The forum brought together school pupils, teachers, university students, local historians and members of the research community. Among the distinguished guests was Bakytzhan Narymbetov, Deputy Akim of Kostanay Region.
The central event was the “In Altynsarin’s Footsteps” quest, which introduced participants to Kostanay’s historical and cultural heritage, took them to significant landmarks and tested their knowledge of local history.
The regional research and tourism forum was initiated by Aimgul Omarkanova, Head of the Excursions and Public Programmes Department at the Ybyrai Altynsarin Memorial Museum, and Didar Zhumekenova, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theory and Practice of Physical Education and Sport at KRU’s Pedagogical Institute.
Their joint initiative aimed to promote the region’s historical and cultural heritage, honour the memory of the outstanding educator and engage young people in exploring local history through contemporary tourism, educational and research activities.
The idea for the “In Altynsarin’s Footsteps” quest emerged during the study of Tour Guiding, Local Studies for Tourism and Event Management within the Tourism degree programme. Cooperation between the university and the Ybyrai Altynsarin Memorial Museum helped turn this classroom initiative into a practical project.
The organisers brought together local studies, tourism and research to give school pupils an opportunity to learn about the distinguished educator’s legacy and experience history for themselves.
The forum welcomed 15 teams from schools across Kostanay Region. Five represented Kostanay, four came from Rudny, and six represented Amangeldy, Auliekol, Karasu, Karabalyk, Fyodorov and Kostanay districts.
Each team consisted of five members: pupils in Grades 10–11 and a teacher serving as team leader. They came not only to compete, but also to learn, make discoveries and challenge themselves.
Their exploration of Ybyrai Altynsarin’s legacy began with a visit to the memorial museum. Here, participants learned more about his life, educational ideas and contribution to the development of education in Kazakhstan.
An expressive reading competition featuring Altynsarin’s works added a special atmosphere to the event.
Yet the most exciting part was still to come.
The “In Altynsarin’s Footsteps” quest unfolded in the city centre.
This time, the pupils stepped out of their familiar role as listeners and became researchers.
Seven locations in central Kostanay became stops along an extensive historical trail. Teams set off in an order determined by drawing lots, each accompanied by a student guide from the Tourism degree programme.
Participants accessed their route sheets by scanning a QR code. From that point, success depended on their powers of observation, general knowledge and teamwork. They had to solve riddles, locate landmarks, complete tasks and answer questions about the city’s history.
Speed and correct answers mattered, but so did attention to detail. Sometimes a small inscription, a monument or an architectural feature held the clue needed to reach the next stop.
The locations were connected with two outstanding educators: Ybyrai Altynsarin and Akhmet Baitursynuly, after whom the university is named. The route included museums and monuments dedicated to their legacy, the Y. Altynsarin Kostanay Regional Library for Children and Young People, a boarding school and other historical sites.
After completing the route, participants took a test to assess how well they had absorbed their new knowledge.
Another stage of the competition featured presentations by the finalists of the research paper contest.
Each team prepared a research paper on one of the themes proposed by the organisers. The submissions were assessed by an expert jury that included poet, writer and KRU Professor Akylbek Shayakhmet, alongside public figure and university Professor Kalkaman Zhakyp.
Six outstanding papers were selected for the final. Their authors presented their findings to the forum participants.
The winners were determined by their combined scores across four competitive activities: expressive reading, the quest, the knowledge test and the research project defence.
First place and a prize certificate worth KZT 300,000 went to the team from the Ybyrai Altynsarin Specialised Boarding School-Gymnasium.
Second place and a prize certificate worth KZT 200,000 were awarded to the team from the A. M. Gorky Gymnasium in Kostanay.
Third place and a prize certificate worth KZT 100,000 went to the team from Oktyabrskaya General Education School in Karasu District.
All forum participants received letters of appreciation and commemorative prizes.
The pupils also toured KRU’s U. Sultangazin Pedagogical Institute, discovering the university’s educational opportunities and student life.
