The BULAN team from Nazarbayev University arrived at the competition with two race cars, each representing weeks of hard work, sleepless nights, and countless hours of testing. However, upon arrival, they discovered that neither vehicle could pass the technical inspection without a critical component.
Instead of getting some rest before the race, the team spent hours making last-minute modifications. When it became clear that their participation was at risk, they made the difficult decision to focus all their efforts on just one car. Late in the evening, after being among the last teams to pass the technical inspection, they finally earned their place on the starting grid.
But that was only the beginning. The car not only made it to the race — it went on to take first place, outperforming more than 300 young engineers from across Kazakhstan.
Moments like these remind us that engineering competitions are about much more than the final result. They are about teamwork, resilience, making difficult decisions, finding solutions when the odds seem impossible, and refusing to give up.
BULAN is a team of young engineers from Nazarbayev University developing sustainable electric mobility and inclusive technologies. Among their projects are affordable electric mobility solutions designed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
For NU Impact Foundation, it is a privilege to support students who embrace complex challenges, learn from setbacks, find solutions, and prove that engineering is ultimately about people, their determination, and their belief in what they create.
Congratulations to the BULAN team on this well-deserved victory!