Employees of the Faculty of Physics and Technology of KazNU and Sustainable Development. SDG 4, SDG 11, and SDG 12

The Faculty of Physics and Technology of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University actively supports initiatives in the field of sustainable development. One of the teams making a significant contribution to this direction is the team of the Department of Thermophysics and Technical Physics.

Main Functions and Tasks of Employees

Team members (Head of the Department of Thermophysics and Technical Physics, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor S.A. Bolegenova, Associate Professor S.A. Bolegenova, Senior Lecturer Zh.K. Shortanbayeva, etc.) conduct explanatory work among students and teachers, highlight initiatives and actions carried out on social media. All this helps to engage young people in understanding and implementing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

International Project LESLIE (Erasmus+)

An important area of work for employees is participation in the international project LESLIE (Land management, Environment & Solid-Waste: inside education and business in Central Asia). Zh.K. Shortanbayeva is the national coordinator of the project from the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Project Goal: Development and implementation of digital educational tools and micro-qualifications on sustainable land use in universities of Central Asia, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The program aims to modernize undergraduate and graduate academic programs by modern international standards and labor market requirements.

Expected results within the LESLIE project:

✔ Updating university educational programs in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the field of sustainable land use

✔ Implementation of digital educational resources for students and teachers

✔ Promoting international cooperation and knowledge exchange in ecology and waste management

On November 21-22, 2024, a seminar "Developing Micro-Qualifications at the Modern Stage" was held at Al-Farabi KazNU with the participation of the official coordinator of the National Erasmus+ Office in Kazakhstan – L.K. Paluanova, Professor Xavier Rodrigo Ilari (Polytechnic University of Valencia); First Vice-Rector of Astana IT University, Doctor of Economics, Professor S.M. Omirbaev, and others.

Environmental Initiatives and Activities

On November 27, 2024, the international conference "Implementation of Environmental Initiatives in Universities: Successful Experience and Development" took place. The goal of the conference was to establish a systematic approach to environmental education in universities in Kazakhstan. Participants learned about effective environmental education tools, shared their experiences, and got acquainted with the international "Green Universities" program and the Green Universities Association. This was the second international conference "Green Universities: Country Cooperation," supported by the International Green Universities Association (Russia).

Key Activities for Raising Environmental Awareness Among Students and Teachers

✅ Eco-boxes for waste paper were installed at the Faculty of Physics and Technology and in Student House No. 1;

✅ First place in the Samsung Recycling School competition (electronic waste collection); eco-boxes from the company were installed in the rector's office, at the Faculty of Mechanics, the Faculty of Geography and Nature Management, and the Faculty of Physics and Technology;

✅ Second place in a video competition (Kazakh-German University (DKU) in partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP));

✅ Organization of the X Anniversary International Youth Forum "Green Bridge Across Generations," Almaty, April 25–27, 2024;

✅ Participation in the Sustainable Lifestyle Festival, Tashkent, September 19–20, 2024;

✅ Participation in the International Eco-Leader Gathering, Moscow, December 6–7, 2024;

✅ Organizing meetings with ecologists and sustainable development specialists;

✅ Participation in eco-actions and eco-cleanups, engaging students in environmental protection activities.

Contribution to Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The results of the previous Erasmus+ project "Enhancing Competencies of Sustainable Waste Management in Russian and Kazakh HEIs/EduEnVi" included the purchase of equipment for recording video lectures for the KazNU Online Competency Center (14 million tenge) and the development of five Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs):

1. Fundamentals of Waste Disposal (3 credits, 90 hours)
2. Energy-Efficient Waste Disposal Technologies (3 credits, 90 hours)
3. Waste Reuse (3 credits, 90 hours)
4. Energy Production from Waste Equipment and Technologies (3 credits, 90 hours)
5. Physico-Chemical Methods in Waste Management (3 credits, 90 hours)

The initiatives of the faculty staff contribute to the implementation of the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:

🔹 SDG 4 – Quality Education: The LESLIE project promotes the modernization of curricula, the introduction of digital educational technologies, and the development of competencies in sustainable development.

🔹 SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Organized activities such as eco-cleanups and eco-box installations aim to improve the environmental situation and implement sustainable development principles in urban areas.

🔹 SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Educational initiatives and environmental campaigns foster a culture of conscious consumption and waste separation.

Prospects and Future Plans

The Faculty of Physics and Technology will continue its active work in the field of sustainable development, expanding participation in international projects, conducting educational events, and engaging students in implementing environmental initiatives. The faculty's plans include further development of digital educational tools, organization of new international conferences, and expansion of cooperation with leading universities and research centers in sustainable development.

Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of its employees, the Faculty of Physics and Technology of KazNU makes a significant contribution to shaping a sustainable future for the country.