200 DOCTORS FOR THE EAST: AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY GAINS MOMENTUM

Thanks to the support of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, and the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the RK, Sayasat Nurbek, aimed at developing research infrastructure, increasing grant funding, and strengthening the higher education system, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University has gained the opportunity to expand its PhD programs and develop innovative master’s programs. This support has paved the way for enhancing the university’s scientific potential, creating new laboratories, establishing international collaborations, and systematically implementing academic mobility programs.

Today marks a particularly significant day for the university.

Seven doctoral students of Amanzholov University successfully defended their dissertations and were awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Among them are: Kuanysh Samarkhanov (8D05301 – Physics), Ainur Battalova (8D05302 – Chemistry), Erkzhan Abikak (8D05302 – Chemistry), Aigerim Abdullaeva (8D01502 – Physics), Meruert Maulet (8D05301 – Physics), Nursultan Zhakupov (8D01520 – Physics), and Moldir Bayandina (8D05301 – Physics). This achievement is the result of the university’s systematic work in training scientific personnel and confirms the high effectiveness of its dissertation councils.

In recent years, the scientific personnel training system at Amanzholov University has reached a qualitatively new level, forming a stable and dynamically developing growth trajectory.

Under the leadership of Rector Mukhtar Tolegen, Amanzholov University has become one of the leading scientific and educational centers in East Kazakhstan, and grant funding has increased more than 100-fold since 2018. This growth has allowed the university to staff departments and laboratories with qualified researchers, develop collaborations with leading universities worldwide, and actively implement academic mobility programs.

Between 2018 and 2025, the university’s doctoral student body has grown significantly, reaching 190 students in 2025. Compared to just seven doctoral students in 2014–2017, this represents more than a 27-fold increase. Ninety percent of PhD graduates continue to work at the university, making a significant contribution to strengthening the region’s scientific personnel potential.

Moreover, dissertation councils in the fields of Physics and Chemistry have improved the quality of final research projects, increasing the success rate of doctoral defenses to 40%.

By implementing a robust scientific personnel training system, Amanzholov University has reached a qualitatively new level, forming a sustainable and dynamically developing model for reproducing scientific potential not only for the East Kazakhstan region but for the entire country.