News

The internal IT hackathon HackStat 2026, organized by the Information and Computing Center (ICC) with the support of the Statistics Workers' Trade Union, has concluded at the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Over the course of a month, employees of the Bureau and the ICC worked on digital solutions aimed at improving statistical processes. The most promising projects, selected through the competition, have been recommended for further development and implementation.

Launched on May 11, the hackathon brought together specialists from the Bureau's central office, territorial divisions, and regional branches. Participants formed multidisciplinary teams comprising IT professionals, analysts, and methodologists. This format enabled the integration of technological expertise with an in-depth understanding of statistical processes and user needs.

The final project presentations took place on June 12. The expert panel evaluated the proposed solutions based on their practical relevance to the statistical sector, technical feasibility, level of innovation, and potential for integration into the existing IT infrastructure.

Following the competition, the winners of HackStat 2026 were announced. The total prize fund, provided with the support of the Statistics Workers' Trade Union, amounted to KZT 900,000:

First place: KZT 500,000

Second place: KZT 250,000

Third place: KZT 150,000

According to representatives of the Information and Computing Center, the hackathon served as a platform for identifying practical solutions capable of enhancing internal processes and accelerating the development of digital services within the statistical system.

Summarizing the event, Maksat Turlubayev, Head of the Bureau of National Statistics, emphasized that fostering internal innovation and supporting employee initiatives are essential components of the modernization of the national statistical system.

"The hackathon demonstrated that effective solutions emerge at the intersection of diverse competencies. The collaborative work of IT specialists, analysts, and methodologists generated new ideas and approaches that will contribute to the further digitalization of the sector," he noted.

The winning projects will be further refined in collaboration with experts from the ICC and relevant departments of the Bureau of National Statistics before being implemented in operational processes.

We congratulate all the winners and extend our sincere appreciation to every participant.