On November 28, 2024, a round table titled “The History of Kazakhstan in the Ancient and Medieval Periods Through Chinese Sources: Continuity in Historical Research” was organized by the Department of Ancient and Medieval History of Kazakhstan and Neighboring Countries at the Ch. Ch. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology. The event aimed to strengthen scientific continuity between domestic historians, including senior scholars and young researchers, by exploring medieval sources and addressing methodological and research challenges.
The round table was attended by prominent cultural historians, ethnographers, and researchers. Among them were Yasin Qumar, an expert on ancient nomadic culture and author of several monographs; Alimgazy Dauletkhan, a scholar specializing in the Turgesh Khaganate and Candidate of Historical Sciences; and Nurtalip Sharipqazy, a senior lecturer at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Ph.D. candidate, alongside other historians.
The event was moderated by Zhomart Zhenis, Deputy Director for International Relations at the Ch. Ch. Valikhanov Institute of History and Ethnology and Candidate of Historical Sciences. He emphasized the objectives and significance of the round table, introduced participants to various scientific projects at the Institute, and shared his thoughts on strengthening the academic continuity between senior and junior scholars.
Professor Ziyabek Kabuldinov, Director of the Institute, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, and Doctor of Historical Sciences, briefly highlighted the Institute’s history, its current staff, and ongoing research projects. He also discussed future plans and noted the favorable conditions being created for young scholars to engage in research. Senior researcher and member of the Kazakhstan Writers’ Union, Alimgazy Dauletkhan, shared his experiences in the field of science and urged young researchers to be persistent, dedicated, and hardworking in their academic pursuits.
Ethnographer and researcher Yasin Qumar shared his journey into the field of science, detailing how he became involved in research. He also emphasized the cultural continuity between ancient nomads and the Central Plain of China, highlighting the critical importance of studying this period in domestic historical research. His remarks served as an inspiration for young scholars to delve deeper into this field. Senior researcher and head of the Department of Ancient and Medieval History of Kazakhstan and Neighboring Countries, Candidate of Historical Sciences Janymkhan Oshan, underscored the vital role of primary sources from neighboring countries in advancing domestic historical studies. He particularly emphasized the growing relevance of engaging with Eastern sources in historical research.
Nurtalip Sharipqazy, a senior lecturer at the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Ph.D. candidate, emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific collaboration between universities and research institutions. He also highlighted the significance of addressing methodological issues in teaching and research for training young specialists on medieval studies. Almagul Bekenova, a historian specializing in ancient and medieval studies and holder of a master’s degree in history, discussed the study of ancient nomads and underscored the importance of fostering academic continuity between senior and junior historians on this subject. Young historians actively participated in the round table, offering their ideas and perspectives. Scholars such as Yeldos Sauyrkan, Maris Qadilbek, and Kunbek Nurtaiuly highly valued the scientific dialogue with senior researchers and shared their impressions of the meeting. They emphasized the importance of developing comprehensive plans to address new methods and issues in studying ancient and medieval periods. Moreover, the participants stressed the need to utilize and analyze Eastern sources—particularly Chinese, Persian, and medieval Turkic manuscripts—based on original texts for future research. The Institute’s young researchers announced that similar academic meetings would be integrated into their regular agenda moving forward.
