Kazakhstan Life & Culture - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 7 - 12 of 903

Science

Kazakh Scientists Develop Technology to Generate Electricity from Noise

Researchers at Satbayev University in Almaty are developing a compact device capable of converting environmental mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. Mechanical vibrations are repetitive movements that occur around a system’s equilibrium position and include phenomena such as sound waves and physical oscillations. Scientists at Satbayev University aim to harness these vibrations as a stable energy source for autonomous sensors operating in remote and hard-to-access areas. The project focuses on creating an electromagnetic converter capable of operating within a frequency range from several tens to a few hundred hertz, the range most commonly found in natural vibration environments. “We are developing a device that will efficiently convert mechanical vibrations into electrical energy and serve as an autonomous power source. This will help ensure the continuous and reliable operation of Internet of Things (IoT) sensors in remote regions,” said project leader Albanbay Nurtay. The scientific basis of the technology is the law of electromagnetic induction: when a coil and magnets move relative to each other inside the device, an electrical signal is generated. Researchers are focusing on engineering solutions that maintain high efficiency across a wide range of vibration frequencies. Engineers are also working to ensure stable operation under different vibration conditions and to minimize energy losses during transmission. The project is being implemented in several stages. The first phase involves developing the conceptual design of the device, along with its 3D and mathematical models. In the next stage, Satbayev University researchers plan to build experimental prototypes and develop a dedicated testing platform to measure the device’s performance. Based on the results of these experiments, scientists will select a final prototype with optimal technical characteristics. The final stage will include the publication of research findings and the filing of a patent for the intellectual property. The device could have practical applications across several sectors, including industrial monitoring, environmental observation, and agriculture. The project represents an important step in the development of green technologies. “Efficient use of natural vibration sources opens new opportunities for energy conservation and supports the implementation of sustainable development principles and goals,” Kazakhstan's Ministry of Education noted. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, researchers at Nazarbayev University recently developed a medical exoskeleton designed to assist in stroke rehabilitation.

Meruyert Bizhanova

From Fairy Tales to Oxford: The Academic Path of Meruyert Bizhanova

Education can change the course of a person’s life, shaping dreams and opening new horizons. The story of Meruyert Bizhanova, a young scholar from Kazakhstan who entered a doctoral program at the University of Oxford at the age of 24, is a striking example of how curiosity, determination, and mentorship can lead to remarkable achievements. A Passion for Learning from an Early Age Bizhanova’s love for learning began in early childhood. She recalls that by the time she was five years old, she had already read every fairy tale available in her school library. Reading stories and writing short narratives fascinated her, and books soon became her closest companions. Her academic development later flourished at Nazarbayev University, where supportive professors encouraged her intellectual curiosity and motivated her to pursue opportunities abroad. She particularly acknowledges the influence of mentors such as Vice-Provost Loretta O’Donnell and professors Tursonjan Tokay, Thomas Duke, Warren Rocco, and Marilyn Plumlee. According to Bizhanova, these mentors taught her the importance of discipline, dedication, and sincerity in academic work. Graduate Studies in the United States After completing her undergraduate education, Bizhanova decided to continue her academic journey internationally. She chose the University of Pennsylvania for her master’s studies, aiming to gain globally recognized academic training and deepen her research in the field of higher education. The University of Pennsylvania is widely known for its strong academic tradition in higher education policy and leadership, which closely aligns with her research interests. During her master’s program in educational leadership, Bizhanova studied international education policy, governance of higher education systems, research methodology, and leadership strategies. Beyond classroom learning, the university provided opportunities for internships, research collaborations, professional networking, and career development. Studying at one of the world’s leading universities also gave her access to a global academic community and opened new professional possibilities. [caption id="attachment_45030" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Image: personal archive[/caption] Why Oxford? For Bizhanova, the University of Oxford had long symbolized academic excellence. From childhood, she had heard of it as one of the most prestigious universities in the world. Admission to Oxford’s doctoral programs is highly competitive, and thousands of candidates apply each year, but only a small number are admitted. For example, the DPhil in Education, which Bizhanova is studying for, has approximately 200 applications per year, out of which around 38 students are selected. Being accepted into Oxford’s doctoral program, Bizhanova says, is both an honor and a responsibility. When considering where to pursue her PhD, she realized that several Oxford scholars were conducting research closely related to her own academic interests. Her professors at the University of Pennsylvania were also familiar with these scholars and encouraged her to apply, recognizing Oxford as one of the leading centers for research on higher education. Researching the Future of Universities Bizhanova’s doctoral research focuses on universities in post-Soviet countries and how they attempt to balance teaching responsibilities with the development of scientific research. Many universities in this region inherited complex institutional traditions and governance structures from the Soviet era. Today,...

