At the Faculty of International Relations, Department of Regional Studies, Zhaxyгul Bekzhanovna Akimova defended her dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the educational program “8D03105 – Regional Studies” on the topic “U.S.–Türkiye Relations in the Context of Multilateral Cooperation in the Caspian Region.”

On September 10, 2026, Zhaxyгul Bekzhanovna Akimova successfully defended her dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in the educational program “8D03105 – Regional Studies” at L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The doctoral dissertation entitled “U.S.–Türkiye Relations in the Context of Multilateral Cooperation in the Caspian Region” was completed at the Department of Regional Studies of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University.

The research provides a comprehensive analysis of the geopolitical and geo-economic interests of the United States and Türkiye in the context of multilateral cooperation in the Caspian region, as well as their influence on regional policy and multilateral cooperation frameworks. The dissertation examines the strategic importance of the Caspian region in the contemporary system of international relations, energy security, transport and logistics corridors, regional stability, and the role of external actors.

The doctoral candidate’s academic advisors were Panu Kalynbayevna Kilybayeva, Candidate of Historical Sciences and Associate Professor at the Department of Regional Studies, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, and Yaşar Sarı, PhD, Professor at Ibn Khaldun University.

The meeting of the Dissertation Council was attended by scholars from Kazakhstan and foreign higher education institutions. The official reviewers were Saltanat Toleuovna Dzhakubayeva, PhD, representing the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University, and Adilbek Yermekbayev, PhD, Associate Professor at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. The Dissertation Council also included leading scholars from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan as temporary members.

During the defense, the doctoral candidate presented the main findings of the research, its scientific novelty and practical significance, and answered questions from the members of the Dissertation Council. Following the academic discussion, the dissertation received a positive evaluation, and the defense was successfully completed.

We congratulate Zhaksygul Bekzhanovna Akimova on the successful defense of her dissertation and wish her continued success in her research, new academic achievements, and further professional accomplishments!