Winner. Scientist of the Year 2020

Yerbolat Saurykov

Academic title, degree: Professor, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Ph.D.
Fields of science: Philology
Research interest: Turkic languages
Institution: Taraz Innovation-Humanitarian University
Position: Rector
Country: Republic of Kazakhstan

Saurykov Yerbolat Bayuzakovich was born in the village of Moyinkum, Moyinkum district, Zhambyl region, in a working family.

In 1978-1988 he studied at the secondary school named after Y. Altynsarin in Kumozek village.

In 1989-1994, he graduated with honors from Zhambyl Pedagogical Institute with a degree in “Kazakh language and literature” and started his career in science in 1994 as a research candidate of the Department of General Linguistics of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

From 1995 to 1998, he was a full-time graduate student of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and the holder of a Presidential Scholarship.

In 1998, he won a grant from the international Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan to finance the education sector.

In 1999, he defended his thesis in the specialty “Turkic languages” at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

From 1998 to 2000 he worked as a researcher at the University Research Center for Ancient Turkic Written Monuments, and as a lecturer at the Department of General Linguistics.

In 2000-2001, he was the Head of the Kazakh Language Department of Taraz State University named after M.Kh. Dulati, and during this period he was the winner of the State Scholarship of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2001 to 2004 he was the Head of the “Test Center” and Research Center “Turkology” of M. Auezov South Kazakhstan State University.

In 2004-2006, he was the Vice-Rector for Educational and Methodical Work of Taraz State Pedagogical Institute, and in 2006-2010 he was the Dean of the Faculties of “Jurisprudence and History”, “Philology”, as well as Deputy Director for Research and International Relations at the Taraz Institute of International Kazakh-Turkish University named after A.Yasawi.

In 2010, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation on the history of Turkic languages at the Dissertation Council at the Department of General Linguistics of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and was awarded the title of Doctor of Philology.

In 2011-2012, he worked as the First Vice-rector of Taraz Innovative-Humanitarian University.

Currently, Doctor of Philology, Professor Yerbolat Saurykov is the Rector of Taraz Innovative-Humanitarian University.

To date, Professor Saurykov has received the following state awards and honorary titles for his contribution to the development of competitive education and upbringing of the younger generation, and improving the socio-political and economic situation in the region:

• Letter of Thanks from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N. Nazarbayev, 2005;

• Letter of Thanks from the Minister of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan Y. Yertysbayev, 2007;

• Badge of the Academy of Sciences of the Russian Federation "For Innovative Work in Higher Education" and the Order of Merit "Work and Education", 2013;

• Order of the Republic of Kazakhstan "The Glory of Kazakhstan", badge "For Efficiency in Labor", 2013;

• Gold Medal of the Regional Academy of Management named after F. Taylor "For Merits in the Development of Managerial Thinking", 2014;

• European Grand Prix for Quality, Geneva, 2014;

• Honorary Citizen of Moinkum District, 2014;

• Honorary Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 2015;

• Medal "For Heroic Labor", 2015;

• Badge "Y. Altynsarin", 2016;

• Jubilee medal "25 years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan", 2016.

Professor Dr. Yerbolat Saurykov is the author of more than 100 scientific articles and works in the field of Turkic studies, history of language, comparative grammar, and high-school pedagogy.

Among his most recent achievements is the release of the book “Adverbs in Turkic languages - history of development and formation”.

Professor Saurykov is a Research Scientist who supervises the implementation of the State Program “Cultural Heritage” in the Southern region of Kazakhstan.

Also, he carried out construction and restoration of the historical monument “Kuralai Sulu” in his native Moinkum district within the State Program “Cultural Heritage”.

As the Rector of the University, Professor Saurykov, taking into account the socio-economic situation of the region, provides free education for graduates of orphanages and orphans, as well as provides discounts on tuition fees for students from low-income families. Every year, the activists are awarded University Grants and trained for free.

Recently Professor Saurykov was awarded:

• Person of the Year of Taraz, 2017;

• Laureate of the Republican award “Generous Heart” in the nomination “Homeland”, 2018;

• Patriot of the Year, 2018;

• Gold medal of the University Association named after A. Baitursynov, 2018;

• Honorary Citizen of the city of Taraz, 2019.

• Jubilee medal "25 years of the Constitution of Kazakhstan", 2020.