Young disabled scientist from
Kazakhstan meets Stephen Hawking
Issaak Mustopulo, a 15-year-old school student from Taraz
with cerebral palsy who won a special prize in a national STEM
competition, met with theoretical physicist Professor Stephen
Hawking on 4 October as part of a study tour to the UK organised
by the British Council and Air Astana.
Issaak received a special prize for entrants with a disability in the
STEM Competition, organised by the British Council and National
Agency for Technological Development, for his video submission,
‘the theory of harmony’, in which he describes the process of power
production for spacecraft. In the video Issaak also told judges
about his dream to meet Stephen Hawking, his role model. Issaak’s
dream came true thanks to an intervention from then Minister for
Investment and Development Asset Issekeshev, now Akim (Mayor)
of Astana, and Air Astana President and CEO Peter Foster, both of
whom worked with the British Council to organise his trip to the UK.
Jim Buttery, Director of the British Council in Kazakhstan, said,
“One of the British Council’s priorities in Kazakhstan is to build
an interest in science and innovation among young people, and
we are delighted that our science competition has opened new
opportunities for gifted Kazakhstani children like Issaak. We hope
that Issaak’s success will inspire other young people in Kazakhstan
to study STEM subjects and explore careers in science that help
their country’s development.”
“Air Astana, Asset Issekeshev and the British Council are deeply
grateful to Professor Hawking for making time to meet Issaak
Mustopulo,” commented Peter Foster, Air Astana’s President and
CEO. “All of us recognise the importance of innovative STEM
research and sincerely hope that this trip to UK will not only further
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inspire Issaak to pursue his passion for science, but also encourage
other Kazakhstani children to follow in his illustrious footsteps.”
Issaak said, “I have always been inspired by Stephen Hawking’s
works and his contribution to science. His example made me believe
that irrespective of physical condition any person can achieve
outstanding results. I worked hard on my Theory of Harmony, and
when I heard about STEM competition I understood it would be an
opportunity to demonstrate my work to a wider audience and prove
that disability is not an obstacle to fulfilling your dreams.”
As well as meeting with Stephen Hawking, Issaak’s trip to UK
included visits to London’s world famous Science Museum,
Cambridge University and the British Council’s headquarters.
Since taking part in the STEM competition, Issaak has deepened his study
of astrophysics and astronomy. He has become a contributor to Oyla
magazine, a Kazakhstani science journal for young people, and taken part
in other public events including a conference on “Modern problems in
astronomy and astrophysics” organised by the Bobek National Scientific
Centre with the support of Kazakhstan’s First Lady Sara Nazarbayeva.
The Competition for the Best Innovative Project among School
Students was organised in 2015 as a joint project by the British
Council and the National Agency for Technological Development
(NATD), with support from the Newton – Al-Farabi Partnership
Programme and ExxonMobil Kazakhstan. It formed part of the
series of National Innovation Competitions held by the Ministry
of Investment and Development and NATD. The goal of the
competition, which is now an annual event, is to promote an interest
in science and innovation among young people in Kazakhstan.