Biography

Kaskabassov Seit was born on 24 June 1940 in Semipalatinsk, East Kazakhstan region.

1947–1950 — He studied at the secondary school № 5 in Semipalatinsk.
1951–1954 — He went to school № 87 in Chapaev farm in Kaskelen district of Alma-Ata region.
1954–1957 — He studied at the secondary school № 12 named after S.M. Kirov in Alma-Ata and graduated from it.
1957–1959 — He worked on Chapaev farm in Kaskelen district of Alma-Ata region.

1959–1964 — Student of the Faculty of History and Philology, Kazakh State Pedagogical Institute, Pedagogical University (now Kazakh National Pedagogical University named after Abai (KazNPU)). He graduated with honours.

— Head of music room at KazPI named after Abay.
— As a student, he took part in folklore expeditions to Taldy-Kurgan, Alma-Ata and Dzhambul regions.
— Presented papers at student conferences in KazPI, KazSU, Alma-Ata and the Central Asian Republics.
— Was awarded a Diploma of the Inter-university student conference in Frunze (Kirghiz SSR).

— His first scientific work, “Storyteller Shalkarbay Danybayev”, in the collection of articles dedicated to the 60th Anniversary of Sabit Mukanov, “Issues of Kazakh Philology”, was published at the publishing house of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakh SSR (co-authored with E. Tursunov).

1964–1967 — Postgraduate student at the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR.
1968–1970 — Junior staff scientist at the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov.

— One of the authors of the 1st volume of the “History of Kazakh Literature”, published in 1968 by the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR (co-authored with E. Tursunov).
— In the AS of KazSSR defended the dissertation for the degree of the Candidate of Philology on the topic “Kazakh Fairy Tale”. (1969).

1970–1979 — Scientific Secretary of the Department of Social Sciences, Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR.
— Executive Secretary of the journal “Proceedings of the AS of the Kazakh SSR, Series Public”, from 1976 to 1988 of the journal “Proceedings of the AS of the Kazakh SSR, Seriesof Philology and Art History”.
— His monograph “Kazakh Fairy Tale” was published. It is recognized by the Bureau of the AS of the USSR as one of the five best books published in the system of the Union Academy of Sciences in 1972.

— The first academic edition of the texts collected by G.N. Potanin: “Kazakh folklore in G.N. Potanin’s collections” (jointly with N. Smirnova and E. Tursunov) was published.
— Participated in the All-Union meeting dedicated to the issues of scientific information in the field of social sciences (IISC AS USSR). (1971, November, Moscow).
— Member of the Union of Journalists of the USSR.

1979–1981 — Senior Researcher, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, AS of the Kazakh SSR.
— For the first time the scientific publication “Kazakh tales about animals” was done (together with E. Kosystykhina, N. Smirnova and E. Tursunov).

1981–1982 — By the Decree of the Presidium of the AS of the USSR he visited the Institute of World Literature named after M. Gorky at the AS of the USSR and worked as a senior researcher to carry out joint research works.

1983–1988 — Worked at the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, Kazakh Academy of Sciences as a senior, leading researcher, then as the head of Department of Zhambyl studies.
— His monograph “Kazakh folk prose” in Kazakh language was published. It received the highest award of the Academy of Sciences of Kazakh SSR — C.Valihanov Prize of II degree.
— Presentation in the Republic House of Cinema with a lecture “Folklore and Movie”.
— Lecture "Radlov - collector and publisher of folklore" in the House-Museum of M.O.Auezov.

— The collective work “History of Kazakh folklore science” (pre-revolutionary period) was published in the Kazakh langiage, in which several chapters were written by S. Kaskabassov.
— His report on creative activities was presented at the Folklore Board of the Unoin of Writers of Kazakhstan. (1988, November).

