Chair of the Kazakh language and culture
Following the adoption of the Law «On the State Language» in 1989, a special elective course for teaching the state language to Russian-speaking groups was organized on the basis of the Department of Russian and Foreign Languages. At that time, Kazakh language classes for all institute students were conducted by three lecturers: Kuralai Kabdiyanovna Koyanbaeva, Sholpan Akhankyzy Zhetpisbay, and Murat Abdrakhmanuly Khasen.
In November 1990, the Department of Kazakh Language was officially established. Its first head was Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor, writer, and member of the Writers’ Union of Kazakhstan Ämen Makhatuly Äziev (1927–1993). The main focus of Äziev’s literary heritage was works dedicated to the coal and non-ferrous metallurgy industries of Central Kazakhstan.
From 1993 to 1996, the department was headed by Murat Abdrakhmanuly Khasen, a graduate of the Faculty of Philology of Karaganda State University named after E.A. Buketov and senior lecturer.
In 1996–1997, the department was led by Professor of Kazakh Literature at Karaganda State University named after E.A. Buketov, Doctor of Philological Sciences Zhumagali Zadan Taskalyuly (1936–2023).
In September 1997, senior lecturer Gulara Maulenkyzy Nurguzhina was appointed head of the department. Under her leadership, the Department of Kazakh Language was reorganized into the Department of Kazakh Language and Culture.
In 2004–2005, the department was headed by senior lecturer Kuralai Zhanzholkyzy Shabdenova (1971–2025).
From 2005 to 2008, the department was led by Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Karlygash Mauenkyzy Khamzina.
Since 2008, the department has been headed by Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Kalamkas Sagyndykkyzy Kalybekova.
In 2001, on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, an ethnographic museum was opened at the Department of Kazakh Language and Culture. This museum reflects the cultural wealth and heritage of various ethnic groups living in our country. It has become an important cultural center that unites the multinational student community of KarGTU. The main motto of the museum is «Discover the language through culture.»
In 2006, the department staff won the nomination «Best Department of the University.»
In 2007, the department staff once again became the winner in the same nomination. Since 2009, a traditional Olympiad for schoolchildren has been held.
In 2014, the head of the department, Kalamkas Sagyndykkyzy Kalybekova, was awarded the title «Best Lecturer of a Higher Education Institution of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2014.»
In 2018, the department’s associate professor Nurlybek Mamanuly Aubakirov received the title «Best Lecturer of a Higher Education Institution of the Republic of Kazakhstan 2018.»
Based on the results of 2022, the department staff took first place in the next «Best Department of the University» competition.
Educational and Methodological Work
The department staff actively works, making every effort to improve the quality of teaching the state language. Lecturers annually participate in various seminars and training sessions. The main goal is to become familiar with modern educational technologies in language teaching.
Over the years, the department’s lecturers have prepared collections of technical texts and terminological dictionaries in the state language, as well as textbooks «Kazakh Language,» «Kazakh Language (Professional),» and methodological guidelines for all educational programs.
Research Work
Student Research Activities. Under the guidance of the department’s lecturers, students participate in the republican competition of student research works among higher education institutions of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the fields of natural, technical, social-humanitarian, and economic sciences. In addition, students, supervised by the department’s faculty, take part in international and republican scientific-practical conferences.
Scientific Works of the Department’s Faculty. The lecturers of the department conduct scientific and methodological research. The results of these studies are published in republican scientific journals (recommended by the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education), in international scientific journals (Web of Science, Scopus), as well as in collections of materials from international conferences. Scientific and methodological developments are introduced into the educational process.
In recent years, the department’s staff has actively participated in grant funding competitions. From 2021 to 2023, the grant-funded project AR09261117 «Development of web-textbooks for levels B1 and B2 in the discipline «Qazaq tili» using Latin script and innovative technologies (for higher education)» was implemented. The scientific supervisor of the project was Nygmetova N.T. Main results of the research:
The website https://q-uirenu.kz was created for the discipline “Kazakh Language” at levels B1 and B2; 2. The web-textbook “Qazaq tili” was developed and introduced into practice; 3. A test module with results was created for the web-textbook platform; 4. A web platform for teaching the Kazakh language was developed.
