Kazakh Innovator Honored at Prestigious Engineering Contest in London
Niyaz Kanayev, a 23-year-old Kazakh innovator and University of Bath student, along with his teammate Tim Girling, has earned the runner-up award at the 2024 Engineers in Business Fellowship (EIBF) Champion of Champions competition. This marks the first time a Kazakh finalist has reached the grand stage of this highly regarded event, held on Nov. 8 at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.
The EIBF Champion of Champions competition is an annual event showcasing the best projects developed by graduates of UK universities, spanning undergraduate, master’s, and postgraduate levels.
Kanayev’s project, FilTerra, tackles one of the most urgent environmental crises of our time: the infiltration of microplastics into water and soil. This silent but severe threat jeopardizes ecosystems and human health on a global scale.
FilTerra stands out for its innovative, sustainable design. The solution integrates seamlessly with existing wastewater treatment systems, using a carbon-neutral approach to filter out microplastics. By preventing the contamination of agricultural lands and mitigating toxic impacts on the food chain, FilTerra offers a practical response to plastic pollution, aligning with global sustainability goals.
Kanayev’s work has garnered recognition not only for its environmental significance but also for showcasing Kazakhstan’s growing role in global innovation. His success highlights the country’s potential in contributing to critical technological and ecological advancements on the world stage.
Kanayev’s achievement reflects his commitment to engineering solutions for a sustainable future, shining a spotlight on Kazakhstan’s emerging influence in tackling environmental challenges.
