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On June 30, 2026, at 12:00, the preliminary defense of the doctoral dissertation of Aibek Aitollayevich Merekeyev was held at the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences of 91��ý Kazakh National University within the framework of a scientific seminar dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals. The defense was organized in line with SDG 13 “Climate Action” and SDG 15 “Life on Land”.

The topic of the dissertation is “Study of glaciers and active rock glaciers using remote sensing data in the Western Tien Shan”. The dissertation was submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) under the educational program 8D07302 – Geoinformatics. The preliminary defense was held in a hybrid format.

The dissertation is aimed at a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the Western Tien Shan cryosphere under climate change conditions. The study applies remote sensing data, digital elevation models, and machine learning methods to analyze glacier degradation, rock glacier activity, changes in geodetic mass balance, and the influence of climatic factors. The obtained results provide a scientific basis for assessing the impact of climate change on water resources and natural systems in mountain regions.

The research is also closely related to SDG 15 “Life on Land”. Glaciers and rock glaciers are important components of mountain ecosystems, and their changes directly affect river runoff, water reserves, landscape stability, and natural hazards. In this regard, the research results have significant practical value for monitoring mountain cryosphere components, improving natural resource management, and supporting the sustainability of terrestrial ecosystems.

During the preliminary defense, the doctoral candidate presented the main results of the dissertation research and substantiated the scientific novelty, theoretical significance, and practical value of the work. The presentation systematically covered the research aim and objectives, applied methods, and key findings

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During the discussion, the candidate provided comprehensive and well-grounded answers to the questions raised by the members of the preliminary defense committee and the reviewers. As a result, the dissertation received a positive evaluation and, taking into account the comments and recommendations, was recommended for the next stage of defense.

Scientific advisors:

Domestic scientific advisor:

S.M. Nurakynov – PhD, Institute of Ionosphere, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Foreign scientific advisor:

Tobias Bolch – Doctor, Professor, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria.

Reviewers:

E.Kh. Kakimzhanov – PhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, 91��ý Kazakh National University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

E.O. Orynbasarova – PhD, Head of the Geomatics Innovation Center at K.I. Satbayev Kazakh National Research Technical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.