Nursulu Zhamalbekovna Shaymerdenova
Nursulu Zhamalbekovna Shaymerdenova, Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor, Honorary Professor of Shakarim State University of Semey,
currently holds the position of Professor at the Department of Russian Philology and World Literature, and serves as the Director of the Research Institute of Turkology and Altaistics at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. She is a member of the Kazakhstan Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature (KazPRL), and an Honorary Member of the National Academy of Education Sciences of Kazakhstan (NAES ANK).
Brief bibliographical sketch
Nursulu Zhamalbekovna Shaimerdenova was born on December 16, 1958 in the village. Novotroitskoye, Dzhambyl region (now Tole Bi, Shuisky district, Zhambyl region). Father - Shaimerdenov Zhamalbek Shaimerdenovich (01/04/1928, Shaulder village, Otrar district, South Kazakhstan region - 04/17/1998, Almaty) - Soviet labor veteran, an outstanding public and political figure in Kazakhstan. In the city of Shymkent a street is named after him, as well as in the city of Shymkent and the village. Shaulder erected a monument in his honor. Mother – Shaimerdenova Alipa Tusupbekovna (1928–2000) – teacher of history and Kazakh language.
In the period from 1966 to 1976, Nursulu Zhamalbekovna studied at secondary school #20 named after G. S. Titov in Chimkent (now Shymkent). After graduating from high school, N. Zh. Shaimerdenova entered the Kazakh State University named after. S. M. Kirova (now Al-Farabi KazNU) to the Faculty of Philology, graduating in 1981, received the qualification “teacher of Russian language and literature.”
Among the young specialists, she was sent to the Pedagogical Institute (Chimkent, now Shymkent) as a teacher, and then as a research intern.
In 1984, Nursulu Zhamalbekovna entered graduate school at the Moscow State Pedagogical Institute. V.I. Lenin (now Moscow State Pedagogical University), listened to lectures and studied at seminars of Vladimir Dmitrievich Arakin, Fyodor Mikhailovich Berezin, Igor Georgievich Dobrodomov, Svetlana Georgievna Kapralova, Alexander Konstantinovich Panfilov, attended lectures on ancient Greek, Latin and comparative Indo-European linguistics by Alexey Fedorovich Losev. The skill of such teachers remains in the memory for a lifetime, and it shapes scientific philological thinking.
In 1989, under the guidance of Svetlana Georgievna Kapralova N. Zh. Shaimerdenova successfully defended her thesis “Glosses in monuments of Russian writing as a source for historical lexicology and lexicography” (official opponents: Doctor of Philology, Professor Natalya Georgievna Mikhailovskaya; Candidate of Philology, Professor Nikolina Natalya Anatolyevna). The consultant for the candidate's dissertation was the famous Turkologist Igor Georgievich Dobrodomov, who, by giving an interesting topic, thereby determined the research paradigm of the young applicant
After completing her postgraduate studies, candidate of philological sciences N. Zh. Shaimerdenova for many years connected her career with the department of general linguistics of Kazakh State University named after S. M. Kirov, now Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, where she went from senior teacher to professor.
During these years, Nursulu Zhamalbekovna gave lecture courses in such disciplines as “General Linguistics”, “Introduction to Linguistics”, “Sociolinguistics”, “Comparative Typology”, “Introduction to Slavic Philology”, “Old Slavonic Language”, “Latin Language”, special course on “Linguistic source studies”, etc. In parallel, they provide scientific supervision of candidate and doctoral dissertations, graduation and coursework; carries out organizational, methodological and educational work to provide general linguistic courses with educational and methodological aids and programs.
With the establishment of the dissertation council for defending doctoral and candidate dissertations at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in such fields as Russian language, translation studies, comparative-historical, typological, and comparative linguistics under the chairmanship of E. D. Suleimenova (with Professor M. M. Kopylenko as deputy chairman), N.Zh. Shaymerdenova gains valuable experience as the academic secretary of this council.
In the same council, on November 23, 1998, Nursulu Zhamalbekovna Shaymerdenova defended her doctoral dissertation. The study on the topic "Explication of the semantics of linguistic units and lexicographical definitions" in the specialties 10.02.01 - Russian language, 10.02.20 - comparative-historical, typological, and comparative linguistics was carried out in two specialties, with Dr. Philological Sciences, Professor E. D. Suleimenova as the academic advisor.
