Eastern Mediterranean University (EMU), Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Physics hosted Prof. Dr. Kuantay Boshkayev from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, Kazakhstan, who delivered a seminar titled “Compact Objects and Processes around Them”.
Attracting high-level of attention from faculty members and students, the said event was participated by Assist. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Bozer, the Acting Dean of Faculty of Arts and Sciences; Prof. Dr. İzzet Sakallı, the Head of Departments of Physics and Chemistry; Prof. Dr. Seye Mazharimousavi, Vice Head of Department of Physics; Prof. Dr. Mustafa Gazi, Vice Head of Department of Chemistry. Moreover, EMU Distinguished Professor Prof. Dr. Mustafa Halilsoy, Prof. Dr. Omar Mustafa and many academic from different departments, Department of Physics undergraduate and postgraduate students and, many EMU students who are astronomy enthusiasts followed the seminar.
An Extensive Presentation on Compact Stars
During the seminar, Prof. Dr. Boshkayev provided an in-depth discussion on the characteristics of compact objects such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes, along with the physical processes surrounding them. He highlighted that neutron stars act as natural laboratories for exploring the behaviour of matter under extreme densities (10¹⁴ g/cm³), offering ideal conditions for testing general relativity and serving as sources of multi-messenger signals, including gravitational waves and X-rays. Prof. Dr. Boshkayev also presented his analysis of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in low-mass X-ray binary systems, outlining the techniques used to determine neutron star parameters such as mass, rotation, and quadrupole moment. Furthermore, he discussed global accretion processes occurring around black holes and examined how these influence the appearance of their shadow images.
Gathered Together with International Scientists
The high participation of EMU students and academics from different departments towards the seminar held at Physics-II laboratory underscored the interest on astrophysics and high energy processes. At the end of the seminar, participants asked various questions to Prof. Dr. Boshkayev, carrying out insightful discussions with the scholar. By hosting internationally renowned scientists, EMU Department of Physics offered its students and researchers the chance to follow the latest scientific developments. At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Dr. Sakallı presented Prof. Dr. Boshkayev a plaque of appreciation.
A Visit to EMU Rector’s Office
Visiting EMU Rector’s Office building prior to the seminar, Prof. Dr. Boshkayev paid a courtesy visit to EMU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Kılıç and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Dr. Osman M. Karatepe. Head of EMU Department of Physics Prof. Dr. İzzet Sakallı was also present during the said visits. Expressing his contentment on being at EMU, Prof. Dr. Boshkayev also emphasized the joy for meeting with the students and academics of EMU. Stating EMU’s pride to be hosting Prof. Dr. Boshkayev at EMU, Prof. Dr. Kılıç and Prof. Dr. Karatepe stressed EMU’s commitment in hosting internationally recognized scientists at EMU. At the end of the visit, Prof. Dr. Kılıç and Prof. Dr. Karatepe presented Prof. Dr. Boshkayev with souvenirs unique to EMU and Cypriot culture.
Awarded Scientist in the Field of High-Energy Astrophysics
Prof. Dr. Boshkayev, born in 1981 in Almaty, Kazakhstan, received the “Best Researcher Award” in High-Energy Astrophysics in 2024. He earned his undergraduate (1999–2004) and master’s (2004–2006) degrees from Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) and holds two PhDs — one in Theoretical Physics from KazNU (2009) and another in Relativistic Astrophysics from Sapienza University of Rome (2012).
