Environmental engineering and sustainability
With population growth and industrialization, human influence on nature is increasing, leading to environmental crises and loss of resources. The Sustainable Development Goals are becoming key to achieving harmony between the social, economic and environmental aspects of life. An important role in this is played by environmental engineering, which develops and implements technologies to minimize environmental impacts. It is focused on creating environmentally friendly and safe solutions in the energy sector, industry and natural resource management, including waste recycling and the use of renewable energy sources. Environmental engineering is closely related to ecology, chemical engineering, energy, and other fields.
The UNESCO Department of Sustainable Development of KazNU, within the framework of the SDG implementation, conducts work among students of all specialties, thus contributing to the achievement of these goals. One such event was held on February 26, 2025, as part of the implementation of the UN SDG 4 "Quality Education", an open lecture on the topic "Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering" was held at KazNU. The lecture was organized for students of the Restaurant and Hotel Business educational program and is aimed at increasing their awareness of the principles of environmental engineering, as well as familiarization with methods to reduce the impact of human activities on the environment.
During the lecture, the speakers highlighted the basic principles of environmental engineering, explaining the impact of technical systems on the natural environment, as well as methods aimed at reducing the negative impact of human activity. It is important to note that the lecture was not limited to theoretical aspects only, but also included practical examples and real cases, which significantly increased its value for students.
One of the main objectives of the lecture was to introduce students to modern technologies and methods of nature protection, including principles of water and air purification, waste recycling and rational use of resources. For students of the Restaurant and Hotel Business program, the lecture provided a practical understanding of the environmental aspects of restaurants and hotels. In particular, it was considered how hotels and restaurants can reduce the negative impact on the environment. Students learned about practices such as separate waste collection and recycling, the use of environmentally friendly packaging, as well as methods to reduce food waste.
Special attention was paid to the competitive advantages of eco-responsible business. During the lecture, the participants learned how the introduction of environmental technologies helps to improve the reputation of the institution and attract customers who value environmental responsibility. This is especially important for the restaurant and hotel industry, where an increasing number of customers are choosing establishments that adhere to the principles of sustainable development.
Maral ABDIBATTAYEVA,
Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the UNESCO Department of Sustainable Development
Gulfairus BIZHANOVA,
1st year doctoral student
