The development of non-ferrous metallurgy in Central Kazakhstan, the need for industrial development of deposits in the Zhezkazgan region, the commissioning of mines, factories and factories sharply identified the problem of personnel training. In 1961, on the basis of the order of the Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Kazakh SSR, the evening general technical faculty was opened on the basis of evening preparatory courses of the Karaganda Polytechnic Institute. Thus, the first center of higher education appeared in the region. 100 students were accepted for training in the specialties “Power supply of industrial enterprises” and “Industrial and Civil Construction”. At the origins of the faculty’s formation was a prominent scientist, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Hero of Socialist Labor, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Rector of KarPI A. Saginov.

In 1973, also on the basis of the order of the Minister of Higher and Secondary Specialized Education of the Kazakh SSR, a full-time department was opened at the faculty. New specialties were opened, and the number of students enrolled grew. In 1977, the Zhezkazgan General Engineering Faculty was transformed into a branch of the Karaganda Order of the Red Banner of Labor Polytechnic Institute. The opening of the branch was a significant event not only for Zhezkazgan, but also for the entire Central Kazakhstan. Local authorities paid great attention to the university, provided assistance and comprehensive support in strengthening the material and technical base, strengthening human resources. New departments were created, scientists-teachers, candidates of sciences were invited to work.

In 1992, the KarPI branch was transformed into Zhezkazgan Mining and Technological Institute by the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 42 dated 21.01.92.

The development of industry in the region has spurred the need for training personnel for the social sphere. In particular, the problem of training teachers for the growing economy of the region has become acute. In 1975, the Zhezkazgan Pedagogical Institute was established. Initially, personnel training was conducted at two faculties: philology and Physics and Mathematics, then in 1976 the Faculty of Natural Geography was opened, and in 1978 the Faculty of Art and Graphics was opened. For more than 35 years of its existence, more than 10 thousand teachers have been trained for the needs of cities, industrial settlements, districts, and rural schools.

The first heads of universities were Belogrivov I. I., Tastanov Sh. Y., Bekturov M. S., Zhakenov G. K., Abdrakhimov U. T., the first deans of the newly opened faculties were Kolobochkin N. S., Khamzin S. Kh.

In May 1996, by the Order of the Minister of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Government Decree), Zhezkazgan University named after O. A. Baikonurov was established on the basis of Zhezkazgan Mining and Technological and Pedagogical Institutes. Headed the new educational institution Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, corresponding member. Engineering Academy of the Republic of Kazakhstan Abdrakhimov U. T.

All these years were years of training highly qualified specialists, the educational, laboratory and material-technical base was strengthened, educational, methodological and research work was improved, the nomenclature of specialties was changed in accordance with the requirements of the time, and the integration of the educational process with production was strengthened.

Currently, Zhezkazgan University is headed by Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Kazakhstan National Academy of Natural Sciences A. Takishov.