AlmaU presented its environmental and social project “Syr qorǵany – sekseýil” at the international Trophées des Entreprises 2025 awards, organized by the France – Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and received the award in the Actions RSE / ESG category.
The France – Kazakhstan Chamber of Commerce and Industry assessed projects based on their impact on society and the environment, the sustainability of initiatives, and compliance with international standards. Almaty Management University was recognized for its systematic Environmental, Social, and Governance approach, its tangible contribution to the restoration of the Aral Sea region, its strong commitment to the principles of corporate social responsibility, and its significant positive impact on societal development and environmental protection.
The “Syr qorǵany – sekseýil” project is a unique volunteer initiative aimed at restoring saxaul ecosystems in the Aral Sea region and combating desertification in Central Asia.
In March 2024, volunteers from Almaty Management University planted 5,100 saxaul saplings on the dried seabed of the Aral Sea. This marked the first instance in the history of Kazakhstan of large-scale participation by students, entrepreneurs, and international volunteers in such efforts. Previously, these activities had been carried out exclusively by state forestry enterprises for decades. 
In 2025, students of Almaty Management University joined an international environmental campaign organized by the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and Freedom Bank, contributing to the planting of 8,000 out of 18,000 saxaul saplings across an area of 60 hectares. As a result, over two years of project implementation, a total of 13,100 saxaul saplings were planted, and more than 160 participants from Kazakhstan, Central Asian countries, Europe, and the United States were involved. The project has a significant social impact. Almaty Management University effectively paved the way for public and corporate participation in the restoration of the Aral Sea region.
Following its launch, major companies joined the initiative, including Freedom Holding, which introduced a dedicated cashback mechanism to finance planting activities, as well as KazMunayGas Joint Stock Company. This transformed the project into a sustainable public and corporate movement for the restoration of saxaul forests. The uniqueness of the project lies in the integration of a university living lab model that combines field-based environmental work, a scientific approach, educational modules, and volunteer engagement. The use of saxaul as a natural barrier aligns with the recommendations of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and contributes to the global agenda on climate adaptation and the reduction of dust storms in the Aral Sea region. 
Almaty Management University is shaping a new generation of environmental leaders and strengthening the sustainable development of the region. In the future, the university plans to expand the geographical scope of planting activities on an annual basis, develop educational and research modules focused on the restoration of degraded lands, and scale the project as a model for the participation of Central Asian universities in addressing environmental crises of global significance.