As part of Science Week, the International Engineering and Technology University (METU) held its first-ever "METU Best Young Researcher – 2025" university-wide competition aimed at encouraging research activity across all levels of student education.
By the decision of the Expert Committee on April 7, 2025, winners were selected in two key academic fields - interdisciplinary sciences and technical sciences, across three academic levels: undergraduate, master`s, and doctoral.
Winners of the Competition:
 Interdisciplinary Sciences
• Undergraduate - Nurai Bekman, Department of Biochemical Engineering, for her original research in medical cynology.
• Master’s - Akgul Abdykulova, Department of Food Production Technology and Engineering, for her project on healthy food products based on unconventional raw materials.
• Doctoral - Akniyet Ibraikhan, Department of Food Production Technology and Engineering, for developing an ice cream formulation using camel milk and plant-based ingredients.
Technical Sciences
• Undergraduate - Mira Demeugalieva, Department of Software Engineering, for her achievements in robotics and participation in international competitions.
• Master’s - Raushan Beknazar, Department of Food Production Technology and Engineering, for her development of a cosmetic cream based on tomato extract.
• Doctoral - Ainur Tursynkhan, Department of Software Engineering, for her research on the use of deep learning for automatic extraction of scientific terminology.
The competition represents a significant step in building a research development pipeline that spans all levels of higher education, from undergraduate to doctoral. According to the organizers, the competition will expand in 2026 to include new categories in the social and humanitarian sciences, engaging a broader range of student research interests. This expansion aims to strengthen interdisciplinarity, foster research culture, and promote science as an integral part of student life.
METU congratulates the winners and expresses confidence that their achievements will inspire further publications, research projects, and international recognition.