From an idea to a top career: winners of the CASE-IN championship from 14 countries received a ticket to the future

The final of the XIV season of the largest competition for solving real production problems from industry companies, the International Engineering CASE–IN Championship, was summed up in Moscow. Technological projects for the development of key areas of the economy were presented by students and current specialists from Russia, as well as 13 CIS and BRICS countries. The reward for the winners and prize-winners was the prospects for a successful start and development of a professional career.   The championship is supported by the Presidential Platform. "Russia is a land of opportunity", is being implemented within the framework of the Science to Win initiative and the plan for the Decade of Science and Technology in Russia.

The CASE-IN Championship makes a significant contribution to the training of a new generation of highly qualified specialists for key sectors of the economy and fully meets the goals of the national Cadres project, said the Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Alexander Novak.

"The CASE-IN International Engineering Championship makes a significant contribution to the training of a new generation of highly qualified specialists for key sectors of the economy and fully meets the goals of the national Cadres project. In close cooperation with the government, business and universities, the project opens up real career opportunities for young people. About 15 thousand students go through the championship every year, and one in three of them later find jobs in fuel and energy companies. Such initiatives not only promote healthy competition among engineering schools in our country, but also act as a powerful driver for the professional growth of young professionals. By solving current production tasks, participants gain valuable practical experience and analytical skills, becoming specialists that Russia urgently needs. For a young engineer, this is really one step from a training case to a workplace in a leading company.", – Alexander Novak commented.

Since 2019, the championship has been supported by the Presidential platform "Russia – the Land of Opportunities". According to the Director General of the Presidential Platform "Russia is a land of Opportunities", Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop By Andrey Betin Today, CASE-IN provides young people with opportunities for professional growth, admission to universities and profession.

"The CASE-IN Championship is today – this is a really working social elevator. The one that gives young people not abstract hope, but concrete opportunities: to enroll in a specialized university, get a profession, and find work in leading companies in Russia. In 2026, more than 6,000 participants solved cases on the topic "Technologies of the future". And these are not learning tasks. These are real production situations. – those that companies face every day. The geography of the championship is growing. This year's final brought together engineers – and those who are already working, and those who are just starting out, – from all regions of Russia and 13 other countries of the world. Because engineering competencies, like technology, know no boundaries. But they start here. In our country. From projects like CASE-IN", – said the General Director of the Presidential Platform "Russia – the land of Opportunities", Rector of the Senezh Management Workshop Andrey Betin.

The CASE-IN championship implements in practice the key principles of the Russian Engineering School, which is based on a continuous development trajectory from early career guidance for schoolchildren and preschoolers to the formation of mature mentor engineers. 

Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Eduard Sheremettsev Notes: the Russian Engineering School is based on a systematic approach to the selection and training of future specialists. The CASE-IN Championship has been consistently putting this idea into practice for 14 years: it creates a sustainable ecosystem of future and current specialists, introduces young people to the activities of companies and their real tasks, and develops the career paths of participants.: "CASE-IN contributes to our global goal of attracting 300,000 highly qualified specialists to the industry by 2030- said Eduard Sheremettsev. – Over the past 14 years, the championship has become a real forge of personnel that has educated more than one generation of engineers who are ready for the technological challenges of the future. The project implements the key principles of the Russian Engineering School in practice – it is a continuous development trajectory from early career guidance for schoolchildren and preschoolers to the formation of mature mentor engineers. He trains not just "techies", but leaders who are able to take responsibility and see the entire technological chain of production." 

One of the components of the Russian Engineering School is the Energy Classes project, which is being implemented with the support of the CASE-IN organizing committee.

"The fuel and energy complex is famous for systematic personnel training, and today they are based on energy classes. – early career guidance system for identifying and developing engineering thinking among schoolchildren, – says the First Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Alexander Bugaev. –  Today, there are 843 energy classes in Russia, where more than 20 thousand schoolchildren study, and the annual increase is 14%. 41 fuel and energy companies are involved in the project and various training formats are used, from extracurricular activities to full–fledged specialized energy classes with an integrated curriculum and a school–university-enterprise program. Here, students can try on their future profession through engineering and technical creativity, gain in-depth knowledge of specialized subjects, solve real engineering problems, get acquainted with the technological processes of companies and choose a learning path. The School's CASE-IN Championship League operates in the same vein: every year, schoolchildren, including students from energy classes, solve cases of real companies and, thanks to additional USE scores from CASE-IN, enroll in 108 universities. This approach has proven its effectiveness – it helps to prepare motivated applicants for engineering specialties."

