On November 5, 2025, a landmark event took place at AlmaU – a representative of Gumi Mix Group (Lithuania), Aleksandrs Kernožickis, arrived in Kazakhstan to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation and launch the pilot project “Sponge City Kazakhstan.”
Aleksandrs Kernožickis delivered a presentation about Gumi Mix Group, providing detailed insights into the technology and its potential for Kazakhstan:
“This product is designed to preserve water and use it as efficiently as possible for irrigating green areas, trees, shrubs, and flowerbeds.”
The project is being implemented in Kazakhstan for the first time, in the format of a research laboratory based at AlmaU. Its concept is rooted in principles of sustainable development and climate adaptation.
The idea is both simple and brilliant: a city should be able to absorb, filter, and reuse rainwater just like a sponge.
This approach helps reduce the risk of flooding, increase humidity and air quality, improve the microclimate, and make the urban environment more resilient and comfortable for living.
During the signing of the Memorandum, AlmaU also showcased its ongoing sustainability initiatives, including the SDG 6 coordinator Alikhan’s (1st-year student) project Hydroponics, aimed at efficient water use and the advancement of eco-friendly agriculture.
The meeting concluded with a discussion, idea exchange, and Q&A session, highlighting strong interest in sustainability among students and experts.
After the official part, participants planted 8–10 Sievers apple trees — a rare and valuable species, the ancestor of modern apple varieties. Additionally, innovative “sponges,” systems designed for collecting and efficiently using water, were installed on campus.
This step opens the way toward a future where innovation, science, and nature work in harmony to preserve resources and improve urban life. We are proud that AlmaU is contributing to this mission and playing an important role
