Pride of the Department of Botany and Agroecology — Recipients of the “Best University Lecturer – 2025” Title

Three scholars from the Department of Botany and Agroecology at the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, have been awarded the honorary title “Best University Lecturer – 2025.” This is a high recognition of our department’s consistent work in education and research, and clear evidence of high-quality teaching and impactful scientific contributions in geobotany.

Today, geobotany goes far beyond describing vegetation cover: it is closely connected with such pressing areas as ecosystem stability assessment, biodiversity conservation, monitoring of natural areas, analysis of degradation processes, adaptation to climate risks, and restoration ecology. Addressing these complex challenges requires both a strong teaching school and a modern research approach. Therefore, this award acknowledges our colleagues’ achievements not only in teaching, but also in building and advancing a scientific community.

On this joyful occasion, we sincerely congratulate our colleagues and highlight—step by step—their contributions to geobotany and their strengths as outstanding educators.

Kurmambayeva Meruyert Sakenovna — Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor

Dean of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology; Professor at the Department of Botany and Agroecology.

First and foremost, Meruert Sakenovna’s work provides a strong impetus for the department’s educational and scientific development. She systematically improves the learning process on a solid methodological basis, supports students’ research potential, and enhances the quality of training future researchers.

In addition, by strengthening teaching and methodological content in core geobotanical fields—phytocenology and biogeocenology—she effectively integrates issues of nature conservation, biodiversity protection, and comprehensive vegetation assessment into both education and research. This is an important step that connects theory with practice and meets modern scientific standards.

As a top-level educator, she consistently fosters students’ culture of field observation, skills of data analysis and scientific synthesis, and a commitment to academic integrity and rigorous scientific writing.

Tynybekov Bekzat Makulbayevich — Research Professor

Research Professor at the Department of Botany and Agroecology.

Next, it is important to note that Bekzat Makulbayevich’s work is closely linked to strengthening the field-based and applied dimensions of geobotany. Through courses focused on plant recognition and classification, structural description, and field training practices, he makes a significant contribution to building the field and analytical skills essential for geobotanical research.

Moreover, his involvement in studies assessing the spatial distribution of vegetation cover and community structure across diverse natural conditions, implementing monitoring, and interpreting results using digital and cartographic approaches increases the practical relevance of geobotany.

He also contributes to improving educational quality through the development of teaching materials related to aquatic and riparian ecosystems. As an educator, he trains students to think from practice, work competently with data, and present research outcomes in a clear academic format.

Nurmakhanova Akmaral Sadykovna — Associate Researcher, PhD

Associate Researcher at the Department of Botany and Agroecology.

Akmaral Sadykovna’s scientific and teaching activity makes a special contribution to deepening geobotany’s content and strengthening its applied dimension. She has 22 years of research experience in biology and ecology, is the author of more than 97 scientific publications, and has also worked successfully in профильных research institutions—demonstrating a strong link between science and education.

In her research, she has conducted comprehensive geobotanical analyses of plant communities under diverse natural conditions, describing their composition, structure, vertical stratification, vegetation cover metrics, and ecological characteristics. Such work provides a scientific basis for timely assessment of vegetation change, evaluation of ecosystem resilience, and evidence-based monitoring and management decisions for natural areas.

In addition, her teaching and methodological work in the fields of hydrobotany and algology strengthens students’ applied competencies and supports the connection between theory and practice. As an outstanding lecturer, she purposefully guides students toward systematic planning of laboratory and field work, evidence-based reasoning, academic-standard reporting, the development of scientific thinking culture, and the growth of young researchers’ potential.

Thus, Kurmambayeva Meruyert Sakenovna, Tynybekov Bekzat Makulbayevich, and Nurmakhanova Akmaral Sadykovna are the true pride of our department—advancing both education and research in geobotany.

Congratulations on the distinguished title “Best University Lecturer – 2025.” We wish you good health, scientific inspiration, successful projects, and new achievements together with your students!