Art and creativity

The Faculty of Culture and Arts at M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University operates two theatres for students. A theatre stage with a seating capacity of 400 is located in Academic Building No. 8 and is used for performances.

The “DUMAN” Folk Youth Theatre was established in 2004 under the Department of Cultural Leisure and Stage Activities. Artistic Director: Azamat Abdykadyrov. Director: Erlan Akylbekov.

Achievements:
2014 – 2nd place at the “Student Theatre” Festival in Pavlodar (Supervisor: A. Emkulova);
2024 – Main Prize at the Republican Subject Olympiad held at E. Buketov University in Karaganda (Supervisors: E. Akylbekov, D. Musakulova);
2024 – 1st place at the regional theatre festival in Turkistan region (Supervisors: E. Akylbekov, A. Abdykadyrov);
2025 – 2nd prize at the “Student and Stage” student theatre festival at Abai National Pedagogical University in Almaty;
2025 – Grand Prize winner at the “Human Duty” student theatre festival held at Shakarim University in Semey.

Performances staged over the last 3 years:

• “I Am a Mountaineer”, author – M. Makatayev; Director: E. Akylbekov;
• “My Son, I Say This to You…”, author – B. Bedelkhan; Director: E. Akylbekov;
• “Innocent Strangers”, author – F. Bologna; translated and directed by E. Akylbekov;
• “9”, author – R. Rose;
• “Museum Night”, author – M. Trenk; Director: E. Akylbekov;
• “Wild Life”, author – O. Nigro; Director: O. Ualikhanov;
• “Those Who Found Common Ground”, author – Mar Baijiev; Director: E. Akylbekov;
• “The Fool’s Notebook”, author and director – E. Akylbekov;
• “My Name Is Kozha”, author – B. Sokpakbaev; Director: E. Akylbekov;
• “Zhansebil”, author – Zh. Korgasbek; Director: E. Akylbekov.

The museum's history dates back to 1983. Following the merger of SKTU and SKSU into M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University in 1998, a decision was made to merge the two museums. In 2003, the museum underwent a full renovation in line with modern requirements and was given a space on the ground floor of the main building, featuring a unique design. Renowned architect Malik Sapargaliyev developed the design project. Overall, the museum is a specialised, modern, capsule-shaped building.

The museum houses more than 5,000 historical exhibits, including:
*Information about renowned scientists, professors, and associate professors who made significant contributions to the development of higher technical and pedagogical education in the region;
*Collections of academic disciplines studied by students at different times and their teaching methodologies;
*Data on distinguished graduates of the university from various years;
*Collections of rare books such as “Islam and the Modern World,” “Building Americas,” “Precious Heritage,” “Saint Petersburg,” “About Turkey,” and “Sozak Land”;
*A special corner featuring traditional Kazakh yurts and household items, creating an authentic cultural atmosphere that allows visitors to deeply experience national traditions, craftsmanship, and daily life.

Visitors can also explore exhibits through two interactive touchscreen displays. On average, around 6,000 people visit the museum annually, including guests from Kazakhstan and abroad, intellectuals, scholars, students, and school pupils.

The Creative Professions Center includes a recording studio, dance (choreography) studio, student fashion theatre (defile), Comedy and Wit Club [KVN], vocal studio, and vocal-instrumental ensemble clubs. For high-quality activities, specially equipped creative classrooms are provided in Academic Building A.

In the 2022–2023 academic year, 565 students participated in creative clubs; in 2024–2025, the number increased to 600. Participants achieve significant success in competitions.

The “Mademoiselle” team, led by O. Ualikhanov, became Champions of the Zhaidarman League, Vice-Champions of the II Republican NOMADLIGA, and Champions of the Shymkent City Zhaidarman League. In 2023, student A. Arystan entered the Top 10 finalists of the Miss Shymkent 2023 competition. Club participants also regularly win prizes in competitions such as “Young Talent,” “Lady of the Year,” and “Student Spring.”

The “Zhetyasar” Creative Center is located at the Faculty of Culture and Arts (Academic Building No. 8). The center consists of workshops and an exhibition hall and serves as a unique platform aimed at promoting national applied arts and developing students’ creativity.

Students are practically taught traditional crafts such as carpet weaving, tapestry, felt-making, and reed weaving. The workshops also demonstrate techniques for working with various materials and organizing creative compositions, along with master classes.

Exhibitions of works by renowned artists and the best student creations produced during the semester are regularly held in the exhibition hall.

The Publishing Center at M. Auezov South Kazakhstan University has been operating since November 27, 2001.
Main objectives:
● Preparation and publication of departmental literature (teaching and methodological materials, study guides, textbooks, etc.) and internal materials (forms, guidelines, and other documents);
● High-quality production and publication of all types of printed materials required by the university.

To implement the university’s image policy and showcase the achievements of faculty members and students, a Media Services Center operates at the university. The center includes fully equipped television and radio studios. The television studio produces podcasts with guests, successful professors, and students, as well as documentary films about prominent scholars. Information programs, podcasts, interviews, and documentaries are broadcast via the Auezov TV FM YouTube chanel. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9k_Ww1un7ff2m8GuD0ZV0w/videos Subscribers: 6 860; Total views: 460 166; Number of videos: 800.

The studio also provides live broadcasts of scientific events, conferences, forums, and festive occasions. Student projects are produced jointly with journalism students on the JASTAR LIVE YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeuGad1CGoJ4NXS6uCHwSuA/videos) including programs such as “My Faculty,” “Heart-to-Heart Talk,” “Practical Work,” “Youth Platform,” “Our Story,” “Through Youth’s Eyes,” and “AuesTime.” In 2025, more than 50 video lectures were produced under the COURSERA program.

In December 2025, the radio station was launched. Students currently host programs such as “Good Morning,” “Top Hit Songs,” and “Listen to Your Heart.” https://auezov.edu.kz/kaz/%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%B0-%D2%9B%D1%8B%D0%B7%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%96-%D0%BE%D1%80%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%BB%D1%8B%D2%93%D1%8B