1988–1990 — Consultant in the ideological Department of the CC of the Communist Party of Kazakhstan.
— Participated in preparation of materials on rehabilitation of suppressed poets, writers and statesmen of the Republic in 1930–1940s.
— Prepared documents on the abolition of the Party resolutions on history, literature and culture, which resulted in 1950s in persecution of the prominent scientists, writers and artists and were prohibiting the study of music and poetic heritage of the Kazakh people and distorting the objective course of historical processes.
— As a member of the official delegation participated in the activities dedicated to the Days of Culture of Kazakhstan in Leningrad and Astrakhan region.
— Defended at Moscow State University the Dissertation for the degree of the the Doctor of Philology on the topic: "Genres of Kazakh folklore (non-tale) prose". (1989, June).

1990–1991 — Head of the Centre of Sociology of Political Processes of the CC of Communist Party of Kazakhstan.
— Carried out the sociological research on topical issues of political and social life of the Republic.
— Participated in the work of the Commission on rehabilitation of the victims of political repression in 1930–40 and 50s.
— Took part in the Conference of the All-Union Association of Sociologists. (1991, January, Moscow).
— Report at a meeting in the CC CPSU on the issues of cultural sociology. (1991, July, Moscow).
— He has made the proposal to the Supreme Soviet of the Republic to announce May 31 as a Memorial Day of victims of famine of the 1930s.
— Member of the Committee on State Prizes of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of literature, art and architecture for several years.
— Member of the Republican onomastic commission.

1991–1992 — Head of the Department of cultural sector, Deputy Head of the Department of Education, Sports, Tourism and Youth Affairs at the Office of the President and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
— Participated in organizing and conducting the events to mark the inauguration of the first President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
— Member of the work group of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the State Symbols (herald, anthem, flag).

1992–1994 — By the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan he was appointed the Chairman of the newly established Higher Certifying Commission of the Republic of Kazakhstan (HCC RK).
— Developed and proposed to the Government of the Republic "The regulation on the Higher Certifying Commission under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan".
— Formed the first Presidium of HCC of the Republic of Kazakhstan, expert boards, structural units of HCC RK.
— Created a new network of Councils for defence of the Doctoral and Candidate of sciences Dissertations in the Republic.
— By the decision of the President of the Republic ofKazakhstan was awarded the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the field of literature, art and architecture for the monograph "The Kazakh non-tale prose".
— Organized the meeting of Chairpersons of HCC of CIS countires in Almaty, on which the International Association of State Certification Bodies of the CIS countries was formed (IASC).

— Was elected a Chairman of IASC.
— Held a meeting of the IASC in St. Petersburg, Moscow and Kiev.
— Developed and proposed for the approval of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan the samples of Diplomas of Doctors, Certificates of professors and Docents.
— With the official delegation took part in the activities of the "Days of Kazakhstan in Iran". (1993, June, Tehran, Isfahan).
— Awarded the first Kazakh Diplomas of Doctors and Certificates of professors to the group of scientists.
— Conducted several Republic meetings on improving the work of the Councils for the defence of the Dissertations, the increase of the quality of examination of the theses, clarification of the nomenclature of scientific specialties.

1994–1995 — Deputy Director of the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
— He published academic collection of V. Radlov in the Kazakh language “Pearls of Ages” published in “Gylym” (with B.Uakhatov and M.Matyzhanov).

1995–1997 — Head of the Centre of Manuscripts and Textual Studies at the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, NAS RK.
— Developed and implemented a program on compiling the electronic catalogue on three parameters.
— The study “Aby and Folklore” in the Kazakh language was published. (1995).
— Participated in the celebrations on the occasion of 150th Anniversary of Abay in Semipalatinsk region.
— In Turkey, 2 studies were published: “Folklore Theatre of Kazakh People” and “A person who was struggling with death”.

— Was elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
— Was awarded the title of Professor.
— With the official delegation took part in celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Zhambyl in Russia. (1996, April, Moscow).
— He published "Selected Works of Zhambul" in Russian language with research articles and scientific comments.
— Was awarded the Zhambyl Prize of Zhambyl International Fund.

1997–1999 — He organized and headed the scientific research centre for Eurasian Studies at Eurasian University named after L.N. Gumilyov. In parallel, he worked as professor at the Philological Faculty and teacher of the course on folklore studies, mythology and history of literature.
— Chairman of the first Dissertation Council at Eurasian University for defence of Dissertations of Candidate of Sciences on specialties: 10.01.02-Kazakh literature and 10.02.09- Folklore studies.
— First monograph "Issues of Eurasian studies" prepared by the staff of the "Eurasia" Center under his supervision was published with a big introduction article. (1998).

