About university

In 1998, the "Syrdarya" University was established in the Myrzashol district of the South Kazakhstan region (now Turkestan region), in the city of Zhetysay, Maktaaral district.
The southern land is a blessed and sacred place: its mountains keep history, its steppes sing legends, and its cities are full of wealth and spiritual values. In the Kazakh language, the word "оң" (ong) symbolizes good intentions, prosperity, and harmony. We step through the door with our right foot, wishing: "May the path be bright!" On the other hand, the word evokes a sense of peace and inner comfort. When these two concepts are combined, a person is filled with energy, warmth, and the light of a sunny day — they become inspired, strong, and joyful.
Zhetysay and Maktaaral are districts with the highest population density and rapid growth, where the Kazakh language, national traditions, and customs are carefully preserved. This is a special region located on the border with Uzbekistan. The university was founded with the aim of attracting the youth from the southern, remote regions of the country and our compatriots living in Uzbekistan to higher education, fostering spiritually rich, educated, and competent specialists.
In the early years of independence, when the country was just beginning to overcome difficulties, the establishment of the university was the result of significant efforts and responsibility of an outstanding individual — the current chairman of the board of the university named after J.A. Tashenev, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, Honorary Citizen of Turkestan Region, Onalbay Ayashev. Over the course of a quarter-century, the university has transformed into one of the most authoritative higher educational institutions with established traditions and history. Later, the Government and the Ministry of Education and Science of Kazakhstan received a proposal to relocate the university to the city of Shymkent and rename it after the prominent state and public figure, Zhumabek Tashenev. The proposal was unanimously supported. Starting from the 2022-2023 academic year, the Syrdarya University entered a new phase in its history as the University named after J.A. Tashenev in the country's third-largest city — Shymkent.
The name of Zhumabek Akhmetuly Tashenov is a source of pride for the southern region, a symbol of honor and service to the people. He lived with love for his homeland and people, dedicating his entire life to their welfare. His name places great responsibility and a high mission on the university's community. Today, the University named after J.A. Tashenev has become one of the leading private educational and scientific centers in the country. Contributing significantly to the development of education, science, the economy, arts, and culture of independent Kazakhstan, it continues to serve the people, strengthening its position on the path of sustainable development. The university has also gained recognition abroad as an educational institution offering the opportunity for quality education to our compatriots living in neighboring countries.
The university's team carefully preserves and promotes the ideas and life principles of Zhumabek Tashenev, educating a new generation of students based on them. For the past three years, the "Tashenev Readings" have traditionally been held at the university, and starting from the 2024-2025 academic year, a new course has been introduced into all educational programs — "Tashenovtan" (Tashenev Studies). The university currently offers 56 undergraduate programs across 13 fields of study:
6B01 – Pedagogical Sciences,
6B02 – Arts and Humanities,
6B03 – Social Sciences, Journalism, and Information,
6B04 – Business, Management, and Law,
6B05 – Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Statistics,
6B06 – Information and Communication Technologies.
Additionally, there are 12 master's programs across 5 fields of study, updated according to the needs of the modern labor market and high-quality standards.
The university confidently keeps pace with the times, implementing innovations and modern approaches to education. In the context of the implementation of the national project of the President of the country "Bіlіmdі ult" ("Educated Nation"), the internationalization and digitalization of higher education, as well as strengthening the scientific potential, the university sets new strategic goals for itself.
We live in the digital age of the 21st century. Therefore, not limiting itself to the results already achieved, the university opens new horizons every year, inspiring students and the faculty to generate creative ideas and innovative projects. The implementation of a project to strengthen the material and technical base and develop the university's infrastructure aims to create a modern environment for the professional growth and self-realization of students and faculty.