The 5th International Robotics Championship Robotek Grand Tournament Astana 2026 has concluded at Nazarbayev University. For the first time, the tournament was held as part of the presidential initiative “TurkTime!”, bringing together young engineers from Turkic-speaking countries.
Teams from Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan participated in the competition.
This year’s tournament became the largest in its history, welcoming around 220 teams of students aged 9 to 17. More than 180 teams represented Kazakhstan, while over 40 teams came from abroad. Kazakhstan’s participants included winners of regional qualifying rounds from 20 regions across the country.
Robotek Grand Tournament Astana 2026 became one of the key events of the Year of Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence. Over the past five years, the championship has grown into one of Kazakhstan’s most recognizable brands in the fields of information technology and robotics.
Competitions were held across nine categories. All regulations and formats were developed by Kazakhstani specialists and are based on local engineering solutions and educational approaches.
The championship concluded with 30 winners and prize recipients across different categories, who received diplomas and valuable prizes. An additional 18 participants were recognized through special awards, including Best Regional Team, Best International Team, Best Engineering Solution, Best Girls’ Team, and Best Team Spirit.
For the second consecutive year, the overall “Country Cup” remained in Astana.
Hosting the championship at Nazarbayev University was a significant milestone for the development of STEM education and competitive robotics in Kazakhstan.
Hundreds of school students from Kazakhstan and abroad had the opportunity to immerse themselves in an environment of engineering, technology, science, and international collaboration.
For these young participants, the tournament was more than a competition—it was a source of motivation, inspiration, and confidence in their own potential. By competing at one of the country’s leading universities and interacting with students, faculty members, and international participants, they gained a broader vision of their future and stronger aspirations to pursue careers in STEM and AI.
The tournament was organized by the Republican Scientific and Practical Center “Daryn” of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with the Astana City Administration, Astana Daryny Center, Nazarbayev University, NU Impact Foundation, and the Robotek School of Robotics.