Department history

The Department of Kazakh Language and Literature is one of the university’s longstanding departments, preparing teachers of Kazakh language and literature since 1955. In the 1960s, the department included such scholars as Mukash Zhakypbekov, Magzhan Myshanov, Khasan Karimov, Ermek Otebayev, Kuseken Shaukenuly, Babash Abilkasymov, and Bizura Duysalieva, and later, Kulmat Omiraliyev, Sabyr Kazybaev, Kabibolla Sydykov, Magripa Orasheva, and Markhabat Tomanov (PhD in Philology) worked there. Among them, the first to receive academic degrees were Ermek Otebayev (1964), Kuseken Shaukenuly (1965), Khasan Karimov (1969), Kulmat Omiraliyev (1971), Kabibolla Sydykov (1973), Sabyr Kazyba

Кафедраның алғашқы меңгерушісі филология ғылымдарының кандидаты М.Жақыпбеков (1957-1963 жж.) болды.  Кейін кафедра меңгерушісі болып Е.Өтебаев (1963-1965 жж.) қызмет етті.

The first head of the department was PhD in Philology Mukash Zhakypbekov (1957–1963). He was later succeeded by Ermek Otebayev (1963–1965) as head of the department.

The Kazakh Language and Literature major was closed in 1965 by a decree of the Soviet government. It was later reopened on September 1, 1984, as the Department of Kazakh Language and Literature within the Faculty of Music and Pedagogy. The head of the department at that time was S. Kazybayev (1984–1987). During this period, the department included K. Shaukenov, K. Jusip, M. Mardykova, M. Kozhanov, Zh. Mahimova, K. Aronov, A. Sadykova, and G. Uaisova. From 1987, the Kazakh Language and Literature major became part of the Faculty of History and Philology, with Qadir Jusip serving as the department head. The department staff included S. Kazybayev, K. Aronov, A. Sadykova, Zh. Zhantasov, M. Koptileuov, and young specialists D. Arystangalieva, Zh. Abdrakhmanova, D. Zhakhanova, and L. Kayyrgalieva.

In 1990, by the decision of the Institute’s Academic Council, the Kazakh Language and Literature Department was divided into two separate departments: “Kazakh Literature” and “Modern Kazakh Language.” Qadir Jusip was appointed head of the “Kazakh Literature” Department, while Quseken Shaukenuly became head of the “Modern Kazakh Language” Department.

The “Kazakh Literature” Department included S. Qazybayev, Q. Jusip, J. Zhantasov, M. Koptileuov, D. Arystangalieva, D. Zhakanova, and S. Dutbayeva. In the following academic year, it was joined by our graduates B. Tajbentaeva, M. Satimova, and G. Zhumabayev. Later, J. Baltogaeva, G. Ayapova, G. Eshanova, A. Kyzyrbaeva, R. Karimov, B. Abdeshev, M. Ershu, and B. Khamenova also became part of the department.

The scientific potential of the Kazakh Literature Department was greatly enhanced through the work of academician and Doctor of Philology Zeynolla Qabdolov. Z. Qabdolov not only served as a member of the department but also provided significant guidance to the faculty members in conducting their research dissertations, personally overseeing and leading these efforts.

Under the supervision of Zeynolla Qabdolov, Jūsip Qadyr Ötegenūly, Qydyrbayeva Aikūmīs Qydyrbaīqyzy, Sadıkova Aysūlu Tazhīgaliqyzy, Eşchanova Gūlshara Barysqyzy, and Dūtbaeva Säule Sergoqyzy successfully defended their research dissertations.

The “Contemporary Kazakh Language” department initially included Q. Shäukenūly, A. Sadıkova, Q. Aronov, J. Abdrahmanova, M. Qojanov, Q. Aıtqaliev, A. Gabdullina, and R. Abisheva. The following year, S. Ghūbāydullin and S. Aliyeva joined, and later it was supplemented by our alumni S. Atashev, A. Qaliev, A. Eleuova, D. Baimasheva, and A. Salikhov. Subsequently, J. Qazhyghalieva, Q. Dūsipova, J. Mūkhambetov, N. Salimova, J. Makhimova, R. Tulepbergenova, and G. Sabirova became part of the department.

In 2003, a master’s program in Philology (6N0205) and a specialty in Journalism were established under the “Kazakh Literature” department. Experienced journalism professionals were recruited to the department, including Teńdik Jauyrūly, Ötepbergen Älimgereev, Tölеgen Jañabayev, Lazzat Majitova, and it was further strengthened by young specialists who had graduated in journalism, such as A. Temirghalieva, D. Askynbay, and N. Nurlanova.