Book Launch

The USSR Is Gone, the Story Isn’t: Joe Luc Barnes On the Road Across the Former Soviet Union

On a foggy but mild London evening, The Times of Central Asia joined journalist and contributor Joe Luc Barnes to celebrate the launch of his new book, Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR. As the wine flowed, the conversation ranged from Silk Road cities to Soviet ghosts. It was exactly the sort of evening you might expect from a book that explores one of the world’s most complex regions with both political sharpness and a healthy sense of humor. Barnes’ book begins with a deceptively simple question: What actually happened to the fifteen countries that emerged following the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991? The clichés are familiar: snow, concrete, and the KGB. Nevertheless, Barnes’ depiction reveals that the real story is stranger, funnier, and far more human. In the years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he has crossed the former Soviet states from Estonia’s tech hubs to Uzbekistan’s minarets and Azerbaijan’s flame towers, gathering stories from taxi drivers, activists, nomads, and anyone willing to converse over a drink. The result is part travelogue and part political detective story, with a strong dose of dark comedy about life after empire. Barnes moves easily between epic scenery and the absurdities of everyday life. Georgian wine and Armenian brandy make an appearance alongside Silk Road bazaars, smoky bars, and long railway excursions. At times there is also the lingering suspicion that someone, somewhere, is still listening. It is a portrait of a region that the West often reduces to geopolitics but which, as Barnes shows, is full of resilience, generosity, and a distinctly post-Soviet sense of humor. [caption id="attachment_45000" align="aligncenter" width="1600"] Image: TCA[/caption] Barnes is well placed to tell the story, as a journalist who has spent more than a decade working across China and the former Soviet space. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, he has visited all fifteen former Soviet republics, a journey that has taken him from former gulag sites in Kazakhstan to Tajikistan’s notorious Anzob Tunnel and through the shifting political landscape of the region. The book was released on March 5, a date heavy with Cold War symbolism. It marks the anniversary of Joseph Stalin’s death in 1953 and Winston Churchill’s Iron Curtain speech in 1946. With 2026 also marking thirty-five years since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Barnes’ journey arrives at a moment when questions about territory, independence, and Russia’s continuing influence feel newly urgent. Farewell to Russia: A Journey Through the Former USSR by Joe Luc Barnes is available now in hardback, audiobook, and ebook.

Shchuchinsk Cafe Fire

Death Toll in Cafe Gas Explosion in Kazakhstan Rises to Nine

A cafe owner in northern Kazakhstan is under arrest for alleged negligence after a gas explosion and fire that killed nine people. The explosion occurred at the Plov Center cafe in the town of Shchuchinsk in Akmola region, outside the capital Astana, early on February 27, killing seven people, including six cafe workers and the 16-year-old daughter of one of the employees, city officials said. Two injured people later died, according to the city. It attributed the death toll to the regional health department. More than two dozen people were injured, and about half of them were hospitalized, according to the Ministry of Emergency Situations. The café is attached to a five-story residential building. The owner was arrested on Monday for suspected violation of fire safety regulations. After the disaster, workers from the emergency situations ministry conducted fire safety checks at cafes, restaurants and dormitories in northern Kazakhstan. They checked that gas cylinders were correctly positioned, fire extinguishers were on hand and evacuation routes were accessible. The ministry is leading a high-level investigation of the causes and circumstances of the gas explosion.

