THE YESSENOV SCHOLARSHIP: 20 NEW WINNERS

Aigerim Sultan, the Program Manager, shared.

“We received 489 applications. After evaluating them in the first round, 50 participants advanced to the second round. In this stage, professional psychologists conducted group and individual interviews to assess the candidates’ personal, leadership, and professional qualities. For us, it is important not only to consider overall activity and academic performance, but also the applicants’ understanding of the demands of the modern world, their psychological maturity, value system, and motivation. On April 7, together with the Foundation’s Expert Commission, we approved the list of 20 winners after reviewing our conclusions, the documents provided by the applicants themselves, and the psychologists’ assessments. This year, we also invited past Scholarship winners – participants of the Research Internships in the World’s Laboratories and Yessenov Launch Pad programs – to serve as experts.”

This year, the largest number of winners came from Karaganda Medical University, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Nazarbayev University, each with 3 recipients of the Yessenov Scholarship. In addition, students from 10 other HEIs across the country are among the newly awarded grant holders. The majority of this year’s winners are 2nd- and 3rd-year undergraduate students – 13 in total. The remaining Scholarship holders are in their final years of study. Among the 20 winners, the largest group is medical students (8). Traditionally, the list includes students specializing in chemistry, engineering, computer science, biological sciences, and nuclear physics.

The lists of winners have been published on the Foundation’s website and social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, and LinkedIn. Let’s take a closer look at 5 of this year’s Scholarship winners.

Among them is Daut Nurlanov, 20, from Aktobe. He is an exceptional example of a student winning his third Foundation Program! In May 2025, he received a grant to attend the Yessenov Data Lab summer intensive for data analysts, and by December, he had already become a winner of the Research Internships Program.

“Over the next 2 years, I plan to complete both research and professional internships and finish my bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Nazarbayev University. With the Scholarship, I intend to take courses and upgrade my technical equipment,” shared Daut.

His peer, Anel Abenova, is from Pavlodar. In the near future, she plans to pursue a master’s degree and publish scientific papers.

“I am currently a third-year student majoring in Biological Sciences at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. I want to get my driver’s license and score at least 7 on the IELTS exam. I believe this is what the Yessenov Scholarship I won will help me achieve,” said Anel.

Sardorbek Rustamzhanov, a student at the South Kazakhstan Medical Academy, has become a recipient of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Scholarship for the second consecutive year. He is 21 and comes from Shymkent.

“This year I am completing my bachelor’s degree and will continue my studies in a medical internship. I have already chosen surgery as my path of development for the next couple of years. Surgery itself is a very costly field, so part of the Scholarship will be used to purchase instruments and suture materials. If possible, I would also like to use the financial support from the Yessenov Foundation to attend scientific conferences and prepare for the IELTS exam,” shared Sardorbek.

Dilnaz Akambayeva from Karaganda is only 18, yet she is already a sophomore at ENU in Astana.

“Over the next two years, I will be actively gaining knowledge in my field – nuclear physics. My goal is to obtain a doctoral degree. In addition, I plan to be an active member of our Nobel student scientific club. I would also be glad to contribute to the projects of the Yessenov Foundation. Of course, I will continue to read, stay active in sports, and make new friends – in other words, to live a bright and fulfilling life!” stated Dilnaz.

The talented Kazakhstani student plans to use the Scholarship to build a financial safety net. In other words, she will be saving the funds to ensure she is financially secure during her studies.

The next winner we would like to introduce is Ayb Aybov. He is 21 and comes from a remote village in the Kyzylorda region, located 140 km from the regional center. He is currently studying at the Faculty of Medicine at Akhmet Yasawi University.

“I want to pursue a career in science, organize another KazMSA exchange at my university, choose my medical speciality and develop in that field by taking part in international internships, forums and conferences. I study foreign languages, go to the gym, and work to gain experience. This summer, I have a two‑week internship planned in Turkey, and I would like to use the Scholarship for that. There is also an upcoming olympiad in Uzbekistan, which we will likely cover the expenses ourselves to attend. I will participate in the otorhinolaryngology section. Next year, I hope to win a spot in the KazMSA international exchange programs, but first, I need to improve my foreign language skills,” shared Ayb.

The Shakhmardan Yessenov Named Scholarship has been awarded annually in Kazakhstan since 2013. Over the years, the Program has already supported 216 talented young Kazakhstanis.