The current stage of the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, which can be called the project of the century, has already begun. While high-level negotiations on loan agreements are being finalized, the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after Razakov and Vocational Lyceum No. 97 are actively preparing specialists who are already needed for this project and will be in demand after its completion.
When we visited the lyceum, a large drone was operating in its yard, controlled by students. It turned out that a teacher from Liaoning University in China was conducting classes, teaching students from KSTU and lyceum students how to operate a quadcopter, which is used to create a digital map of the terrain for the railway design.
Ulanbek Shekerbekov, an associate professor at the Department of Automotive, Railways, and Bridges at KSTU, attended the class and noted that three laboratories are functioning at the lyceum: for engineering design, BIM, and CAD. Students from the polytechnic university come here for practical classes. The university also trains specialists in the design and construction of railways, as well as their management.
However, according to the associate professor, the number of those wishing to become engineers in the railway sector is small – only 10-15 people in a group. This is due to the fact that the total length of railways in Kyrgyzstan is only 425 kilometers, and the labor market in this field has become saturated, making the training of a large number of specialists impractical. In the early 90s, recalls Shekerbekov, the training of engineers for the railway began when the construction of the Balykchy-Kochkor-Kara-Keche route was planned, but the project was not realized.
However, according to Ulanbek Shekerbekov, the situation has changed today: new railways are actively being laid in the country, and the demand for qualified personnel is increasing.
By 2030, an additional 304 kilometers of the new China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan route and the road from Balykchy to Makmal will be added to the existing 425 kilometers, allowing travel by train from Bishkek to Osh.
We also spoke with students who are preparing for future careers in this field.
Ryskeldi Abdyzhaparov, a third-year student at the Technical University, shared that he chose this profession himself. He has been interested in drawing and designing since childhood, and when entering the university, he heard about the great prospects in the railway industry. When asked about his plans after graduation, he stated that he would like to work in his country. His friend Maisalbek chose the profession of a railway construction engineer by chance, but now he does not regret his choice, as he sees that this profession is in demand and well-paid.
Tilek Erkinov, a student at Vocational Lyceum No. 97, is mastering the specialty of assistant locomotive driver. He had no doubts about his choice, as his family is connected to the railway.
Tilek shared that he recently returned from China, where he participated in competitions among students from specialized educational institutions from different countries. Although he did not manage to win prizes, he was finally convinced that he had chosen the right profession and met peers from other countries. Tilek has not yet decided what he will do after graduating from the lyceum: continue his studies or go to work, but he connects his fate with the railway.
Suyunbek SHAMSHIEV
Photo by the author
