Since 2020, D. Serikbayev East Kazakhstan Technical University (EKTU) has been a participant in the international UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. Having taken a strong start, the university has confidently maintained its leadership in ecology and sustainable development among Kazakhstani universities for six consecutive years, consistently ranking first nationwide. The results of this year’s ranking once again confirmed this position. Placing 139th among 1,745 universities worldwide, EKTU ranks first in Kazakhstan and third in the CIS. Such high results and continuous improvement are ensured through systematic efforts to integrate green initiatives into all aspects of university life.
One of these initiatives is the annual international online seminar “Green University”, held on the Zoom platform, which brought together participants from universities in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Belarus, Turkey, and Hungary. This year, more than 200 participants registered for the seminar, and around 30 speakers expressed their willingness to share their universities’ experiences in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The central theme of the 2025 seminar was youth green initiatives—projects and ideas that foster an environmentally responsible culture on university campuses and make a tangible contribution to advancing the SDGs. We firmly believe that today’s youth are shaping tomorrow’s environmental agenda, and we strive to provide a platform for inspiration, dialogue, and collaboration between student and academic communities.
The presentations covered a wide range of topics, including best practices in environmental education and volunteer engagement, green growth strategies, the development of environmental culture, expanding student opportunities for a sustainable future, and integrating the SDGs into the strategies of universities across Central Asia.
Speakers from EKTU presented their experience in developing youth environmental policy at the university, as well as in transforming education through the integration of the SDGs within the framework of the Erasmus+ project in circular economy and sustainable development. One such initiative was the establishment of the Office of Sustainable Development, staffed today by EKTU students and graduates.
A separate session was dedicated to the role of universities in promoting the SDGs. Participants discussed various areas of scientific and practical activity, ranging from agriculture to environmental auditing of urban environments.
During the seminar, a lecture hall was organized for students at the newly opened Alexander von Humboldt Center for Sustainable Development, where future environmental specialists were able to attend the speakers’ presentations and ask questions.
The international online seminar “Green University” has become an annual platform for sharing experience and engaging an increasing number of universities in the implementation of the SDGs.
This is especially important today, as we face numerous environmental challenges, and sustainable development remains a goal we must collectively pursue. Universities, as drivers of science and education, should not only develop ideas related to sustainable development but, above all, implement them across all areas of activity. It is the youth who represent the driving force capable of changing our world for the better. The seminar made it possible to observe both the unique practices of universities and their distinctive features, as well as key points of convergence and opportunities for future joint projects.
We would like to thank all participants and speakers for their interest and for the creative ideas and practices aimed at addressing specific challenges in the field of sustainable development.
We are closing the year—and opening the way for green ideas.
