On 31 January 2020, a strategic session dedicated to the theme of development of international cooperation in the Central Asian scientific, educational and cultural space was held at the Altai State University under the auspices of the Association of Asian Universities. Participants of the event were representatives of higher educational institutions from four states - Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

The First Vice Rector S.Zh. Rakhmetullina made a report on behalf of the D. Serikbayev EKSTU on the experience of the university as a scientific and educational hub, and made suggestions about further cooperation with partner universities in the Association of Asian Universities.

During the strategic session, questions of cooperation with partner universities were discussed and recommendations were adopted.

The main event of the international meeting was opening of the exhibition dedicated to the 175th anniversary of the great poet, humanist and thinker Abai Kunanbayev, organized by the D. Serikbayev EKSTU jointly with the Domestic Policy Department of the East Kazakhstan Region and Department of Culture, Archives and Documentation (Abai East Kazakhstan Regional Specialized Library, Semey).

Materials of the exhibition were placed in the room of the "Kazakhstan's Way and N. Nazarbayev" Honorary Lectern of the Altai State University, the fifth anniversary of which was held in conjunction with the international event.

Opening of the exhibition started with a musical number by students of the EKSTU. The Head of the "Kazakhstan's Way and N. Nazarbayev" Honorary Lectern Professor Y. A. Lysenko and First Vice Rector S. Zh. Rakhmetullina made an opening address. The head of the EKSTU delegation noted in her speech, "2020 in Kazakhstan is the year of the 175th anniversary of Abai - the great Kazakh figure, philosopher, composer and founder of the Kazakh written literature. The works of the spiritual guide of the entire Kazakh people are the handbook of every Kazakhstani citizen. His works teach wisdom, justice and appeal to knowledge, diligence, justice and brotherhood."

The Rector of the Altai State University S. N. Goncharov noted in his welcoming address that the "Kazakhstan's Way and N. Nazarbayev" Honorary Lectern was a dialogue platform for getting to know the cultures of our peoples and the exhibition dedicated to the anniversary of the great figure of world culture Abai Kunanbayev would contribute to spreading the ideas of humanism and universal values among youth.

The organizers of the exhibition presented the "Kazakhstan's Way and N. Nazarbayev" Honorary Lectern of the Altai State University books and publications from the "Abai Alemi" series, as well as the works of the doctor of philosophical sciences, professor and Head of the Abai International Club at the EKSTU E. I. Grigoryev (1930-2012) - "Adam Bol", "Abai and the Movement Alash", "Prometheus of the Great Steppe", "I Ask You: Listen to My Words" and "Popular Science Essays on the Socio-Political and Philosophical Views of Abai".

The guests of the exhibition were presented with a film prepared by the EKSTU about the life and work of the thinker.

The EKSTU students Kasakaev Adіlet and Ayankyzy Ayauzhan presented a musical composition, recited Abai's poems and passed the challenge to students of the Altai State University. After reading Abai's poems, the Altai State University students, in turn, passed the baton to the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation in Moscow - to the recently appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Russian Federation E.B. Kosherbaev.

Participants of the exhibition were acquainted with books of Abai from the book fund of the scientific library of EKSTU, booklets with quotes about Abai and aphorisms from the "Words of Edification" with help of the assistant professor of the Department of History of Kazakhstan and Socio-Political Disciplines" K.S. Kalieva.

The university's exhibits were supplemented by materials - photographs of Abai, political exiles who were Abai's friends, books published in the "Abai Alemi" series (Shakarim Kudaiberdyuly, M. Dostoevsky, M. Auezov, A. Kashaubaev, A. Ivanov and others) - from the Abai East Kazakhstan Regional Specialized Library in Semey, and acquainted by an employee of the library named after Abai O.F. Maltseva.

The Head of the Rector's Office of the Shakarim University in Semey M.O. Abdikarimov, Vice Rector of the Zh. Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University in Kyrgyzstan S. A. Tillebayev and Head of the National-Cultural Autonomy of the Kazakhs Altai Regional Public Organization in Barnaul M.S. Bekmuratov expressed congratulations and words of support about the need to spread the Abai's heritage. 

The exhibition is open for two weeks and during this time students and faculty of the Altai State University and inhabitants of Barnaul have the opportunity to become acquainted with the heritage of the great Abai, in which they will find philosophical understanding of the problems of our time.