The final of the XIV CASE-IN season took place at the University of Science and Technology MISIS.

The final chord of each final day was the award ceremony for the CASE-IN winners: 36 teams received cups, medals and diplomas from the heads of relevant ministries and departments of Russia.

In the final Student League Students from 70 universities of Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus met. 133 youth teams competed for prizes in areas that are similar to the leading industries: architecture, design, construction and housing; petrochemistry; biotechnology; thermal power engineering; project engineering; electric power industry; mining; mining machinery and equipment; geological exploration; metallurgy; digital automation; oil and gas business.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova I am sure that CASE-IN involves young people in science and technology, popularizes the achievements of Russian scientists. Its participants will become the driving force of scientific thought and contribute to Russia's global competitiveness.

"At a recent strategic session on the development of engineering and technical education, we considered a wide variety of events, formats and initiatives, from career guidance in schools to practice–oriented student training. The education of future engineers begins at school and even preschool education and continues at university, and every effective tool is important here. The CASE-IN Championship operates in the same context and according to the same principles: it helps to unlock the talents of thousands of young people and directly trains engineering personnel – a key link in the implementation of national technological leadership projects. The championship involves young people in science and technology, popularizes the achievements of Russian scientists. Its participants will become the driving force of scientific thought and contribute to Russia's global competitiveness."- Olga Petrova noted.

Within the framework of the championship, the Architecture, Design, Construction and Housing and Communal Services direction has been developing for the fourth year on the initiative of the Metropolis company. "The CASE-IN Championship holds a special place among educational initiatives aimed at developing the professional and leadership potential of young people, – emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mikhailik. – We appreciate the contribution of CASE-IN and the company to the training of future builders, architects and designers, so we have included the direction in the roadmap for the development of the construction industry until 2030. We are sure that the direction has a great future, and the finalists of the current season will be able to build a successful career and develop projects that Russia will be proud of!"

The champions Cups were awarded to teams from 12 universities: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University, MEI National Research University, Kazan National Research Technological University, Siberian State Automobile and Road University, Almetyevsk State Technological University Higher School of Petroleum, Kuzbass State Technical University named after T.F. Gorbachev, National Research Tomsk Polytechnic University, Platov South Russian State Polytechnic University (NPI), Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, Nosov Magnitogorsk State Technical University, Tyumen Industrial University. 

Silver and bronze medals were awarded to teams representing 20 universities: MISIS University of Science and Technology, Timiryazev Russian State Agrarian University, Sergo Ordzhonikidze Russian State Geological Exploration University, Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering University, Kuzbass State Technical University named after T.F. Gorbachev, Tyumen Industrial University, UMMC Technical University, Ivanovo State Power Engineering University named after V.I. Lenin, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Ufa State Petroleum Technical University, Omsk State Technical University, Perm National Research Polytechnic University, North Caucasus Federal University, Zabaykalsky State University, Siberian State Industrial University, St. Petersburg State University of Economics, Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Almetyevsk State Technological University Higher School of Petroleum.

Awards to the champions and prize-winners of the CASE-IN, as well as to the mentors of the teams, were presented by the project partners:  PJSC SIBUR Holding, JSC AK Altynalmas, PJSC Tatneft, Gazprom Energoholding LLC, Metropolis Company, Spectrum Group of Companies, JSC System Operator of the Unified Energy System, JSC ALROSA (PJSC), PJSC Federal Grid Company – Rosseti (PJSC ROSSETI), PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, United RUSAL Company, PJSC Yakutsk Fuel and Energy Company, Bystrinsky GOK, LLC Nordgold Management, Siberian Generating Company, PJSC Rushydro, Association of Employers of Energy Suppliers (RaPE Union).

The most experienced participants in the final were young specialists from Russia and foreign countries: the organizers prepared five competition tracks for them at once. 

Russian League of Young Professionals She gathered 14 finalist teams who presented cases in the following areas: "Operational efficiency and strategic resources", "Sustainable development and ESG, technological independence and risk management", as well as "Digital solutions and the introduction of new technologies". The winners' Cup and bronze medals were won by employees of Slavneft-Krasnoyarsk Oil & Gas LLC, and the team of NOVYE RESURS LLC became the vice-champion.

