Rauanna Nazarova

In 2023, Rauanna, current master’s student, but a third-year undergraduate student at the Institute of Automation and Information Technologies at Satbayev University back then, won the competition of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation and became the recipient of the scholarship named after the legendary Kazakhstani academician. We decided to ask Rauanna what helped her win, and what would she recommend this year’s applicants for the scholarship.

Please tell us where you are from and what your brightest childhood memories are.
I was born and raised in Astana. I am 21. The brightest memories are from school. I studied at the Republican School of Physics and Mathematics (RFMS). That time was filled with sleepless nights before exams, bright days with classmates, and funny moments that will, of course, remain in my memory forever.

Why did you choose the specialization in robotics and mechatronics?
I chose this specialization because of its subfield, biomedical engineering. As a child, I often got injured, but strangely enough every visit to the hospital only increased my interest in medicine. I wanted to become a doctor, but over time, I realized that I would rather invent and create things with my own hands. That’s how I came to biomedical engineering, where two fields merge into one. I plan to continue working in this area.

What was the scholarship competition like for you?
My mom, who is a teacher, told me about the competition. The competition was surprisingly easy and quick for me. The brightest moment was when I learned about my victory, which I really didn’t expect. After that, there was a meeting of the winners of all the Foundation’s programs at Nazarbayev University. There, we got acquainted with each other, communicated, and shared our experiences and stories. That will also stay in my memory for a long time.

Rauanna, why do you think you won?
I think I won because I was open to new things, honestly showed my interest and desire to develop. My advice is to find something that will really interest you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and try something new. It is important to genuinely believe in what you are doing and be passionate about succeeding in it.

Did the Yessenov Scholarship help you?
Firstly, winning the scholarship competition gave me confidence in myself and my abilities. Thanks to it, I was able to focus on my studies. Secondly, the scholarship helped me invest in personal development and undergo additional training. I took fascinating courses on the Coursera platform, such as Statistical Learning and Database Engineering, scored 7.0 in the IELTS, participated in a 3-day Makeathon in 2023, took part in an exchange program, and studied abroad.

What do you do now and what are your plans for the next 2 years?
I am currently studying for a master’s degree. I’m also involved in a large project and work on my master’s thesis. Under the project we are developing a collaborative robot that will be used in surgeries. Over the next two years, I plan to defend my thesis, enhance my project portfolio, including those I’ve participated in, such as the development of systems for non-invasive diagnostics of cardiovascular diseases. I would also like to deepen my knowledge and skills in biomedical engineering, with a focus on sensor technology integration, development of medical device control algorithms, and implementation of digital solutions in healthcare.

How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy walking, exercising, going to the gym, and practicing yoga. I often listen to audiobooks. Recently, I listened to May You Be Treated Gently By Yourself  by Olga Primachenko and The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. I am interested in studying sensor technologies. I create illustrations and designs for scientific presentations that inspire me. I also enjoy reading articles about new technologies in biomedical engineering.