The Gumilyov online English language Olympiad at ENU brought together students from different countries

The Department of Foreign Languages at the Faculty of Philology of L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University held the 6th International Gumilyov Online Olympiad in English. The Olympiad was open to 1-2 year non-linguistics students from universities in Kazakhstan and other countries.

The Olympiad focused on one of the most relevant topics of 2026: “Smart Learning: Innovations in Education.”

The aim of the Olympiad was to develop students’ speaking skills on this topic, motivate them to learn English, and enhance their intellectual potential.

Over 270 1-2 year students from non-linguistic specialisms at higher education institutions in Kazakhstan participated in the annual International Gumilyov Online Olympiad. The participants represented the following universities: Karaganda National Research University named after Academician E. A. Buketov; Shakarim University; Makhambet Utemisov West Kazakhstan University; Manash Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University; K. Zhubanov Aktobe Regional University; the International Educational Corporation (Almaty); Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Abylkas Saginov Karaganda Technical University; Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpayev ALT University; and Turan University (Astana).

The Olympiad also brought together students from neighbouring and more distant countries, including representatives of Osh State University; Yugra State University; Karabuk University (a partner university of the Department of Foreign Languages); the International University for the Humanities and Development (Turkmenistan); Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies; the Academy of the State Customs Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan; the Moscow Technical University of Communications and Computer Science; and I. Arabaev Kyrgyz State University.

The invited experts who assessed the oral component of the Olympiad, during which students demonstrated their English communication skills on the topic “Smart Learning: Innovations in Education,” were Raveenthiran Vivekanantharasa (Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Education, Open University of Sri Lanka), Aali Waqar Abbasi (TESOL graduate and English teacher in Vietnam), and Yulia Aleksandrovna Miller (Consultant and Methodologist at InterPress Distribution LLP).

The Olympiad was sponsored by the British Council in Astana, a UK-based international organisation specialising in cultural relations and educational opportunities, and a partner of the department.

1st place:

Beksultan Mussin, a student at Astana Medical University, and Alua Sharipova, a student of “Design of Buildings and Structures” at L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

2nd place:

Gulsaya Ussen (“Biology”, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University),

Kamilla Turarbek (Medicine university, Astana),

Milana Meiramova (“Management”),

Aurika Lavranenko (Turan University, Astana),

Karimli Tugay (Academy of the State Customs Committee of Azerbaijan),

Gleb Dmitryuk (“Electricity sector”, A.Saginov Karaganda Technical University).

3rd place:

Arseniy Kelbrant (M.Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University),

Bagul Iskenderova (“International Relations and World Policy”, International University of Humanities and Development, Turkmenistan),

Isokzhon Ziiaidinov (Osh State University, Kyrgystan),

Ceran Siyabent (Faculty of Humanity and Social Sciences, Karabuk University),

Abilkayir Nurgazyuly (“Economy, Management, Marketing”, Kazakhstan Agrotechnical University),

Temirlan Omar (“Training of geography and history teachers”, Shakarim University),

Medina Bolatova (“Economy”, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University),

Aiym Kuandykkyzy (“Industrial and civil engineering”, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University),

Aishabibi Abulkairova (“Architectural design”, L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University).

First-, second-, and third-place diplomas were awarded to the winners, while certificates were presented to students who advanced to the second round. Letters of appreciation were given to the teachers who had prepared the participants.

The event confirmed its effectiveness as a platform for identifying and developing the language skills of talented young people.