Almaty, December 2, 2025 — ALT University, together with the high-tech Chinese company FOTIMA, has opened the Intelligent Sensing Lab – a state-of-the-art laboratory for sensor technologies and automation, aimed at training a new generation of engineers and advancing ESG approaches in technical education.
The opening ceremony was attended by the leadership of ALT University, representatives of FOTIMA and the Consul of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Kazakhstan, underscoring the importance of the project for the development of technological cooperation and sustainable practices in Central Asia.
ALT University: technological development through ESG and international partnership
ALT University is one of Kazakhstan’s leading technical universities, delivering academic programs in engineering, transport, logistics, digital technologies, energy and automation.
The university consistently implements ESG principles: responsible governance, environmentally conscious decision-making, social inclusion and a sustainable learning environment.
The launch of the Intelligent Sensing Lab reflects the university’s ambition to shape an engineering culture in which advanced technologies evolve in harmony with respect for nature and responsible resource consumption.
New ALT × FOTIMA centers
Within the framework of the partnership, the following centers have been opened:
• Intelligent Sensing Lab – an educational and research laboratory based on FOTIMA’s industrial sensor equipment
• Chinese Student Services and Support Center
• “China – Central Asia. One Belt – One Road” Service Center
Intelligent Sensing Lab – the core of the project
The laboratory is equipped with industrial temperature, pressure and flow sensors, MI cables, automation systems and measuring complexes.
It provides conditions for teaching students in line with international standards, conducting scientific research and developing technological solutions that take environmental safety into account.
Sensor technologies make it possible to optimize energy consumption, increase measurement accuracy, prevent accidental emissions and contribute to the development of a “green” industry.
This makes the laboratory a key element of the university’s ESG agenda.
Official addresses and partner support
Welcome remarks were given by:
• M.S. Zharmagambetova, Chair of the Board – Rector of ALT University
• the Consul of the Embassy of the PRC in Kazakhstan, who emphasized the importance of sustainable scientific and industrial cooperation
• representatives of FOTIMA
Speakers underlined that the engineering of the future is impossible without a responsible attitude to the environment, technological transparency and international partnerships.
Strategic lecture by the CEO of FOTIMA: technology as a tool for sustainable development
Mr. Lu Yizhen, CEO of FOTIMA GROUP, delivered a lecture entitled
“Intelligent sensor technologies and industrial transformation: new opportunities for Kazakhstan and Central Asia”.
He spoke about:
• FOTIMA’s 60-year development journey
• the company’s innovations and 100+ patents
• eco-efficient sensor technologies
• the role of sensors in reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency and enhancing industrial safety
• the company’s global clients, including Mercedes-Benz, Valeo, Volkswagen, BYD, CNPC and Sinopec
FOTIMA’s sensor systems are used in industries that shape a sustainable future:
energy, oil and gas, transport, healthcare, smart cities and new digital ecosystems.
Laboratory tour and equipment demonstration
Guests were shown:
• training stations for industrial diagnostics
• sensor calibration units
• automation and energy-efficient control systems
• the capabilities of MI cables under high temperature and pressure conditions
These solutions help students explore models of sustainable energy use, process optimization and reduction of technogenic risks.
Quotes from participants
M.S. Zharmagambetova, Rector of ALT University:
“The creation of the Intelligent Sensing Lab is a step towards sustainable engineering education. We are training specialists who understand technology, respect nature and are able to design next-generation solutions.”
Rustam Akhmetov, General Manager of FOTIMA for Central Asia:
“Our partnership is not only about equipment. It is about shared values. We are creating a space where technology, sustainable development and a culture of responsibility merge into a single ecosystem. The engineering of the future is a balance between innovation and care for the planet.”
About FOTIMA
Founded in 1965, FOTIMA is a global manufacturer of sensor technologies and industrial automation solutions.
The company employs more than 400 people, operates 5 plants, has 42 R&D experts, holds over 100 patents, is certified to ISO 9001 and actively develops ESG practices at all levels of production.
Conclusion
The opening of the Intelligent Sensing Lab becomes a cornerstone for the development of sustainable engineering in Kazakhstan.
The ALT × FOTIMA project brings together technology, environmental responsibility and international cooperation, creating a platform that will train a new generation of engineers and shape the industrial solutions of the future for the entire region.
