Born: 12 September 1962 in the village of Kainar, Narynkolsy District of Alma-Ata Oblast

1985 -- completes Moscow State University studies as doctor of political science

1985-87 -- editor, then senior editor at KazTAG State News Agency

1987-89 -- editor, executive director at "Arai" (Dawn) magazine

1989-92 -- editor of "Orken" (Horizon) newspaper

March-August 1992 -- head of cultural and international relations department for president and cabinet

1992-93 -- head of domestic policy department in republican presidential administration and cabinet

1993-95 -- press and information minister

1995-97 -- chairman of state agency on press and information issues

1997-99 --information and social concord minister

1999-2001 -- culture, information, and social concord minister

2003 -- Kazakh ambassador to Russia

July 2004 -- information minister