Within SDG 15 “Life on Land”, the dissertation by Gulzat Kairanova titled “Assessment of the current status of Zygophyllum fabago L. coenopopulations in the Ile–Balkhash region” was discussed

On 13 February 2026, an extended meeting took place at the Department of Botany and Agroecology of the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The meeting was chaired by N.Z. Akhtaeva, who presented the agenda. As scheduled, the PhD dissertation of doctoral candidate Gulzat Kairanova was discussed. The dissertation is submitted under the educational program 8D05108 – Geobotany and is titled “Assessment of the current status of Zygophyllum fabago L. coenopopulations in the Ile–Balkhash region.” The defense language is Kazakh, and the presentation time limit was 20 minutes.

The study is directly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily SDG 15 “Life on Land.” Evaluating the condition of plant populations and communities in the Ile–Balkhash region provides a scientific basis for conserving terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. Within the dissertation, the current status of Zygophyllum fabago L. coenopopulations is assessed, factors influencing population stability are analyzed, and conclusions relevant to vegetation monitoring and ecosystem protection are presented.

Two reviewers delivered formal assessments: T.S. Ibragimov, Associate Professor of the Department of Botany and Agroecology (Candidate of Biological Sciences), and A.B. Kusmangazinov, PhD, Acting Associate Professor and Deputy Dean for Social and Educational Work. After the reviewers’ comments and recommendations were presented, the doctoral candidate provided reasoned responses and explained how the remarks would be taken into account.

The domestic supervisor is Asem Tleuzhanovna Mamurova (Associate Professor, Candidate of Biological Sciences, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University). The international supervisor is Ahmet Beyatly (PhD, Associate Professor, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Türkiye). The doctoral candidate completed an international research internship from 15 July to 15 August 2024 at the Department of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the University of

Health Sciences.

The dissertation outcomes were disseminated through 10 publications, including 2 papers in international journals indexed in Web of Science and Scopus, 2 papers in national scientific journals, and 6 publications in proceedings of international conferences. In 2023, the doctoral candidate also won the national grant “Täuelsizdik urpaqtary” for a related research project.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all participants. Following the discussion, participants highlighted the relevance of the topic, the quality of the presentation, and the timely fulfillment of doctoral requirements. The draft resolution was put to a vote (“in favor,” “against,” “abstained”) and received support. According to Minutes (Protocol) No. 17, the dissertation was recommended for defense and for consideration toward the award of the PhD degree.

Department of Botany and Agroecology