University 1980-1990 years

The 1980s, when the Guryev Pedagogical Institute was headed by N.R. Kunkhozhayev (1983–1986) and Zh.S. Akylbayev (1986), were marked primarily by intensified construction and sustained efforts by the administration to further develop the university’s educational and material infrastructure.

In December 1986, the student cafeteria “Kurdastar,” with 220 seats, was commissioned. In March 1988, a sports complex was opened, including a football field, a running track, and spectator stands, beneath which a gymnastics hall and a swimming pool were constructed. This became a significant addition to the sports hall in the main academic building. Consequently, an independent Faculty of Physical Education (later the Faculty of Sports) was established.

In June 1988, Dormitory No. 3, a sectional-type residence hall accommodating 400 students, was commissioned. With its opening, student accommodation coverage across all three dormitories increased from 55% to 88%. In 1989, for the first time in the institute’s history, a seventy-apartment residential building for faculty and staff was constructed. That same year, construction began on a four-story extension to the academic building designed to accommodate 1,200 students. In effect, this was a second standard academic building, which increased space for teaching and research activities by 1.8 times. The basement level included facilities for workshops and laboratories.

In 1990, the running track at the “Burevestnik” stadium was resurfaced with synthetic “Arman” coating. Considerable efforts were also directed toward upgrading educational and research equipment, acquiring and installing new technology that met contemporary standards. During this decade, an additional language laboratory was opened, a computer laboratory with two display classrooms equipped with modern machines was established, new equipment was purchased for analytical chemistry and mechanics laboratories, the instructional television laboratory was modernized, and duplicating equipment and other modern teaching aids were acquired.

In the 1980s, the institute operated six faculties: History and Philology; Physics and Mathematics; Biology and Chemistry; Music and Pedagogy; Primary Education and Preschool Education; and the Faculty of Sports. In total, 2,723 students studied in full-time programs. The correspondence (part-time) division enrolled 2,053 students across eight specializations: History; Russian Language and Literature in National Schools; Kazakh Language and Literature; Biology; Music and Singing; Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education; Preschool Pedagogy and Psychology; and Physical Education. The total student population reached 4,776.

During these years, new specializations were introduced: History and Soviet Law; Pedagogy and Methodology of Primary Education with an additional specialization; Music (Russian-medium instruction); and Physical Education (Kazakh-medium instruction). The specializations “Physics and Mathematics” and “Mathematics and Physics” were reprofiled into “Physics, Informatics, and Labor Studies” and “Mathematics and Informatics.” From 1990, the institute began offering “Kazakh Language and Literature in Russian Classes” and “Biology and Geography” in the Kazakh language of instruction. Altogether, the institute provided training in 12 specializations through full-time and correspondence formats.

Across six faculties, 21 departments employed 320 faculty members, including more than 70 associate professors and candidates of sciences. During this period, more than ten candidate dissertations were defended; around 30 individuals pursued postgraduate studies, and 14 completed internships. Faculty members were regularly sent, at least once every four years, to professional development institutes and advanced training faculties. They actively participated in all-Union, inter-republican, regional, and internal scientific conferences. Significant attention was given to publishing monographs and research articles, obtaining author’s certificates, and conducting contract-based research. Faculty scientific activity stimulated student research through conferences, competitions, internships, and postgraduate training.

In the mid-1980s, Z.A. Aldamzharov defended a dissertation for an academic degree while serving as a faculty member. The institute continued to benefit from the work of veteran educators who had dedicated 20–25 years to the university. Among them were associate professors and candidates of sciences G.A. Aidaraliev, M.A. Aldamzharova, M.Zh. Aldabergenova, N. Aldabergenov, N.E. Bakharev, Zh.B. Bakiev, S.K. Kazybayev, K. Kammatov, Kh.A. Mukhametov, M. Orasheva, B.S. Suleimenov, F.Kh. Khairova, S.U. Utarbayev, and others.

Among the faculty scholars were also alumni of the institute, including K. Seytaliev, K.U. Yusupov, Kh.S. Seitov, R.S. Gilmanova, N.Zh. Umurzakova, V.V. Markov, A.V. Blokhin, I.K. Kameshev, B. Zhanetov, A.S. Imangaliev, A. Karzhaubayev, and others.

Senior lecturers with 20–25 years of experience also worked productively at the institute. On the occasion of the university’s 40th anniversary, it was proudly noted that the institute had truly become a forge of scientific personnel. Many former faculty members became leading scholars in Kazakhstan, including corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR N.K. Bozhev; Doctors of Sciences and Professors M.A. Azhenov, Z.A. Aldamzharov, B.A. Abilkhasimov, Zh. Esmukhanov, K.Zh. Zhamanbayev, V.D. Zhukov, Kh.Zh. Rakhmetov, A.I. Fedorov, L.E. Fain; State Prize laureate B.U. Urazgaliyev; and many others. Some alumni of the 1980s later became Doctors of Sciences and Professors.

The institute also produced distinguished educators, writers, athletes, and public figures. Among its graduates were the nationally renowned poet and multiple award laureate Fariza Ongarsynova, poets Amankos Ershov and Amankeldy Zhilkishiev, Olympic medalist Amin Tuyakov, and many other prominent personalities.

Considerable efforts were made to democratize governance and expand student self-government. Students constituted one quarter of the Academic Council and faculty councils. The curator system for senior students was abolished. Student opinions were considered in scheduling, and scholarships and dormitory placements were allocated by student bodies. Surveys titled “The Lecturer Through the Eyes of Students” were conducted periodically. Deans were elected on an alternative basis by faculty collectives.

Under the supervision of the academic affairs office, extensive work was undertaken to develop new curricula, syllabi, textbooks, and teaching materials. Lecture hours were reduced by 15–20%, with corresponding increases in seminar and practical classes. Emphasis was placed on organizing independent student work and strengthening practical professional skills grounded in solid scientific knowledge.

The institute continued to expand professionally oriented extracurricular activities. Student construction, agricultural, and pedagogical brigades operated actively, including work outside the Guryev region. Artistic and cultural life flourished, with vocal and dance ensembles, an orchestra of Kazakh national instruments, drama clubs, and literary associations. Faculty-based artistic competitions known as “Student Spring” became a tradition.

By the end of the 1980s, the institute possessed two academic buildings, a sports complex with a swimming pool, three dormitories accommodating 1,500 students, television and computer laboratories, ten classrooms, thirty laboratories, and a library fund of 311,000 volumes, including rare editions.

A significant contribution to this development was made by the rectors of that period — E.B. Sakhipov, N. Kunkhozhayev, Zh.S. Akylbayev — as well as vice-rectors, deans, and public organization leaders who guided the institute through this dynamic stage of growth.