As part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of Nazarbayev University (NU) and the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, the department hosted its annual Capstone Project Day on May 12, 2025.
In total, nineteen senior student teams presented their capstone projects, many of which tackled real-world industry challenges. Projects were organized into two thematic tracks. The first, Materials, 3D Printing, Manufacturing, and Sustainability, featured:
• Team 1: Developed defect detection and prediction algorithms for metal 3D printers.
• Team 2: Conducted rheological analysis of buckwheat dough for 3D printing applications.
• Team 3: Investigated additively manufactured metamaterials for aerospace applications.
• Team 4: Designed a rotating nozzle for large-scale construction 3D printing.
• Team 5: Studied sustainable drying methods for wet materials under varying climate conditions.
• Team 7: Created AI-enhanced flexible multimodal sensors.
• Team 11: Evaluated the effects of nano-sized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on fiber-reinforced polymers.
• Team 13: Developed a static mechanical design for a dinosaur carcass display model.
• Team 15: Explored surface modification techniques using electric discharge machining on biomedical Ti-Ta alloy.
The second track, Mechanical Engineering, Optimization, Aerospace, and Control, included:
• Team 6: Proposed a method for determining the shape of arbitrary nano-elements using electromagnetic wave scattering.
• Team 8: Introduced a self-powered, sensor-integrated platform for autism rehabilitation.
• Team 9: Explored underground hydrogen storage site selection using fuzzy logic.
• Team 10: Designed and manufactured a liquid piston rotary engine, comparing it with Wankel’s rotary engine.
• Team 12: Developed an interactive airplane controller simulator featuring various control algorithms.
• Team 14: Visualized wingtip vortices using particle image velocimetry.
• Team 16: Designed a prototype of a Low Earth Orbit origami satellite.
• Team 17: Optimized manufacturing processes through jig development for safer and more efficient locomotive assembly.
• Team 18: Analyzed the biomechanics of low back pain.
• Team 19: Designed and developed a small-scale ceramic 3D printer.
A panel of 16 industry experts attended the event, with the leadership of Nazarbayev University also present, including key figures from the administration and faculty. The experts represented organizations such as Air Astana, Wabtec Corporation, Alstom, Airbus, JV Ghalam LLP, Qazaq Air, the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Professor Essam Shehab, Chair of the Department, drawing on his academic experience in the UK, organized the event to reaffirm the capstone as a vital tool for modern engineering education and career development.
“We’ve strengthened our ties with industry and regularly engage with companies such as Amazon, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Air Astana, Alstom, and others. Each year, more student projects focus on solving real-world problems. Thanks to these collaborations, four of our graduates have already received job offers from Qazaq Air, and Ghalam is considering hiring at least four more based on their Capstone projects,” says Professor Essam Shehab.
Ghalam LLP is currently developing three medium-resolution Earth observation satellites under contract with the Aerospace Committee. According to Alan Kazkenov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, the increasing complexity of space projects is driving demand for highly skilled engineers.
“Our goal is to develop critical technologies in Kazakhstan and establish a strong presence in the space market. One student project—focused on electromagnetic shielding using nanotubes—is especially relevant. In space, even minimal interference can compromise costly equipment. Building a successful space industry requires expertise in materials science, precise engineering, and technological readiness. NU combines fundamental science with applied research, and its state-of-the-art infrastructure complements our needs. We look forward to further collaboration,” he said.
Since its establishment, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has trained 292 engineers and currently educates over 300 students. It has maintained strong industry partnerships, including with Air Astana.
“To date, we’ve completed four joint projects with NU students,” said Indira Tuleuova, Senior Manager of the Corporate Portfolio Office at Air Astana. “One of my colleagues is a NU graduate who, in just two years, has proven to be a highly skilled professional. We’re eager to continue this collaboration and welcome more NU students and graduates to our team.”
In celebration of NU’s and the Department’s anniversary, outstanding student projects and presentations were awarded special recognition certificates by the School and industry partners, with the Best Presentation & Poster Awards introduced for the first time to honor excellence. The winners were:
Qazaq Air Best Poster Award – BEng Team 4:
Akbota Uskembayeva, Bakhytgul Sarsenova, Ramazan Dursunov
Airbus Best Poster Award – BEng Team 9:
Alina Samyratova, Adina Kenesbekova, Aizhan Tussipova
Academic Best Poster Award – BEng Team 8:
Zhassulan Turar, Merey Sembay, Ainur Aman
Academic Best Presentation Award – BEng Team 16:
Aitdina Turekhanova, Bauyrzhan Shakulov, Dias Issabek
Airbus Best Poster Award – MSc Student:
Aruzhan Kantarbayeva
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding achievements, and to the students for successfully completing their projects.
