Immersion in history: KazNMU students learn about the life of D. A. Kunaev
Fostering patriotic feelings, respect for the country’s historical and cultural heritage, and civic responsibility among young people is one of the priority tasks of Kazakhstan’s education system. Government initiatives aimed at spiritual, moral, cultural and civic education emphasise the importance of preserving the memory of outstanding personalities, forming national identity and respect for the country’s history. In this context, visits to museums dedicated to the lives and activities of outstanding figures take on special significance: they become not only a source of knowledge, but also an effective tool for the upbringing and educational development of the younger generation.
As part of such educational activities, second-year students majoring in PMT24 017k group at the S. D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University visited the Dinmuhamed Akhmedovich Kunaev Museum in Almaty. Asfendiyarov visited the Dinmukhamed Akhmedovich Kunaev Museum in Almaty. The excursion allowed the students to learn about the history of Kazakhstan’s formation in the 20th century, assess the role of Kunaev in the socio-political development of the republic, and see how an individual can influence the historical process.
The museum is a modern exhibition space where a large number of documents, photographs, archival materials and other exhibits illustrating Kunaev’s biography and professional activities are systematically collected. The exhibition is arranged in chronological order and includes thematic sections devoted to the early years of the figure’s life, his professional development and stages of leadership. This approach allows visitors to trace the development of the leader’s personality and understand the connection between personal qualities, decisions made and their consequences for the state.
The students noted the scientific and educational value of the exhibition. Archival documents, photographs, and descriptions of historical events help to gain a deeper understanding of the political and socio-economic situation of the time, to see the role of Kazakhstan in inter-republican and international relations, and to assess the scale of responsibility that the leader of the republic had to take on. The excursion allowed students not only to learn about the facts of Kunaev’s biography, but also to analyse historical processes and assess the influence of individuals on the formation of national policy and social development.
The group members were particularly interested in seeing documents and photographs demonstrating Kunaev’s participation in state and international projects, as well as in resolving complex socio-economic issues in the republic. The students noted that the visual presentation of information and the consistent disclosure of topics allows for better assimilation of the material, strengthens analytical thinking, and develops the ability to critically comprehend historical facts.
The excursion helped students develop patriotic values and attitudes, and helped them realise the importance of personal responsibility, hard work and determination. Discussions after visiting the museum showed that the students not only gained historical knowledge, but also motivation to further study their country’s history, interest in cultural heritage, and an understanding of how a leader’s personal qualities can influence the fate of a state.
The visit to the D. A. Kunaev Museum was an important educational and formative event for the students of KazNMU named after S. D. Asfendiyarov. It allowed them to broaden their historical and cultural worldview, develop their source analysis skills, and strengthen their sense of belonging to national history. The excursion demonstrated that museums dedicated to outstanding personalities remain an effective platform for fostering patriotism, developing critical thinking and increasing interest in the study of Kazakhstan’s history among the younger generation.
