Shafik Chokin

Shafik Chokin
Born	(1912-10-01)October 1, 1912
Died	(2003-07-04)July 4, 2003 <Almaty>
Nationality	Kazakh
Citizenship	Kazakhstan
Alma mater	Omsk Agricultural Institute
Awards	Order of the October Revolution, Order of the Red Banner of Labour, People's Hero of Kazakhstan
Scientific career
Fields	Energy sector
Institutions	Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences, Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Energy

Sháfik Chókinovich Chókin (Template:Lang-kk; Template:Lang-ru) (October 1, 1912 — July 4, 2003) is the most recognized Kazakh scientist of energy sector. Doctor of Sciences, Professor. Founder of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of power engineering. Deputy of The Supreme Soviet of the USSR, associate of the chairman of Soviet of the Union chamber. President of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences.

Biography

Shafik Chokin was born on 1 October 1912 in Bayanaul District, in Pavlodar Province in a poor family. His father died in 1918, so Shafik was brought up by his older brother Riza Chokin. He got his education in Omsk Agricultural Institute. After graduation in 1937 he worked in the Kazakh Trust of Agricultural Electrification. He made a successful career there rising up to the position of a chief engineer and deputy director. In 1943 he was invited by Kanysh Satpayev to become the chairman of the energy sector of Kazakh Branch of Academy of Sciences of USSR. A year later, in 1944, on the base of the sector Chokin established Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of power engineering and was its director till 1988. During Chokin's directorship the institute became one of the most recognized scientific research organizations of energy sector in USSR. From 1954 to 1968 he was a member of Presidium of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences. In 1964, after the death of Kanysh Satpayev, Chokin was elected as the President of the Academy and occupied this position till 1967. During his presidency he was also elected as a deputy of The Supreme Soviet of the USSR and appointed as an associate of the chairman of Soviet of the Union chamber. From 1966 to 1971Chokin was a member of Central Committee of Communist Party of Kazakhstan.

On 14 June 1988 by the collective decision of Ministry of Energy and Electrification of USSR and the Presidium of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences Chokin was appointed as an honorary director of Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Energy. On 30 September 1992 by the decision of the Board of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan, when academician was alive, Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Energy was given the name of Shafik Chokin.

In 1996 President Nursultan Nazarbayev awarded Shafik Chokin "National Hero" award, the highest honor for Kazakhstani citizens.

Memory

Following objects are given the name of Shafik Chokin:

• Kazakh Scientific Research Institute of Energy
• street in Pavlodar city
• award in the field of energy of the Presidium of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences
• award in the field of energy of the National Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan

References

• History of Kazakhstan Academy of Sciences (in Russian)
• Biography of Shafik Chokin (in Russian)