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Science

Air Pollution Research Center Opens at Osh State University with Japanese Support

A new Inter-Institutional Research Center for Air Pollution Studies (IRCAPS) has been inaugurated at Osh State University in southern Kyrgyzstan. The center is part of a five-year joint project between Osh State University and the Tokyo University of Science. Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), the $5 million initiative includes full provision of technical equipment for the facility. The opening ceremony, held on November 18, was attended by Professor Nobutoshi Nawa, a leading scientist from the Tokyo University of Science, and Nishigato Kotaro, JICA’s representative in Kyrgyzstan. Osh State University Rector Kudaiberdi Kojobekov stated that the center's establishment represents a new phase in scientific and educational collaboration between Kyrgyzstan and Japan. The center will focus on studying the health impacts of air pollution. Monitoring equipment will be installed both indoors and outdoors in residential areas to assess air quality in Osh, Bishkek, and other regions. Japanese scientists will collaborate directly with Kyrgyz researchers, and the resulting data will be used to formulate policy recommendations for relevant institutions and stakeholders. The project is being carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, the Hydrometeorological Service, the International Higher Medical School, the Osh City Administration, and various international partners. Air pollution remains a critical issue in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in its largest urban centers, Bishkek and Osh. Key sources include the widespread use of coal for heating and vehicle exhaust emissions.

History

Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev: Pioneer, Patriot, and Kazakh Visionary

Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev, a Kazakh scholar, politician, and visionary, has returned to the spotlight with the publication of his book The History of the Kazakh People in Kazakhstan. This book, originally written in Russian in 1925 under the title Materials on the History of the Kyrgyz-Kazakh People, was republished in Kazakh in 2023 by AmalBooks. The work explores the origins of the Kazakh tribes, the development of Kazakh statehood, and the nation’s rich history. Tynyshpaev was a towering figure in Kazakh history. Born on May 12, 1879, in the Lepsinsky district of Semirechyenskaya Oblast, he rose to prominence as one of the founders of the Alash movement. Beyond his roles as a historian and scholar, he was Kazakhstan’s first railway engineer, a deputy in the Second State Duma of the Russian Empire, and a leading contributor to the construction of the Turkestan-Siberian Railway. He also served briefly as deputy chairman of the Alash Autonomy government. The Central State Archive of Kazakhstan preserves three unique photographs that capture moments from Tynyshpaev’s extraordinary life. The first photograph, dated around 1900, shows a young Tynyshpaev as a student of the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers in St. Petersburg, where he studied from 1900 to 1905. This image, taken at the Leibin and Sons photo studio in Verny (now Almaty), reflects his early academic promise. In the second photograph, Tynyshpaev is seen among representatives of the Kazakh student intelligentsia studying at universities in St. Petersburg (he is seated third from the left). The archive dates the document between 1903 and 1909 and includes the following caption: "Dosmukhamedov Kh. (third row, third from the left) - student of the Imperial Military Medical Academy of St. Petersburg; Tynyshpaev M. (second row, second from the right) - student of the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers named after Alexander I with fellow countrymen." Upon studying this document, we identified Zhansey (Zhihansha) Alimuratovich Seydalin — a student of the Faculty of Law at St. Petersburg University (third row, second from the left). He later became a public figure, lawyer, and member of the national Alash party. Also present in the photograph is the first Kazakh woman to receive higher education at St. Petersburg universities — Gulsum Asfendiyarova (second row, left). Today, Gulsum Asfendiyarova is known as the first Kazakh female doctor with a higher education, an organizer of the healthcare system in the Turkestan region, a medical educator, and the elder sister of Sanjar Asfendiyarov — a renowned doctor, political figure, scholar, and professor, after whom the medical university in Almaty is now named. Mukhamedzhan Tynyshpaev studied at the Imperial Institute of Railway Engineers in St. Petersburg from 1900 to 1905. Kh. Dosmukhamedov studied at the Imperial Military Medical Academy in St. Petersburg from 1903 to 1909. Zh. Seydalin studied at St. Petersburg University from 1900 to 1904. Asfendiyarova studied at the Women’s Medical Institute in St. Petersburg from 1902 to 1908. Based on these facts, it can be assumed that the photograph was taken in 1903 or 1904 when all the mentioned...

Approval Ratings

Tokayev’s Approval Rating Soars Amid Economic Gains, But Leadership Challenges Persist