For the victory in international tracks of the League of Young Professionals 24 teams from the CIS and BRICS countries competed. 

Head of the Public Diplomacy Department of Rossotrudnichestvo Ekaterina Torubarova When presenting awards to the winners, she noted: "Rossotrudnichestvo highly appreciates the role of the CASE-IN championship, which promotes the development of international cooperation between companies of the Russian Federation and participating states from the CIS and BRICS countries, as well as the establishment of professional contacts. The International League of Young Professionals, a platform for the exchange of experience and professional dialogue, has become an expression of our cooperation." 

In 2026, 78 young leaders from the CIS and BRICS countries gathered in Moscow again to compete in developing the best engineering cases. This year, delegates from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ethiopia and South Africa (13 countries) arrived in Russia. League participants from foreign countries came to the championship finals as part of the Rossotrudnichestvo presidential program, the New Generation program of short–term trips for young foreign leaders. 

In the final Leagues of young professionals of the BRICS countries The teams proposed innovative approaches to project lifecycle management in their respective countries. The South African team took the lead in the competition, the Egyptian team won silver, and the Indian team rounded out the top three.

In the final Leagues of young professionals of the CIS countries strategic roadmaps and business models of projects for further integration were presented. The first place was taken by the Russian team, the silver and bronze medalists were the Belarusian teams.

The winners of special competitions for employees of domestic energy companies have also been identified. 

Special League of PJSC "T Plus" This year, it brought together specialists from 14 branches. The T Plus League of Young Professionals engages employees in solving the Group's strategic tasks. This year, we reviewed promising projects to reduce costs and increase the marginality of heating units. Also, thanks to the championship, we assess the potential of future managers, and young professionals, in turn, can develop leadership, cross-functional interaction skills, and public speaking."- explained the General Director of PJSC "T Plus" Pavel Snikkars.  

The team was recognized as the winner of the final The Udmurt branch of PJSC "T Plus", the silver medalist was the team of the Nizhny Novgorod branch of PJSC "T Plus", the bronze medalist was the team of the Samara branch of PJSC "T Plus".

In the final Special league "Energy" Employees of TGC-1, Siberian Generating Company, OGK-2, Baikal Energy Company, Mosenergo and MOEK presented their projects. It was organized by the All–Russian Industrial Association of Employers of Energy Suppliers, the RaPE Union. The first place in the league was taken by the TGC-1 team, the silver medalist was the team of the Siberian Generating Company, the bronze medalist was the team of the MOEK company.

"CASE-IN provides an opportunity for young people to develop and present their ideas and solutions to experts from various fields of economics and industry, gain practical experience and become part of the professional community. In 2026, 760 students and young engineering professionals from 15 countries came to the finals. They presented their solutions for production tasks and opened up new opportunities, from internships to employment.", – said the head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) Grigory Gurov.

The finalists not only presented their previously developed projects to experts and received recommendations for further work, but also became participants in interactive and educational events. Among them is a master class on the development of student sports and the involvement of young people in physical activity. The organizers talked about the possibilities of expanding sports activities in universities and invited them to implement the "Play for 5" project aimed at developing the Olympic sport of baseball–5. The initiative was made possible thanks to the support of the Power of Sport program of the Vladimir Potanin Charitable Foundation within the framework of the Sport for All competition.

"The award for the champions and prize-winners of student areas was preferential conditions for admission to master's and postgraduate studies at 36 partner universities, as well as paid internships in specialized companies with the possibility of further employment. The strongest young specialists are waiting for the prospects of career advancement and the implementation of the presented solutions in production. The winners of the championship will be invited to prestigious youth educational forums", – said the founder of the CASE-IN championship Artem Korolev. 

The organizers of the CASE-IN championship are the Reliable Change Foundation, the Presidential Platform Russia – the Land of Opportunities, the Non-profit Partnership Youth Forum of Mining Leaders and AstraLogica LLC.

The organizers of the Leagues of Young Specialists of the CIS and BRICS countries are the Reliable Change Foundation and the International Union of Instrument Makers and Information and Telecommunication Technology Specialists. The competitions are held with the support of Rossotrudnichestvo and the Russian Energy Agency of the Ministry of Energy of Russia. The CIS League of Young Professionals is also being implemented with the support of the Executive Committee of the CIS Electric Power Council.