History of Jalal-Abad State University (JASU)

Jalal-Abad State University was established by the Decree of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic on April 2, 1993, as a state higher educational institution with the purpose of training specialists with basic and full higher education in the fields of electronics, energy, construction, education, and other areas, as well as specialists for the agro-industrial sector.

The university was founded on the basis of the Kyrgyz Technical University (formerly FPI), the Jalal-Abad Veterinary College, the Jalal-Abad Pedagogical School, the Mailuu-Suu Electromechanical College, the Kochkor-Ata College, as well as evening faculties in the cities of Kara-Kul and Tash-Kömür.

The Jalal-Abad Pedagogical School was established in 1926 as a pedagogical college and was the first and largest teacher-training institution in the country. From 1926 to 1993, it trained more than 31,000 specialists. Among its graduates were prominent figures in science, culture, literature, and education in Kyrgyzstan, including Khusein Karasaev, Gapar Aitiev, A. Ismailov, Sabyrbek Akylbekov, Joomart Bokonbaev, Junay Mavlyanov, Tumenbai Baizakov, Nurgazy Brimkulov, Temirkul Umotaliev, Tölön Shamshiev, Rakhata Achilova, Mukhtar Borbugulov, Junusaly Malabaev, Musa Adyshev, and others.

In the 1990s (before its transformation into JASU), the school annually trained about 400 primary school teachers, preschool educators, and physical education instructors. After the school was closed in 1993, many of its staff continued their professional careers at JASU, making a valuable contribution to the formation of the university. (More details about this can be found in N. Jailoobaev’s memoir book published in 2003.) On the basis of this pedagogical school, the Engineering and Pedagogical Faculty of JASU was established.

The Jalal-Abad Zoo-Veterinary College was opened in 1947 and trained 7,846 agricultural specialists. At that time, the college employed 30 teachers, two of whom held academic degrees: Manas Babakulov (currently Doctor of Veterinary Sciences and an employee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic) and Keldibek Ismailov. On the basis of this college, the Agricultural and Technological Faculty of JASU was formed.

The Evening Faculty of the Kyrgyz Technical University in the city of Kara-Kul was founded in 1963 to train engineering personnel for the “Naryngidrostroy” Directorate of the Toktogul Hydroelectric Power Station. The faculty trained about 3,500 engineers, mechanical power specialists, and construction engineers. Its graduates worked in design and construction organizations, in the construction and operation of power plants, as well as in energy enterprises across the former Soviet republics and abroad. The faculty had modern laboratories and classrooms built by Toktogul HPP engineers and fully met higher education standards.

The annual enrollment was around 100 students. Three candidates of sciences worked at the faculty: Manas Sooronbaev, Tashtan Sartov, and Sarsen Bozhumbaev.

The Evening Faculty of KTU in Tash-Kömür was the youngest faculty of the university. It was established in 1990 by transforming the Mailuu-Suu training and consultation center. The faculty trained specialists in civil engineering, energy, chemical technology, electronic materials, and devices. The teaching staff consisted of 14 people, including five candidates of sciences and associate professors.

At the time of JASU’s establishment, the dean of the faculty was Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor A. Isabekov. Part-time associate professor was the director of the Tash-Kömür Semiconductor Plant, Sagynbek Jumagulov. Another associate professor, Ysmanaly Kudainazarov, after the establishment of JASU, became the head of the Academic Affairs Department and later the director of the Kochkor-Ata Technical College. Abdykalyk Karimov, who headed a department, was later transferred to Jalal-Abad to head the Department of Mechanics.

The Mailuu-Suu Electromechanical College was established in 1965 to train mid-level technical specialists for enterprises in the city of Mailuu-Suu. Over its existence, the college trained more than 4,000 specialists in lighting engineering and metalworking production.

The director of the college was Valentina Georgievna Ushkarenko, and the deputy director was Anarbek Bakirovich Omorov, who later headed the Mailuu-Suu Electrotechnical College for many years.

The Kochkor-Ata College of Electronic Devices was founded in 1981 by order of the USSR Ministry of Electronic Industry to train specialists in electronics and microelectronics. It was the only educational institution of this kind in Kyrgyzstan. The college possessed modern technical and educational facilities and a dormitory for 540 students. A significant contribution to its development was made by its first director, Abdybaki Mamanov.

A major contribution to the establishment of the material and technical base of JASU was made by Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Abdrakhman Suvankulovich Mavlyanov, who at that time was Vice-Rector of Osh Technological University and is now the Rector of the Bishkek Financial and Economic Academy.

Great assistance in the organization of the university, in providing housing for teachers, and in strengthening its material base was provided by the governor of Jalal-Abad region, Abdyzhapar Abdykaarovich Tagayev; the chairman of the regional council of people’s deputies, Toigonbai Zikirovich Kalmatov; the mayor of Jalal-Abad, Kasym Madaminovich Ismanov; and the head of the regional administration, Nuraly Abylov.

Thus, on April 2, 1993, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic issued a decree “On the Establishment of a State University in the City of Jalal-Abad,” and the official opening took place on April 5. To implement the decree, on May 10, 1993, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic adopted a resolution, and on May 14, Minister of Public Education Order No. 163/1 authorized Jalal-Abad State University to train higher education specialists in energy, electronics, agriculture, textile and light industry, pedagogy, food technology, chemical materials, and electronic products.

In the 1993–1994 academic year, 635 students were admitted to the university, 510 of whom studied full-time.

On May 27, 1993, by order of the Minister of Education, the first university administrators were appointed:

·         Rector — Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Ulan Nurgazievich Brimkulov

·         Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs — Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor Nurmat Jailoobaevich Jailoobaev

·         Vice-Rector for Research — Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Sabyrzhan Kydyralievich Kydyraliev

University Rectors:

·         Bekbolotov Tursunbek Bekbolotovich, D.Sc. (Tech.), Professor — 1996–1999

·         Alybaev Kurmanbek Sarmanovich, D.Sc. (Phys.-Math.), Professor — 1999–2000

·         Bokoshov Jamgyrbek Bokoshovich, D.Sc. (Phil.), Professor — 2000–2005

·         Ashiraliyev Abdyumamatkadyrov, D.Sc. (Tech.), Professor — 2005–2008, 2010–2011

·         Kenensariev Tashmambet Kenensarievich, D.Sc. (Hist.), Professor — 2008–2010

·         Abdrashev Akunjan Bakasovich, D.Sc. (Ped.), Professor — 2011–2016

·         Since 2016, the rector has been Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Honored Scientist of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Laureate of the State Prize in Science and Technology — Keneshbek Jumabekovich Usenov.

Each rector has made a significant contribution to the development of JASU, strengthening its material and technical base, and enhancing its reputation at regional, national, and international levels.

During the leadership of Keneshbek Jumabekovich Usenov, the university’s scientific, production, and technical base was greatly modernized, many new buildings were constructed, and the university became one of the leading higher educational institutions in Kyrgyzstan.