NU Faculty Support Kazakhstan’s Team Preparing for IESO 2026

13 марта 2026 года.

NU Faculty Support Kazakhstan’s Team Preparing for IESO 2026

Professors from the School of Mining and Geosciences contribute to mentoring and training students for the International Earth Science Olympiad.

The International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026, one of the world’s leading international competitions in Earth sciences for secondary school students, will take place from 20 to 28 August 2026 in Turin, Italy.

Kazakhstan’s national team will participate in the Olympiad with the generous support of the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation, the general sponsor of Kazakhstan’s participation in IESO 2026, which covers all major expenses of the national team, including the participation fee, team uniforms, and international travel.

In preparation for the Olympiad, the Corporate Fund “Zhas Geolog” expresses its sincere appreciation to George Paul Mathews, Assistant Professor at the School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, for his continued dedication to mentoring and supporting young geologists in Kazakhstan.

For several years, Professor Mathews has volunteered his time and expertise to support the Young Geologists Club by organizing educational sessions for students and helping them deepen their knowledge of Earth sciences.

He also contributes to the preparation of students for the national selection round of the International Earth Science Olympiad by developing academic test materials. Following the selection process, he continues to mentor the winning students and supports their preparation until the international competition.

In 2026, additional professors joined Professor Mathews in this initiative, contributing their expertise to the preparation of students:

Jovid Aminov – Assistant Professor, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University
Kamal Regmi – Assistant Professor, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University
Milovan Fustic — Assistant Professor, School of Mining and Geosciences, Nazarbayev University.

“The mentorship and dedication of university professors play a crucial role in preparing the next generation of geoscientists. Their contribution not only strengthens students’ academic knowledge but also inspires them to pursue careers in Earth sciences,” — says Zhanat Ismailova, Director of Corporate Fund “Zhas Geolog.”