The key moment in the development of scientific cooperation was the interaction between the Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn and Altai State University. This project has become one of the longest-lasting in Eurasia, covering areas such as scientific research, expeditions, conferences, the creation of a multi-volume publication "Chronicle of Turkic Civilization," as well as organizing summer schools for young scientists. Thus, a common scientific platform for the countries of Central Asia and Russia was formed.
Omurova Jamyikat Orozobekovna, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor, as well as Head of the Department of Regional Studies and Kyrgyz Studies and Director of the Center for Altai Studies and Turkology "Great Altai" at KNU named after J.Balasagyn, shared with VB.KG information about the progress of cooperation, implemented projects, and current research, as well as the strategic significance of the "Great Altai" project.
- How did your cooperation with Altai State University begin?
- The beginning of our cooperation dates back to 2013, when a contract was signed between our universities for joint work in the field of education and science. An agreement was also signed in the area of "regional studies" with the approval of curricula. At the initial stage, the focus was on preparing master's students in this field.
In 2017, an international forum on "Altai Civilization and Related Peoples of the Altai Language Family" was held in Kyrgyzstan, organized by the "Muras" foundation. Scientists from various countries participated in the forum, including representatives from Altai State University, which contributed to deepening scientific interaction.
- What projects have you worked on together?
- In 2019, the project "The Turkic World of the Great Altai: Unity and Diversity in History and Modernity" was launched, covering six main areas: historical research, ethnography, archaeology, jurisprudence, philology, and media landscape. Specialists from our university were involved in this project, and despite the difficulties caused by the pandemic in 2019-2020, work resumed. Since 2021, regular expeditions have begun — first in Kyrgyzstan, then in the Republic of Altai, and the collaboration continues, yielding significant scientific results.
– What forums have been organized within the framework of the project?
- Scientific forums are planned within the project, which are held every two years. The first one took place in 2021, with subsequent ones in 2023 and 2025. The last forum discussed the multi-volume work "Chronicle of Turkic Civilization." The first volume, covering the period from the 6th to the 12th centuries, was published in 2023, and the second, dedicated to the 13th to 17th centuries, will be released in 2025. Currently, work is underway on the third volume, which will cover the 18th to 19th centuries.
- How has cooperation changed since its inception?
- Cooperation has significantly expanded. While in 2019 it covered only Kyrgyzstan and Russia, the project now includes the entire Central Asian region, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia. Scientists from Azerbaijan, Turkey, and Hungary have also joined, although Russia remains the main partner. Thus, the project encompasses the entire Eurasian region.
- How are conferences conducted within the project?
- In 2023, we organized the first international conference at the Kyrgyz National University on "Political, Socio-Economic, and Ethnocultural Processes in Eurasia during the Medieval Period," timed to coincide with the opening of our representative office of the Center for Altai Studies and Turkology "Great Altai." Conferences have become annual events, with the second and third conferences planned for 2024 and 2025, and a conference in Samarkand is scheduled for 2026.
Three international conferences have been held at the representative office, along with ethnographic and archaeological expeditions.
- What are the directions of expeditions within the project?
- Expeditions, which initially took place in Kyrgyzstan, have since expanded to the territory of the Republic of Altai and now also cover Uzbekistan. Archaeological expeditions are conducted annually and demonstrate high scientific results thanks to the collaborative work of our archaeologists with specialists from Altai State University.
- How does the project engage youth in scientific work?
- Youth plays a central role in the project. Every year, a summer school is held, and students from Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Kazakhstan participate in the expeditions. Additionally, a youth section is organized at the forums where young researchers can showcase their work, allowing for the formation of a new generation of specialists continuing the research of Turkic civilization.
- What research is being conducted regarding the connection between the Kyrgyz and Altai?
- This is one of the key areas of our work. There are scientific hypotheses suggesting that the historical homeland of the Kyrgyz may be linked to Altai. At the first forum at Altai State University, we noticed a striking similarity between the Altai and Kyrgyz languages, which allowed for easy mutual understanding. Ethnographic studies and archaeological excavations confirm these findings, providing a solid evidential basis for scientific claims.
- What experience have you gained from Altai State University?
- From Altai State University, we adopted the methodology for organizing interdisciplinary research, where historians, archaeologists, ethnographers, and philologists work as a cohesive unit, yielding excellent results. Equally important is the experience in preparing large collective scientific publications, such as the multi-volume "Chronicle of Turkic Civilization." We actively involve master's and doctoral students in real scientific projects, significantly improving the quality of our collaboration.
The cooperation between KNU named after J. Balasagyn and Altai State University has become a model of successful interaction in the field of science and education, which not only promotes research development but also strengthens cultural and academic ties in the region. The "Great Altai" project represents a full-fledged intergovernmental cooperation that fosters integration and the development of international relations.
