At the International Engineering and Technology University (METU), students had the unique opportunity to meet with renowned Kazakh mountaineers whose achievements are recognized worldwide. The event, held in an open dialogue format, became a powerful source of inspiration and motivation for the audience.

The first guest of the meeting was legendary world-class climber Maksut Zhumayev. He has successfully summited all 14 eight-thousanders — the highest mountains on Earth exceeding 8,000 meters in elevation. This extraordinary accomplishment, known as the “Himalayan Crown,” is considered one of the most difficult challenges in mountaineering.

Maksut Zhumayev became only the 27th person in the world to complete this program — and notably did so without supplemental oxygen, a feat that requires exceptional endurance, strength, and years of rigorous preparation.

During the meeting, he shared stories about his path to the world’s highest peaks, the dangers of high-altitude expeditions, decision-making in extreme conditions, and the critical role of teamwork at altitude. He emphasized the importance of discipline, resilience, and overcoming fear on the way to achieving ambitious goals.

Another distinguished guest was Kazakh mountaineer Anar Burasheva, a native of Almaty. She began her athletic journey with marathon running and skyrunning while balancing training with office work. After successfully summiting Mount Everest in 2024, she dedicated herself fully to mountaineering.

Anar Burasheva became the first woman from Kazakhstan and Central Asia to complete the “Seven Summits” challenge — climbing the highest peak on each continent. Her story stands as a powerful example of determination and belief in one’s abilities.

Students actively engaged with the speakers, asking questions about preparation, risks, motivation, and life lessons learned in extreme environments. The guests’ candid answers left a strong impression and inspired many to pursue their own ambitious goals.

Such meetings help broaden students’ horizons, foster leadership qualities, and encourage perseverance. METU continues to create opportunities for young people to interact with outstanding individuals whose achievements exemplify courage, determination, and the pursuit of excellence.

The event concluded with a commemorative photo session and heartfelt thanks to the guests for their inspiring stories — leaving participants motivated to conquer their own “summits” in life.