Educational Work
The department actively participates in the university’s educational activities, contributing to the training of highly educated and cultured specialists. Each year, the department organizes about 20 cultural events, competitions, and Olympiads. Special contests are held among students who are fluent in the state language. The educational work carried out promotes the unity of the multinational society of our country, contributing to its prosperity and development.
International Cooperation and Internships
As part of international cooperation with Kastamonu University (Turkey), in 2022 the department conducted a 72-hour professional development course «Innovative Methods of Teaching Language and Literature» with the participation of PhD Dr. Orhan Söylemez.
- Head of the department Kalamkas Sagyndykkyzy Kalybekova completed internships in Ankara and Istanbul (Turkey) in 2011, in Sanji (China) in 2013, at Tashkent State Technical University (Uzbekistan) in 2023, and in 2024 became a recipient of the International “Bolashak” Scholarship, undertaking a scientific internship under the “500 Scientists” program at Kastamonu University (Turkey).
- Associate Professor Nurlybek Mamanuly Aubakirov completed an internship at Tashkent State Technical University (Uzbekistan) in 2023, and from September to November 2025 at Kastamonu University (Turkey).
- Senior Lecturer Sholpan Akhankyzy Zhetpisbay completed an internship at Tashkent State Technical University (Uzbekistan) in 2023.
- Lecturer Ainash Dikanbaykyzy Bekkulova completed a scientific internship at Kastamonu University (Turkey) in 2023.
The Department’s Faculty Achievements
The professor-teaching staff of the department has repeatedly been recognized with awards from the Ministry, the regional akimat, and the university administration.
- In 2023, Associate Professor Karlygash Mauenkyzy Khamzina was awarded the badge «Honored Worker of Karaganda Technical University named after Abylkas Saginov» and the badge of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan «Ana tılın damytuğa qosqan ülesı üşın» for her active work in the field of language development.
- In 2023, Head of the Department Kalamkas Sagyndykkyzy Kalybekova received the A. Baitursynov Bronze Medal «For significant contribution to the development of the country’s higher education system and outstanding work in training highly qualified specialists»
- In 2024, Associate Professor Nurlybek Mamanuly Aubakirov was honored with awards from the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Kazakhstan and the badge of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan «Akhmet Baitursynuly»
- In 2024, Associate Professor Nurgul Tursunkyzy Nygmetova was awarded the badge «Ana tılın damytuğa qosqan ülesı üşın» for her special contribution to language policy and active participation in improving the field of language development.
- In 2024, Senior Lecturer Sholpan Akhankyzy Zhetpisbay was also awarded the badge «Ana tılın damytuğa qosqan ülesı üşın» for her special contribution to language policy and active involvement in language development.
- In 2025, Head of the Department Kalamkas Sagyndykkyzy Kalybekova was awarded the badge «Akhmet Baitursynuly» for her creative activity in enhancing the status of the Kazakh language and her significant contribution to strengthening and developing cooperation in the humanitarian sphere.
- In 2025, Senior Lecturer Gabiden Mazhituly Abilkasov was likewise awarded the badge «Akhmet Baitursynuly» for his creative activity in raising the status of the Kazakh language and his contribution to the development of humanitarian cooperation.
Heads of the Department in Different Years:
- Äziev Ä.M., Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (1990–1993)
- Khasenov M.A., Senior Lecturer (1993–1996)
- Zhumagaliev Z.T., Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor (1996–1997)
- Nurguzhina G.M., Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (1997–2004)
- Shabdenova K.Zh., Senior Lecturer (2004–2005)
- Khamzina K.M., Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (2004–2008)
- Kalybekova K.S., Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor (2008 – present)