KAFU President Yerezhep Mambetkaziyev Awarded the Order of “Barys,” 2nd Class

Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev—President of the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU), Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, and Professor—has been awarded the Order of “Barys,” 2nd Class.

On October 23, 2026, ahead of the national holiday—Republic Day—the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, signed a decree conferring state awards upon individuals who have made significant contributions to the country’s socio-economic and cultural-spiritual development, the strengthening of friendship and cooperation among peoples, and public service. Among the recipients of this high state honor is Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev, who was recognized in an official statement from Akorda as a veteran of the education sector.

This prestigious state award serves as recognition of Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev’s many years of dedicated work and his substantial contribution to the development of the nation’s education and scientific systems.

Yerezhep Mambetkaziyev is a prominent Kazakhstani scientist and leader in higher education; he is an Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, a Doctor of Chemical Sciences, a professor, and the founder and President of the Kazakh-American Free University. It was through his initiative that the concept of establishing KAFU—the first higher education institution in Kazakhstan based on an international partnership with the United States—was brought to fruition.

Throughout his career, Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev has served in various leadership roles, including as Rector of the East Kazakhstan State University and as Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. For decades, his professional life has been dedicated to the advancement of higher education, science, and international academic cooperation, as well as the implementation of innovative educational approaches.

The establishment and development of the Kazakh-American Free University stand as one of the most significant achievements of his professional career. Today, the principles established by the founder of KAFU—international partnership, the integration of Kazakhstani and foreign educational expertise, the training of competitive specialists, and the cultivation of a new generation of leaders—continue to shape the university’s development strategy.

The staff of the Kazakh-American Free University (KAFU) extends its heartfelt congratulations to Yerezhep A. Mambetkaziyev on receiving a prestigious state award!

We wish him good health, well-being, boundless energy, and continued success for the benefit of education and science in our country. The awarding of the “Barys” Order (2nd Class) is a well-deserved recognition of his many years of dedicated work, his professional and public service, and his outstanding contribution to the development of higher education in Kazakhstan.