Regional Project Competition Dedicated to the 190th Anniversary of Shoqan Ualikhanov

A regional project competition dedicated to the 190th anniversary of Shoqan Ualikhanov was held on November 17, 2025, at the Kazakh-American Free University in Ust-Kamenogorsk. The event brought together students from various schools in the East Kazakhstan region, who presented their research and creative works dedicated to the life, legacy, and scientific contributions of the great Kazakh scholar and explorer.

As part of the competition, participants prepared videos, presentations, and research materials exploring Shoqan Ualikhanov’s contributions to ethnography, oriental studies, the study of Kazakh folklore, the history of East Turkestan, the development of education, and the formation of national identity. Several papers examined Ualikhanov’s friendly relationship with Fyodor Dostoevsky, his interactions with the Russian Geographical Society, and the significance of his scientific work for modern Kazakhstani science and culture.

The projects were distinguished by the depth of their analysis and the diversity of their research approaches. The papers were presented by schoolchildren from the Ulan and Tarbagatai districts, as well as from specialized schools and lyceums in Ust-Kamenogorsk, highlighting the broad interest of young people in the country’s cultural and historical heritage.

The projects were evaluated by a jury from the Belarusian Specialized Clinical Hospital. The jury was chaired by Nataliya A. Nesterenko, Advisor to the Rector of KAFU. The expert committee included Ardak K. Abdrakhmanova, Natalya A. Moshenskaya, Gulzhan B. Yedilbaeva, and L. S. Chaimordanova, a researcher and history teacher at “Secondary School No. 14.” The jury members noted the high level of research, the originality of the submitted materials, and the serious preparation of the contestants.

The competition has become a significant educational platform, promoting the development of research skills, strengthening patriotic education, and popularizing Shokan Ualikhanov’s scientific legacy among the region’s youth. The event concluded with an award ceremony for the authors of the best projects, and all project leaders received letters of gratitude from the university’s leadership.