Secrets about the teacher who laid the bricks of the University

There are individuals in Kazakhstan who wholeheartedly serve their nation, give voice to its concerns, preserve its values, and devote themselves to nurturing future generations. One such remarkable figure is Kudiyarbek Agybayev—recipient of the Order of Kurmet, two-time Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, laureate of the Journalists' Union Award, Senior Lecturer at the Faculty of Journalism of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, prizewinner of national song competitions, and composer. I have had the privilege of maintaining a lasting friendship with him for many years.

There is an ancient anecdote about Anacharsis, the Scythian philosopher of Turkic origin, whose mother was Greek. Fluent in Greek, he once sought out the philosopher Solon and said, "I have come to become your friend." Solon replied that it would be better to seek friends in one's own homeland. Anacharsis answered without hesitation: "But you yourself are in your own country and have just responded to me. Therefore, you must already be willing to be my friend." Impressed by his wit, Solon warmly welcomed him, and their acquaintance developed into lifelong friendship.

In much the same way, my friendship with Kudiyarbek Agybayev began in the 1980s while we were working in the grain-growing regions of Kostanay Region. We spent countless days together, preparing television and radio reports directly from the fields. Later, Mr. Agybayev worked for more than a decade as a parliamentary correspondent covering the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In recognition of his professional achievements, he was awarded the commemorative medal "20 Years of the Constitution of Kazakhstan."

Throughout his distinguished career, Kudiyarbek Moldabayuly Agybayev accumulated extensive experience in journalism. Between 1987 and 2000, he worked at Kazakh Radio, progressing from junior correspondent to Acting Director General. During this period, he contributed to the modernization of one of Kazakhstan's oldest electronic media outlets by helping introduce digital broadcasting technologies for such programs as "Tauilik Tynysy" and "Panorama Dnya." He also spent more than thirteen years working for national newspapers and magazines.

From an early age, Agybayev devoted himself to literature, writing essays, poems, short stories, and journalistic articles while drawing inspiration from distinguished figures such as Sherkhan Murtaza, Mukagali Makatayev, Shamshi Kaldayakov, and Beken Zhamakayev.

In 1980, a collection of his poems for children was published in the magazine Baldyrgan, accompanied by a foreword by the renowned poet Mukhtar Alimbayev, and received a warm response from readers. Since then, his literary works—including stories, poetic ballads, and essays—have regularly appeared in national publications and anthologies such as The Twelve Months, Songs for Children, The Tenderness of Love, The Beginning of Prosperity, and We Are Octobrists.

His published books include the poetry collection Swallows, the novella Unbroken Hope, the reflective work The Notebook of Wisdom, children's books My Dear, My Little Foal, and Greeting Is the Mother of Words, as well as research publications including Kazakh Radio – 80 and the two-volume Desht-i Kipchak Is Our Website.

Several of his screenplays—including The Postman Zhamankul Who Raced the Moon, The Bald Boy, The Ginger Cat, and Why the Camel Missed Becoming the First Animal of the Year—were adapted into animated films by Kazakhfilm Studio.

As the poet Sarsenbek Bekmuratuly once wrote:

"His heart is as generous as the Volga, his soul as vast as the Ural;
His melodies are worthy of Kasym's poetry.
Share the gifts that dwell within you—
Agybayev is one of Kazakhstan's true talents."

Indeed, the Kazakh proverb says that "even seven talents are not enough for a man." In addition to his literary achievements, Kudiyarbek Agybayev has composed more than thirty songs, many of which continue to be performed on television, radio, and online platforms. In 2001, twenty of his compositions were included in a karaoke music collection released by the South Korean company LG.

When composing music, he draws spiritual inspiration from Kazakhstan's national heritage, traditions, and customs while reflecting on their significance for future generations. He often emphasizes:

"Popular music reflects the spirit of its time. However, while musical tastes may change, we should never forget our traditional songs and should always seek their origins in our national melodies."

Professor Agybayev's own life has also been closely connected with Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. After graduating from school in 1969 in the village of Almaly, Baidibek District, South Kazakhstan Region, he enrolled the following year in the university's first preparatory program before entering the Faculty of Journalism.

During the 1970s, construction of the KazGUgrad campus was in full swing. In 1974, together with fellow journalism student Auez Beisebayev, Agybayev joined a student construction brigade organized by the Department of Physical Education under the leadership of V. Liberman and A. Beisembekov, both Masters of Sport of the USSR. Throughout the summer, they helped build the university's Main Administrative Building and the Faculty of Chemistry. More than half a century has now passed, making those early builders of the university increasingly difficult to find.

Today, Kudiyarbek Agybayev remains one of the most respected lecturers at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. He is the father of three children and grandfather of seven grandchildren. As a member of the post-war generation born in the 1950s, he has never concealed the hardships of his childhood.

Recalling those years, he says:

"I grew up surrounded by the love and care of three mothers—three sisters-in-law who treated one another as true sisters and raised each other's children as their own. Perhaps that is why the Kazakh people, despite enduring countless hardships, have survived through the generations. My mother passed away when I was only two and a half months old. I have neither her photograph nor any memory of her. My elder brother was eight years old. My mother's sister-in-law, Kalysh, took both of us into her care. After her own husband died from war wounds, she even arranged early marriages for her two daughters so that they would not become an additional burden. She devoted her entire life to raising my brother and me, tending sheep and growing melons to ensure that our family line would continue. Before she passed away, she entrusted me to another relative, Nauat, who also embraced me with maternal affection. The cold winds of autumn, the harsh frosts of winter, the warmth of summer, and the gentle spring sunshine all became part of the love that carried me through childhood."

The ancient philosopher Democritus once observed:

"A person who has not even one true friend need not live at all."

Those of us fortunate enough to know Kudiyarbek Agybayev consider it a privilege to count him among our colleagues and friends. Through his kindness, generosity, and unwavering dedication to journalism, literature, music, and education, he has become an elder brother to the younger generation and a trusted friend to his peers.

Amir Moldabekov
Candidate of Philological Sciences