On May 12, a delegation from the Greater Altai Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies at Altai State University visited School No. 24 named after A. Tokombaev in Bishkek, one of the leading schools in Kyrgyzstan. The visitors attended the ceremonial opening of the thematic room titled The Turkic World of the Greater Altai and held discussions with the school leadership about collaborative educational activities.
The purpose of creating the school room is to deepen students' knowledge of the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples, which is particularly important for fostering a sense of identity among the younger generation.
The thematic room at School No. 24 had been officially opened a little earlier, on April 24 as part of a pilot educational project implemented by The Greater Altai Research and Educational Center for Altaic and Turkic Studies. The first official event in the new educational space took place in May, following a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Center's director, Yulia Lysenko, and leading expert, Sergei Grushin.
The students welcomed the guests with a vibrant cultural program that included musical performances, accounts of the history of the Turkic world and Altai State University, and a presentation of their creative works.
Yulia Lysenko, Head of the Oriental Studies Department at Altai State University, spoke about the history and activities of the REC. She emphasized the importance of international partnerships in researching the historical and cultural heritage of the Turkic peoples, highlighting the special role of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, where Professor Zhamyikat Omurova successfully manages the REC office.
"International cooperation with scientific and educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and other Central Asian countries is the foundation of our work in studying and preserving the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Slavic-Turkic peoples," said Yulia Lysenko.
Sergey Grushin inspired high school students with a talk about the educational opportunities at Altai State University and the work of archaeologists. His presentation prompted keen interest from the students, who asked when and how they might participate in an expedition to Altai.
The representatives of the Greater Altai Scientific and Educational Center met with the school principal, Anara Abduraimova, and the teaching staff to discuss prospects for future collaboration and educational projects aimed at introducing pupils to the history, culture and traditions of Turkic-speaking peoples. Proposals included expanding cooperation with other schools, holding competitions and a Turkic World Day, and involving senior students in international educational projects. Yulia Lysenko and Zhamyikat Omurova assured the school administration of their support, including the provision of teaching materials and scholarly publications for the classroom.