Over the years, Nursulu Zhamalbekovna Shaymerdenova has conducted various research projects in collaboration with like-minded colleagues, including international projects such as the "Dynamics of the functional development of the state language and the effectiveness of the new language policy" (1991-2001, grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for fundamental research), "Ingush in Russia and the world: sociolinguistic research" (2007-2008, project of the Institute of Social Studies of Ingush State University, Nazran; Institute of Humanities of Tyumen State University, Tyumen; Center for Humanitarian Studies "Parasat", Almaty), "Languages of the diasporas of Kazakhstan as the basis for sustainable development of interethnic relations" (2009-2011, grant from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for fundamental and applied scientific research), II International Congress "Russian Language as the Language of Intercultural and Business Cooperation in the Multilingual Context of Eurasia" (2009, grant from the Russian World Foundation), "Language, ethnicity, culture in the context of Turkic-Slavic interaction" (2011, under the program of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Historical and Cultural Heritage and Integration Processes of Turkic Peoples and States, NAO" Turkic Academy "), "Language processes of the development of modern Turkic languages in the Eurasian polyethnic space" (2012-2013, under the program of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Historical and Cultural Heritage and Integration Processes of Turkic Peoples and States", NAO "Turkic Academy"), "Children's literature as the basis for the development of the spiritual and moral personality in the multicultural Kazakhstani society" (2012-2014, grant under the program of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Intellectual potential of the country", Shakarim State University of Semey), among others.
A particular focus in the academic work of Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova is her constant and thorough interest in the issues of Turco-Slavica, the study and description of which form the basis of scholarly research reflected in significant works such as "Turco-Slavica: Language, Ethnicity, Culture in a Unified Space" (Petropavl, 2011); "Turkic Languages in the Eurasian Space: Current State, Trends, and Prospects" (Astana, 2012); "Turkic Languages and Ethnicities: Language and Ethnodemographic Processes" (Astana, 2015); "History of World Turkology" (Almaty, 2016).
These works are the results of projects (from 2010 to 2015) carried out by the International Turkic Academy in collaboration with scholars from Russia (Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Anna Vladimirovna Dybo; Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Dmitry Mikhailovich Nasilov; Doctor of Philological Sciences, Professor Garun-Rashid Abdul-Kadyrovich Guseynov; Candidate of Philological Sciences, Associate Professor Alexander Konstantinovich Shaposhnikov, among others), Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, who examined the state and prospects of development of modern Turkic languages considering the language processes occurring in the new independent states of the Eurasian polyethnic space.
N.Zh. Shaymerdenova's active scholarly life is reflected in numerous publications and presentations at international conferences and forums. She is the author of over 200 scientific publications in Russian, Kazakh, and English, as well as conference abstracts in Kazakhstan and abroad, including Germany, Poland, Russia, Slovenia, among others. She has presented papers at international congresses and conferences in Almaty (1989–2018); Regensburg (1994); Poznań (1994, 1998); Minsk (1999); Moscow (1991–2018); Saint Petersburg (2002, 2003); Lublin (2002); Ankara (2007); Shanghai (2008); London (2012); Stockholm (2010), and many others.
The creative approach to work and adept scholarly guidance enabled Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova to nurture talented young scholars who are currently working in various educational organizations and state institutions across the country (cities include Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Kokshetau, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Shymkent, etc.). She has supervised 9 doctoral and 27 candidate dissertations in philological sciences in the specialties of 10.02.01, 10.02.19, and 10.02.20, as well as approximately 12 master's theses. It is noteworthy that Kazakhstani linguistics has evolved into a national school in the complex dynamics of the changing world. A certain niche in this school is occupied by the students of N.Zh. Shaymerdenova, who continue their research projects and utilize the research findings within the courses they teach.
From 2001 to 2008, Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova served as a scientific consultant at the Educational and Research Laboratory "Kazakh Language: Socio- and Psycholinguistic Research" established at the Department of General Linguistics. She actively participates in joint sociolinguistic research projects with American scholars such as W. Rivers (National Foreign Language Center, Washington, DC, USA) and M. Winfrey (Columbia University, USA).
Creating textbooks for the Russian language and educational programs for secondary and higher education is another area of professor N.Zh.Shaymerdenova's activity where her creative potential is successfully realized. The textbook "Russian Speech" (for the 9th grade of secondary schools with Kazakh language of instruction), written jointly with N.N. Shmanova and A.G. Kosherova, has undergone several editions. Serving as the head of the subject group for the discipline "Russian Language" for Russian schools at the Republican Center for 12-Year Education (2005–2008), N.Zh. Shaymerdenova authored experimental programs for Russian language education in schools with Russian language instruction.
N.Zh. Shaymerdenova is the author of standard programs for fundamental linguistics courses for philological faculties at universities ("Introduction to Slavic Philology," "Fundamentals of Translation Theory," etc.). In collaboration with A.K. Shayakhmetova, she has developed a standard educational program for "Old Church Slavonic Language," and in collaboration with E.D. Suleimenova and L.M. Shaikenova, she has developed standard educational programs for bachelor's and master's courses for philological faculties at universities in disciplines such as "Linguistic Semantics," "Cognitive Linguistics," "Intercultural Communication and Language Contacts," among others.