Healthcare

Psychological Support in Kazakhstan: Growing Demand, Changing Stigma, and the State’s Move Toward Regulation

Just a few years ago, conversations about psychotherapy in Kazakhstan were conducted in hushed tones, as if acknowledging “weakness” or personal failure. Today, mental health is gradually entering the public sphere: teenagers seek support, parents attend training sessions, and adults increasingly view therapy as a practical tool for emotional self-regulation. Alongside this cultural shift, the support infrastructure is expanding. At the same time, the state’s role is growing, with authorities publicly emphasizing quality control, from creating a registry of specialists and setting educational requirements to introducing digital tools for early risk detection in children. Normalization as a New Stage The most significant change in recent years has been in public perception. Psychotherapy is increasingly regarded not as a “last resort,” but as a routine service, comparable to consulting a doctor or lawyer, but focused on emotions and behavior. Seeking professional help is gradually ceasing to signal a crisis and is becoming part of everyday self-care. This shift has been gradual. For many years, the psychological support market developed spontaneously through private practice and online consultations, without unified standards or regulatory oversight. At the same time, public attitudes evolved from caution and stigma in the post-Soviet period to a more pragmatic and open approach to mental health. Changes are particularly visible where access to support has become less accessible. On December 1, 2024, schools introduced a system of anonymous text appeals via QR codes. By February 2025, 25,000 messages from teenagers had been recorded. Similar dynamics are observed at the “111” contact center. While 17,000 calls from children were received in 2024, since the beginning of 2025, 110,999 appeals have been registered, most submitted via QR codes. The increase in these figures reflects not only the scale of existing problems but also a lower threshold for seeking help. When support is accessible anonymously and quickly, teenagers are more likely to take the first step. Simplified access is becoming a key driver behind the emerging “normalization” of psychological assistance. Statistics and Personal Experience: Changing Attitudes Toward Therapy Growing demand for psychological support reflects broader social pressures and the prevalence of mental health conditions. According to the World Health Organization, globally, depression affects approximately 4% of the population, with regional variations. Kazakhstani analytical publications referencing international comparisons have cited comparable or slightly higher estimates, suggesting that depressive disorders may affect up to 4.4% of the population, approximately 732,700 people nationwide. System capacity indicators also highlight pressure on services. Data from mental health centers indicate that more than 300,000 individuals are registered in such institutions. Public statements have drawn attention to staffing shortages among psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers. Official workload standards reportedly provide for one psychiatrist (including narcology specialists) per 20,000 registered residents and one child psychiatrist, psychotherapist, psychologist, or social worker per 60,000 people. Children represent a particularly sensitive category. According to data from the Ministry of Health published by Kazinform, 204,408 people are registered with mental disorders (excluding psychoactive substance use), including 44,781 minors. A diagnosis of schizophrenia is recorded for...

UNESCO World Heritage List

Two Architectural Monuments from Kazakhstan Included in UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List

Two landmark architectural monuments in Kazakhstan, the Zharkent Mosque and the Ascension Cathedral, have been added to UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites. The announcement was made by State Counselor of Kazakhstan Erlan Karin. Inclusion on the Tentative List is a mandatory preliminary step before a site can be formally nominated for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Only properties included in the Tentative List may proceed to the full nomination process. The Zharkent Mosque is located in the city of Zharkent in the Zhetysu region. Built in 1895 to the designs of Chinese architect Hong Pique, the structure was constructed without the use of nails. It represents a distinctive synthesis of Islamic architectural principles and East Asian design traditions, including elements commonly associated with Buddhist temples. This architectural fusion reflects the historical cultural exchanges among the peoples of the region and the cross-border influence of architectural schools. Since 1982, the mosque has been under state protection as a monument of architectural and historical significance at the national level. The Ascension Cathedral, situated in Almaty’s Park of the 28 Panfilov Guardsmen, was constructed between 1904 and 1907 as the cathedral of the Turkestan diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church. Rising to a height of 54 meters, it is considered one of the tallest wooden Orthodox churches in the world. Built from Tien Shan spruce, the cathedral’s wooden framework, reinforced with metal fastenings, allowed it to withstand several major earthquakes. Today, it is listed as a historical and cultural monument of Kazakhstan. According to Karin, the inclusion of both the mosque and the cathedral on the Tentative List marks an important step toward preserving and promoting the country’s cultural heritage. If the nomination process is successfully completed, the sites could obtain full World Heritage status, granting them enhanced international recognition and protection, as well as potentially increasing tourism. The joint nomination of Islamic and Orthodox religious monuments also underscores Kazakhstan’s cultural and religious diversity and reflects the historical coexistence of different faith traditions in the region. Previously, The Times of Central Asia reported that an updated UN Action Plan for the Protection of Religious Sites Worldwide was presented in Astana during the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.