KazNU and PolyU continue the Guest Lecture Series: Dr Tiffany Cheng on Service Learning and Ecotourism

On 15 October 2025, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) hosted the third session of the PolyU–KazNU Guest Lecture Series, jointly organised with the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
The lecture, titled “Service Learning and Ecotourism,” was delivered by Dr Tiffany Cheng, Instructor at SHTM, whose expertise lies in service learning, sustainable tourism and innovative hospitality education.

The event was co-organised by the PolyU–KazNU Centre for Sustainable Development in Central Asia and the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism at KazNU’s Faculty of Geography and Environmental Sciences.

The session was moderated by Yeldar Nuruly, Senior Lecturer of the Department and Administrative Assistant of the Centre. The lecture attracted strong interest from undergraduate, master’s and PhD students as well as faculty members.

Focus of the Lecture

In her talk, Dr Tiffany Cheng demonstrated how service learning enables students to connect academic knowledge with real-world experience while developing empathy, responsibility and leadership skills. She emphasised that service learning is not only about understanding sustainability but also about living it — through collaboration with local communities, tackling social and environmental challenges and supporting ecotourism initiatives.

One of the highlights of the lecture was the Shabanbai bi case, a joint project with Kazakh students, where participants worked with local residents to enhance the tourism appeal of the area while promoting environmental awareness and community engagement. This case became a powerful example of how practical learning experiences can inspire sustainable change and foster genuine partnerships between students and communities.

Dr Cheng also underlined that effective service learning relies on trust, respect for local culture and shared decision-making rather than temporary assistance. Reflection — the ability to critically analyse one’s own experience — is essential for meaningful personal and professional growth.

Discussion and Q&A

During the Q&A session, students asked thoughtful questions about ethics in community partnerships, the role of empathy in education and how to evaluate the impact of service-learning projects. Dr Cheng responded with warmth and insight, encouraging students to view service learning not as charity but as collaboration built on equality and mutual learning.

Significance for KazNU and the Region

Dr Cheng’s lecture highlighted how education can drive sustainable change through active engagement and community-based learning.
Her insights strongly align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The concepts shared are highly relevant for Kazakhstan and Central Asia, where sustainable tourism development increasingly depends on inclusive community participation and youth empowerment.

Acknowledgement

KazNU extends its sincere gratitude to Dr Tiffany Cheng for her inspiring and heartfelt lecture, and to the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of PolyU for its continued collaboration and support within the PolyU–KazNU Guest Lecture Series.