Sharmanov National Medical University has launched the “Personality. Era. Society” project. Its first guest was Kazakh historian Yerkin Amanzholovich Abil, Doctor of Historical Sciences and Professor. His lecture, “The History of Kazakhstan’s Independence: Challenges, Achievements and Trends,” explored the country’s journey over 35 years of independence.

Professor Abil described the challenges Kazakhstan faced in the early 1990s. Disrupted economic ties, industry’s dependence on the Soviet central authorities and a fragmented transport network required solutions alongside the establishment of the country’s own state institutions. He paid particular attention to the development of statehood, the creation of the financial system and the introduction of the national currency.

Yerkin Abil illustrated the changes in the country through specific indicators, including economic development, housing construction, road and railway expansion, and increased access to natural gas. Comparative data traced the transformation of Kazakhstan’s infrastructure and its position among other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.

The demographic section of the lecture was of particular interest to the medical university audience. Professor Abil examined trends in population size, life expectancy, birth rates and child mortality. The presentation also addressed household incomes, inflation and social inequality.

The final part of the lecture focused on Kazakhstan’s development prospects, covering transport and energy projects, digital technologies, investment and social infrastructure.

Organised by the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, the “Personality. Era. Society” project will continue with meetings featuring scholars, government and public figures, and representatives of culture and the arts. The open dialogue format will allow audiences to discuss the guests’ professional journeys, life experiences and the events they have taken part in.