Kazakh schoolboy Alidan Saulebek wins international science olympiad in Houston

Kazakh schoolchildren won more than 1,000 medals at international olympiads and science contests in the past school year, with over 5,000 students taking part. Alidan Saulebek, a pupil at school-lyceum No. 84 in Astana, became the absolute winner of an international natural sciences olympiad in Houston, United States.

Students from 15 countries took part, including China, Mongolia, India, Latin America, European countries and Russia. Chemistry teacher Elmira Kazhekenova said such a result requires logical thinking and the practical use of knowledge, not just knowing formulas.

Alidan is now preparing for the republican chemistry olympiad and hopes to become a biotechnologist. The Ministry of Enlightenment said support for gifted pupils has been strengthened, with state prizes for winners and prize-winners of approved competitions and encouragement for mentor teachers.