In 2010, a joint dissertation council was established at the Philological Faculty of the Shakarim State University of Semey named after Sh. Ualikhanov.
Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova was appointed as the chairperson, Professor K.K. Kadysheva as the deputy chairperson, and Professor S.Zh. Bayandina as the scientific secretary. The joint dissertation council for defending dissertations for the degree of Doctor of Philological Sciences conducted defenses in three specialties: 10.02.01 – Russian language, 10.02.19 – language theory, and Doctors of Pedagogical Sciences in the specialty 13.00.02 – theory and methodology of teaching and upbringing (Kazakh language in the system of primary, secondary, and higher education) (OD 14.61.27).
The results of many scientific studies by members of the dissertation council have been recognized as contributions to solving significant linguistic problems that have important socio-cultural significance for spiritual development and enrichment of society. The relevance, novelty, theoretical, and practical significance of dissertations defended in our dissertation council have been repeatedly emphasized in reviews by leading organizations and opponents. The close cooperation of the chairperson of the dissertation council, Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova, with colleagues from other universities in Kazakhstan and Russia, as well as the active involvement of council members, has led to the invitation of doctors of philological sciences not only from other dissertation councils and universities of the Republic but also scientists from other countries for opposition to doctoral and candidate dissertations. Thus, Russian scientists such as G.E. Kreydlin, M.A. Grachev, E.Yu. Yurina, and others, as well as well-known Kazakhstani scientists such as N.I. Gainullina, E.D. Suleimenova, G.Yu. Amanbayeva, and others, visited Kokshetau for this purpose.
The establishment of a dissertation council in Kokshetau was a significant strategic direction, allowing for the training of academic personnel for cities such as Petropavl, Pavlodar, Shymkent, and, of course, primarily Kokshetau.
N.Zh. Shaymerdenova actively and effectively engages in numerous professional organizations, serving as a member of the editorial board of the "Bulletin of Graduates," published in 2009; chair of the jury for the Competition of Experts in Russian Literature "Language - the Key to All Knowledge," organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Russian Community of Kazakhstan, and the Russian Center for Science and Culture (Astana, May 14, 2010, September 14, 2012, September 13, 2013); member of the editorial board of the "Bulletin of KazPRL" (since 2000), member of the editorial board of the "Bulletin of E.A. Buketov Karaganda State University. Philological Series" (since 2008), member of the editorial board of the "Bulletin of Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University. Philological Series" (since 2008), member of the editorial board of the publication "Kazakhstan Russistics in Faces" (2009); vice-president (2007–2009) and president of the Kazakhstan Association of Graduates of Russian (Soviet) Universities (2010–2015), honorary president of the Kazakhstan Public Association "Graduates of Russian Universities" (since 2018); member of the Scientific-Expert Council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (since 2011); member of the Public Association "World through Spirituality" (2017), among others.
As the president of the Kazakhstan Association of Graduates of Russian (Soviet) Universities, N.Zh. Shaymerdenova conducted significant work to strengthen interstate cooperation and business collaboration between Kazakhstan and Russia. During this period, under her leadership, international congresses were held: "Russian Language and Literature in the 21st Century: Theoretical Problems and Applied Aspects" and "Russian Language as a Language of Intercultural and Business Cooperation in the Polylanguage Context of Eurasia," as well as numerous scientific events dedicated to the role, significance, and functioning of the Russian language in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Awards and honors: State Award of the Russian Federation "Pushkin Medal" (Decree of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin dated November 27, 2007); Honorary Badge of the Russian Abroad Center "For Contribution to the Cause of Friendship" (2008); Breastplate "For Merits in the Development of Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2009); Breastplate "Honored Worker of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2010); Breastplate "For Contribution to Culture" of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2014); Diploma (1st place) for participation in the competition "Balalar Ertegisi / Children's Tales," dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2014); Honorary Diploma from the Government of the Republic of Ingushetia (2017); Breastplate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation "For Cooperation" (2017); G.Kh. Andersen National Academic Library of the Republic of Kazakhstan Prize (2017); Highest Award of the Eurasian Literary Festival "LiFFT-2018": Silver Medal (Sochi) (2018); Breastplate of the Moscow State Linguistic University "For Merits" (2018); Gold Medal "Birlik" of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan (2018); "Lev Gumilyov" Medal for a special contribution to the development of education and science of the Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov (2018); "Ahmet Baytursynuly" Medal (TURKSOY, Certificate No. AVM-050, October 2023); "Ahmet Baytursynuly" Medal (TURKSOY, Certificate No. AVM-050, October 2023); "Kultegin" Medal for a special contribution to the development of education and science of the Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov, 2023; "Al-Farabi" Silver Medal for contribution to the development of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (Order No. 621 of December 14, 2023), 2023.
