A Scientific Seminar on the History of the Development of Information Technologies in China (1970–1990) Held at the Department of Chinese Studies

On November 18, a scientific seminar titled “The Evolution and Preconditions of the Formation of Information Technologies in China: Early Research and State Policy (1970–1990)” was held at the Department of Chinese Studies, Faculty of Oriental Studies, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The seminar was initiated and presented by second-year doctoral student Ulzhan Zhubaniyazova.

The seminar was attended by PhD Madiev D.A., PhD Kerimbayev E.A., PhD, Associate Professor Dauen D.B., as well as master’s and doctoral students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

Ulzhan Zhubaniyazova delivered her research findings in the format of a multimedia presentation, providing a comprehensive literature review on the formation and evolution of China’s IT sector from the 1970s to the 1990s. The review included both domestic and international academic sources.

The presentation covered the following key areas:

1. Early Scientific Research of the 1970s.
Highlighted were initial computer technology projects, military-engineering initiatives, the work of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and early attempts to develop China’s first personal computer.

2. Deng Xiaoping’s Reforms and the “Four Modernizations” Program (1978).
The review analyzed Chinese, English, and Russian studies on how economic and political reforms influenced the development of China’s scientific and technological sectors.

3. Formation of the National Computer and Electronics Industry in the 1980s.
Discussed were the development of Great Wall, Lenovo (Legend), and CAS laboratories, the creation of integrated circuits, international partnerships, and technology transfer processes.

4. State Programs and China’s IT Policy.
Special attention was given to the 863 Program, the Torch Program, the “Open Doors” policy, the emergence of technoparks, and the formation of high-tech zones.

5. The Role of the Educational System in IT Personnel Training.
The review included studies on the development of computer science education at Tsinghua University, Peking University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

At the end of the seminar, participants discussed the presented findings, exchanged ideas, and addressed questions to the speaker. Based on the seminar results, the official report for Ulzhan Zhubaniyazova’s dissertation research seminar was approved.