International Research Center “The Great Steppe: Turan Civilization” Opens at Turan University

On April 17, 2026, the official opening ceremony of the International Research Center “THE GREAT STEPPE: TURAN CIVILIZATION” was held at Turan University. The project was initiated by the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This center is a unique project designed to establish an international research hub and create a multi-level “soft scientific infrastructure” network encompassing both the national and international academic spheres.

In her congratulatory remarks, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, A. Balayeva, noted that this initiative marks a new era in domestic humanities. She expressed confidence that the center would contribute significantly to the study of the Great Steppe’s civilizational heritage and the development of international scientific cooperation.

Kurishbayev, President of the National Academy of Sciences under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, presented the center’s three-tier model. He also shared plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence and GIS technologies into the humanities through the “Turan Civilization Digital Atlas” platform.

The Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, S. Nurbek, described the establishment of the center as a vital step toward a modern reinterpretation of Central Eurasia’s historical and cultural heritage, stating it would provide fresh momentum for the integration of science and education.

The Rector of Turan University, Rakhan Alshanov, re-examined the place of the Turan civilization in world historiography, emphasizing its deep-rooted traditions of statehood. He provided a scientific basis for the emergence of Zoroastrianism in the Turan Steppe, linking it to cosmic catastrophes. Based on his extensive research titled “The Secret of Twenty Millennia,” he highlighted the importance of transforming the Turan heritage into a global brand. These studies serve as the scientific foundation for the newly established international center.

The event was attended by diplomatic representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Türkiye, alongside renowned academics and experts.

Dr. D. Razakova, PhD, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, Science, and Innovation at Turan University, delivered a report entitled “The Great Steppe as a Platform for Kazakhstan’s Country Brand.” K. Matyzhanov, Director of the M.O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, Doctor of Philology, and Academician, presented on the “Spiritual Continuity of Ancient Turan and the Great Steppe,” while M. Akhetov, Ethics Commissioner of the Almaty City Akimat Administration and Candidate of Philological Sciences, discussed “Oral Traditions in the Great Steppe.” Additionally, J. Baizhumin, a renowned researcher, writer, and professor, presented a paper on the “Tasks of Modern Turkology.”

Furthermore, E. Omarov, Vice-President of the National Academy of Natural Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, addressed the “Connection between Steppe and Kazakh Civilizations,” and G. Kosymova, Professor at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and Doctor of Philology, presented her research titled “Ancient Turkic Cognition in Kazakh Geographical Names.”

The ceremony concluded with a gala concert program organized by the Assembly of People of Kazakhstan.

The full texts of the reports presented at the opening ceremony can be downloaded via the links below: