International Geological and Paleontological Summer School “Madygen-2026”
as part of the International Geological and Paleontological Scientific Expedition to the Madygen Geopark (Southern Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan), 4–31 August 2026
We are pleased to announce the opening of registration for the International Summer School in Geology and Paleontology, which will be conducted as part of the 2026 international expedition in the renowned Madygen Geopark. The summer school is organized by the Tian Shan Geological Society and is aimed at participants wishing to gain systematic field training within an active scientific project.
The summer school is held under the auspices of UNESCO (Project 727 IGCP).
Objectives of the Summer School
- Provide participants with the opportunity to engage in the work of the ongoing International Geo-Paleontological Expedition;
- Offer basic and advanced practical skills in field observations in line with the expedition’s objectives;
- Support the training of young specialists capable of performing accurate geological descriptions of sections, participating in the collection of paleontological material, and documenting findings.
Main Activities
During the summer school, participants will be involved in regular scientific fieldwork of the expedition, including:
- Description and documentation of geological sections;
- Lithological and stratigraphic observations;
- Participation in paleontological research and material collection;
- Maintaining field journals, recording data, and initial processing of collected specimens;
- Participation in discussions and short field seminars reflecting the expedition’s topics.
All activities strictly follow the scientific program of the expedition and are conducted under the guidance of its specialists.
Skills Participants Will Gain
- Confident performance of geological field observations;
- Fundamentals of stratigraphic analysis and accurate section description;
- Skills in searching, collecting, and preliminary processing of paleontological material;
- Handling field documentation, labeling, and cataloging specimens;
- Structural geological analysis and reconstruction;
- Collaboration within an international scientific team.
Target Audience
- Students and graduate students in geology and biological sciences;
- Young specialists interested in field research;
- Expedition participants wishing to further consolidate their practical skills.
Mentors
The summer school is led by leading scientists who discovered the international significance of Madygen and have made substantial contributions to the development of geosciences, as well as the study of Madygen’s geology and the Eurasian continent. Among them are experts from Germany, the United Kingdom, Kyrgyzstan
Expedition Information
All details about the main scientific program, routes, and objectives of the expedition are available on the page of the International Geological and Paleontological Scientific Expedition to the Madygen Geopark (Southern Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan).
To register for the summer school, you can send an email to info@geotianshan.org or contact via WhatsApp/Telegram: +996 553 991663
on the Tian Shan Geological Society website