Students of the School of Pharmacy at S.D.
Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University (KazNMU) continue to strengthen their position on the international academic stage. Their recent successes at the prestigious international student competition GxP-Fest once again confirm the university’s high standards of education and professional preparation.
GxP-Fest has become a significant platform for pharmacy students from the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and neighboring countries to demonstrate their knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences, Good Pharmaceutical Practices (GxP), and innovations in digital pharmacy. The event fosters international cooperation, professional networking, and the development of practical competencies in a competitive and inspiring environment.
For the past three years, KazNMU has consistently ranked among the top-performing institutions at the festival. In 2023, the university’s student team “XPLOSION” secured third place among 92 teams from seven countries, including Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and others. At the same time, the faculty team from KazNMU, led by Professor Z.B. Sakipova and Associate Professors L. Ibragimova, K.K. Kozhanova, and T.S. Bekezhanova, achieved second place among 41 academic teams from 61 universities, underscoring the high level of mentorship and academic leadership at the university.
Building on this momentum, KazNMU delivered an even stronger performance in 2024, as the competition introduced two distinct tracks: “GxP – Good Pharmaceutical Practices” and a project-based hackathon titled “Digital Pharmacy of the Future.” This expanded format allowed students to not only test their theoretical knowledge but also showcase practical solutions to real-world pharmaceutical challenges.
Two student teams from KazNMU, “Pantone 682 pc” and “MET Pharm,” advanced to the finals, reflecting the depth of talent at the university. The team “Pantone 682 pc” triumphed in the GxP-Fest 2024 quest, earning first place through their strategic thinking and mastery of pharmaceutical regulations. Meanwhile, the hackathon highlighted the university’s innovative capacity. The project “Digital Prototyping and Component Reproduction for Pharmaceutical Equipment,” presented by Sergey Shvets and Musa Sultanbekov, won first place for its creative and practical application of digital technologies in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Additionally, a project focused on AI-powered risk management by Satour Abdul-Aziz and Mukhammadali Khodjametov was awarded third place, emphasizing KazNMU’s integration of emerging technologies into its academic framework.
In another key victory, first-year master's students Sergey Shvets and Stanislav Ledenev won first place in the "Digital Pharmacy of the Future" category. Their project outperformed teams from top universities in both nearby and distant countries, proving the competitive edge and innovation potential of KazNMU’s students on a global level.
These achievements are a testament not only to the students' dedication but also to the university’s strategic approach to education. KazNMU places a strong emphasis on combining foundational pharmaceutical sciences with training in digital competencies, quality management systems, and applied research. This holistic model ensures that students are prepared for both academic excellence and the dynamic demands of the modern pharmaceutical industry.
Participation in GxP-Fest contributes significantly to the development of professional and research skills among students. It encourages cross-border collaboration, fosters innovation, and provides a platform for exchanging ideas with peers from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. Through such international experiences, students expand their professional horizons, build meaningful academic networks, and contribute to the growth of pharmaceutical science in Kazakhstan and beyond.
KazNMU’s sustained success at GxP-Fest highlights the university’s commitment to excellence and its vision of developing globally competitive pharmacy professionals. By continuing to support student innovation, foster academic leadership, and promote international engagement, the university is playing a key role in shaping the future of pharmaceutical education across the region.
