March 16 is the Day of the Shanyrak, corresponding to the "Nauryznama" ten-day celebration. For the Kazakh people, the "kara shanyrak" (the main shanyrak) is sacred and revered. This term, deeply ingrained in our national consciousness, is closely intertwined with the first higher education institution of our country – Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. This is because, in its nearly century-long history, this venerable institution, the "workshop of teachers," has trained nearly 250,000 highly educated specialists for the domestic education and science sector.

In the 1930s, prominent figures of "Alash" made invaluable contributions to the foundation of this educational institution, which was aimed at educating and enlightening the public. Great scholars such as the national teacher Akhmet Baitursynuly, Sanzhar Asfendiyarov, Oraz Zhandosov, Saken Seifullin, Temirbek Zhurgenev, and Mukhtar Auezov lectured and taught here. These facts further highlight the deep-rooted history of the university. Since then, it has been preparing educators to shape the education sector for the people inhabiting the vast territories between the Irtysh and Yedil, the Arka and Alatau regions. Therefore, Abai University is considered the main hearth of science and education.

The Day of the Shanyrak during the "Nauryznama" ten-day celebration is dedicated to glorifying the value of the family in our nation and elucidating its significance. For humanity, the family is the most important value in life. The wish, "May your shanyrak be high, your walls be wide, and your threshold be firm," is a great aspiration in the national consciousness. As mentioned at the beginning, there are many who have formed families and raised their shanyraks within the walls of this national university, which has trained nearly 250,000 specialists. Many have found their life partners while experiencing their passionate youth as students. Let us focus on a few of these graduates who are now living harmonious lives under one shanyrak.

The university community is well acquainted with Murat Zhaksybayev and Gulnaray Sabdenaliyeva, who not only obtained higher education at Abai University but also defended their PhD dissertations and became associate professors. Since receiving their diplomas in the 1990s, they have been teaching within the walls of this venerable institution. It is no exaggeration to say that the couple, who teach at the Department of Biology of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and the Department of Geography and Ecology, found their marital happiness at Abai University.

Three married couples currently work as instructors at the Department of Art Education within the Faculty of Arts. These creative individuals, who have made the paintbrush their companion, found their family happiness not far away, but at Abai University. Aygali Sultangubayev and Gulnaz Assylbekova married in 2008, while Aidyn Kozhagulov and Karlygash Gaisina established their shanyrak 15 years ago. As for Ernar Imanbakiev and Yryskul Okanova, it has been one "mushel" (12 years) since their wedding this year.

Academician Serik Kzrayev, a scholar and teacher who dedicated his conscious life to the field of Kazakh literary studies, found his life partner within the walls of Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. His wife, Aliya Beisenova, a distinguished graduate of the university, received her education at the Faculty of Philology and worked diligently there for many years. Currently, among those who are continuing the academic's legacy and have formed families in this same faculty are Tileules Atikov and Nazerke Makhanbetova. This couple, graduates of the specialty "Kazakh Language and Literature" in schools that do not teach in Kazakh, got married in 2018. There are very many graduates of Abai University who, after studying together, have formed families. For the earlier couples, it has been over half a century since they put on their wedding rings.

The New Constitution, which was presented for public discussion and recently supported, states that the family will be under the protection of the state. Therefore, the Basic Law guarantees the reverence of the sacred concept of the shanyrak for the Kazakh people. On the eve of the Day of the Shanyrak, we have highlighted some of the individuals who studied at Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University and started their families. It is undoubtedly certain that this number will continue to grow in the future.

"Abai University" Media Center