The success of DesignBattle at Digital Almaty 2024

A few weeks ago, at Digital Almaty 2024, I pledged to sponsor the development of a new Kazakh-language learning mobile app that could showcase the beauty of our tongue and the technical credentials of our younger generation of developers, designers, and innovators.

As a consequence of that promise, this weekend, a first "DesignBattle" took place at the International IT University, where 220 young professionals got together (some in person, some online) and participated with 70 projects in a cooperative effort to develop such a consequential task: An app to learn Kazakh!

The event had the support of MUIT JSC, the Sabi Charitable Foundation, and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education (thanks to Minister Sayasat Nurbek for his ever-present support).

A jury that included Aselle Tasmagambetova, President of the Sabi Foundation, artist Maria Ilinitskaya, Bauyrzhan Abdikadirov, founder of design agency Vexel, and myself, was able to analyze and assess the projects, and awarded two million tenge in prizes to the best initial UI/UX and design efforts.

Out of the initial batch of winners, several participants were also offered positions in this Kazakh language tech project.

In the UX/UI design category, the winners were Mukasheva Dilnaz (1st place), Ruslan Makhmatov (2nd place), and Raiymkulova Aruzhan (3rd place). In the graphic design category, the champions were Bulhaiyr Kasymkhan (1st place), Tyrkesbaev Islam (2nd place), and Ulan Muptekeev (3rd place).

Congratulations to all of them. Very well deserved.

As I stated some weeks ago and repeat now, Kazakhstan is a leader in software development in Central Asia - and there is a chance to promote our national traditions and culture through modern technologies.

Aselle and I are very happy with the development of this project and will keep you posted and announce further developments soon.