Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic

highest scientific institution of the Kirghiz SSR. Founded in 1954 on the basis of the Kirghiz branch of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR. Located at Frunze. In 1969 the membership of the academy included one honorary academician, 28 academicians, and 20 corresponding members.

The system of the academy incorporates three divisions and 13 scientific research institutes: the division of physics and engineering and mathematical sciences which includes the scientific research institutes of physics and mathematics, rock physics and rock mechanics, automatic control and geology; the division of chemical engineering and biological sciences, including the scientific research institutes of inorganic chemistry and physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and physiology, biology, and the physiology and experimental pathology of high-plateau life; and the division of social sciences, including the scientific research institutes of history, philosophy and jurisprudence, language and literature, and economics. The academy also has several other scientific research institutions—including departments of geography, general Turkology, and studies of the Dungan people—biological research stations, and a botanical garden. The central scientific library had 568,000 items in 1968.

The leading research trends are rock physics and rock mechanics; integrated automation and process control in the leading branches of industry in the republic; geology and development of scientific principles underlying the extraction of pure rare elements and the minor metals; biochemistry and physiology of animals and plants; the economy of the republic; and the history, language, and literature of the Kirghiz people.

The academy publishes Izvestiia (since 1959) and scientific works on various branches of knowledge and is preparing the Kirghiz Soviet Encyclopedia for publication.

Presidents of the Academy of Sciences of the Kirghiz SSR have been I. K. Akhunbaev (1954–60) and K. K. Karakeev (since 1960).