Department history

History of the Department of Geography and Tourism

The Geography specialty was first established in 1990 within the Department of Botany and Geography under the name “Geography–Biology.”In 1993, it was renamed “Geography–Ecology.”In the early years, the department’s staff included Associate Professor Roza Zhanasylyvna Alzhanova, Senior Lecturer Rakhат Kabulov, and the well-known geographer, academic professor Yeset Kazhenbaev.Starting from 1991, Gulnar Ospanova joined the department, followed by Arman Zhumagaziev in 1994, and Zhumagul Karamurziyeva and Saktagul Kuzbolova in 1995. Thus, the department expanded with young professionals.In 1998, the specialty “Geography–Ecology” was renamed “Geography.” During this time, Saule Esmuratovna Karabalina and Gulshat Zhalgabaykyzy Nurgaliyeva joined the teaching staff.In the 1998–1999 academic year, following the launch of the 030640 “History–Geography” specialty, the Geography program became part of the “World History” Department within the Faculty of History and Philology.In 2001, the independent Department of “Geography and Teaching Methodology” was established, led by Associate Professor Roza Zhanasylyvna Alzhanova, who served as the Head until 2020.A branch of Kh. Dosmukhamedov Atyrau State University was opened at School No. 35, where methodological classes and thesis defenses were regularly held in the geography classroom.In 2004–2005, Professor G. E. Nastinova, Doctor of Geographical Sciences from Elista University (Republic of Kalmykia), worked at the department. Under her supervision, a number of scientific papers, monographs, and textbooks were published.In the 2005–2006 academic year, the new specialty “Tourism Management” was opened, and student admission began.The department was strengthened with young teachers: A.Zh. Mustafina, R.M. Gilazhev, Zh.Kh. Aktaubayeva, A.A. Ondassinova, T.B. Zhalelova, and later E.T. Isagaliyeva and G.B. Taskaliyeva.To train specialists in tourism, a multilingual education program was developed, and the department contributed significantly to the development of the tourism sector in the Atyrau region.In 2009, Senior Lecturer Gulshat Zhalgabaykyzy Nurgaliyeva successfully defended her dissertation and earned the degree of Candidate of Geographical Sciences.In 2010, the department was renamed “Geography” and transferred from the Faculty of Humanities to the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences due to structural changes.In 2011, Senior Lecturer Gainy Konysbaykyzy Baymukasheva defended her dissertation and was awarded the degree of Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences.In 2015, with the opening of the specialty 5B080500 – “Water Resources and Water Use,” the department was renamed “Geography, Tourism and Water Resources.”Its staff included Doctor of Agricultural Sciences B.M. Mukhambetov and Masters S.M. Doskalieva, N.E. Saburova, and Zh.K. Kadasheva.In 2019, Senior Lecturer Baymukasheva G.K. received the title of Associate Professor of the “Geography and Tourism” Department.In 2016, Master E.S. Kabiev was admitted to the doctoral program at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University and obtained his PhD degree in 2019.In 2020, after the retirement of R.Zh. Alzhanova, the position of Head of Department was held by A.Z. Zhumagaziev.In 2022, academician and Doctor of Geological Sciences N.S. Seitov joined the department.From April 2022 to September 2024, the acting Head of the Department was A.Zh. Mustafina.In 2023, by the decision of the University Board of Directors, the department was officially renamed “Geography and Tourism.”In 2024, faculty members S.O. Kuzbolova and A.Zh. Mustafina were admitted to the doctoral program at L.N. Gumilyov ENU.

Since September 2025, the Head of the Department has been Candidate of Geographical Sciences, Associate Professor Gulshat Zhalgabaykyzy Nurgaliyeva.