Technology is changing the rules of the game in all areas, including defense. The recent Defense Tech "Sapaly Sana" hackathon, held at the Astana Hub headquarters, brought together the best developers, students and IT companies to search for innovative security solutions. One of the winners was Janibek, a student at the Data Science Academy and a participant in the Tech Orda program. We talked with him about how studying at DSA helped to achieve success, what challenges the team faced and what prospects open up for young developers in Kazakhstan.

"The Data Science Academy helped me master the technologies that brought the team victory"

— Janibek, congratulations on winning a prize at the hackathon! Tell us a little bit about yourself and your team.

Thanks! My name is Janibek, I am 19 years old, I am a 3rd year student at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, my specialty is Computer Engineering. I participated in the hackathon with a team of ATU students, and I was invited by a friend who studies there.

— What task did you choose and what was your solution?

We were working on the AI-based Critical Incident Prevention Solution project . The essence of the idea is to analyze the morale of a serviceman using computer vision. A specialist uploads a photo of a soldier, our system detects emotions and outputs the result in an understandable form. This can help commanders monitor the psychological state of their personnel.

— What technologies did you use?

We used DeepFace to analyze emotions and Gemini to interpret the results. FastAPI was used to connect the frontend and backend.

— What difficulties did you encounter during the development process?

The most difficult part is the integration of the frontend. Sometimes the styles flew off, sometimes the photos didn't load. But in the end, we managed it and were even able to demonstrate the system's work to the jury.

From studying at the Data Science Academy to the hackathon

— How did studying at the Data Science Academy affect your success at the hackathon?

Studying at the Data Science Academy (DSA) has become a key factor for me. The courses in Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Data Analytics gave me the fundamental knowledge that came in handy at the hackathon. DSA has cool teachers, relevant materials, and a user-friendly platform. The practical format is especially valuable – they teach us not just theory, but how to apply knowledge in real projects.

— You are also a member of the Tech Orda program. How does it help to develop?

Tech Orda is a great opportunity for young professionals. The program provides access to networking, mentoring, and real -world cases. In it, I met cool developers and received support in the development of the project.

The future of the project and tips for beginners

— Do you plan to develop this project further?

Yes, I'm thinking of making it a thesis topic. The project has the potential to be implemented in real conditions.

— What are your impressions of the hackathon?

Only positive ones! It's a great experience. It was interesting not only to participate, but also to observe the decisions of other teams, especially from large IT companies.

— What is the main lesson you have learned?

Don't be afraid to try new things. When I first participated in the hackathon, I thought I was weaker than the others. But we took 3rd place, and I realized that everyone around us is the same , just with different experiences.

— What would you recommend to developers who are unsure whether to participate in the hackathon?

Just go ahead and participate! Even if you have little experience, it will give you new knowledge, acquaintances and confidence. Hackathons help you understand if this field is suitable for you, and can be the start of your career.

— Thanks for the interview! We wish you success in the development of the project!

#Tech Orda 2024 #Astana Hub #Data Science Academy