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A university with its own production facilities could become an analogue of Silicon Valley in the future. Why not? Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University (KATU) has made a major breakthrough in integrating science with industry over the past two years. At a time when the country is focusing on science, KATU can serve as a model of a "correct" research university. The majority of the curricula here are practically oriented, which gives confidence that graduates will leave the university familiar with all the nuances of their future profession.

It was not easy to arrange an interview with Kairat Aituganov, Chairman of the Board of KATU. The head of one of the leading agrarian universities does not like to appear in the press, and this time he offered to write about young scientists, master and doctoral students implementing scientific projects. “If there is anyone to write about, it is our scientists, the university’s social and commercial projects and the achievements of our students,” Kairat Kaparovich insisted. But, after reading the questions that only the first supervisor can answer, he did find the time for us.

-Kairat Kaparovich, at the anniversary session of the Academy of Sciences of the RK President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized the great role of research universities in building the New Kazakhstan. What contribution to the development of the country’s agro-industrial complex does KATU make as a research university? Does the university have sufficient potential?

- The granting of research university status coincided with the important event of the transfer of three subsidiaries to KATU: The A. I. Barayev Research and Production Centre for Grain Farming, the North Kazakhstan Agricultural Experimental Station and the Bokeykhan Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry. This was the starting point for further scientific development, firstly, of the university itself and, secondly, for the establishment of the three enterprises. It is now, after two years, that I can say that a new path has opened for us to integrate production, education and science. But in reality, we got problematic enterprises at the time. Debts, both for salaries and to banks, a lack of vision for long-term development, and old machinery. The entire scientific community of our university was involved in restoring such essentially unique production facilities. Our scientists and specialists were constantly travelling there. To this day, we closely monitor all stages of work, be it sowing, sprouting or harvesting. I can say with certainty that the tandem of science and production can be observed, not in word but in deed, on the example of KATU.

- And what is the outcome today?

- The A.I. Barayev Scientific and Research Centre of Grain Farming is the leading institution in the country engaged in the creation of new varieties of grain, legume, oilseed and forage crops for the northern and central regions of Kazakhstan, as well as applied research on the development of their cultivation technologies.

The introduction of scientific developments, as well as compliance with agricultural technology last year allowed to complete the harvesting work on September 16, ie, in optimal time, with a yield of 14.7 c/ha (which exceeds the average and regional rates at 5 and 5.5 c/ha), threshed 3 657 tons of seeds of superior reproduction.

The A.I. Barayev Scientific and Research Centre of Grain Farming has gradually switched to the Smart Agriculture concept, using digital technologies, information and analytical, reference and geo-information systems, remote sensing data, and modern intelligent technology.

There has also been a transition to water-saving technologies for crop cultivation and to the principles of organic farming.  

As a result, revenues from the sale of agricultural products have increased. In general, due to participation of KATU at the time of formation, justification of applications in 2021 for program-targeted, grant and base financing, 1,071.5 million tenge of budgetary funds were attracted. The existing accounts payable in the amount of 311.2 million tenge has been fully repaid. There are no bank loans from the A.I. Barayev Scientific and Research Centre of Grain Farming as of today.

LLP “North-Kazakhstan agricultural experimental station” during the last two years shows record harvests, more than 20 c/ha on average for all types of cultivated crops in the conditions of progressing drought. 

Only two years ago there was no question of such success in the sustainable development of the enterprise. It was only after our scientists got involved in the enterprise with their knowledge and scientific research that the farming enterprise literally rose from its knees. According to the results of the last year, 24 869 tons of grain were threshed on the area of 12 316 ha with an average yield of 20.2 c/ha (the record yield in the last 15 years), which is 9 centners higher than the regional average and 6 centners higher than the regional average. In 2021, 8 thousand tons of seeds of high reproductions of promising varieties were harvested, these seeds were fully sold. Including one thousand tonnes were exported to Kyrgyzstan under intergovernmental agreements between the two countries. Last year, total revenue increased from 1.8 billion tenge to 2.8 billion tenge, and the net profit growth is more than 5 times from 187 million tenge to 956 million tenge. The first branch’s equipment fleet has been completely renewed. 

