KazNU - UNAI: 75 Minutes of Dialogue

Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, which is heading the Global Hub of the UN «Academic Impact» Program, took part in the international online conference «Environmentally Friendly Cities and Economic Solutions for Academic Community to Achieve the Goal». The event, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, has brought together prominent experts from UNEP (UN Environment Programme), UNIDO (Industrial Development) and scientists from leading world universities.

Al-Farabi KazNU was the only Kazakhstani HEIs to participate in this event. Welcoming the participants of the Conference, Rector of the University Academician Galym Mutanov has congratulated the UN representatives on the anniversary year, noting the fruitful cooperation of the University with this organization. As a key speaker, he talked about the successful activity of the University, which has been leading the Global Hub of the UN «Academic Impact» Program on Sustainable Development for the fourth consecutive term. The result of the University’s active work in this direction was the opening in KazNU of the Ban Ki-moon Institute for Sustainable Development with the participation of VIII UN Secretary General. In his speech, he also spoke about international initiatives of KazNU and projects that are being implemented jointly with the UN and foreign partners. The scientific and innovative project «Al-Farabi University Smart City» and the model of development of a new generation University – «University 4.0», presented at the UN headquarters and recommended as a successful experience for dissemination among the world’s higher education institutions, were highly appreciated by UNAI.

G.Mutanov emphasized that today the University implements such breakthrough innovative projects as «Green Bridge for Green Campus» aimed at turning the world University campuses into centers of green economy and «Smart Universities in the center of Smart Cities». For the purpose of practical realization of its own concept for development of smart cities, KazNU has launched a unique scientific and innovative project «Al-Farabi University Smart City», aimed at finding new ways to solve modern problems of urban communities.

In order to summarize the most important research results of the University scientists and foreign partners in the field of sustainable development of cities, in 2019 there was published a monograph «Smart Cities on the Silk Road: International Experience of Sustainable Development of Cities». It reflects original science-based approaches and vision of the «Smart» Cities concept, taking into account the most probable transformation of the spatial organization of the territory in the future.

In the course of the online conference, participants have discussed current issues of social development and environmental impact, implementation of a global strategy for urban development in the framework of the implementation of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for Humanity, as well as measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to restore the world economy in the post-crisis period. The event was ended with a fruitful discussion and exchange of views.

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