The Grand Opening of Turan Academy – A New Scientific Platform of the Turkic World

On October 8, 2025, the grand opening ceremony of Turan Academy took place at Turan University in Almaty. The event brought together prominent scholars, public and cultural figures, as well as representatives of diplomatic missions and international organizations from Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran.

The main mission of the Academy is to unite scientists and public figures of Turkic countries, to create a common cultural and scientific space, and to contribute to the study and promotion of the rich heritage of Turkic civilization. This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening scientific cooperation among Turkic nations and developing the research potential of young scholars.

The event was moderated by Dr. Gulzhanat Tayauova, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Doctoral Studies at Turan University, PhD, Associate Professor, and Vice President of Turan Academy.

The ceremony was officially opened by Dr. Rakhman Alshanov, President of Turan Academy, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Rector of Turan University, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan, and Mahmut Oral, Co-President of the Academy, Chairman of the Council of Turkic Peoples, and public figure.

During the ceremony, diplomas were awarded to the newly elected members of the Academy. Congratulatory speeches were delivered by diplomats, scholars, and public figures from Kazakhstan, Türkiye, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan.

Elected full members of Turan Academy include:

• Rakhman Alshanov, President of the Turan Academy, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Rector of Turan University, Honored Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
• Oral Makhmut, Co-President of the Turan Academy, Chairman of the Council of Turkic Peoples;
• Gulzhanat Tayauova, Vice President of the Turan Academy, Vice-Rector for International Relations and Doctoral Studies at Turan University, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Associate Professor, Academician of the Academy of Economic Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Ali Kılıç, writer, journalist, public and political figure, member of the Board of Trustees of Turan University (Türkiye);
• Adil Akhmetov, Doctor of Philology, Professor, politician, diplomat, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan;
• Vedat Köle, President of the Ancient Turkic Academy (Türkiye);
• Abdyldazhan Akmataliev, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic;
• Shamil Kamiloglu Sadygov, PhD, Associate Professor, President of Hedef Group educational holding (Azerbaijan);
• Almasbek Maulenov, Doctor of Philology, Professor, Turkologist, Director of the Zhambyl Center for Philological Research (Kazakhstan);
• Asan Turabayev, Professor at the University of Friendship of Peoples named after Academician A. Kuatbekov, member of the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan, recipient of the “For Labor Merit” medal (Kazakhstan);
• Ilesbek Bayzhanov, engineer, economist, journalist, writer, Chairman of the public association “Akykat – 1” (Kazakhstan);
• Ulykbek Yesdaulet, poet, literary critic, publicist, Honored Worker of Kazakhstan;
• Yüksel Yalova, Chairman of the Turkish-French Cultural Society, member of the Board of Trustees of Okan University, former Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (Türkiye);
• Semih Güneri, archaeologist, professor, academician, writer (Türkiye);
• Sacid Turanlı, PhD, Professor, former Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology at Gazi University (Türkiye);
• Osman Karatay, Professor of History, academician, Ege University (Türkiye);
• Necati Demir, Professor of Philology, expert in Turkish language and literature, Head of Department at Gazi University (Türkiye);
• Hilmi Özden, Doctor of Medicine, Professor, Head of the Center for Turkic World Studies and Applications at Eskişehir Osmangazi University (Türkiye);
• Ekrem Memiş, Professor, historian, researcher, and writer specializing in the history of Türkiye and the Middle East (Türkiye);
• Berdi Sariyev, Doctor of Philology, Professor, lecturer at the Department of Modern Turkic Languages at Ankara University, translator of Atatürk’s Nutuk into Turkmen (Turkmenistan);
• Mehmet Ali Esmer, Professor at the Faculty of Architecture, Trakya University, Chairman of the Mimar Sinan Foundation (Türkiye);
• Babak Javanshir, Associate Professor, historian, Turkologist, researcher of the culture and history of Iranian Turks (Iran);
• Rasul Akhmetov, Deputy Chairman of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, President of the Public Diplomacy Foundation, Deputy Chairman of the Turkish ethnocultural association “Ahyska” (Kazakhstan);
• Feruza Jumaniazova, Doctor of History, Turkologist, Chief Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies, Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan (Uzbekistan);
• Nurettin Çakır, PhD, lecturer in history and geography, researcher in Turkish language teaching and translation studies (Türkiye).

At the close of the ceremony, participants discussed the Academy’s upcoming projects, focusing on expanding scientific cooperation across the Turkic world, organizing joint research initiatives, and hosting international academic conferences.

Turan Academy serves as an international platform aimed at promoting scientific and cultural collaboration among Turkic peoples. During the event, the Academy’s official logo was also presented. The concept was created by Rakhman Alshanov, with graphic design by Murat Çevik. The artistic composition of the logo was inspired by ancient Turkic petroglyphs, reflecting sacred symbols of the Turan region.

This significant initiative marks the beginning of a new era of spiritual unity, cultural continuity, and scientific integration within the Turkic world.