TRANSFORMATION OF YOUTH'S CULTURAL IDENTITY THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Abstract

This study examines the impact of participation in scientific research on youth cultural identity, with a focus on Kazakhstan and using Japan for comparison. The study employed a comparative and interpretative approach, analyzing the qualitative content of academic literature, historical documents, and the political framework. The results show that scientific research serves as a bridge between tradition and modernity. In Kazakhstan, participation in scientific research is aimed at reform; it is due mainly to state programs and changes in education that consider science as a tool of modernization and cultural revival. By participating in research, young people connect global skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and innovation with their national traditions, language, and heritage. In contrast, there is an organic model in Japan where scientific values are woven into moral education and cultural history, ensuring continuity without destroying identity. The results show that, despite different paths, both countries find a balance between global scientific practice and preservation of cultural heritage. For Kazakhstan, this highlights the prospect of creating youth research programs, regional scientific and cultural centers and the introduction of traditional knowledge into modern scientific fields such as ecology and education. The study ultimately concludes that research not only improves academic skills, but also builds cultural awareness, strengthens civic identity, and prepares young people to participate in globalization, while preserving its cultural uniqueness.