2000 — Dean of the newly organized Department of Oriental Studies at Eurasian University named after L.N. Gumilyov and Director of Research Center “Eurasian Studies”.
— Prepared and published a collection of I. Bayzakov’s works “Aqbope”.

2001 — Participated in the celebration of 90th Anniversary of K. Amanzholov.
— Since September 26, he is the Director of the Institute of Literature and Art named after M. Auezov, Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2002 — Was awarded the sign "For the merits in the development of science of the Republic of Kazakhstan".

2003 — Chairman of the Section of folklore studies, literature, art history of the State program "Madeni Mura" ("Cultural Heritage").
— Member of the National Council under the President of RK.
— Made a presentation at the solemn meeting dedicated to the 200th Anniverssary of M.Utemissov. (September, Aturau).
— Made a report "Makhambet- classic of Kazakh literature" at the UNESCO headquarters. (October 14, Paris).
— Report "Cultural Heritage - the basis of spiritual revival" in the IlI-meeting of the National Council under the President of Kazakhstan. (November 28, Astana).
— Was awarded the Makhambet Republican Prize.

2004 — Was awarded a medal "To the 100th Anniversary of M.A.Sholokhov" in honor of the 100th Anniversary of M.A.

2007 — Was elected a Corresponding Member of the International Aitmatov Academy. (December, Bishkek).

2008 — Chairman of the Dissertation Council D 53.34.01 on awarding the Doctoral degree in philology at the Institute of Literature and Art named after M.O. Auezov, Scientific Committee, MOES RK.
— Was awarded the Medal of Mashkhoor Zhusup.
т — Was elected Academician of the World Academy named after Genghis Khan (Mongolia).
— On S.Kaskabasov's initiative under the Institute of Literature and Art after M.O.Auezov MES RK Dissertational Council K 53.40.03 for conferment of scientific degree of the candidate of art on specialities 17.00.01-theatrical art; 17.00.02-musical art and 17.00.04-graphic, decorative and applied art and architecture has been created and continues to work successfully.

2010 — He was awarded a medal “For scientific contribution to education of Russia”. (March 24, Moscow).
— Presentation on the topic “Folklore in the system of culture of XX century” at the Korean-Central Asian creative symposium. (August 20-25, Almaty).

2011 — Awarded the jubilee medal “20 Years of Independence of Kazakhstan”; became a laureate of the “Star of the Commonwealth” award for his contribution to the development of cultural and humanitarian cooperation within the CIS.

2012–2014 — At the M.O. Auezov Institute of Literature and Art, coordinated academic research in the fields of folklore studies and literary criticism, and served as a scientific supervisor for a number of academic publication series. During this period, he also acted as a scientific advisor for dissertation research.

2015–2016 — Published scholarly articles and interviews devoted to the development of the humanities, and delivered lectures on the typology of Kazakh folklore and verbal art.
– In 2016, he was awarded the badge “Excellence in Culture of the Republic of Kazakhstan” by the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

2017–2019 — Strengthened the activities of the academic school in folklore studies, textology, and classical and modern verbal art, and supervised the preparation of multi-volume academic works. During this period, he was widely recognized as an authoritative expert within the scholarly community.

2020–2021 — Became known for his publicistic and scholarly reflections on the role of the humanities in society, issues of national cultural memory, and spiritual heritage.

2022–2024 — Contributed to the development of research directions focused on the typology of Kazakh folklore and prose, as well as the continuity between tradition and innovation, ensuring the preservation and succession of academic legacy and scholarly school.

2025 — Passed away on April 28. Commemorative materials and obituaries dedicated to the scholar’s life and legacy were published in national and specialized periodicals.
– On June 24, an international scientific-theoretical conference entitled “The Phenomenon of Academician Kaskabassov: Scholarly Schools, Theories, and Practices” was held in honor of his 85th anniversary.