Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences Participated in a Round Table Dedicated to the 90th Anniversary of Academician Igor V. Severskiy

On August 17, 2026, Almaty hosted a round table dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Igor V. Severskiy, an outstanding Kazakhstani glaciologist, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Geographical Sciences and Professor. The event was held at the UN Plaza and organized by the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Center, a Category 2 Center under the auspices of UNESCO.

The Dean of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University participated in the round table, joining representatives of the scientific and academic community, colleagues and students of the distinguished scientist in honoring his remarkable contribution to science.

Igor V. Severskiy is an internationally recognized scientist, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor, founder of the Kazakhstani scientific school of glaciology, and Scientific Director of the Central Asian Regional Glaciological Center, a Category 2 Center under the auspices of UNESCO. He is a laureate of the Chokan Valikhanov Prize and the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan and has been awarded the Orders of Kurmet and Parasat.

His scientific interests encompass mountain hydrology, glaciology, hydrophysics of mountain landscapes, assessment of snow cover and avalanche hazards, climate change, mountain cryosphere dynamics, and water security. Under his leadership, dozens of scientific programs and projects have been successfully implemented, including 24 international projects. He is the author of more than 200 scientific publications, including 14 monographs.

Long-term studies of glaciers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia hold a particularly important place in Professor Severskiy’s scientific legacy. At his initiative, a consistent series of standardized glacier inventories has been developed. For several areas of the Balkhash-Alakol Basin, glacier inventories covering six to eleven time periods between 1955 and 2022 have been compiled. These materials provide an important scientific basis for monitoring regional glacier dynamics and assessing the contribution of glacier meltwater to river runoff and regional water resources.

Igor V. Severskiy’s many years of scientific and organizational activity have made a significant contribution to the development of geographical science, glaciology and mountain hydrology in Kazakhstan, the training of highly qualified researchers, and the strengthening of international cooperation in the study of the cryosphere and water resources.

The Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University sincerely congratulates Igor V. Severskiy on his 90th anniversary!

Dear Professor Severskiy, 

your outstanding contribution to geographical science, glaciology and mountain hydrology, your lifelong dedication to science, and your commitment to educating generations of researchers deserve the highest respect and appreciation. The scientific school you established and the results of your many years of research continue to provide a strong foundation for studying the mountain cryosphere and water resources and for addressing water security challenges in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.

We wish you excellent health, longevity, well-being, boundless energy and continued scientific achievements. May your exceptional scientific and life experience continue to contribute to the advancement of science for many years to come, surrounded by grateful students, colleagues, family and loved ones!