SCIENCE COMMITTEE OF THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

INSTITUTE OF HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY NAMED AFTER CH. UALIKHANOV

On February 12, 2025, the Institute of History and Ethnology named after Сh.Сh. Ualikhanov successfully held a scientific seminar on the topic “Enlightenment Activities of Public Organizations in Kazakhstan in the First Quarter of the 20th Century”. The seminar was organized to present the results of the grant-funded project and was attended by scholars, specialists, doctoral students, master’s students, and undergraduates.

The seminar provided an in-depth discussion of the history and activities of public organizations in Kazakhstan during the early 20th century, particularly their role in scientific and educational endeavors. The results of the research were shared and analyzed, highlighting the impact of these organizations on the development of enlightenment and scientific research during the Soviet period.

Key achievements of the project:

• A detailed account of the creation and activities of public organizations, such as those in Orenburg, Kyzylorda, and Almaty, based on archival data.
• Identification of the composition of members, governing bodies, charters, and funding sources of these organizations.
• Analysis of the cultural and educational directions of scientific societies and their influence on the formation of research schools.
• Examination of archival data regarding the activities of the Tashkent society “Tala” and other cultural initiatives that played a significant role in enlightenment activities.
• Evaluation of the role of public foundations in the formation of the national intelligentsia in Kazakhstan during the Soviet period.

The seminar also reviewed the results of the Republican Scientific and Practical Conference titled “Enlightenment of the Kazakh Intelligentsia in the First Quarter of the 20th Century: Activities and History”, where conference materials were published. Additionally, articles based on the research were published in peer-reviewed journals indexed in international databases, and a collective monograph titled “The History of Public Organizations Engaged in Enlightenment Activities in Kazakhstan in the 1920s-1930s” (Almaty: IP “Raduga”, 2023) was prepared.

The seminar concluded with a lively discussion where participants expressed great interest in the findings and showed enthusiasm for furthering research in the field. The active participation of scholars and students helped foster valuable exchanges of knowledge and perspectives.

We would like to express our gratitude to all participants for their contributions and look forward to future collaborations in advancing historical and cultural research.

Organizing Committee