An Information Session “Next Gen & SDGs: Youth, Digital Education and the Future” Held at Al-Farabi KazNU in Cooperation with Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies

Within the framework of the developing cooperation between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, an information session entitled “Next Gen & SDGs: Youth, Digital Education and the Future” was organized for students of the Faculty of Oriental Studies.

The partnership between the two universities, initiated in 2024, is aimed at strengthening academic ties, advancing language training, and expanding international educational initiatives. During the current visit, special significance was given to the thematic session dedicated to the role of youth in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The information session focused on the interconnection between the digital transformation of education and the global sustainable development agenda. The discussion addressed the following key areas:

1. Youth as a Strategic Resource for Sustainable Development.

It was emphasized that the new generation is not only a beneficiary of reforms but also an active agent of change. Participants discussed how students can contribute to the formation of sustainable practices through academic research, social initiatives, and digital projects.

2. SDG 4 – Quality Education in the Digital Era.

Speakers highlighted that digital education expands access to knowledge, reduces geographical and social barriers, and fosters the development of 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and intercultural communication. Particular attention was paid to the transformation of universities into flexible educational ecosystems.

3. SDG 10 – Reducing Inequalities through Digital Inclusion.

The session addressed issues of online education accessibility, equal opportunities for students from diverse regions and social backgrounds, and the importance of open educational platforms.

4. SDGs 16 and 17 – Global Partnerships and Intercultural Dialogue.

International cooperation between universities was presented as a practical instrument for implementing the principles of partnership for sustainable development. Academic mobility and joint educational initiatives contribute to the development of global citizenship and the strengthening of intercultural understanding.

Special attention was also devoted to the future of digital education, including the development of hybrid learning models, the use of artificial intelligence in educational processes, the formation of personalized learning trajectories, and the preparation of specialists for the knowledge economy.

Students actively participated in the discussion, raising questions about the role of humanities and area studies research in achieving the SDGs and sharing their perspectives on what education of the future should look like.

The information session demonstrated that cooperation between Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and Cyber Hankuk University of Foreign Studies extends beyond language training and serves as an important platform for discussing global challenges and sustainable development strategies.

The event reaffirmed the importance of integrating the SDG agenda into the university environment and highlighted the crucial role of youth in shaping a sustainable, digital, and inclusive future.