On July 11, 2026, the “Transport Construction” Department at ALT University hosted a foresight session commemorating the 45th anniversary of the 1981 graduates majoring in “Railway Construction, Track, and Track Facilities.” The student years of the Class of 1981 coincided with a pivotal era—the foundational years of the Alma-Ata Institute of Railway Engineers (AliIT) as an independent higher education institution, along with the establishment of its academic, scientific, and engineering traditions.
Associate Professor of the “Transport Construction” Department and 1981 alumnus, A.K. Ibraimov, delivered the keynote address titled “We Stood at the Origins of AliIT—Our Experience Serves the Future of the Transport Sector.” In his presentation, he reflected on the formative period of AliIT from 1976 to 1981. Distinguish veterans of the railway transport sector, B. Birbaev, R.K. Karakushikov, and A.Zh. Rsymbetov, also spoke on behalf of the alumni.
The Class of 1981 made history as representatives of a generation whose professional development unfolded alongside the growth of AliIT itself. Between 1976 and 1978, the first departments were established, the material and technical base was reinforced, scientific research vectors expanded, pedagogical traditions took shape, and strong institutional ties were forged with railway enterprises.
It was precisely the graduates of AliIT’s early years who solidified the reputation of the young institute through their dedicated labor. They spearheaded the construction, reconstruction, and operation of railways, advanced track facilities, managed production teams, ensured train traffic safety, and passed on their accumulated expertise to young professionals.
Today, educational technologies are evolving at an accelerated pace. However, the fundamental principles of engineering education for specialists with higher and postgraduate degrees in the transport industry remain unchanged.
Our shared mission is to preserve the historical memory of AliIT, study the professional legacy of its alumni, and pass down these fine traditions to new generations of engineers. The heritage of ALT University is more than just pages of history—it is the solid foundation upon which the future of transport education in the Republic of Kazakhstan is built.
Author: Tulemisov T. Zh.
