Summer School on the Aral Sea 2024: Uniting Knowledge and Experience for Sustainable Regional Development

From August 12 to 22, 2024, the Aral Sea Summer School took place, bringing together participants from six countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Mongolia. The official opening of the event was held at the Kazakh-German University, which hosted the Summer School for the sixth time. The support from the Executive Directorate of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea in the Republic of Kazakhstan (IFAS) and the Water and Development Partnership Programme IHE Delft (ASB & LCB Space Project) enabled participants to delve into key topics such as climate change, integrated water resource management (IWRM), the socio-economic development of the Aral region, and tourism in this unique area.

The faculty of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management made a significant contribution to the success of the event. Zhanar Raimbekova, a senior lecturer of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, was responsible for the expedition part of the program, carefully selecting the sites to visit and organizing logistics. Saniya Akhmetova, also a senior lecturer, gave a lecture on "The Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources" and at the Aralsk meteorological station, she introduced participants to the processes of measuring air mass parameters and making short-term weather forecasts. Roman Plokhikh, PhD, professor of the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism, explained the prospects for the development of "Ecotourism" and "Dark Tourism" on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea, emphasizing their importance for the region.

Out of more than 400 applications for participation in the Summer School, only 13 individuals were selected, who received a unique opportunity not only to deepen their theoretical knowledge but also to apply it practically during the expedition across the Aral region. Among the participants, 3rd-year student of the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Arman Ayazbek, stood out by presenting his idea on restoring the lake systems of the region, demonstrating strong theoretical knowledge.

During the Summer School, participants had the opportunity to study the current issues of the region and exchange experiences with field experts, making the event truly unique and significant for all participants.