Information about the Department of  Forestry, game management and aquaculture

The Department of Forest Resources, game management and Aquaculture trains qualified specialists in the field of forestry, game management and fisheries who are in demand on the labor market.

The main activities of the department are conducting scientific research and teaching disciplines in the field of forestry and fisheries.

Forestry is an industry that implements a system of measures aimed at reproducing forests, protecting them from fires and protecting them from harmful organisms and other negative factors, regulating the use of forests and accounting for forest resources.

Wildlife is an integral part and element of forestry. Therefore, in the functioning of forestry, forest relations also imply the protection, reproduction and use of wildlife and specially protected natural areas.

Fisheries are activities related to fishing and conservation of aquatic biological resources, aquaculture, production and sale of fish and other products from aquatic biological resources.

Academic staff of the department:

• 2 Professor, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences;
• 1 Professor, Doctor of Economics;
• 1 Professor, Doctor of Biological Sciences;
• 1 Acting Professor, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences;
• 2 Associate Professor, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences;
• 2 Associate Professor, PhD;
• 1 Senior Lecturers, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences;
• 4 Senior Lecturers, PhD;
• 5 Senior Lecturers, Masters;
• 5 Assistants, Masters;
• 2 Laboratory Assistants.

The department conducts training in the following educational programs:

Bachelor's degree:

6B08302 - Forest Resources and Forestry

6B08301 - Hunting and fur farming  

6B08402 - Aquaculture and aquatic biological resources

Master's degree:

7M08302 - Forest Resources and Forestry

7M08305 - Forest resources and forestry

7M08301 - Hunting and fur farming  

7M08404 - Aquaculture and aquatic biological resources

Doctoral degree:

8D08302 - Forest Resources and Forestry

8D08301 - Hunting and animal husbandry

The history of forestry education in Kazakhstan dates back to the early 20th century. The first forest school was established in Burabay, Akmola region, providing an opportunity for professional training. Later, it was transformed into a forestry technical school, which continues to function to this day. In 1926, a second technical school was opened in Ridder, East Kazakhstan region.

The third stage of professional forestry education began in 1948, when the Faculty of Forestry was established within the Kazakh Agricultural Institute (KazAI). Among the initiators were high-ranking officials: J.Sh. Shayakhmetov, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan, and N.D. Undasynov, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR, who had specialized education in forestry. This greatly contributed to the foundation of higher forestry education in Kazakhstan.

Before the faculty opened, Professor A.I. Fedorov, a graduate of the St. Petersburg Forestry Technical Academy, was invited from the Tashkent Agricultural Institute. Later, lecturers A.N. Protasov, A.M. Mushegyan, A.M. Fryazinov, and S.L. Egorenkov joined the teaching staff. Returning from the war, the first graduates of the faculty — V.M. Glazyrin, E.M. Starkov, D.E. Gurikov, P.P. Besschyotnov, T.Kh. Tokmurzin, A.V. Tekhneriadnov, O.N. Pechenkina, P.I. Seledtsov, and A.I. Golyadkin — became lecturers.

After its establishment, the Department of Forest Cultivation and Dendrology was created, with Professor A.I. Fedorov as its first head and A.M. Fryazinov as lecturer. In 1950, after completing postgraduate studies, P.P. Besschyotnov and E.I. Geger were appointed as faculty members.

In 1948, the faculties of Hydromelioration and Forestry were merged, with Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor V.I. Alekseev appointed as Dean. In 1953, the Faculty of Forestry became independent, with A.M. Mushegyan as its first Dean.

In 1952, two additional specialized departments were established: Forest Crops and Agroforestry, and Forest Inventory and Management.

Over the years, the Faculty Deans included: P.P. Besschyotnov, A.D. Starkov, D.E. Gurikov, S.I. Iskakov, G.V. Goloshchapov, S.B. Baizakov, J.Sh. Shomanov, Zh.N. Toktasinov, K.B. Igembaev, K.T. Abaeva, and currently D.N. Sarsekova.

Between 1979 and 1983, the Faculty included the Department of Labor Protection (Head: Associate Professor D.A. Abilev). In 1983, the Department of Urban Landscaping was established, and for the first time, engineers in landscaping began to be trained. Today, many graduates of this program are employed in landscaping organizations throughout Kazakhstan, including Astana and Almaty.

Outstanding graduates who later became lecturers include: G.K. Bokeykhanov, S.I. Iskakov, G.V. Goloshchapov, S.B. Baizakov, J.Sh. Shomanov, K.J. Askarov, I.A. Palgov, V.I. Sakharov, Zh.N. Toktasinov, L.Kh. Arystanbekova (Kataeva). Later, E.Zh. Kentbayev, K.B. Igembaev, K.T. Abaeva, D.N. Sarsekova, T.S. Kerteshov, A.T. Mukhamediarov, K.K. Alibekov, A.G. Madiyeva, and others contributed to the faculty’s development.

In 2001, by Presidential Decree, Kazakh State Agrarian University (KazSAU) was reorganized into KazNAU, with several departments consolidated. The department was renamed "Forestry and Forest Engineering." Heads of the department were: Zh.N. Toktasinov (2001–2005), Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor E.Zh. Kentbayev (2005–2009), Doctor of Economics, Professor K.T. Abaeva (2009–2010).

After another reorganization, the department was renamed "Forest Resources, Hunting, and Fisheries." Heads of the department included: PhD, Associate Professor F.A. Toktasinova (2021–2023); Professor D.N. Sarsekova (2023-2024), Candidate of Agricultural Sciences E.S. Zhilkibayeva (2024–2025).

In 2025, due to the growing number of students, the Department of Forestry, game management and aquaculture was separated from the Department of Forest Resources, Hunting, and Fisheries. PhD A.A.Kopabayeva was appointed as the Head of the Department.