Dara nationwide contest, organized by the Qazaqstan Channel concluded on September 24, following four months of spirited competition.
A total of 32 teams representing 28 of Kazakhstan’s leading higher education institutions, with over 200 students hailing from 16 cities across the country, gathered to showcase their intellectual prowess. The event aimed to provide a platform for students to demonstrate their talents, fostering a thirst for knowledge and learning among young people.
The Brainstorm team, consisting of six NU students, advanced to the finals after competing with teams from Auezov South Kazakhstan University, Astana IT University, and Eurasian National University during the semifinals. The NU team secured an exceptional 105 points, setting a new record. In the final round, Brainstorm went head-to-head with the Digital Nomads team from AITU, emerging as the champions.
Members of the winning team shared their experiences and reflections on the competition:
Aliya Amireyeva – SSH, Political Science and International Relations, 3rd year: “Each member of our team approached the project with such dedication that, upon one participant’s suggestion, we visited museums, gathered on our university campus, and quizzed each other. This preparation allowed us to get to know each other better. As we progressed, we refined our roles and responsibilities.
After the final round, we found ourselves pondering, ‘Why did we win?’ Consider this: 32 teams, comprising a total of 200 students from all corners of Kazakhstan. These were not just students; they were individuals committed to upholding their university’s honor, likely well-prepared and experienced. Reflecting on this, we realized that nearly every team around the table deserved victory. We never assumed with absolute certainty that we would advance to the next stage. Our primary objective wasn’t solely to win but to answer questions correctly, test our knowledge, and showcase high-quality gameplay. We extend our gratitude to the NU administration for unwavering support right from the start, without applying any pressure. Knowing that even without a trophy, no one would cast judgment upon us greatly contributed to our relaxed approach. We hope that throughout the game, we were able to embody our university’s core values – freedom of thought, academic integrity, and healthy competition.”
Bekzat Omirzak – SEDS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 3rd year: “Participating in a television project was a unique experience. It acquainted me with the inner workings of television and the requirements for filming. I was particularly intrigued by the work of the cameramen. They probably found it amusing to film us up close, capturing moments of contemplation, speculation, errors, and nervousness. Sometimes, when fully engrossed in the game, you tend to forget that numerous cameras are capturing your every move.
Rakhymzhan Orazgali – SEDS, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, 2nd year: “The ‘Dara’ project marked a significant chapter in my life. While preparing for the competition, I delved into areas that had never piqued my interest before. I believe the knowledge I gained will have practical applications in life, beyond the scope of the project. The ‘Dara’ TV project not only enriched me with knowledge and experience but also immersed me in an intellectually stimulating environment. Despite competing against students from other universities, we forged friendships and treated each other with profound respect in our daily lives.”
Lashyn Zeiin – SSH, Political Science and International Relations, 2nd year: “Primarily, I view this as an academic challenge and a platform for personal growth. Such competitions typically require participants to showcase their knowledge and intellect across various subjects and domains. Participation fosters the demonstration of talents and skills, extending beyond academics to encompass soft skills like leadership, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving abilities.Involvement in this project provided the opportunity to connect with peers from different universities and broaden one’s social network. Such competitions facilitate the development of comprehensive skills and literacy, benefiting not only individual participants but also contributing to the overall enhancement of education in the country.”
Kanat Zhumagali, SSH, Economics: “Defending our university’s name reflects its values and integrity. Our victory attests to these values and our approach to different situations.”
Sanzhar Sanat – SEDS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 3rd year: “After securing victory in the intellectual competition, we gained an unprecedented surge of energy and motivation. I’m eager to contribute to the intellectual youth movement. All of this has motivated us to establish an intellectual club at our university to organize similar competitions for future generations. So stay tuned for updates.”
The winners received special prizes from the competition’s sponsors. NU Founding President Mr. Shigeo Katsu also presented certificates to the team members. In the near future, Brainstorm’s members plan to set up a new intellectual club at NU, where they want to play similar games in Kazakh and generally promote talking about deeply intellectual topics in Kazakh. On the part of the university, we thank the players for their success and congratulate them on their victory!
You can see the entire game on Qazaqstan’s web page.
