2025, April 11
Share this articleOn April 11, Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted the National Student Conference “Young Scientist – VII,” dedicated to the 180th anniversary of the birth of the great Kazakh poet and enlightener Abai Kunanbaiuly.
The event brought together students from 15 universities across the country to discuss the significance of Abai as an outstanding figure in the context of modern educational and scientific spaces in the 21st century.
The conference was opened with welcoming speeches by Zhuldyz Suleimenova, a deputy of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, NU President Waqar Ahmad, and the head of the Department of Kazakh Language and Turkic Studies, Uli Schamiloglu.
Zhuldyz Suleimenova emphasized that this event perfectly illustrates the importance of the words of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoken at the IV National Quryltai. In her speech, the Head of State highlighted that 2025 will mark the 180th anniversary of Abai Kunanbaiuly’s birth, whose legacy plays a key role in shaping national values among the youth. According to Suleimenova, Abai is not only a symbol of Kazakh literature and philosophy but also of the spiritual wealth of the people. His teachings inspire the pursuit of excellence, and there remain many unexplored aspects of his life and work.
In turn, NU President Waqar Ahmad expressed pride in three university professors—Darkhan Bilyalov, Zhumabay Bakenov, and Durvudkhan Suragan—who were awarded state honors by the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the day before the event. He also emphasized the importance of the conference as a vital platform for young scientists, allowing students to develop their research skills and find solutions to pressing societal issues. Waqar Ahmad noted that NU is always open to scientific collaboration and joint projects with other institutions, offering a space for constructive academic dialogue.
The main goal of the conference was to develop students' research skills in the Kazakh language, promote the prestige of the language among the youth, and encourage their active participation in discussions on relevant social issues. The event program included four key areas: Kazakh language linguistics, Kazakh literature, social and humanitarian sciences, as well as natural, technical, and medical sciences. Participants presented oral reports, and the best works in each category were awarded and will be published on the “Ziyaly” information portal.
