTC). Under the Center’s Roadmap, key priorities include professional development for energy personnel, hosting summer schools, introducing micro-credential programs, and launching a joint dual-degree educational program in clean energy.

Extensive international collaboration and knowledge exchange significantly elevate the quality of university education, unlocking new possibilities for young researchers to develop practical engineering expertise. Establishing an advanced laboratory infrastructure will accelerate cutting-edge research endeavors, enhancing the technical capabilities and competitiveness of the national power engineering sector. The Department of Thermal Physics and Technical Physics extends its sincere gratitude to our international partners and looks forward to the successful implementation of future joint initiatives!