Upstars program: Export of analytical and visualized data from Kazakhstan to the international market

The Upstars program has become a new initiative aimed at training specialists in the field of analytics and data visualization in order to export highly qualified services from Kazakhstan to the international market. The organizers of the program were Azat Yesenov and Yessen & The Company, Astana Hub and its regional branch Aqtobe Hub, and the sponsors were Freedom Telecom and Sergek Group. As part of the program, participants received intensive training covering both technical and practical aspects of the work.

The Upstars program included 100 hours of training, of which 40 hours were full-time classes at the Aqtobe Hub, where participants mastered data analytics and visualization tools such as Power BI and Looker Studio. The rest of the hours were devoted to learning how to work on the Upwork freelance platform, which allowed participants to learn how to accept orders from all over the world and effectively fulfill them.

Kazakhstan has many advantages for development in the field of data analytics and freelancing. The high mathematical skills of Kazakhstanis make them competitive in the global market. Their broad horizons and knowledge of foreign languages allow them to effectively interact with international clients.

The competitive selection of the program participants was quite strict. Out of 73 applications, 11 people were selected, and only 5 of them reached the end of the program. This indicates the high demands and seriousness of the approach to learning.

Azat Yesenov noted: "I initiated this program and participate in ministerial working groups on the development of business process outsourcing centers (BPO) throughout Kazakhstan, as I consider this to be a very important and promising area for the country. The Upstars program was previously held in Semey and has now been held in Aktobe. Aktobe seemed to be a very promising market, so we decided to partially expand the program to the domestic market. There are also many new ideas that we plan to implement together with the hub."

The Upstars program has become a vivid example of how to use the potential of local specialists to enter the international market. It not only contributed to the development of skills and knowledge, but also helped create opportunities for economic growth through the export of highly qualified services.