Our History

History of the Faculty

The history of the Faculty of Arts began in 1995 with the opening of the specialty 060240 — “Acting Art” within the field 0602 — “Performing Arts,” established with the support of People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor R. Seitmetov. Professor R. Seitmetov was appointed Head of the Department and invited highly qualified specialists from various regions to teach at the faculty.

In 2001, the specialties “Music Education” and “Design” were added to the Department of Performing Arts.

In 2004, the specialties “Vocal Art,” “Traditional Art,” and “Choreography” were opened. People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor Rakhima Zhubaturova, and People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kazhybek Bekbosyn were specially invited from Almaty to work in the field of traditional music art.

In 2004, the Faculty of Arts consisted of four departments:

• The Department of Acting Arts headed by People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor R. Seitmetov; 
• The Department of Music Education headed by People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan K. Bekbosyn; 
• The Department of Vocal Arts headed by People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor Rakhima Zhubaturova; 
• The Department of Fine Arts headed by Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor K. Yeralin. 

The Dean of the Faculty was Candidate of Art Studies, Associate Professor Karimbek Maraiymuly Seitmetov.

2007–2008 Academic Year

The faculty was reorganized into the Faculty of Sports and Arts. The faculty included four departments. The Dean of the Faculty was Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor Bakytzhan Kalzhanovich Mukhamedzhanov.

Department heads:

• Department of Acting Arts — Professor R. Seitmetov; 
• Department of Music Education and Vocal Arts — Professor K. K. Bekbosyn; 
• Department of Fine Arts — Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor K. Yeralin; 
• Department of Physical Culture and Sports — Honored Sports Figure of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor A. Abildayev; 
• Department of Initial Military Training — Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor K. Bayetov. 

2008–2011 Academic Years

The faculty was headed by Candidate of Philosophical Sciences, Associate Professor Kopzhasar Bayetov.

Department heads:

• Department of Acting Arts — E. Isatayev; 
• Department of Music Education — People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor K. K. Bekbosyn; 
• Department of Fine Arts — Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor K. Yeralin; 
• Department of Physical Culture and Sports — Honored Sports Figure of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor A. Abildayev; 
• Department of Initial Military Training — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor O. Duysenov. 

2012–2016 Academic Years

The faculty was headed by Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor B. Abuseitov.

Department heads:

• Department of Acting Arts — E. Isatayev; 
• Department of Music Education — People’s Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Professor K. K. Bekbosyn; 
• Department of Fine Arts — Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor K. Yeralin; 
• Department of Physical Culture — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences E. Makhanbet; 
• Department of Physical Education — Honored Sports Figure of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor E. Seidakhmetov. 

2016–2018 Academic Years

The Dean of the Faculty was Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor E. Makhanbet.

Department heads:

• Department of Performing Arts — Candidate of Art Studies B. Ospanov; 
• Department of Fine Arts — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Associate Professor E. Auelbekov; 
• Department of Physical Culture — Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences B. Abuseitov; 
• Department of Physical Education — Honored Sports Figure of Kazakhstan, Associate Professor E. Seidakhmetov. 

2019–2024 Academic Years

The faculty was headed by Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor B. Abuseitov.

Department heads:

• Department of Performing Arts — Honored Cultural Worker of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer A. Botakaraev; 
• Department of Fine Arts: 
  • 2021–2022 — PhD, Senior Lecturer E. Rysymbetov; 
  • 2022–2024 — Senior Lecturer E. Mambetayev; 
• Department of Physical Culture — Associate Professor S. Aknazarov; 
• Department of Physical Education (2023–2024) — PhD, Senior Lecturer A. Rakhymzhanov. 

2024–2025 Academic Year

The faculty was headed by PhD, Senior Lecturer A. Rakhymzhanov.

Department heads:

• Department of Performing Arts — Honored Worker of Culture of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer D. Yelzhanov; 
• Department of Physical Culture — PhD, Senior Lecturer A. Altynbekov; 
• Department of Physical Education — Senior Lecturer B. Akhmedov. 

Since the 2025–2026 Academic Year

The faculty was reorganized and renamed the Faculty of Arts, Media and Design.

The Dean of the Faculty is Honored Worker of Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Acting Associate Professor Darkhan Nurzhanovich Yelzhanov.

Currently, the faculty includes three departments:

• Department of Performing Arts — headed by Honored Worker of Culture of Kazakhstan, Senior Lecturer U. Kuletova; 
• Department of Journalism — headed by Candidate of Philological Sciences, Senior Lecturer B. Bayeshova; 
• Department of Fine Arts — headed by PhD, Acting Associate Professor G. Masadikova.