Goals
The department aims to train highly qualified students with in-depth knowledge in the fields of microbiology, virology, parasitology, and immunology, capable of applying modern scientific advances in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of infectious diseases. In its scientific activities, the department focuses on conducting fundamental and applied research, developing innovative methods and technologies, and integrating the obtained results into the educational process.
History of the Department
The Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology was established in 1965. The founder and first head of the department was Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor A.L. Kotova. From 1976 to 2002, the department was headed by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Sh.I. Sarbasova – an academician and distinguished microbiologist who founded her own scientific school in the fields of medical microbiology, virology, and immunology.
Professor Sharbat Iglikovna Sarbasova was one of the founders of the Department of Microbiology and Virology at the Astana Medical University (formerly Kazakh State Medical Academy) and led the department for 27 years. Through her dedication and hard work, she became one of the leading scientists in her field, creating a strong scientific school in medical microbiology, virology, and immunology. She authored over 200 scientific works, including 7 inventions and 20 rationalization proposals. Under her supervision, 13 Ph.D. dissertations and 2 doctoral dissertations were successfully defended.
By the initiative of the department staff and the decision of the Academic Council of Kazakh State Medical Academy (December 2005), the department was named in honor of Professor Sh.I. Sarbasova, who had headed it for 25 years.
Since 2006, the department has been led by Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, and Honored Healthcare Worker of the Republic of Kazakhstan – Marat Uteuovich Dusmagambetov.
Activity
Educational Work
In accordance with the approved academic curricula, the teaching staff of the department has developed comprehensive educational and methodological packages for all disciplines taught at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels.
The faculty actively implements innovative teaching technologies in the educational process, including small group learning, mind mapping, associative signaling, problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), and research-based learning (RBL).
All lectures are delivered with multimedia support, and interactive feedback sessions are regularly conducted, allowing students to ask questions and evaluate the quality of material presentation. Electronic databases are widely used throughout the learning process.
The department has developed and introduced several elective courses, such as: Medical Parasitology, Medical Foundations of Vaccination, Virology of New Pathogens and Strains, Clinical Microbiology in Dentistry, Sanitary Microbiology of Food Products and others, which provide essential knowledge for healthcare professionals of all specialties.
During the last academic year, the department produced four educational and methodological publications outside the university, five internal study guides, and introduced several implementation acts aimed at improving the educational process.
Research Activities
Under the leadership of Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor M.U. Dusmagambetov, and the faculty of the department, two International Scientific and Practical Conferences dedicated to the memory of Academician, Professor Sh.I. Sarbasova have been organized and successfully held. The department’s staff actively participate in various international and national conferences, and doctoral students are trained at the department on a regular basis.
The Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology named after Sh.I. Sarbasova continues the distinguished traditions and maintains a leading position among the theoretical departments of the university — a legacy established by our mentor and teacher, Academician, Professor Sharbat Iglikovna Sarbasova. This is confirmed by the university’s internal rankings, in which the department consistently ranks among the top three in all areas of academic and research performance.
Particular attention is devoted to student research activities. The department hosts a discussion club “School of Clinical Microbiology”, where students actively engage in scientific debates and presentations. Every year, students participate in the International Student Olympiad in Samarkand and the International Subject Olympiad in Almaty, where they have repeatedly become prize-winners, receiving diplomas and certificates of achievement. Under the supervision of the department’s faculty, students also take part in research projects, winning awards at scientific competitions.
Additionally, within the framework of international exchange programs in collaboration with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations (IFMSA) and its SCOPE X-change Committee, the department annually welcomes students from Romania, Turkey, Egypt, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovakia, and Russia for educational internships conducted in the department’s educational microbiology laboratory.
Mentorship and Student Development Activities
The department’s educational and mentorship activities are carried out in accordance with the University’s Educational Work Plan. Faculty members actively participate in all university events and initiatives.
The department conducts curatorial work with undergraduate students. Together with their students, the faculty organize subject Olympiads, visit museums and theaters, hold debates with students from other universities, and conduct lectures and advisory sessions on important social and ethical topics such as: “Family and Society”, “HIV/AIDS Awareness”, “Combating Gambling Addiction”, “Friendship and Mutual Respect”, and others.
The department’s professors also carry out career guidance and outreach work in schools across the city of Astana, and organize an annual Summer School for prospective medical students.
The Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology named after Sh.I. Sarbasova was awarded the Grand Prix in the national competition “Best Department – 2021” among medical universities. Furthermore, according to the results of the university departmental rankings in educational, scientific, clinical, and social-educational work, the department consistently ranks among the top three theoretical departments, achieving the highest scores across all areas of activity.
Achievements
The Department of Microbiology, Virology, and Immunology named after Sh.I. Sarbasova maintains fruitful collaborations with Nazarbayev University and leading regional scientific centers, including: National Center for Biotechnology of the Republic of Kazakhstan, National Scientific Medical Center, City Center for Phthisiopulmonology, City Center for HIV Prevention, as well as with city polyclinics under signed memoranda of cooperation with the Astana Medical University (JSC).
The department actively develops international research collaborations. One of its key partners is the University of Washington (Seattle, USA) – Department of Microbiology led by Professor Evgeni Sokurenko, as well as Professor Andrey Lobashevskiy (Indiana, USA).
The department also maintains strong scientific and professional ties with leading research centers and universities in the Russian Federation, including: First Moscow State Medical University named after I.M. Sechenov, National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after V.I. Kulakov, Ministry of Health of Russia, Research Institute of Medical Mycology, St. Petersburg, Research Institute of Natural-Focal Infections, Omsk, Research Institute of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Smolensk State Medical University.
Department staff regularly participate in the Russian Diagnostic Summit (Moscow) and the All-Russian Congress on Medical Microbiology, Clinical Mycology, and Immunology “Kashkinskiye Readings”, where in 2024 the 1st Russian-Kazakh Forum was held with the active involvement of the department.
The department organizes an annual subject Olympiad for students on the topic “Secrets of Medical Microbiology”, which has become a tradition and enjoys high popularity among learners. In recent years, the department has developed and successfully implemented 10 innovative methodological acts aimed at improving the educational process and enhancing the quality of academic programs. These initiatives have contributed to the active involvement of students in scientific and educational activities and have strengthened their professional competencies in the field of medical microbiology.
All faculty members continually enhance their professional, scientific, and pedagogical skills through advanced training programs organized by the Center for Educational and Distance Technology Transfer in collaboration with the Research Activity Center of Astana Medical University and within the university.
The department’s faculty carry out comprehensive activities in accordance with the strategic plan of Astana Medical University (JSC), the department’s annual plan, and individual faculty plans. They deliver reports at conferences, regularly publish in peer-reviewed journals, participate in television programs, and are active members of professional societies.
Address:
3rd Floor, 33 Saryarka Street, Astana, Kazakhstan
e-mail: dusmagambetov.m@amu.kz
