Yessenov University has made environmental sustainability a defining pillar of its 2023–2029 Strategic Development Plan. Located in the Mangystau region—characterized by extreme aridity, water scarcity, and ecological vulnerability—the university has positioned itself as a regional leader in addressing environmental challenges and accelerating the transition toward a green economy. Its vision aligns with both national priorities and global sustainability goals, particularly through its focus on renewable energy, green hydrogen production, and ecological innovation.
Sustainability is embedded at the heart of Yessenov University’s academic model. The university delivers structured, cross-disciplinary training in environmental responsibility through three mandatory core courses across all bachelor programs:
These courses provide over 2,000 students annually with foundational knowledge and applied skills related to ecological safety, regional biodiversity, and community engagement.
In parallel, the university offers a comprehensive academic pipeline in Ecology, spanning Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees. Advanced students engage in regionally and globally significant research topics, including:
In pursuit of technological solutions to environmental challenges, Yessenov University launched the Kazakh-German Institute for Sustainable Engineering (KGISE)—a landmark initiative driving sustainable innovation, applied research, and international collaboration.
The primary mission of KGISE is to develop green hydrogen, leveraging Mangystau’s natural advantages in solar and wind energy. The institute is designed as a multidisciplinary platform that combines engineering, digital modeling, and industrial prototyping to develop practical, scalable technologies for Kazakhstan’s green transition.
Now in its second year of operation, KGISE currently offers over five academic programs with 150+ students enrolled, and it is preparing to launch 29 new degree programs at the bachelor, master, and PhD levels. These programs are developed in partnership with top-tier German universities to build human capital for Kazakhstan’s green economy.
KGISE is supported by collaboration with six leading German technical universities, known for their excellence in renewable energy, engineering education, and applied sustainability:
These partnerships enable KGISE to offer joint academic programs, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, and support collaborative R&D projects, positioning Yessenov University at the forefront of green engineering education in Central Asia.
While Yessenov University excels in embedding sustainability across academic and research activities, it does not yet have a mandatory annual training program on environmental sustainability for staff (academic or administrative). Recognizing the importance of building internal capacity, the university has identified this as a next step in its sustainability roadmap. Plans are underway to institutionalize annual training modules for staff to strengthen environmental literacy and operationalize sustainable practices across all levels of the organization.
With an integrated ecosystem of environmental education, applied research, international collaboration, and institutional investment, Yessenov University is establishing itself as a national and regional leader in green transformation. Its growing influence in ecological innovation, renewable energy research, and green workforce development supports not only Kazakhstan’s sustainable development agenda but also broader global climate goals.
While Yessenov University does not currently utilize a standardized tool such as Sulitest TASK, sustainability knowledge and action are embedded within the university’s internal quality and performance systems.
The university maintains a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system covering 96 indicators across six strategic directions, many of which are directly aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Academic and professional staff are evaluated on their contributions to sustainability-related research, student engagement activities, and departmental initiatives. High-performing staff and units receive additional funding allocations as part of an institutional incentive model.
Additionally, the university organizes biannual internal training sessions for all departments (at the end of winter and summer semesters) to disseminate new knowledge, sustainability practices, and policy updates.
In terms of operations, sustainability is embedded in financial decision-making. The university regularly reviews its operational expenditures with a sustainability lens and prioritizes investments in energy-efficient technologies and resource-saving infrastructure, further reinforcing staff awareness and institutional alignment with environmental responsibility.
Yessenov University does not yet use a formal assessment tool like Sulitest, but actively promotes sustainability literacy through curriculum and civic engagement. Core courses such as Ecology of the Mangystau Region, Labor Safety and Life Safety, and Service Learning are mandatory for all undergraduate students, reaching over 2,000 learners annually.
The university also supports the national initiative “Taza Kazakhstan” (Clean Kazakhstan) by engaging students in hands-on sustainability activities. Students regularly participate in campus greening, tree planting, and environmental maintenance, directly contributing to a culture of ecological responsibility.
Sustainability awareness is further developed through research projects, social campaigns, and innovation competitions. These initiatives, monitored by academic and student affairs departments, reinforce both theoretical knowledge and practical environmental stewardship.
In order to support the initiatives of students aimed at the development of environmental culture in higher educational institutions and beyond, a club called “Young Ecologist” was established at Yessenov University on October 2019. Love of nature is one of the ways to develop a harmonious personality. It is a first step towards environmental education and professional development for our students. The club has been running successfully for 6 years. Today, there are various projects and movements in the field of ecology in the educational institution. Students have been participating in solving the current problem by presenting their projects on the development of recycling industry, energy saving and environmental issues in our country
As part of the continuation of the implementation of the memorandum and the provisions of the agreement on dual training at Yessenov University, the general director of ship engineering and service LLP Dmitry Alexandrovich Donskikh held a meeting with students of the Maritime Academy.
At Yessenov University, a training was held within the framework of the project “say yes to plastic recycling”, which is being implemented on the basis of financial support from the International Fund “The Coca-cola foundation”, organized by the center of Service to society.