92 COMPETITORS ADVANCE
We share the outcomes of the first selection stage for the Yessenov Data Lab (YDL) Summer School for Data Analysts and highlight the details of the remaining challenges for the candidates. The competition for 20 spots in the seventh YDL, initiated by philanthropist and businessman Galimzhan Yessenov, is in full swing. The second and third rounds are yet to come. The intensive program itself begins in a month’s time at AlmaU.
During the first stage, participants submitted an application, documents, and proof of achievements in relevant fields, alongside an essay explaining how they plan to use the acquired knowledge for their development.
“The expert for the first round of YDL was Timur Bakibayev, our long-time lecturer, co-author of the YDL syllabus, Doctor of Science, and a professor with extensive academic experience. Out of 159 applicants, he left only 92 in the running,” said Grigoriy Lee, Program Manager of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation.
Interestingly, without deliberately aiming for it, the organizers of the competition and the School achieved gender balance by the end of this stage. 46 women and the same number of men were admitted to the second round of the grant competition. Among those moving forward are 62 undergraduate students from different years of study, 6 master’s students, 21 researchers/professionals, 1 resident, and 2 doctoral students.
The range of specialities represented in the competition is also diverse, spanning from traditional Information Systems, Computer Science, and Mathematics to Cyber-physics, IT in the agro-industrial complex, and the “Forest Resources and Environment” specialization. Nazarbayev University has the largest representation, with 22 participants. KBTU, SDU, Astana IT University, and KazNU are represented by 5 to 7 participants each. Overall, the list includes approx. 80 different educational institutions and organizations across Kazakhstan.
Next, the contestants will face the second round, which runs until May 20. The list of finalists will be published on May 21. The challenge of the second stage is an online test consisting of 30 questions of various types, to be completed within 60 minutes. Topics include linear function graphs and variables, loops, conditions and arrays in Python, statistics and probability theory, linear regression and graphs, matrices and linear equations. During the test, specialized methods are applied to monitor the grant applicants’ work and detect cheating.
“Those who successfully pass the test will move on to the final stage – a 40-minute online interview with representatives of the Expert Council of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation. The evaluation will cover not only candidates’ professional qualities, 
intellectual potential, analytical abilities, and programming skills and experience, but also their core values, motivation, emotional intelligence, communication skills, and commitment to personal growth,” G. Lee explained.
No later than June 5, the names of the participants in the Yessenov Data Lab 2026 Summer School for Data Analysts will be announced. They will take part in an intensive program featuring both offline and online learning, team building in the mountains, and mentorship from leading data analytics professionals from Kazakhstan and abroad.
As a reminder, more than 110 data analytics professionals have already graduated from YDL. Since 2018, the Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation has organized 6 such intensive Summer Schools.
Seen by: 3