“Toponymy of the Native Region: The History of Renaming”

On October 13, 2026, N. T. Kakisheva, Assistant Professor of the Department of Russian Philology and World Literature, together with first-year students majoring in Logistics at the Higher School of Economics and Business of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, held an event entitled “Toponymy of the Native Region: The History of Renaming” as part of the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG 11) — “Sustainable Cities and Communities.”

The aim of the event was to familiarize students with the origins of geographical names in Kazakhstan, the history of their changes, and the role of toponymy in reflecting social and cultural processes.

During the event, students delivered reports and presentations on the history and renaming of cities such as Astana, Almaty, Taraz, Zhezkazgan, Aktau, Atyrau, Semey, and other settlements in Kazakhstan. Particular attention was paid to historical events and sociocultural factors that influenced the formation and transformation of geographical names.

The event contributed to the development of students’ research and communication skills, fostered respect for historical and cultural heritage, and enhanced their understanding of the importance of preserving the unique identity of cities in the context of SDG 11