Internship course offered by AlES: Almaty-Genoa
Recently, four fourth-year students from the G.Daukeyev Almaty University of Energy and Communications returned from Italy, where they completed an internship at the University of Genoa from 29 September to 17 December. Among them were Elvira Zhanibekova, Alnur Zinelgabiden, Nurdaulet Makhsot, and Serik Sandibek.
The internship for future energy engineers in Genoa was made possible with the support of Almaty Electric Stations JSC. AlES is providing full funding for the program, allocating more than 16.8 million tenge to the budget for the implementation of this project. Upon completion of their studies, these university graduates will come to work at AlES.
Internships abroad are just one of the projects included in the strategic partnership agreement between the university and the energy company signed in September 2024. In general, the agreement is aimed at training qualified specialists in the field of thermal power engineering, including through international internships.
The G.Daukeyev Almaty University of Energy and Power Engineering was one of the first technical universities in the republic to systematically implement a program for training specialists using the dual education system. AlES JSC became an important partner and production base for the university. The project has been successful. From 2018 to early October 2025, 166 university students completed their industrial training at the B.Orazbayev CHPP-1 and the personnel training department. Both the university and the company are interested in ensuring that graduates receive not only theoretical knowledge but also practical training.
One of the components of this training was internships abroad. Before selecting the best students for internships abroad, a group of AUES students underwent industrial training at CHPP-1 in September. Based on the results, four students who showed the best results went to Italy.
It should be emphasized that legally binding documents were signed with each of the interns, including the responsibilities of the parties. In particular, future specialists who have completed an internship abroad are obliged to work at the enterprise for at least three years.
“AlES is actively developing a strategic partnership with the G.Daukeyev University of Energy and Communications with the aim of training highly qualified engineering and technical personnel for the energy sector in Kazakhstan,’ says Karim Sartayev, director of the B.Orazbayev CHPP-1 department, where students underwent practical training and selection for internships in Italy. By and large, this is our contribution not only to our own prospects, but also to the development of Kazakhstan’s energy sector. For us, this is a mutually beneficial partnership in every sense. Students gain valuable practical domestic and international experience, as well as guaranteed employment and a start to their careers. AlES ensures that it replenishes its personnel reserve with highly qualified young specialists. Thanks to the project, the image of the profession and links with education are being strengthened. As part of the dual training program based on an agreement between AlES JSC and AUES, 123 students have already completed internships, combining their university studies with work at the company’s production facilities. We look forward to welcoming these young people to our production facilities in the near future”.
A wide range of joint activities are being implemented under the agreements. These include internships, initiated by AUES and facilitated by AlES JSC, at the University of Genoa with the aim of expanding professional knowledge and gaining international experience in the energy sector. As part of the internship program, students attended training courses and practical classes in relevant disciplines using modern European methods.
Upon returning to their homeland, the students first expressed their gratitude to Samruk-Energo JSC and AlES JSC for the opportunity to undergo practical training and study abroad as part of the educational programme. During the internship, they familiarised themselves with the basic principles of a thermal power plant, studied its technological scheme, equipment and organisation of work processes, and gained an understanding of the systems of electricity and heat production and distribution, as well as the interaction between the various workshops and departments of the plant.
“At the University of Genoa, we studied subjects related to gas turbine installations, their design, operating principles and current trends in the energy sector. This knowledge helps us broaden our professional horizons and apply modern approaches in the field of energy,’ say the students. “We gained valuable experience combining practical work at a domestic enterprise with training at a leading European university. This experience will contribute to our professional growth and the development of the competencies necessary for the development of Kazakhstan’s energy sector. In addition to our studies, we tried to familiarize ourselves with Italian culture, architecture and cuisine. This not only made our stay abroad useful for the development of professional knowledge and skills, but also became a bright and memorable period of our lives, helping us to better understand European culture and traditions”.
The Kazakhstani students’ curriculum included subjects such as Combustion Processes and Emissions, Industrial Fluid Dynamics, Heat Transfer, and Mathematical Modeling for Energy Systems. According to the students, the courses were intensive and useful. The teachers explained the material in detail, helped them understand complex topics, and shared their practical experience. The interns believe that the classes allowed them to deepen their knowledge of energy processes and better understand modern energy management technologies.
“Studying at the University of Genoa is an excellent opportunity to learn about new technologies in the energy sector and exchange experiences with foreign students,” said Serik Sandibek. “I am very happy to have participated in this program.”
Alnur Zinelgabiden added that ‘studying in Italy is not only about gaining new knowledge, but also about gaining valuable life experience. We studied modern approaches to gas turbine operation, visited laboratories, and in our free time we explored the city and its history.’
After completing the first month of study, the students began their industrial training at Ansaldo Energia, one of Italy’s largest energy companies. From the very first days, the students noted the high professionalism of the company’s employees and the friendly atmosphere. The Kazakhstani students were given a very warm welcome, everything was explained to them in detail, and efforts were made to involve them in the work process.
‘For me, it was a unique opportunity to get an international education and apply the knowledge I gained in the future for the benefit of Kazakhstan’s energy sector,’ says Nurdaulet Makhsot.
The internship was clearly structured and divided into two main stages. The first stage was devoted to theoretical training. This academic course laid the necessary theoretical foundation. The second stage was entirely devoted to practical training at Ansaldo Energia. The interns also visited the Boldrocchi Group in Monza, where they were shown the production process. The future energy engineers learned in detail about the manufacture of air cooling systems and other key components.
The students also visited the Eni Power power plant, where they saw the entire work process in action: the operation of turbines, a waste heat boiler, air cooling systems and generators. The interns then worked on a final project.
Overall, the combination of in-depth academic training at the University of Genoa and an extensive practical program at Ansaldo Energia, supported by field trips, made this internship extremely productive and valuable for our professional development, according to the Kazakhstani students.
“The training program in Italy opened up new horizons for me,’ says Elvira Zhanibekova. ‘It was especially valuable that we had previously completed an internship at CHPP-1, where we saw real production in action”.
Summing up the internship, the students add that the experience of studying and training in Italy is very valuable. It allowed them to see how work is organized in large international companies, and in the future they will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge they have gained in practice and develop the professional skills they have acquired. Such knowledge and experience will undoubtedly be an important step in their professional development.