Citywide Turkology Knowledge Contest Held in Memory of Nemat Kelimbetov

On April 9, 2025, as part of Science Week, a citywide knowledge contest on Turkology was held at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University in memory of the prominent scholar and writer Nemat Kelimbetov. The event was organized by the Department of Science and the Nemat Kelimbetov Center for Turkology, operating under the "Abai LABS" Scientific and Innovation Park.

Six teams representing Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Kazakh National Women`s Teacher Training University, and Suleyman Demirel University took part in the competition.

Young linguists and literary scholars demonstrated their knowledge in a dynamic contest consisting of three rounds: "Q&A," "Interesting Facts," and "Quick Think."

As a result of the contest:
First place was awarded to the "Tumar" team from Kazakh National Women`s Teacher Training University, comprised of Alua Zhumakhan, Gulnur Akhat, Asem Mergenbai, Akbota Konysbai, and Zhanmeyirim Shalabayeva. Team supervisor: Senior Lecturer Bagila Panzabek.

Second place went to the "Kokbori" team from Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, represented by Sanzhar Dayarbek, Zhuldiz Orymbekova, Shugyla Baikenkyzy, Ayazhan Serik, and Akmarzhan Kurmantai. Team supervisor: Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor Zharkynai Kokanova.

Third place was awarded to the "Kultegin" team from Abai University, consisting of young literary students Erasyl Aimukhan, Dilnaz Orynbai, Arzumi Abdykadir, Samal Nametkul, and Ulpan Zhandoskyzy. Team supervisor: Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor Dariga Satemirova.

It is worth noting that the competition was dedicated to commemorating renowned scholar and writer Nemat Kelimbetov, a bright representative of Kazakh Turkology. He was born on April 4, 1937, and passed away at the age of 73. Despite battling a serious illness for much of his life, he demonstrated remarkable strength of spirit. Kelimbetov served as a professor at Abai University for many years and devoted his life to researching ancient Turkic literature. His scholarly works, including "Ancient Era Literature" and "Ancient Literary Monuments of Turkic Peoples", as well as literary pieces like "Letter to My Son", "I Don`t Want to Lose Hope", and "Jealousy", remain widely read among the public.