On April 11, at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University in Astana, the First Forum of Young Kazakhstani Scientists “Zhas Ghalym” took place.
More than 300 young researchers from scientific organizations and universities across Kazakhstan gathered to discuss the opportunities that the government is creating to support young scientists and advance Kazakh science.
Pictured from right to left: Abdramanova Gulaysha, Mardenova Gauhar, Tanabekova Gulzhanat (young scientists from the Institute of Zoology of MSES RK). Center: Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Currently, the Institute of Zoology of the Republic of Kazakhstan employs about 50 young scientists—almost half of all the researchers at the organization. A delegation of six from the Institute took part in the forum: Gulzhanat Bakytkyzy Tanabekova, PhD (Scientific Secretary); Aytuar Bulatbekovich Tuganbekov; Gauhar Yerbolkyzy Mardenova; Gulaysha Abubakirkyzy Abdramanova; Ayan Sardarbekovna Smagulova; and Erkhezhan Aytbaykyzy Sheruova.
Participants in the forum shared their experiences, ideas, and proposals for strengthening the country’s human resources and advancing scientific communities, discussing ideas for integration into the global scientific network, as well as current challenges and ways of addressing them through a scientific approach.
Group photo of participants in the First Forum of Young Scientists “Zhas Ghalym,” April 11, 2025.
Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, congratulated the young scientists on Science Workers’ Day and called on the scientific community to support one another, including by conducting interdisciplinary research. In his remarks, the Minister noted that 46% of Kazakhstan’s 25,500 scientists are under the age of 40.
The MSES has been implementing the “Zhas Ghalym” grant program on the President’s instructions for over three years now, providing many young scientists with effective state support for conducting research and serving as an important stepping stone in a new stage of their professional growth.
The purpose of the “Zhas Ghalym” program is to increase the number of scientists and strengthen the country’s scientific potential by supporting postdoctoral research.
Over the past three years, 688 grants have been awarded to young scientists on a competitive basis, with around 300 of these concluding at the end of last year. These included two projects by young staff members of the Institute of Zoology:
- “Ecological and Faunistic Features of Insects Damaging Wild Populations of Sievers Apple (Malus sieversii) in the Ile and Zhetisu Alatau” (by G.B. Tanabekova)
- “Developing Environmentally Safe Methods to Combat Arthropod Pests in Crop Production under the Conditions of Southeastern Kazakhstan” (by A.M. Tursynkulov)
At the conclusion of the forum, which was dedicated to Science Workers’ Day, young scientists adopted a resolution containing proposals for the development of Kazakhstani science, making their contribution to the nation’s future!
Source of information
April 13, 2025