AMANZHOLOV UNIVERSITY STUDENTS DEVELOPED ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS AS PART OF THE TAZA QAZAQSTAN PROGRAM

Fourth-year students of the 6B05202 Ecology educational program at the Department of Ecology and Geography of the Higher School of IT and Natural Sciences of Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan University took part in the project workshop “Environmental Solutions for the City.”

The event was organized as part of the Taza Qazaqstan national program and the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The workshop was supervised by faculty members Serik Bakin, Zhanat Zhaznayeva, and Bibigul Daukenova. Its main goal was to develop students’ environmental thinking, strengthen their project competencies, and improve the practical skills needed to identify effective solutions to current environmental challenges in Ust-Kamenogorsk.

During the workshop, students focused on key urban environmental issues, including air pollution, industrial and household waste management, urban greening, rational use of water resources, improvement of environmental monitoring, and raising environmental awareness among residents.

Participants developed electronic mini-projects and worked through the main stages of project design. They analyzed selected environmental problems, identified their causes, defined goals and objectives, proposed environmental protection measures, and assessed the expected environmental and social outcomes.

The projects covered several major areas, including reducing air pollution and improving environmental monitoring, developing systems for separate waste collection, recycling and reuse, greening industrial and residential areas of the city, ensuring the rational use and protection of water resources, introducing resource-saving and environmentally safe technologies, conducting environmental education activities, and engaging residents in nature conservation. The participants also explored ways of using digital tools to address urban environmental challenges.

Particular attention was paid to presenting project results in digital format. Developing electronic projects allowed students to combine theoretical knowledge with modern project design and visualization methods and to present their ideas and proposed environmental solutions in a clear and accessible way.

The workshop topics covered several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Goal 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, Goal 13 – Climate Action, and Goal 15 – Life on Land.

Participation in the workshop enabled future environmental specialists to apply their professional knowledge in practice, develop critical thinking and teamwork skills, and strengthen their competencies in environmental project design. By developing their own projects, the students gained a deeper understanding of the role of environmental professionals in creating a comfortable urban environment and supporting the sustainable development of the region.

The project workshop demonstrated that solving environmental problems begins with a deep understanding of their causes, a responsible attitude toward the environment, and a willingness to propose practical initiatives. Such projects help foster environmental awareness and contribute to the development of Ust-Kamenogorsk as a cleaner, more comfortable, and sustainable city.

Taza Qazaqstan begins with each of us!