KNU hosts International Student Symposium “National Spirit Through the Centuries: The First Enlighteners”

On April 22, 2026, the Kyrgyz National University held the I International Student Symposium titled “National Spirit Through the Centuries: The First Enlighteners,” dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress (1926).

The large-scale event brought together about 140 students from Azerbaijan, Türkiye, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, as well as from local higher education institutions. The symposium was organized and conducted in five sections.

The event was attended by the State Secretary of the Kyrgyz Republic, Arslan Koichiev, Academician Syrtbay Musaev, Advisor to the Secretary-General of the international organization TURKSOY Sabyrbek Boryubaev, as well as the Rector of KNU, Professor Dogdurbek Chontoev, students, and faculty members of the university.

Representatives of the International Higher School of Medicine took part in the student symposium and demonstrated high results. The event was attended by senior lecturers of the Department of Humanities Ajybekova Aziza Arstanbekovna, Kibraeva Munira Anarkulovna, Tokonova Aidana Akylinovna, Mohammad Ayaz, Sajid Ali Khan, and Manal Aitzaz, as well as the expert-linguist of the Department of State Language and Language Policy Galieva Diana Akylbekovna. From the Issyk-Kul campus, the symposium was attended by senior lecturer Jumabekova Burul Alymbekovna and Agiyal Anshuman and Rochak Raval.

Following the results of the symposium, the winners were determined in the following categories:

• 1st place — Raga Sai Sharan, 4th-semester student
• 3rd place — Urooj Ansari, 2nd-semester student

The Honorary Certificate of the international organization TURKSOY was awarded to the Head of the Department of State Language and Language Policy, Zaiyrkulova Rima Jenishovna, and 5th-year student (10th semester) Minhil Hammad.

During the sectional sessions, participants from India and Pakistan discussed scientific reports on the enlighteners of the Turkic world, analyzed historical facts, and paid special attention to the role of enlighteners in the development of society. It was noted that their legacy has not lost its relevance to this day. Overall, the symposium contributed to the exchange of experience among students, as well as to a deeper understanding of the scientific foundations of the Turkic world.