WRAPPING UP THE FIFTH YDL SUMMER SCHOOL

“About a hundred young Kazakhstanis have already studied at our School for data analysts. The YDL is our contribution to innovative development in Kazakhstan and a continuation of Shakhmardan Yessenov’s legacy. The academician believed in the use of computers in data processing in the field of geological exploration. Largely due to his efforts, the first computer center for such work was opened in Kazakhstan. Moreover, he himself once provided a department at the current Satbayev University with computers. By the way, on the 5^th of August 2024, Kazakhstan will celebrate the 97th anniversary of the birth of this prominent Kazakh scientist”, Aiganym Malisheva tells.

Commenting on the results of the YDL 2024, Grigoriy Lee says: “This year’s Yessenov Data Lab has once again proved to be one of the best platforms in Kazakhstan and even in the whole region, to get high-quality knowledge in the field of data science in a short period of time. And this is not only my assessment but our graduates as well. Only true professionals give lectures at the School. There were also assistant lecturers working at the YDL who helped the trainees better understand the material. Since 2018, we have received 550 applications, their number is consistently high every year. 96 young Kazakhstanis have completed training at five Schools in previous years. There were 46 girls among them, and this number reflects a trend. For instance, this year, there are 18 YDL students and 11 of them are girls. Winners of the competition from various regions of Kazakhstan come to study at the School”.

Grigoriy, what was the training program at the Fifth YDL School?
Timur Bakibayev, Ph.D. in Computer Science, Professor at AlmaU, taught the basics of the Python programming language which is widely used for data analysis. Kirill Yakunin, Ph.D. in Computing Systems and Software, ML Engineer at Metaculus, conducted classes on the theory and skills of statistical analysis and building predictive regression models. Kuanysh Abeshev, Ph.D. in Mathematics, Dean of the School of Digital Technologies, AlmaU, taught the participants to build data classification predictive models. Vladislav Yushchenko, M.Sc. Computer Science, Sr. Machine Learning Engineer at CAPE Analytics, wrapped up the training by teaching deep learning methods and neural networks.

Besides, the School program also included weekly motivational meetings. They were held by our former program winners, who became experienced and effective experts: Aigul Imadildayeva, software engineer, Azat Suleimenov, manager of Lucid Motors, USA, Askarbek Orakov and Nazgul Sakenova, doctoral students in microbiology and bioinformatics. Beibarys Umirbayev, director of innovation and development department of Jusan Mart, also joined them in the final week of the YDL. In general, it was an eventful, busy and interesting program.

Why did the School partially resume offline format this year?
The School provided high-quality knowledge online, but the winners of the YDL program repeatedly said there was a lack of face-to-face communication and networking. They would like to meet each other and the teachers in person and communicate closely. Therefore, this year, for the first time since the pandemic, we decided to hold one week of the training offline. Why just one week? Because otherwise, the cost of the program, due to accommodation, food and travel expenses for all the participants and lecturers, would greatly increase even though the training is highly effective regardless of its format. Besides, not all the participants can leave their hometowns, current places of employment and study for a whole month.

What are the plans for 2025?
For the time being we are planning to conduct the School training in a hybrid format allocating two weeks for offline.

And here’s what the School’s teachers think about the program.

Kuanysh Abeshev:
– The valuable gains of the Yessenov Data Lab, as compared to other training courses, are direct contact with a mentor, practical cases and networking. A collaboration between the university (AlmaU) and the School (YDL) shows the best results when proficient teachers share their experiences both in the academic and practical spheres, and the students learn from it.

Kirill Yakunin:
– It was a real pleasure to teach at the School. The selection of students for the YDL 2024 was just great. It is obvious that they are very motivated people.

Timur Bakibayev:
– 100 percent of the trainees understood the material and succeeded, and this is, of course, a real thrill for teachers. The students now understand well what is happening under the hood of machine learning.

Vladislav Yushchenko:
– We managed to achieve all the goals set and master the knowledge gained in a practical project. The conditions were good both for the trainees and the lecturers. Thank you.

Students at the Summer School of the Academician Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation are also summing up their YDL results.

Akbota Aman:
– The Yessenov Data Lab is a great opportunity to improve programming skills. In future I want to apply them in science activities, enroll in a doctoral program and use these skills both in public health and medical research, and in other various projects too.

Olzhas Yesken:
– What I liked most about School was much information about modern technologies and their advanced application.

Danel Yerkuliyeva:
– More networking, more communication, and we feel less shy around each other.

Yeldos Seitkozhanov:
– The School was well organized. Everything from the very beginning – from A to Z – was on a very high level. I didn’t know a lot, I needed to be shown the way, and all that happened.

Eldar Otynshiyev:
– The YDL gave us a lot of opportunities, for example, to make friends with like-minded people. I also really liked the hybrid format: online + offline. By the beginning of the offline training, we were already familiar with each other.

As a reminder, the Academician Shakhmardan Yessenov Science and Education Foundation conducted the Yessenov Data Lab School for the first time in the summer of 2018. 96 Kazakhstani students and young professionals have successfully completed it over the years, including the recently concluded Fifth Summer School, and acquired data analytics skills.