OREANDA-NEWS. September 24, 2009. As part of the 4th Kazakhstan Energy Week, National Company “KazMunayGas” and Association “KazEnergy” announced establishment of the Safi Utebayev scholarship for students and grant for teachers on 21 September.

S. Utebayev is one of the originator’s of Kazakhstan’ oil-and-gas industry. Devoting all his life to the cause of development of the oil-and-gas industry on the land of Kazakhstan, he attached paramount importance to training highly-knowledgeable specialists.

In a speech of welcome to the participants of international youth conference "KazEnergy", Serikbek Yelshibekov, General Manager for Business Support of JSC NC “KazMunayGas” mentioned that “students of the 2nd to 4th year may take part in the competition for the Safi Utebayev Scholarship, who study to be specialists in such sought-after areas as: ecology, automation and control, geology and exploration of mineral deposits, petroleum engineering, offshore engineering, petrochemistry etc.”

Students will be awarded six scholarships following the results of academic terms. This will encourage students to maintain a high level of knowledge throughout the year.

Furthermore, three Safi Utebayev Grants have been for the first time established for teachers of the field-specific oil-and-gas and technical disciplines of specialized secondary schools (colleges, professional technical schools) located in the Atyrau, Aktobe, West-Kazakhstan and Mangistau oblasts.

- Our companies are city-forming and we bear great responsibility for improving working and living conditions of our employees, their families, all residents of the settlements, cities and regions where we operate, - said S. Yelshibekov. - And we are ready to enhance our work in this area. For us, the regions are the main priority, - emphasized the KMG representative.

In-service teachers having high achievements in scientific and educational work with no less than 3 years working experience can take part in the competition to receive the Safi Utebayev grant.

The teachers’ work will be assessed in terms of such factors as scientific publications, participation in the development of a training manual or a study guide, application of innovative teaching techniques in the educational process.

The KazEnergy Association will select the candidates and decide the winner.