AlmaU Eco Team Building took place on August 9th at Lake Issyk. It brought together university staff for an important environmental mission: cleaning up the area around Lake Issyk.
Lake Issyk, located in the Issyk Gorge of the Trans-Ili Alatau, just 40 kilometers from Almaty, is a favorite recreation spot for city residents. Almaty is renowned for its mountain scenery, and on weekends and holidays, hundreds of tourists’ flock here to enjoy the clean air and beautiful views. However, frequent visits to this area leave an inevitable trace: trash.
AlmaU’s Eco Team Building was organized by the AlmaU Youth Council and aims to improve the environmental situation in the region. Specifically, this event contributes to the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 15 “Life on Land,” which emphasizes the protection of ecosystems and the restoration of natural resources.
Eco-activist Nadezhda Vaschenko was invited to the event, where she conducted a mini-master class on waste collection
She also shared useful tips and techniques for effective cleaning of areas. Following the workshop, AlmaU employees were able to ask Nadezhda questions, discuss environmental issues, and receive recommendations for maintaining a clean environment.
The team building event was aimed at both improving the environment and strengthening team spirit. As part of the event, AlmaU employees participated in a variety of games and recreational activities, allowing them to get to know each other better in a relaxed atmosphere.
“The first Eco Teambuilding was organized at a high level. We set ourselves the goal of not just getting out into nature but also completing a cleanup mission. Everything was meticulously thought out and organized, from route planning to waste collection and minimizing human footprint in nature. I understand that the days of simply relaxing in nature are over. Now it’s important that every activity be imbued with meaning, goals, and ideas. Relaxation combined with useful work brings greater satisfaction. I’m very pleased to see how the energy of young people at our university has intensified, and we have high expectations from the council. This is an important part of AlmaU’s corporate culture, and I am ready to support creative ideas in support of sustainable development goals,” commented AlmaU Rector Gulnar Turdalievna.
“The eco-teambuilding event in Issyk was our first event focused on promoting sustainable development. This is especially important for us, as AlmaU actively supports environmental initiatives in general. I believe the teambuilding was a success thanks to our team’s responsible approach. Each participant demonstrated maximum effort, and the students truly did their best,” commented Youth Council member Guldaria Malikova.
The Youth Council expresses its sincere gratitude to all Eco Team Building participants and looks forward to continued collaboration on future projects!