Kazakhstan’s digital sector has been accelerating rapidly, and one of the platforms that allows companies to identify tomorrow’s tech leaders today is the Huawei ICT Competition. This year, the competition once again united the country’s most talented young IT specialists and became an important indicator for the entire tech community, DKNews.kz reports.
Out of more than 5,000 applicants from across Kazakhstan, 186 top students qualified for the National Final of the Huawei ICT Competition 2025–2026. Supported by Huawei, the final round was held simultaneously in Astana and Almaty on November 21, identifying the students who will represent Kazakhstan on the international ICT stage.
One of the Most Influential Student ICT Events in the Country
This year, the competition reaffirmed its status as one of the largest ICT contests for students in Kazakhstan. As part of the nationwide roadshow, the organizers:
- visited 48 universities,
- in 19 cities,
- and achieved a record 5,245 registrations.
These numbers clearly reflect the sustained interest of Kazakhstani youth in IT-related fields.
The National Final was held offline, with:
- 30 participants at Astana IT University, and
- 156 participants at Narxoz University in Almaty.
During the competition, students showcased their knowledge and hands-on skills in networking technologies, cloud solutions, and modern ICT systems. As a result, the team that will represent Kazakhstan in the regional and global stages was selected.
A Long-Term Strategic Program for Huawei
For Huawei, the competition is not a PR project - it is part of a long-term initiative aimed at developing ICT talent and strengthening the local tech ecosystem in Kazakhstan.
Sun Yaxui, CEO of Huawei Technologies Kazakhstan:
“Huawei has been consistently supporting the development of the ICT ecosystem and the training of digital talent. The record number of registrations and the strong interest from students show that ICT fields are becoming one of the key vectors in the career choices of young people in Kazakhstan. The Huawei ICT Competition gives students access to modern technologies, international standards, and industry expertise, while giving the market a chance to see where the next generation of digital leaders is emerging. This year’s results demonstrate that Kazakhstan has strong potential in digital skills, and we intend to continue supporting young specialists who will drive the country’s digital economy forward.”
In simpler terms: the competition gives corporations a rare opportunity to observe future professionals long before they enter the job market. It also shows what skills the next wave of IT talent will bring over the next 1–3 years.
Why the Competition Matters to Universities
For universities, the Huawei ICT Competition is more than a contest - it has become a powerful tool for improving educational programs. Participation helps students see how theoretical knowledge is applied in real professional settings and encourages universities to strengthen long-term partnerships with tech companies, expand internship opportunities, and enhance graduate competitiveness in the labor market.
Rasim Suliev, Director of the School of Digital Technologies, Narxoz University:
“For our university, participating in the Huawei ICT Competition is an important element of implementing our practice-oriented education strategy. Hosting the National Final on our campus allows students to test their knowledge in a real competitive environment and compare their preparation with industry requirements. Partnership with technological flagships such as Huawei opens doors to internships and joint projects and ultimately enhances the competitiveness of our graduates.”
In other words: the competition helps universities align their teaching with industry needs and offer students a clearer path toward real careers in tech.
A Global Competition with a Strong Track Record
The Huawei ICT Competition is an international ICT contest for students and has been organized by Huawei since 2015. Bringing together universities and students from dozens of countries, it is built upon a multi-stage qualification system that identifies the strongest teams and talents worldwide.
Kazakhstan has once again assembled a national team that will represent the country in the next stages.
A Competition That Shapes the Future of the Digital Ecosystem
According to the results of the National Final, Kazakhstan now has a strengthened team ready for the regional and global rounds. More importantly, the Huawei ICT Competition has evolved into a practical mechanism for identifying, developing, and supporting young IT specialists who will contribute to the country’s ICT sector in the coming years.
This is exactly why leading corporations continue to monitor the competition closely: Kazakhstan’s most valuable IT assets - its talent - are being cultivated right here.
