Head of department:	J.Bekmanova
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Department of Preschool Education and Defectology

     The Department of Preschool Education and Defectology of the Nukus State Pedagogical Institute named after Ajiniyaz was established on August 14, 2020, by order No. 427 D/1 as a specialized unit preparing qualified professionals in the field of special education. In 2020, the department launched the program 5111900 – Defectology: Speech Therapy, under which students graduate as speech therapists-defectologists. In 2024, new programs were introduced: 60110300 – Special Pedagogy: Speech Therapy, 60110300 – Special Pedagogy: Surdopedagogy, and 60110300 – Special Pedagogy: Oligophrenopedagogy. Graduates of these programs will work in specialized schools, institutions for children with disabilities, and medical organizations, providing professional services as speech therapists, surdopedagogues, and oligophrenopedagogues. The department is headed by Doctor of Philosophy in Pedagogical Sciences, PhD, Zhamilya Abdulaevna Bekmanova. The department staff includes 15 instructors, among them Associate Professors A. Bekimbetova, Zh. Bekmanova, E. Orazymbetov; Senior Lecturers K. Tazhimuratova, A. Saparov, M. Erzhanova, and F. Salamova; Assistant Lecturers G. Tasbayeva, G. Zhumabayeva, Z. Azhimova, S. Shakirova, Zh. Karlybayeva, A. Tazhimuratov; and trainee lecturers F. Reimova, Sh. Dzhabbarbergenov, and Zh. Atamuratova. All actively participate in both educational and research activities.

     To support the educational process, the department has developed textbooks and methodological materials. These include: “Speech Therapy” (2025) by Zh.A. Bekmanova and K.A. Tazhimuratova, “General Pedagogy” (2025) by A.T. Saparov and A. Dzhanabayeva, and “Alalia” (2024) by Z.G. Azhimova. F.S. Salamova authored the textbook “Preschool Surdopedagogy” (2024), A. Bekimbetova prepared “General Pedagogy” (2024), and Zh.A. Bekmanova wrote “Speech Development in Children with Disabilities” (2024). Additionally, the manual “General Psychology” (2023) was prepared by A.T. Saparov, G.B. Zhumabayeva, and N.U. Sadykova. Other teaching and methodological materials include “Modern Technologies of Aesthetic Education for Preschoolers” (2022), “Formation of Aesthetic Culture in Preschoolers” (2024), “Innovative Pedagogical Technologies in Sports Training” (2021), “Chess for Beginners” (2024), “Development of Mental Health in Preschoolers” (2023), and “Improving the Quality of Lesson Planning in Primary Education” (2023). From 2020 to 2024, faculty members of the department published over 100 scientific articles in national and international journals, six of which are indexed in the Scopus database. More than 100 theses were presented at conferences of various levels. The department actively develops international cooperation: in 2020, an agreement was signed with the French university INSHEA, and in 2021, a 2+2 project was implemented with the Kuban Pedagogical University. As part of this collaboration, joint scientific-pedagogical seminars and training sessions were held. In December 2023, Associate Professor A. Bekimbetova and Assistant Lecturer G. Zhumabayeva visited Kazakhstan to undergo professional development courses and establish scientific ties with the Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University. A. Bekimbetova delivered lectures on preschool pedagogy and inclusive education. In 2024, G. Tasbayeva, Zh. Karlybayeva, and A. Tazhimuratov participated in a professional development program at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. That same year, A. Bekimbetova gave a presentation at an international symposium in Istanbul, organized by Istanbul University. Department instructors Zh. Bekmanova, K. Tazhimuratova, F. Salamova, and G. Tasbayeva conducted master classes at Preschool Educational Institution No. 48, and M. Erzhanova led a seminar-training at Boarding School No. 4.

     The department actively supports doctoral and master’s students by creating conditions for defending research projects. Instructors without academic degrees conduct research for their dissertations, with results discussed at department meetings. In 2023, Zh.A. Bekmanova defended her dissertation on “Improving Pedagogical Technologies for the Holistic Development of Preschoolers’ Personalities Based on a Culturally-Creative Approach” and received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Pedagogy. On April 4, 2024, Associate Professor A. Bekimbetova won a grant of 355 million soums in the national competition “Scientific Ideas” for her project on the creation and implementation of multimedia technologies for preschool children (ages 3–7) based on Karakalpak folk tales and children’s songs. Work on this project is ongoing. The department actively involves faculty, doctoral students, master’s students, and undergraduate students in research and practical activities. In the 2024–2025 academic year, various events, seminars, and training sessions were organized and held. Among them was a literary evening dedicated to the 200th anniversary of Ajiniyaz Kosybai uly, prepared by Associate Professor Zh. Bekmanova with third-year “Special Pedagogy: Speech Therapy” students as part of the 4+2 internship program at Preschool Educational Institution No. 48 in Nukus. At the same institution, a seminar-training “Logopedler áleminde” was held for speech therapists and defectologists of the republic, organized with the participation of students and Associate Professor Zh. Bekmanova. Another important event was a dual-education master class conducted by Lecturer A. Tazhimuratov in the Kanlykul district, as well as a master class for specialists organized by Senior Lecturer M. Erzhanova at Boarding School No. 4 in Nukus. Significant contributions to the professional training of future specialists included open lessons: F. Salamova presented “Speech Therapy Correction Methods for Preschool Children” at the Beruniy Pedagogical College, and G. Tasbayeva gave a lecture on “Children with Severe Speech Disorders” for part-time students in the “Preschool Education Teacher” program at Kanlykul Pedagogical College.

     Faculty members continue to actively participate in international training and conferences. Recent events include a training organized by the faculty of the Caspian State University of Technologies and Engineering named after Sh. Yessenov in Nukus, where participants exchanged experiences and enhanced their professional competencies. Senior lecturers of the department also participate in international academic forums organized by the Yaroslavl State Pedagogical University named after K.D. Ushinsky (Yaroslavl, Russia), presenting their research and sharing expertise with foreign colleagues. At one such international forum, Dean of the Faculty of Preschool Education M. Allambergenova presented on “Issues in Educating Children with Developmental Delays in Preschool Institutions of Uzbekistan”, while Associate Professor Zh. Bekmanova gave talks on “Interactive Forms and Methods of Working with Students” and “Current Issues in the Training of Defectologists in Higher Education.” In the 2024–2025 academic year, students of the department achieved notable success in academic and scientific endeavors. The Presidential Scholarship of the Republic of Uzbekistan was awarded to fourth-year student Mubarrakova Mukaddas, under the academic guidance of Associate Professor Zh. Bekmanova. The Alisher Navoi State Scholarship was awarded to fourth-year student Rimbaeva Ozoda (supervised by Senior Lecturer F. Salamova) and third-year student Eshmatova Raykhon (supervised by Assistant Lecturer G. Tasbayeva). Students actively participate in competitions and startup projects. In the institute’s startup competition across four areas, “Special Pedagogy: Speech Therapy” students won prizes under the guidance of A. Tazhimuratov. In the “Best Inventor” category, first place went to Yesemuratova G., second place to Kadirova N. In the “Best IT Project” category, second place went to Tairova Z., and third place to Tilepova D. Additionally, A. Tazhimuratov participated in a five-day seminar-training organized by the National Innovation Office as part of the “National Hub” program. Participants received special certificates and commemorative gifts at the end of the event.