Kumarbek Amirkhanov, Professor of the Department of Food Engineering at Shakarim University: Science is people. The laboratory is his field of action. Without it, knowledge is closed

Today an important post appeared in the Shakarim University news feed:

two modern laboratories began work at the Department of Geodesy and Construction - geotechnical and laboratory of building materials.

The event was not only the next stage in strengthening the material and technical base of the university, but also a reflection of deeper processes occurring within the academic environment: the growth of scientific schools, the strengthening of applied areas and the arrival of new generations of teachers.

A veteran, professor of the Department of Food Engineering, who raised a galaxy of famous scientists, Kumarbek Amirkhanov, speaks about the importance of continuity, the role of human capital, the history of engineering education in the region and new trends in science.

I went from a young teacher to a vice-rector and witnessed many transformations. His story is not only a look into the past, but also a clear perspective of the future: how young people come to the university, how new specialties emerge, and how laboratories become the places where science is born.

I have been working at the university since 1982. He started as a young teacher and was vice-rector. My whole life has been in science and Shakarim University is not just a place of work, but the meaning of work, where generations were formed. Many of those who today bear the title of professor, scientist, and researcher came from these walls. Here they took their first steps. Here they studied and returned as mentors.

And today, as always, I remain convinced: the main resource of the university is human capital. Youth. Those who continue their scientific school. You know, continuity is not a slogan, but the basis of university strength. This is also noted by my colleagues who are well aware of the history of the university: where we started and where we are going.

But continuity alone is not enough. The second and irreplaceable pillar is the material and technical base.

And here we see a natural movement forward. In recent years, the opening of laboratories has ceased to be a formality - it is an integrated, holistic infrastructure for research. Especially in applied areas, which has become a trend.

I remember well the time when the opening of specialties in geodesy and cartography was unusual for us.

The university has traditionally developed in the areas of food engineering, agricultural science, and humanities. But our city is industrial. Here, cement and silicate plants and other facilities generated a demand for engineering personnel. This is how the topographic college appeared, and at some stage he was even a member of our scientific and methodological council. This seems to be the logic of development.

And right now I am watching with satisfaction: the university is increasing its momentum.

The number of young teachers has increased significantly. This is what I've always said. Here is an example - Ilyas Zhumadilov, the head of the department, grew up before our eyes. Or Nazira Kudarinova, our graduate, who, during a period of shortage of specialists, managed to take over the leadership of the department. She did it. And today we see how the department has grown, been renewed, filled with new people, a new formation.

The event became a structural turn. The geotechnical laboratory and the laboratory of building materials become part of the daily life of the department, which is part of one of the strongest higher schools of the university - the School of Artificial Intelligence and Engineering. This direction today determines tomorrow.

I am proud that Shakarim University is defined by the space of opportunities for students in the direction of research, publications, and thoughts. It is such spaces that lead us to articles in ranking journals, to scientific competitions, to applied projects.

Summarizing this early morning, and the event in which we all took part, I will say that the launch of the laboratories indicates that a scientific environment is being built in which everyone has room to grow. And this is already the result.