IEEE ML Hackathon: Students Secure Internships at Top Tech Companies

2025, February 28 #NUstudents

IEEE ML Hackathon: Students Secure Internships at Top Tech Companies

2025, February 28

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The IEEE Student Branch—part of the world’s largest professional organization for technical specialists—hosted the Nazarbayev University’s largest Machine Learning (ML) Hackathon on February 22–23.

Organized primarily by students from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (NU SEDS), the competition aimed to strengthen the university’s ties with the tech industry.

The event generated significant interest among students from NU and Astana IT University, attracting more than 270 participants who formed 71 teams. Over two intense days, competitors tackled artificial intelligence and machine learning challenges set by three leading corporate sponsors: KPMG, Sergek Group, and Desht Lab.

“We are immensely grateful to the companies that provided the technical challenges, evaluated the teams’ work, and sponsored the hackathon. A special thanks also goes to our colleagues from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering for their support. But above all, we deeply appreciate the outstanding efforts of the IEEE Student Branch NU members, whose dedication made this event a success,” said Carlo Molardi, Assistant Professor at NU SEDS and Chair of the IEEE Kazakhstan Sub-Section.

Winners emerged from diverse academic backgrounds, including computer science, electrical and computer engineering (SEDS), and mathematics (SSH). The top prizes included paid internships from KPMG, cash awards from Sergek Group, and a combination of internships and financial prizes from Desht Lab.

Congratulations to the first-place winners:

KPMG Hackathon

Alina Zakeryanova – Computer Science, 3rd Year, NU SEDS

Artem Chsherbakov – Computer Science, 3rd Year, NU SEDS

Aruzhan Oshakbayeva – Mathematics, 4th Year, NU SSH

Danial Sakhpantayev – Computer Science, 3rd Year, NU SEDS

Nursultan Atymtay – Computer Science, 3rd Year, NU SEDS

Sergek Group Hackathon

Adilkhan Alpysbay – Electrical and Computer Engineering, 3rd Year, NU SEDS

Anuarbek Bektemirov – NU CPS

Arsen Abulgazimov – NU CPS

Desht Lab Hackathon