Abai Qunanbaiuly Room of Kazakh Language and Culture opened at the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication
“A diplomat’s dream coming true,” commented Consul General of Kazakhstan in Kazan Erlan Iskakov on this event on 15 May.
KFU was represented by its President Riyaz Minzaripov, Vice-Rector for Construction and Maintenance Almaz Mingulov, Director of the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication (IPIC) Radif Zamaletdinov, and others. The delegation of Eurasian National University (Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan), which was present at the ceremony, comprised Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Ardak Beisenbay, Dean of the Faculty of Transport and Energy Omirzhan Kokaev, and Head of the Abay Academy Research Institute Zhandos Aubakir. The guests are also participants of the International Economic Forum Russia – Islamic World KazanForum 2024, which is held these days in Kazan.
The opening became possible thanks to an initiative from the Eurasian National University. It is planned that its functions will include promotion of Kazakh language, literature and culture studies at KFU, and popularization of knowledge about the cultural heritage of the Central Asian state.
The first to greet the guests of honor was Riyaz Minzaripov.
“It is difficult to overestimate the contribution made to the development of cooperation, peace and progress by scientists, thinkers, writers, including linguists. Such was the great Kazakh thinker, poet, public figure Abai Kunanbayev. He had a great influence on the formation of Kazakh literature and contributed to the spread of Russian culture among Kazakh people,” he noted.
President of KFU said that today the university actively cooperates with 29 educational organizations of Kazakhstan.
“We highly value the relations with our long-term partner, Eurasian National University,” Dr Minzaripov said, noting that he himself once visited it as a member of a Kazan University delegation. “A number of joint master’s programs with ENU have been successfully implemented for many years. In particular, in the last year our lawyers work there fruitfully, which is very important taking into account the relevance of issues related to international law.”
The range of tasks of the new facility will include courses of Kazakh language, master classes, scientific conferences, joint seminars with Kazakhstani higher educational institutions. Among other things, the office will become a platform for exchange in intercultural communication and translation, and it will develop linguistic projects. This was mentioned by Consul Iskakov.
“Frankly speaking, every diplomat has a dream, and here it has come true,” admitted the Consul General. “I wish everyone to enjoy the aura of rich Kazakh culture, language and history”.
The office will become a bridge between universities: students and teachers will be able to join scientific, cultural and educational activities of Eurasian University. It was also reported the Room will assist in preparing Kazakhstani students for admission to KFU.
“I believe that the long connection between Kazan University and Eurasian University in the future will contribute to the popularization of the heritage of our historical personalities and scientific ideas,” said the Vice-Rector of ENU.
Dr Minzaripov and Dr Beisenbay exchanged memorable gifts. Qunanbaiuly’s poems were then read by KFU’s Kazakhstani students.
Congratulations were also heard from the Director of the House of Peoples’ Friendship of Tatarstan Timur Kadyrov.
After the event, the guests hurried to see the office itself. There are wall panels with the flag of Kazakhstan, national ornament, and portrait of Abay himself. There are shelves with the writer’s works, as well as books dedicated to him.
The location is not accidental, as the most suitable classroom was chosen by the Kazakhstani side, Radif Zamaletdinov shared.
“Opposite is the Department of General Linguistics and Turkic Studies, which cooperates very closely with scientists in Kazakhstan, in particular with Eurasian National University. We thought that the view from the office should open on Lake Kaban and other sights of Kazan. Our institute has other scientific and educational centers and laboratories that can also be used if necessary,” said Dr Zamaletdinov. “We are proud that the study named after Abay, a major historical figure known throughout the world, is being opened at our Institute. We hope that together with colleagues from ENU we will further promote his bright name”.
KFU has a strong partnership with Eurasian National University. In addition to the above-mentioned agreement, the universities conduct joint activities under two more agreements – an agreement on joint training (since 2019) and an agreement on academic mobility in the implementation of foreign internship programs for doctoral students and postgraduates (signed this year).