In total, nineteen senior student teams presented their capstone projects, many of which tackled real-world industry challenges. Projects were organized into two thematic tracks. The first, Materials, 3D Printing, Manufacturing, and Sustainability, featured:
• Team 1: Developed defect detection and prediction algorithms for metal 3D printers.
• Team 2: Conducted rheological analysis of buckwheat dough for 3D printing applications.
• Team 3: Investigated additively manufactured metamaterials for aerospace applications.
• Team 4: Designed a rotating nozzle for large-scale construction 3D printing.
• Team 5: Studied sustainable drying methods for wet materials under varying climate conditions.
• Team 7: Created AI-enhanced flexible multimodal sensors.
• Team 11: Evaluated the effects of nano-sized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) on fiber-reinforced polymers.
• Team 13: Developed a static mechanical design for a dinosaur carcass display model.
• Team 15: Explored surface modification techniques using electric discharge machining on biomedical Ti-Ta alloy.
The second track, Mechanical Engineering, Optimization, Aerospace, and Control, included:
• Team 6: Proposed a method for determining the shape of arbitrary nano-elements using electromagnetic wave scattering.
• Team 8: Introduced a self-powered, sensor-integrated platform for autism rehabilitation.
• Team 9: Explored underground hydrogen storage site selection using fuzzy logic.
• Team 10: Designed and manufactured a liquid piston rotary engine, comparing it with Wankel’s rotary engine.
• Team 12: Developed an interactive airplane controller simulator featuring various control algorithms.
• Team 14: Visualized wingtip vortices using particle image velocimetry.
• Team 16: Designed a prototype of a Low Earth Orbit origami satellite.
• Team 17: Optimized manufacturing processes through jig development for safer and more efficient locomotive assembly.
• Team 18: Analyzed the biomechanics of low back pain.
• Team 19: Designed and developed a small-scale ceramic 3D printer.
A panel of 16 industry experts attended the event, with the leadership of Nazarbayev University also present, including key figures from the administration and faculty. The experts represented organizations such as Air Astana, Wabtec Corporation, Alstom, Airbus, JV Ghalam LLP, Qazaq Air, the Aerospace Committee of the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Professor Essam Shehab, Chair of the Department, drawing on his academic experience in the UK, organized the event to reaffirm the capstone as a vital tool for modern engineering education and career development.
“We’ve strengthened our ties with industry and regularly engage with companies such as Amazon, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Air Astana, Alstom, and others. Each year, more student projects focus on solving real-world problems. Thanks to these collaborations, four of our graduates have already received job offers from Qazaq Air, and Ghalam is considering hiring at least four more based on their Capstone projects,” says Professor Essam Shehab.
Ghalam LLP is currently developing three medium-resolution Earth observation satellites under contract with the Aerospace Committee. According to Alan Kazkenov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee, the increasing complexity of space projects is driving demand for highly skilled engineers.
“Our goal is to develop critical technologies in Kazakhstan and establish a strong presence in the space market. One student project—focused on electromagnetic shielding using nanotubes—is especially relevant. In space, even minimal interference can compromise costly equipment. Building a successful space industry requires expertise in materials science, precise engineering, and technological readiness. NU combines fundamental science with applied research, and its state-of-the-art infrastructure complements our needs. We look forward to further collaboration,” he said.
Since its establishment, the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has trained 292 engineers and currently educates over 300 students. It has maintained strong industry partnerships, including with Air Astana.
“To date, we’ve completed four joint projects with NU students,” said Indira Tuleuova, Senior Manager of the Corporate Portfolio Office at Air Astana. “One of my colleagues is a NU graduate who, in just two years, has proven to be a highly skilled professional. We’re eager to continue this collaboration and welcome more NU students and graduates to our team.”
In celebration of NU’s and the Department’s anniversary, outstanding student projects and presentations were awarded special recognition certificates by the School and industry partners, with the Best Presentation & Poster Awards introduced for the first time to honor excellence. The winners were:
Qazaq Air Best Poster Award – BEng Team 4:
Akbota Uskembayeva, Bakhytgul Sarsenova, Ramazan Dursunov
Airbus Best Poster Award – BEng Team 9:
Alina Samyratova, Adina Kenesbekova, Aizhan Tussipova
Academic Best Poster Award – BEng Team 8:
Zhassulan Turar, Merey Sembay, Ainur Aman
Academic Best Presentation Award – BEng Team 16:
Aitdina Turekhanova, Bauyrzhan Shakulov, Dias Issabek
Airbus Best Poster Award – MSc Student:
Aruzhan Kantarbayeva
Congratulations to all the winners for their outstanding achievements, and to the students for successfully completing their projects.