YDL 2025: 136 APPLICATIONS
This year, the Kazakhstani Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation received 136 applications for the Yessenov Data Lab (YDL) Program’s grant competition. Out of these, 52 candidates were selected to compete for 20 positions at the sixth Summer School for analysts. How is the selection process going, and what other challenges await the competitors? Grigoriy Lee, the Foundation’s manager, explains.
Grigoriy, could you tell us about those who applied to the Program?
We received 136 applications, which is the second-highest number in the six-year history of YDL and demonstrates strong interest in the School. It is interesting to note that the difference in the number of applications submitted by girls and boys is small – 76 and 60, respectively. But among those selected for the next stages of the competition, significantly more girls advanced — 34 compared to 18 boys.
What does that tell you?
That the myth that IT and Big Data are not for girls has been completely destroyed.
Are most of the applicants students?
Yes. In total, we received 79 applications from undergraduate students in their 2nd to 4th year. There were also many master’s students (27) and researchers (17) working at various scientific institutions across Kazakhstan. We also received applications from PhD students and interns.
What criteria did you use to select applications for the competition? Why were more than 80 rejected?
An application had to meet the requirements outlined in the Program’s provisions. It requires that the participants had to be representatives of specific specialities, and their GPA had to be above 3.0. While not primary, other important factors in the competitive selection process include proficiency in English and programming languages. We give priority to those who have experience working on projects, have publications, show a clear interest in scientific research, and have volunteer experience. Considering all these criteria, over 80 applicants were not advanced to the next stages of the competition.
Has the composition of those admitted to the most important part of the YDL competition changed in terms of their level of education?
The majority of those who passed are undergraduate students, mainly in their 3rd and 4th years, as they have better preparation and a clearer understanding of why they want to attend the School compared to, say, second-year students. In other respects, the selected participants belong to the same categories as those who initially applied for the Program. Not all PhD and master’s students made it through the selection process.
How will the main part of the competition be held?
It consists of 2 stages. The first one has already begun – it is a test on mathematics, logic, and data analysis. The test includes 30 questions and is conducted online. Participants have 40 minutes to complete it. Each participant receives an individual link and a unique set of questions and tasks. After May 25, we will receive the list of finalists who have been admitted to the last stage of the competition. It consists of online interviews that will be completed by June 5. After that, we will announce the names of the 20 winners – the students of the sixth Yessenov Data Lab summer intensive course for analysts.
You can learn more about the distinctive features of YDL 2025’s curriculum, its lecturers, and how the final two stages of the selection competition will take place, in this article.
22.05.25, Newsfeed
Seen by: 220