Department of History

Department of History and Its Purpose

The Department of History is one of the first departments established at Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University (KTMU). Our department began accepting students in 1997 and produced its first graduates in 2002. Today, graduates of the Department of History serve their communities not only in Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye but also in various other countries, working both in their areas of expertise and across diverse professional fields.

The department offers a four-year undergraduate program following a one-year preparatory period, during which students learn both Kyrgyz and Turkish. In addition, Master’s and Doctoral programs are also available. Since its founding, the department has employed distinguished scholars in the field, with the core academic staff consisting primarily of scholars from Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye.

The Department of History was established with the aim of bringing together young people from Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, other countries of the Turkic world, and related communities, providing them with a high-quality, internationally oriented education, and preparing them to become distinguished specialists on the global stage of the 21st century. In line with this objective, the department aims to equip students who wish to study history with the ability to examine all periods of human history on a scientific basis within the context of world history, using modern methods and technologies. It also seeks to provide students with the necessary knowledge to conduct historical research at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels and to prepare them for careers in various history-related institutions.

The department’s primary goal is to educate individuals who can comprehend history, establish connections between the past and the future, demonstrate proficiency in at least one foreign language, and are capable of working in various service sectors or pursuing research in different fields of the social sciences. All departmental activities are carried out in pursuit of this goal.

The Department of History adopts an educational approach that, on one hand, seeks to instill a deep awareness of history in students, and on the other, emphasizes the importance of analyzing historical events from a scientific perspective. Through specialized courses covering a range of topics and historical periods included in the curriculum, students are provided with the opportunity to pursue a wide variety of academic and professional paths.

Main Fields of Activity

The Department of History carries out educational activities through Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral (Ph.D.) programs.

• Faculty members contribute to uncovering lesser-known aspects of Turkic and world history through scholarly research.
• The department’s academic staff engage in national and international research projects addressing contemporary issues in the field of history.
• Faculty members actively participate in and organize national and international scientific events, including conferences, symposiums, seminars, and other cultural and academic gatherings.

Job Opportunities

Graduates of the Department of History can pursue careers in a wide range of fields, including:

• Research, administrative, consultative, and teaching positions
• Secondary schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, vocational schools, and colleges
• Cultural and educational institutions such as museums, libraries, archives, societies for the protection of cultural heritage, and private foundations
• Mass media (radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and journals) as experts, consultants, or contributors
• Public organizations, local and international institutions, and foundations as advisors, experts, or specialists
• Government institutions at both the central and local levels

Opportunities for Further Study

Graduates holding a Bachelor's degree in History have the opportunity to pursue further education. Those who wish to continue their academic journey may enroll in the Master's program and, subsequently, the Doctoral program offered by the Department of History.