Kazakhstan hosts seventh International Field Olympiad for Young Geologists

Kazakhstan hosts seventh International Field Olympiad for Young Geologists

Young geologists from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Belarus, and Russia gathered in the Akmola region to participate in the seventh International Field Olympiad. The competition features over 220 schoolchildren representing 20 teams. Their task is to demonstrate their skills in setting up a field camp, safety techniques, oil and gas exploration, geological routes, and geology. Additionally, the participants must showcase their knowledge in paleontology, magnetometry, mineralogy, and petrography. According to the intellectual competition organizers, the event will draw attention to issues of geoecology and subsurface protection among the younger generation. The winners of the Olympiad will receive grants to study at Kazakh universities and take part in the All-Russian Open Field Olympiad for Young Geologists next year.

«There is still a lot to be explored in this field. In the vast territories of Kazakhstan there are undiscovered deposits, including various rare metals. Thus, it is important for the youth, next generation of outstanding people in geology to study the Earth. Our task is to reveal their potential and provide support,» said Galym Nurzhanov, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the Zhas Geologist corporate fund.

In 2022, Kazakhstan adopted the Concept of geological industry development, which includes personnel training as one of its four key directions. To date, nine universities of the country train geologists.