The history of the West Kazakhstan State Medical University named after Marat Ospanov began in 1957. By order of the Ministry of Higher Education of the USSR: “... in order to provide Western and North-Western Kazakhstan with qualified medical personnel”, on September 1, 1957, the Aktobe State Medical Institute (AkSMI) was opened with the specialty “General Medicine”. The first rector of the institute was appointed candidate of medical sciences, associate professor Dairov A.B., later - doctor of medical sciences, academician. The opening of the institute marked the beginning of the development of medical education and science in Kazakhstan. The first teachers came from the leading medical institutes of the USSR. In a short time, the educational process was organized, the first enrollment of students was carried out and the start of life was given to a new higher educational institution on the Aktobe land. The first dean was the candidate of medical sciences, associate professor Sorokin A.P., who organized one of the fundamental departments - normal anatomy and the anatomical museum, which later became the best among medical universities in Kazakhstan. By mid-October 1957, seven departments were opened at the institute. Rector A.B. Dairov from 1957 to 1963 concurrently headed the Department of General Surgery. During this period, 33 departments were created at AkSMI, including 17 - of the clinical direction. In 1963, under the leadership of the rector Rostopchin N.D. the first graduation of young specialists took place: 157 medical doctors got a start in life. Under him, the Department of Urology was created, the construction of the morphological building began.