The editor-in-chief of the "Liter" newspaper, Zhanna Oyshybaeva, held a master class.

SDG-17 Like a swallow returning in early spring from warm lands across the ocean to its ancestral nest, the editor-in-chief of the national socio-political newspaper “Liter”, winner of the Presidential Scholarship, and Honored Worker of the Information Industry, Zhanna Oishybayeva, came specially to her alma mater — Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, where she once studied.

Zhanna Baktygulkyzy first visited the Faculty of Journalism, accompanied by her former classmate Gulnar Taji (Gulnar Zhumabaykyzy), the editor-in-chief of the university newspaper “QAZAQ UNIVERSITY”. There they met with the Dean, Kanat Auesbay.

Zhanna, who came with the goal of showing the university where she studied to her two sons, also toured the faculty departments. In conversation, she noted that in recent years many good initiatives have been implemented at the Faculty of Journalism and that it is important that highly experienced professional journalists are teaching there.

At a meeting with students, organized and moderated by Kanat Auesbayuly, the honored guest reminisced about her student years and shared her thoughts on today’s journalism. She also answered students’ questions.

Next, Zhanna visited the university’s Department of Information and Communications to get acquainted with its activities.

There is much to say about Zhanna and her contributions to domestic journalism. Her professionalism is exceptional — back in the 2010s, when we worked together in Mangystau, I often witnessed her ability to make quick and bold decisions in any situation. At that time, Zhanna served as an adviser to the regional governor. She played a key role in the launch of the “Aktau Akparat” newspaper under the Aktau city administration. Later, the idea of creating the “Mangystau-Media” holding company also originated during that period.

Indeed, it is no surprise that Zhanna became such a strong journalist. In addition to the excellent education she received at the Faculty of Journalism of Al-Farabi KazNU, she was also raised by a strong father. Her father, Baktygul Oishybayev, was one of Kazakhstan’s distinguished sons — a writer, journalist, and long-time editor of a district newspaper in the West Kazakhstan region. He guided both Zhanna and her brother, Kemelbek Oishybayev, now the head of the “Khabar” TV channel, into the world of journalism.

To be honest, graduates of Al-Farabi KazNU — whether they now work in various positions across the country or are already retired — whenever they happen to be in Almaty, they eagerly visit this beloved place. After all, our alma mater, KazNU, holds a special and invaluable place in each of our hearts.