International project “Atlas of Big Altay: nature, history and culture” was presented by Russian scientists-cartographers at D. Serikbayev EKSTU."

According to Prof. Vladimir Tikunov, head of the laboratory for complex mapping of Faculty of Geography at Lomonosov Moscow State University, Director of World Data System for Geography, it is an International Project of four states located in the territory of the Altai: Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia and China. The need to establish such an atlas is long overdue. It will not only be geographical and mapping edition, but also it will include sections about nature, history and culture of four participating countries. A separate block in the atlas will be presented by maps, dedicated to educational tourism and excursions that demonstrate the use of cultural facilities in the tourism sector.

- We have received the approval of  Nurlan Temirbekov, the Rector of D. Serikbayev EKSTU, to implement joint project. We hope that EKSTU will take obligation to provide technical support for the project on the territory of Kazakhstan. It is planned that all the universities of Altai Region will be involved in the process and the Project will demonstrate close relationship of connections between countries working on its implementation.

According to preliminary estimation the work on the project will take three or four years. Meetings aimed at coordination of the work of four cooperating parties will take place as part of the Project implementation. It is planned that the first meeting will be held in Spring of 2014.