Today, April 12, marks the 126th anniversary of the birth of Kanysh Imantayuly Satbayev — a prominent scientist and the first academician from Kazakhstan. On this occasion, flower-laying ceremonies were held at his monuments across various regions of the country, and his contributions to science and education were commemorated.
Kanysh Satbayev was born on April 12, 1899, in the Bayanaul district of what is now Pavlodar Region. His real name was Gabdulgani. His mother affectionately called him “Ganiym” and “Ganyshym,” which later evolved into the name “Kanysh.”
The future scientist began his education with a village mullah and continued at the Russian-Kazakh school in Pavlodar and the Semipalatinsk Teachers Seminary. In 1926, he graduated from the Tomsk Technological Institute’s mining faculty, earning a degree as a mining engineer-geologist.
Kanysh Satbayev studied the Zhezkazgan copper deposit and proved that it was one of the largest in the world. He founded the Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan and became its first president. His work made a significant contribution to the study of Kazakhstan’s mineral resources and the development of geological science.
Kanysh Imantayuly passed away on January 31, 1964, in Moscow. Today, a city, university, streets, and many educational institutions are named in his honor.