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s approval rating remains consistently high, as confirmed by multiple surveys. However, experts note challenges within Kazakhstan's political landscape, including a lack of standout leaders and frequent staff turnover in government structures. High Approval Ratings Linked to Economic Well-Being In December 2024, the Social and Political Research Foundation "Strategy" released a survey showing President Tokayev's approval rating at 80.4%. This marks an increase from December 2023, when the foundation reported a 76.4% approval rating. Other studies corroborate these findings; for instance, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies found in July 2024 that 77.1% of Kazakhstanis trust the president. Explaining the methodology behind these surveys, Gulmira Ileuova, head of the Strategy Foundation and a member of the advisory public organization, the National Kurultai, told the Times of Central Asia: “The question to respondents is framed as, ‘Do you approve of the activities of the president, parliament, and government?’ Of those surveyed, 80.4% chose ‘I approve/Somewhat approve.’ Additionally, a separate project showed trust in the president at 77%.” Ileuova highlighted that Tokayev has faced numerous social, economic, and political challenges during his tenure. She noted a significant drop in his approval rating during December 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine restrictions were in effect. At that time, his approval rating fell to 40%. However, it rebounded in the subsequent years, reaching its highest level in 2024. By comparison, the government and parliament lag in terms of public support, with approval ratings of 59% and 54%, respectively. Ileuova explained that such gaps between the president’s popularity and that of other branches of government were also characteristic during the presidency of Nursultan Nazarbayev, which ended in 2019. The sustainability of these high ratings, she argued, hinges on the country’s economic performance. Historically, fluctuations in citizens’ well-being have had a direct impact on the approval ratings of political leaders. Criticism and Public Perception Despite the high ratings, Ileuova acknowledged skepticism toward her research. Critics often accuse survey organizations of bias, particularly those who inhabit what she describes as “information bubbles.” “On social media, individuals often focus solely on content that aligns with their negative perception of the president or the country’s overall situation. For example, some claim the government failed to help flood victims. While isolated cases exist, most victims received aid, and houses were built for them. Of course, there are valid reasons for criticism, but there are also many achievements that benefit ordinary people,” she explained. The connection between Tokayev’s approval rating and public living standards is evident. According to Strategy’s December 2024 survey, 29.6% of respondents described their financial situation as “good” or “very good,” while 15% rated theirs as “bad” or “very bad.” The majority - 52.8% - said their family’s financial situation is “average.” The Challenge of Personnel Management Experts point to difficulties in assessing President Tokayev’s personnel policies. While some figures - such as Mazhilis Speaker Yerlan Koshanov, Senate Speaker Maulen Ashimbayev, State Counselor Yerlan Karin, and Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov - maintain steady approval ratings,...

Anti-Corruption

More Than Half of Uzbeks View Nepotism as a Corruption Problem

According to the United Nations, corruption costs developing countries approximately $1.26 trillion annually. Since 2016, Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms to combat corruption, including the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the simplification of public services, and the full digitalization of public procurement systems. A recent study conducted by Uzbekistan's Anti-Corruption Agency, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea sheds light on public attitudes toward corruption. The study used surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews, covering all 14 regions of Uzbekistan and gathering responses from 503 participants. Key Findings The study revealed that public understanding of corruption in Uzbekistan often focuses on bribery and nepotism. Over half of respondents identified abuse of office and nepotism as corrupt practices. However, less than 40% considered valuable gifts a form of corruption, with many viewings them as gestures of gratitude rather than bribes. While bribery is widely condemned - 88.4% of respondents disapproved of it - attitudes toward small gifts for good service were more lenient. Sectors Most Affected The study highlighted the sectors most susceptible to corruption: Healthcare and Education: Particularly in higher education. Local Governance: Frequent opportunities for misuse of authority. Traffic Safety Services, Internal Affairs, Roads, and Construction: Identified as high-risk areas, with rural residents particularly concerned about corruption in road construction. Reporting Corruption Despite witnessing corrupt practices, few respondents report such behavior to authorities. Among respondents: Men: 79.2% were slightly more willing to report corruption than women (70.4%). Women: Showed greater interest in using mobile applications or online portals for reporting (85.2% versus 79.2% of men). Persons with Disabilities: Reported corruption less frequently, but expressed a high willingness to use online tools if made accessible. Trust in Anti-Corruption Institutions Trust in anti-corruption institutions varied significantly: Urban Residents: Trusted the media (20.3%) and bloggers (17.3%) more than rural residents. Rural Residents: Had higher trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency (21.4%). Persons with Disabilities: Showed trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency, media, and bloggers. General Public: Less than 5% said they trust no one to address corruption. Moving Forward The findings suggest that while public awareness of corruption is growing, attitudes toward certain practices, such as gift-giving, remain complex. Efforts to increase transparency, provide accessible reporting tools, and build trust in anti-corruption institutions are critical to further reducing corruption in Uzbekistan.

Science

Turkmenistan Scientists Develop New Camel Thorn Microencapsulation Technology

Specialists of the biotechnology department of the International Scientific and Technological Park of the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan have developed a technology for microencapsulation of camel thorn extract of medicinal plant. The development was officially recognized, and the State Intellectual Property Service of the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan issued the relevant certificate. The development of such technologies has become relevant due to the high demand for drugs from local raw materials, which require methods that preserve physicochemical and technological properties. Extraction from camel thorns is carried out by crushing the plant and isolating the active substances with the help of a special mixture. Microencapsulation allows the active substances to be enclosed in microcapsules, which preserves their properties and regulates their release, enhancing the effectiveness of drugs. The extract created can be used for pharmaceutical and food purposes. Microencapsulated extracts have several advantages, such as high pharmacological activity, positive tolerability, and minimal side effects. According to Altyn Rakhmanova, head of the biotechnology department, the peculiarity of the new technology is that it improves the therapeutic and preventive qualities of products at a low cost. All preparations are made of natural components. They meet the requirements of modern phytotherapy and do not contain artificial additives. Camel thorn (Alhagi persarum) is a medicinal plant with many healing properties. It contains flavonoids, saponins, sugars, tannins, vitamins C, K, and B vitamins, carotene, ursolic acid, traces of alkaloids, essential oils, dyes, and resins. Camel thorn is used as a natural remedy for various ailments, effectively relieving colds, flu, sore throat, bronchitis, and coughs. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, biotechnologists at the Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan are advancing local biotechnological production. They are developing fodder supplements from the pods of the native gladichia tree and have also developed a new lactose-based gel designed to rejuvenate and address age-related skin changes. Among other reported recent innovations, Turkmen scientists have created a therapeutic ointment from the maclura tree, introduced to Central Asia, which reduces inflammation and accelerates wound healing. Additionally, they have formulated a cosmetic cream made from oil derived from silkworm cocoons. Earlier, they also launched a line of crackers infused with camel thorn extract.