A modern university is not just a place for acquiring knowledge but also a center for shaping environmental awareness.

On March 5, 2025,  S. Kaniyev Scientific Library at the Kazakh National Women's Pedagogical University hosted a roundtable discussion on the topic: "Eco-Education: The University as a Center for Environmental Awareness." This event was organized in the format of an eco-forum, a quest, and interactive stations.  The first-year students took part in the discussion, gaining insights into the intersection of ecology and education. Additionally, faculty members shared their achievements and new ideas! The goal of the event was to enhance  the students' environmental literacy and inspire them to take concrete steps toward protecting the environment. The roundtable discussion  was organized and conducted by Aigul Isaeva, the  first-year PhD student specializing in 8D01704 – Russian Language and Literature at the Faculty of Philology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

During the event,the participants discussed how universities can transform into hubs of sustainable development, addressed pressing environmental issues, and examined successful experiences in implementing ecological initiatives in educational institutions. Through interactive stations,  the students explored environmental projects from leading global universities.

One of the event’s highlights was the “Eco-University of the Future” quest, where the  students proposed the  ideas how to  improve  campus sustainability and developed practical solutions for their implementation. Additionally, an interactive statistical presentation demonstrated how small lifestyle changes in  the  students' and  the faculty members’ daily routines can contribute to significant environmental outcomes.

As part of the event,  the students conducted an interview with Gauhar Umiraliqyzy Baytasheva, PhD, Associate Professor, and Director of the Institute of Natural Sciences. They asked questions about the university’s initiatives to reduce plastic waste, strategies for minimizing its ecological footprint, and opportunities for students to actively participate in environmental programs. The event concluded with a discussion on further developing the university’s environmental policies and encouraging student engagement in sustainable initiatives.  The participants shared moments from the event on social media using the hashtags #EcoUniversity #EcoCampus #GreenFuture.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1t35cZVNXKR0v1nbVaAYfW0BqGupg5oqo/view?usp=sharing