IESO is an annual international competition in Earth sciences, covering geology, geophysics, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. Participation broadens horizons, motivates school students, strengthens international ties, and enhances Kazakhstan’s image. The Olympiad took place in Jining, PRC, from 7 to 16 August 2025.
On 22 February 2025, the online selection round for the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO 2025) was held on the Nazarbayev University platform.
The selection targeted high school students passionate about geosciences, with English proficiency at Intermediate level or higher and achievements in national/international competitions.
The selection consisted of two stages:
Online test in English; out of more than 100 candidates, 10 finalists advanced based on scores.
Individual online interviews in English on 6 March, assessing Earth-science knowledge, communication, and leadership skills.
Winners of the national selection (Kazakhstan team for IESO 2025):
Alina Aitzhanova
Alnur Tursunkhanov
Akzhol Bolat
Nadira Atymtay
Our special thanks go Assistant Professor George Paul Mathews for designing tasks, conducting interviews, and supporting the team.
Training of the Participants
The team completed an intensive training cycle at the School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG), Nazarbayev University. Assistant Professor George Paul Mathews played a key role, delivering lectures and practical sessions in mineralogy, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary petrology, structural geology, geohazards, and more.
The hybrid format (online + offline) covered topics from plate tectonics and magma generation to fossil records through time, volcanoes, rivers, soils, and geology of the Solar System.
IESO 2025 Results
Kazakhstan achieved a record result: 2 gold and 5 bronze medals.
Earth Systems Project (ESP):
🥇 Alina Aitzhanova, 🥇 Alnur Tursunkhanov
🥉 Akzhol Bolat
International Team Field Investigation (ITFI):
🥉 Alnur Tursunkhanov
🥉 Akzhol Bolat
🥉 Nadira Atymtay
Written & Practical Test:
🥉 Akzhol Bolat
The general sponsor of the Kazakhstan team’s participation in IESO 2025 is the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation.
The Foundation fully financed the team’s participation: covering the team fee, uniforms, flights, and accommodation, and also provided targeted financial support to the Corporate Fund Zhas Geolog to organize training and the trip.
We thank the general sponsor — the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation — for fully financing Kazakhstan’s participation and supporting the Corporate Fund Zhas Geolog. Thanks to this support, both the training and the trip were organized to a high standard.
Meeting with the Minister
On 18 August 2025 in Astana, Yersayin Kairgazievich Nagaspaev, Minister of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan, met with the IESO 2025 medal-winning team to congratulate them. He emphasized that the success of young geologists is the result of the students’ and mentors’ efforts and a source of national pride.
Special appreciation was expressed to the Shakhmardan Yessenov Foundation for its contribution to the development of geosciences and support of talented youth.