On October 28, 2009, by the decision of the University Scientific Council, the “Kazakh Literature” department was reorganized and renamed the “Department of Philology and Journalism.”

In September 2010, the “Department of Philology and Journalism” was divided into two separate departments: “Philology” and “Journalism.” The “Philology” department was joined by the professors and lecturers from the “Practical Kazakh Language” department: G.B. Nazhikenova, D.K. Baymasheva, Zh.A. Eskalieva, N.A. Atakhanova, B.S. Kayyrzhanova, A.K. Nugyman, Zh.A. Nurtileuova, M.Zh. Amangalieva, Zh.I. Esmuratova, M. Oserbaeva, and Zh.M. Kyrykbayeva. The head of the department was appointed Aigul Sergeyevna Eleuova (2010–2011).

In 2011, the “Philology” department was merged back with the “Journalism” department, forming the “Kazakh Literature and Journalism” department. Aikumis Kydyrbayeva was appointed as the head of the department (2011–2014).

From September 1, 2014, the Journalism track of the “Kazakh Literature and Journalism” department was transferred to the “Russian Philology” department, while the Kazakh Literature track was merged with the “Modern Kazakh Language” department. The department was then renamed the “Kazakh Language and Literature” department.

          Thousands of students have studied in these departments and today work in various sectors across the country. The department’s teaching staff (POҚ) has not only provided quality education and instilled conscious upbringing but has also prioritized enhancing the department’s scientific potential. In particular:

Jusip Qadir Ötegenuly– Doctor of Philology (1996);

Candidates of Philology: Quseken Shaukenuly (1965), Qazybaev Sabyr Qazybayuly (1976), Aronov Quspan Ghumaruly (1993), Atashev Serik Muratuly (1995), Gubaydullin Sandibek (1995), Zhumabaeva Gulnar Sapiqyzy (1999), Sadikova Aisulu Tazhigalyqyzy (1999), Qydyrbaeva Aikumis (2001), Salikhova Aymgul Zinelgabidenqyzy (2001), Abdeshev Bayazi Madeshuly (2003), Baltogaeva Zhayly Elepqyzy (2003), Ayapova Gulzira Borambaiqyzy (2004), Abdrakhmanova Jumaziya Majitqyzy (2004), Mukhambetov Zhomart Ibatollauly (2007), Eleuova Aigul Sergeikyzy (2007), Dutbaeva Saule Sergokyzy (2008), Ershu Marzhan Amankosqyzy (2009), Khamenova Bakytgul Qayyrzhanqyzy (2009), Sabirova Gulbanu Nurymqyzy (2010).

Candidates of Pedagogical Sciences are Eshanova Gulshara Barysqyzy (2008) and Qayyrzhanova Bibigul Seyilkhanqyzy (2008). Throughout the years, the heads of the department were Qazybaev S.Q. (1984–1987), Jusip Q.Ö. (1987–2003), Q. Shaukenuly (1990–2001), Abdeshev B.M. (2003–2005), G.S. Zhumabaeva (2001–2007), Abdrakhmanova J.M. (2007–2011), Sadikova A.T. (2005–2010), Qydyrbaeva A.Q. (2010–2014), Salikhova A.Z. (2011–2013), Mukhambetov Zh.I. (2014–2016), Eleuova A.S. (2016–2020), Dautkulova A.Q. (2020–2021), and Abdrakhmanova J.M. (2021–2025).

Currently, the Department of Kazakh Language and Literature prepares bachelors in the programs 6B01701 – Teacher of Kazakh Language and Literature, 6B02302 – Philology: Kazakh Philology, as well as masters in the programs 7M01701 – Kazakh Language and Literature and 7M01701 – Philology (dual-degree program).

At the department, candidates of sciences and associate professors—Abdrakhmanova Zh.M., Baltohayeva Zh.E., Zhumabaeva G.S., Ayapova G.B., Eleuova A.S., Salikhova A.Z., Amangaziyeva M.K., and Kairzhanova B.S.—as well as masters—Eskalieva Zh.A., Nazhikenova G.B., Dauletova A.N., Salimova N.S., Tulepbergenova R.R., Dautkulova A.K., Nugyman A.K., Sarieva A.Zh., and Kamelova M.S.—deliver lectures and conduct practical classes for students.

Since September 2025, the head of the department has been Gulzira Borambaykyzy Ayapova, Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor. The department’s laboratory assistant, Rimma Kamenovna Kusainova, has been working there since 1990.