Today, on 22 April 2022, the International Conference «The problems of natural sciences and education development in the context of sustainable development goals» dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the outstanding scientist, geographer and ecologist, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Kazakhstan, laureate of the State Prize and the Sh. Ualikhanov and K. Satpayev Prizes, Honored Worker of Higher School of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Geographical Sciences, Professor Aliya Sarsenovna Beisenova, was held.

A.S.Beisenova is the outstanding scientist who contributed greatly to development of separate branches of modern geographical science, connecting natural and social sciences, as well as directly connected with them directions of ecology, economics, tourism. More than 600 of her scientific works have been published to date, including over 70 monographs, textbooks and study guides.

The event was attended by the Rector of Abai KazNPU Darkhan Bilyalov, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Maktagali Bektemesov, representatives of other universities, research institutes, scientists, experts from Kazakhstan and foreign countries, as well as teaching staff and doctoral students.

The conference featured presentations in three main sections: Natural Sciences and Sustainable Development Goals, Current Trends in Science Education, and Digital Geography and GIS Technologies. Topical issues such as trends in modern science and education, implementation of sustainable development ideas, development of modern digital geography and geographic information systems technologies and others were considered and widely discussed.

In his opening remarks Darkhan Bilyalov mentioned that pedagogical and scientific activities of A.S.Beisenova greatly contributed to the training of specialists in the field of physical geography, tourism, ecology, toponymy, and geography teaching methods. It was emphasised that many of her works are still topical today. Congratulating Aliya Sarsenovna on her jubilee, he wished her good health and long life.

Director of the Institute Kulyash Kaymuldinova in her report on the role of Academician A.S. Beisenova in the development of geographical science noted that in order to systematize her many years of fruitful work in the development of geographical science in Kazakhstan the scientific and pedagogical activities of the academic teacher are considered in four main areas: research, scientific, methodological, pedagogical and social and organizational activities, and that in the last decade A.S. Beisenova conducted basic research on physical geography, urban geography, geography of Kazakhstan and the world. Her contribution to geographical science and training of scientific-pedagogical personnel of the country was also emphasised.

The plenary and sectional reports highlighted A.S. Beisenova`s ideas: modern view of geographical education, the role and main stages of the academician`s life in the development of geographical science in Kazakhstan. Current issues of ecology, geography, socio-demographic development, global climate change and its impact on Kazakhstan, the history of specially protected natural areas in the lower reaches of the Syrdarya River, the current state and development of tourism in the country and other environmental issues were discussed.