• 14 November 2025
• 100

The International scientific conference was organized within the celebration of Mustafa Shokay’s 135th anniversary

With the support of Kyzylorda regional Governor’s office and Korkyt ata Kyzylorda university, an international scientific-theoretical conference was held on the theme «Current issues in the study of Mustafa Shokay's heritage: history, cognition and lessons».

The international scientific-theoretical conference, dedicated to the 135th anniversary of the prominent statesman and public figure, a distinguished representative of the «Alash» movement, and a great son of the Turkic world, Mustafa Shokay, brought together scientists and researchers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan, as well as media representatives, public organizations, master's and doctoral students. The conference proceedings took place in the plenary and sectional meetings’ format. Scientists and experts delivered reports on Mustafa Shokay's life journey, his political and public activities, his journalistic and educational works, as well as the relevance of his ideas in the modern era.
 

The conference was chaired by Zhandos Bazartay, Vice-Rector for social and educational work at Korkyt ata Kyzylorda university, who emphasized the importance of the conference's work.

At the plenary session, the opening remarks were delivered by Meyrambek Shermagambet, Deputy Governor of Kyzylorda region, Candidate of pedagogical sciences. Speakers at the plenary session included: Professor of Mimar Sinan Fine Arts university, Turkey, Doctor of historical sciences, Kara Abdiuakypp; Honorary Professor of the university of Michigan, USA, Doctor of philological sciences, Timur Kozhauly (online); Professor of the international islamic academy, Doctor of historical sciences, Saidakbar Saidovich; chief researcher at the History institute of Sciences Academy of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Doctor of historical sciences, professor Kahkhromon Radjabov; Head of department at the History and ethnology institute of the National sciences academy of Azerbaijan, Doctor of historical sciences, professor Gyullu Yologlu; poet, deputy chairman of Kazakhstan Writers’ union, Kasymkhan Begmanov; Director of the Islamic research institute at the Spiritual administration of muslims of Kazakhstan, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Torali Kydyr; PhD, Chairman of the Genre Council for Children's and Adolescent Literature of the Union of Writers of Kazakhstan, Yeldos Toktarbay; scientific supervisor of the «Mustafa Shokaytanu» research center, doctor of political sciences, professor Abdyzhalel Bakir.

The main goal of the conference was to study comprehensively the political, legal, journalistic and educational legacy of Mustafa Shokay, identify the relevance of his statehood ideas in the modern context and give new impetus to the development of Mustafa Shokay studies.

The gathering was aimed at strengthening the institutional foundation of Mustafa Shokay studies, enhancing the scientific potential of young researchers and expanding the scientific ties of Turkic states. Among the participants were renowned historians, philologists, cultural scientists and archival specialists.

The «Mustafa Shokaytanu» research center, established at the university in 2016, is currently operating in a systematic direction. With the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of RK, the research center is implementing several research projects. As a result of these projects, the «Encyclopedia of Mustafa Shokay», several monographs and textbooks have been published. It is worth noting that since 2023, a 4-credit subject titled «Mustafa Shokay's idea of a national scale» has been introduced into the curriculum of the «History» specialty at the university.

Following the conference, participants emphasized that Mustafa Shokay's struggle for freedom and justice is an important foundation for shaping the historical memory, spiritual independence and statehood traditions of modern Kazakhstan.

As a result of the conference's work, there were put forward proposals for the establishment of a permanent «International Scientific Council for the Study of Mustafa Shokay's Legacy» at the Korkyt ata Kyzylorda university, for the digitalization of Mustafa Shokay's creative and political heritage, for the preparation of a complete academic collection of his works (in a multilingual format), and for the launch of an open electronic digital platform «Mustafashokay.kz». It was also proposed to publish and distribute an international collection of scientific works dedicated to Mustafa Shokay's 135th anniversary.

Besides, with the aim of immortalizing the memory of the «Alash» party, it was proposed to open an «Alley of Alash Movement Figures» on the left bank of the river in Kyzylorda city and to name the Shiyeli district after Mustafa Shokay.

Furthermore, Doctor of philological sciences, honorary professor of Korkyt ata university, Garifolla Anes, made a significant contribution during his lifetime to the search, research and publication of the legacy of Alash figures, including the legacy of Mustafa Shokay, through the «Arys» publishing house. Afterwards, the meeting included the unveiling of the five-volume collected works of Garifolla Anes, which were compiled and published by his descendants in his memory. Then the book was presented to the university library.

Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University Media Center
Contact phone number: 8(7242) 26-21-34
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