Professor of the ENU’s Construction Department has lectured in more than 153 countries around the world

On January 19, Professor of the Construction Department, Faculty of Architecture and Construction, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Academician of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Director of the ENU’s Geotechnical Institute, Chairman of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Society Askar Zhussupbekov celebrated his 70th birthday.  

Askar Zhussupbekov is a graduate and postgraduate student of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, completed his postdoctoral studies at Tianjin University (China), and completed his research internship at the Hachinohe Institute of Technology (HIT) (Japan) and Columbia University (USA), Chairman of the Akmola Branch of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Member of the doctoral dissertation councils of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Tyumen Industrial University (Russia), Columbia University (New York, USA), Kanazawa University (Japan).

It is worth noting that the famous scientist and practitioner in the field of geotechnics approached his anniversary with great professional achievements and impressive scientific successes. The ENU professor has countless awards (medals and diplomas) for all his years of professional activity in the field of geotechnics today. Thus, A.Zhussupbekov is the winner of the State Scientific Scholarship in 2019, 2024 (RK), the Order "For Contribution to the Development of Geotechnics" (RF), the Academician I.A. Grishmanov Prize in the field of science, technology and the construction industry of the Russian Academy of Engineering, medals "For Merits in the Development of Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan", Lev Gumilyov Medal "For Contribution to National Engineering Science and Education" (ENU), Professor N.M. Gersevanov medal "For Achievements in the Field of Soil Mechanics, Foundation Engineering, Geotechnics and Geoecology" (RF), etc.

In 1988, Askar Zhussupbekov became the winner of the Lenin Komsomol Prize of Kazakhstan for the scientific development of a methodology for determining the bearing capacity of strip, columnar and pile foundations in work-in-progress areas.

He also received the Order of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the introduction of sheet piles in the development of a seaport on the Caspian Sea coast using advanced Giken technology, as well as for organizing international geotechnical conferences on construction in coastal marine regions.

In 2024, A.Zhussupbekov was awarded one of the highest awards of the Japanese Geotechnical Society – the Award for outstanding contribution in recognition of his many years of activity in promoting the promotion and development of geotechnical engineering.

Today, the geotechnical scientist is known all over the world and lectures in more than 153 countries (on all continents of the world: Europe, Asia, America, Australia, Africa, Canada, New Zealand). For example, A.Zhussupbekov has lectured on soil mechanics, foundations and foundations in difficult engineering and geological conditions in Kazakhstan at leading universities (about 20) and geotechnical firms in Japan. He also signed memoranda of cooperation between ENU and the Hachinohe Institute of Technology, ENU and the Osaka Institute of Geoscience.

According to the signed memoranda with Japanese universities, 20 ENU doctoral students had a chance to study at leading universities in Japan and more than 15 Japanese professors were invited to ENU to give lectures to doctoral students.

By the way, Askar Zhussupbekov has trained 30 PhDs, the same number of candidates of technical sciences and 10 doctors of sciences, including foreign students, and all of them have successfully defended their theses.

The scientist's contribution to the development of the ENU's image and the development of geotechnical science is invaluable. A.Zhussupbekov organized joint geotechnical seminars in South Korea, Taiwan, the USA, Poland with the participation of students, doctoral students, staff and teachers. He has trained foreign doctoral students in Kazakhstan: from Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Russia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Cambodia, Syria, and Iraq. With the active assistance of Askar Zhussupbekov, the Kazakhstani-Japanese geotechnical workshop was organized in 2001 in Astana and Almaty and the Japanese-Kazakhstani geotechnical workshop in Tokyo in 2003, the Japanese- Kazakhstani geotechnical seminar in Osaka, as well as the international geotechnical symposium on ATC -19 (geotechnical protection of historical monuments of cultural heritage) in Nara. He was also Chairman of the Scientific Council of the 13th Asian Regional Geotechnical Conference in Fukuoka (Japan), 2011 and was a key lecturer there on the experience of using piles in problematic soils in Astana.

In August 2023, he held the 17th Asian Regional Conference on Soil Mechanics and Geotechnics (17ARK) in Astana, which was attended by over 600 researchers and scientists from 88 countries specializing in soil mechanics.

A.Zhussupbekov is also an invited or key lecturer and has spoken at many international geotechnical conferences in the USA, Japan, Australia, Germany, England, France, Italy, Taiwan, China, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea, Singapore, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Ukraine, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Georgia, Hong Kong and other countries of the world.

As President of the Kazakhstan Geotechnical Sosciety, he actively participates in the organization and holding of international geotechnical conferences and forums. From 2010 to 2013, he was ISSMGE's Vice President for Asia.

Today, the ENU professor is being congratulated on his anniversary by his foreign colleagues from different countries, sending video greetings to the hero of the day.

"Askar Zhussupbekov is a very well-known geotechnical engineer in the world and in Japan. In 2024, the Japanese Geotechnical Society presented him with a contribution award.

He often visited our Hachinohe Institute of Technology (HIT) for lectures and research guidance. Then, starting in 2019, he has been an honorary professor at HIT.

He plans to come to Hachinohe again in 2025 for the international XHE2W workshop. We look forward to seeing you in Hachinohe.

Askar, please continue to take care of your health and help young engineers and researchers around the world," Akira Hasewaga, Honorary Professor of HIT, said in his congratulations.

Askar, please continue to take care of your health and help young engineers and researchers around the world," Akira Hasewaga, Honorary Professor of HIT, said in his congratulations.

"Your dedication to the development of geotechnical engineering, especially in the field of pile foundations, has inspired a generation of scientists, students and professionals. Moreover, your leadership and paramount state commitment to promoting international cooperation have influenced not only Kazakhstan, but also Japan, India and other parts of the world," Hazarika Hemanta, Professor at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan said.

"I sincerely congratulate Professor Askar Zhussupbekov on his 70th birthday. He is a great leader not only in Kazakhstan, but also in the world and the geotechnical engineering community. He was ISSNG's Vice President for the Asian region and is also the Chairman of TC 305 Megacities and New Capitals. I hope that he will continue to remain in good health and once again I congratulate him on his 70th birthday," Eun Chul Shin, Professor at Incheon National University (Songdo, South Korea) congratulated.

Professors from Japan also sent their congratulations: Yoshinori Iwasaki (Geo-Research Institute, Osaka), Ikuo Towhata (University of Tokyo), Tadatsugu Tanaka (University of Tokyo), Akitoshi Mochizuki (Tokushima University), Professor A. Boominathan (Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai, India), Professor Sergey Kudryavtsev (Far Eastern Federal University of Railway Transport, Khabarovsk, Russia), Professor Der-Wen Chang (Tamkan University, Taiwan, China), Professor Jean-Louise Briaud at Texas A&M University (USA), Professor Fayzulla Ikramov, Samarkand State University (Uzbekistan), President of the National Academy of Engineering of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Academician Bakytzhan Zhumagulov, Rector of Shakarim University, Duman Orynbekov, Beibitkul Karimova, Rector of Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda State University, Director General of the Gersevanov Research Institute (Moscow) Rafail Sharafutdinov, Dean of the ACF of the L.N. Gumilyov ENU Ye. Sabitov, etc.