As part of the solemn celebration of the 90th anniversary of Satbayev University, the grand opening of FabLab SU, a new high-tech center, where students, scientists and engineers will be able to realize their wildest ideas using modern equipment, took place.
The new laboratory, equipped with 3D printers, CNC machines, as well as software for design and modeling, is part of the global international community of FabLab laboratories based on the standards of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, uniting more than 2 thousand innovation centers around the world.
The opening of the laboratory was attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, who noted that Kazakhstani universities need to be modernized not only with public funds, but also through business support.
– In Kazakhstan, over 80% of the financing comes from the state. This is the budget of our ministry, our grant programs. For example, in the United States, over 70% is funded by private corporations. If earlier the whole focus was on closed research institutes, now universities, in accordance with world practice, are becoming new centers of scientific thought," the minister said.
The agreement on joining this outstanding organization was signed during the trip of the Satbayev University delegation to MIT, where the rector of the university, Meiram Begentaev, and Sherry Lassiter, founder and head of the Fab Foundation, agreed on the exchange of students and teachers, technology transfer and joint research projects.
– In addition to the development of student projects, we pay great attention to the transfer of microqualifications to students, - said Ruslan Mukanov, head of MIT - These are the qualifications of a digital design engineer, reverse engineer and operator of CNC machines. We have all the equipment for training.
Fab Labs are increasingly being used as platforms for project-based and practical STEM education. The Network actively promotes inclusive development by supporting knowledge sharing among engineers and inventors around the world. Students study by creating objects in which they are personally interested, going through the entire production cycle from idea to implementation, and gaining in-depth practical knowledge.
Many leading companies of Kazakhstan, such as Lenovo, KazTechInnovations and Best Vision Technologies, participated in the creation of the laboratory at Satbayev University, creating a unique technical space. The laboratory has the largest 3D printer in Kazakhstan, three-dimensional scanning equipment, a complete production line for prototyping and a unique processing center of DMG MORI. All this expands the capabilities of the laboratory, allowing it to be used not only for educational purposes, but also for real production tasks and commercial projects. And participation in the global community will provide an opportunity to share innovative ideas with the whole world.
The organizers note that FabLab Satbayev University is an open platform for everyone, which is ready to provide space and opportunities for talented young engineers from all over Kazakhstan. There are already agreements with schools in Almaty that are interested in teaching students at the FabLab site.
Rector of Satbayev University Meiram Begentayev stressed that cooperation with MIT helps the university to fully implement the principle of "learning through research" and promotes the development of practical skills among students, combining the efforts of researchers and inventors to create a more sustainable future.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/sci/press/news/details/881327