Abai’s Legacy and the Development of a Holistic Individual
On October 22, 2026, Madina Seydaliyeva, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, organized an educational event for second-year students titled “Abai’s Legacy and the Development of a Holistic Individual.”
The educational meeting aimed to promote the spiritual legacy of Abai Kunanbaiuly, broaden students’ understanding of moral values, and examine the poet’s concept of the “holistic individual” in the context of contemporary life.
The event began with the performance of a beautiful traditional Kazakh instrumental composition known as a kui. It enabled the participants to experience the close connection between national art and spiritual heritage. The expressive melody created a special atmosphere and encouraged the audience to engage in deeper reflection.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the issues of education, work, justice, conscience, compassion, and responsibility addressed in Abai’s Words of Edification. The students explored the meaning of the concept of “Tolyq Adam” (“Holistic Individual”) and shared their views on the importance of harmony among intellect, will, and heart in personal development. The relevance of Abai’s teachings to the education of today’s youth was illustrated through real-life examples.
A short training session titled “Reflect on Yourself” was also conducted as part of the event. During the session, the students reflected on their daily actions, goals, behaviour, and responsibilities toward others. They answered questions such as “What qualities do I need to develop?”, “What useful action have I taken today?”, and “What step can I take toward self-improvement?” Through this activity, the participants gained a better understanding of the importance of self-awareness and self-assessment.
At the end of the meeting, the students emphasized the enduring relevance of Abai’s ideas about human nature, spiritual growth, and self-education. The event strengthened the participants’ respect for national culture and encouraged them to pursue spiritual development, engage in honest work, and take responsibility for their actions.