I would like to emphasise that such indicators have been achieved in just less than two years. Though at the moment of transferring North-Kazakhstan agricultural experimental station to us the debts of the enterprise were 940 million tenge. Now we can safely talk about development, the infrastructure is being renewed, salaries to employees of the North-Kazakhstan agricultural experimental station have been increased.

Another subsidiary organisation - Bokeykhan Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry LLP (hereinafter KazSRIFA) - has 3 branches: Almaty, Western and Altay. Last year the work on creation of scientific experimental forest nursery with area of 4 ha was started here. As a result of joint work of KATU and KazSRIFA in 2021 the profitability of the research institute increased by 1.6 times, and it reached 511 million tenge.

Each of the three organisations has its own unique function, and the university as a whole has acquired a powerful production base both for scientific work and for the practical training of university students. Bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral students gain the necessary professional experience and skills directly in production. 

- Do you mean that the whole learning process has been moved to the fields?

-No, of course not. Studies continue in the traditional format. The number of people wishing to study at our university grows every year. This is certainly influenced by the quality of the university's teaching staff, its facilities and the conditions for doing science directly in the university's laboratories. Last year a new department “Forestry, Wildlife and Environment” was opened, a very popular field. We have a double-degree program and cooperate with universities and research organizations from 30 countries. Our cooperation with the French agrarian university AgroParisTech gives us very good academic experience. Around 90 percent of our graduates are employed after graduation. Isn't that the main indicator of our work?

- You've talked about quality teaching staff. Tell me, how do you retain a highly qualified specialist? I don't mean to offend you, but nowadays many people want to work in modern buildings, in comfortable conditions...

-We are, of course, housed in an old building, but it’s the content that counts, not the wrapping. Every teacher, every employee is valuable to us. And that is why we create the most comfortable conditions for them, firstly, at their workplace, and secondly, through the University Local Union. This includes various types of material assistance, free travel cards for use on urban and suburban public transport. Union members who have worked at KATU for at least one year receive health insurance, which allows them to receive free treatment in the best clinics in the country. Every year the local union sends hundreds of members to sanatoriums in Kazakhstan free of charge and pays for their return travel. Plus there are various events with valuable prizes for members. By the way, this year the union has expanded its ranks. In addition to the university and its subsidiaries, 4 other agro-industrial companies have voluntarily joined the structure of the Local trade union. 

-Kairat Kaparovich, there must be a lot of problems in agricultural science? What exactly do you think can be changed at the level of agricultural universities? 

-There are indeed enough problems on different levels. For example, the short implementation period of project-targeted financing projects. In 3 years, it is impossible to fully implement a project. 

But we are not complaining, we are working. We are pleased with the involvement of young scientists in science. There are now projects at the implementation stage which have been created by master and doctoral students, these are really viable projects. One of them, called “Poultry: from Backyard to Table” recently won the ENACTUS KAZAKHSTAN NATIONAL EXPO, a national competition in the field of student entrepreneurship, start-ups and innovation. The guys are now preparing for an international championship to be held in Puerto Rico in the autumn. 

Another KATU project, BALQYMYZ Energy Drink, won the Grand Prix in a national competition organized by the Science Foundation. And we have many such examples. It is important that each project is implemented not on paper but in reality. Within the grant financing of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 2020-2022 and 2021-2023 currently 31 projects are being implemented, including 19 projects of young scientists for total amount 1029.83 million tenge. Under program-targeted funding by the Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2021-2023, 12 scientific and technical programs are being implemented for a total amount of 8,420.47 million tenge. 

The results of the QS International University Rankings have recently become known. S.Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical University entered the TOP-16 Kazakhstani universities of this authoritative rating.