Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of Kazakhstan Visits Research Laboratories at the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences

On October 21, 2026, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nurzhan Nurzhigitov visited the research centers of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University as part of his working visit, including the Research Center for Sustainable Development and Rational Nature Management at the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences, established in 2024. The center comprises ten research laboratories conducting studies in climatology, hydrology, rational use of water resources, digital cartography, geographic information technologies, environmental safety, soil ecology, sustainable tourism, and socio-economic development of territories.

The center places particular emphasis on research aimed at assessing the quality of surface water and groundwater, monitoring atmospheric processes, studying the impacts of climate change, analyzing landscape degradation, and developing scientifically based approaches to sustainable natural resource management. To address these challenges, faculty researchers apply modern methods of laboratory analysis, mathematical modeling, geographic information technologies, and remote sensing.

The faculty's research infrastructure supports comprehensive interdisciplinary studies, promotes international scientific cooperation, and contributes to the development of evidence-based solutions in environmental protection and sustainable natural resource management.

Following his visit to the university's research centers, Minister Nurzhan Nurzhigitov highly appreciated the ongoing research activities, emphasizing the importance of rational water resource use, scientific support for addressing pressing challenges in the water sector, and the implementation of joint research projects.

The visit of the Minister highlighted the significant scientific potential of the Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University in addressing Kazakhstan's current environmental and water management challenges, as well as the prospects for further cooperation between the scientific community and government institutions to promote the country's sustainable development.