As a member of the Scientific-Expert Council of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan, N.Zh. Shaymerdenova continues research in the field of national policy. Together with E.L. Tugzhanov, G.P. Kalashnikova, A.K. Sadvakasova, E.D. Suleimenova, and others, two books were published: "Imperatives of the State Ethno-National Policy of the Republic of Kazakhstan" (2012) and "Ethno-Political Glossary: Terms and Concepts of Kazakhstan's Policy and Practice in the Sphere of Social Harmony and Interethnic Tolerance" (2014), which explain the basic principles of Kazakhstan's ethno-policy.
Since 2012, N.Zh. Shaymerdenova, as the author of fairy tales "Delfi and the Sun", "Princess of Flowers", "Beautiful Flamingo Birds", "Glossik's First Journey", has been developing a literary-enlightenment direction in the field of children's literature and children's creativity. One of the notable projects in this direction is the series of creative laboratories "Reading, Drawing, and Dreaming Together" for children and parents. As the author and ideological inspirer of this project, N.Zh. Shaymerdenova highlights the main phenomenon of modern society – the Child's Personality in the quadrivium "Family–Dream–Books–Values". Through extensive enlightenment work in various venues in Astana, Almaty, Karaganda, Pavlodar, Kokshetau (kindergartens, schools, universities, libraries), and publications, she actualizes the problem of children's and family reading, humane pedagogy, the role of children's literature as an important phenomenon in the development of linguistic personality. The results of the project's activities were reflected in the collective monograph "Children's Literature in Kazakhstan: From Discussions to Solutions", published in 2015 and reissued in 2018 (Moscow). The co-authors of this publication are like-minded colleagues – Professor O.A. Anishchenko, Associate Professors M.A. Buribaeva, D.B. Amanzholova, A.Е. Ismagulova, A.K. Zhukhenova.
N.Zh. Shaymerdenova's fairy tales are included in the recommended list of fiction for independent reading (for schools with Russian-language instruction), compiled by the I. Altynsarin National Academy of Education with the aim of helping children realize the importance of reading and fostering interest in reading the best books. This list was published in the methodological publication "Kazakhstan's Map of Children's Reading in the Aspect of Forming Functional Literacy of Schoolchildren" (Astana, 2013).
An important component of Professor N.Zh. Shaymerdenova's scientific and organizational work is the organization of various scientific forums, conferences, and meetings, which serve as an impetus for the development of scientific thought, turning points in life paths, and bright insights. One such project of the last decade is the scientific and educational project "Epoch and Personality," implemented by a team of friends and like-minded individuals. It has been implemented since 2014 and aims to popularize the scientific and cultural heritage of outstanding personalities of Kazakhstan – scholars in the field of philology (linguistics and literary studies) and interdisciplinary branches of the humanities. Since 2016, the "Epoch and Personality" project has been included in the plan of the Scientific-Expert Council of the National Academy of Sciences.
Throughout the entire period of the project's existence, a series of framework symposiums dedicated to the life and work of such figures in science and culture as Altai Sarsenovich Amanzholov, Maiya Mikhailovna Bagizbayeva, Rafik Bekenovich Nurtazin, Ogaz Arystangalievich Sultanbaev, Kobey Shakmetovich Husainov, Zeyn Zhusupbekovich Shashkin, Nadezhda Ivanovna Gainullina, Edige Darigulovich Tursunov, Eleonora Dyusenovna Suleimenova, Dmitry Mikhailovich Nasilov, Nursulu Ibraeva Buketova, Aigul Ermekovna Bizhkenova, and many others, have been conducted.
As a member of the team working within the grant project of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "AP09258780 Germanica in Kazakhstan: language, ethnicity, personality in sociolinguistic, linguopersonological, and lingvodidactic perspective" (2021–2023), N.Zh. Shaymerdenova has independently and collaboratively published scientific articles, monographs, and also conducted various scientific-practical and educational events. The project was carried out at Kokshetau University from 2021 to 2023.
By the decision of the Academic Council of the Shakarim State University of Semey dated April 12, 2012, N.Zh. Shaymerdenova was awarded the title of Honorary Professor. Certificate No. 113 was signed by the Rector N.B. Kalabayev and the Academic Secretary G.T. Tileuberdyina and certified by the seal.
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Shakarim State University named after Sh. Ualikhanov, a scientific seminar was held, where N.Zh. Shaymerdenova delivered a report, congratulating the university team on their outstanding achievements in the field of science and education.