Dastan Rakymamberdi

Dastan Rakymamberdi is a 17-year-old high school graduate from Shymkent, Kazakhstan, who has gained international recognition for his impressive academic achievements. He received 117 invitations from universities across 12 countries, including prestigious institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong. Dastan is a winner of the national astrophysics olympiad, has earned silver in a financial literacy competition, and participated in over 15 international hackathons, including those hosted by NASA. He aims to pursue a degree in either Mechanical Engineering or Aerospace Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, which has offered him a full scholarship. Dastan emphasizes the importance of preparation, motivation, and resilience, sharing that he wrote about his setbacks in his application essay to highlight personal growth and learning.