AlmaU advances the SDGs through academic, UN-affiliated, business and community partnerships focused on education, research and implementation.
AlmaU’s Center for Sustainable Development and ESG plays an important role in promoting the SDGs within the University and developing cooperation with external stakeholders. Integrating the SDGs into educational programmes and university operations;
On 24 March 2025, AlmaU joined the United Nations Global Compact in Kazakhstan. The UN Global Compact is an international initiative encouraging organisations to align their strategies and operations with principles relating to human rights, labour, the environment and anti-corruption.
AlmaU has been a signatory to the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) since 2009. PRME is a United Nations-supported initiative that promotes responsible management education and encourages universities and business schools to integrate sustainability, ethics and social responsibility into their teaching, research and partnerships.
In 2026, AlmaU was selected for the PRME Champions Cohort 2026–2027. PRME Champions is a global community of higher education institutions recognised for their engagement in responsible management education.
AlmaU has played an active role in the development of PRME Chapter Eurasia. Established in 2021, the regional chapter promotes responsible management education and facilitates cooperation among universities across Eurasia.
AlmaU supports the activities of SDSN Kazakhstan, part of the global Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The network promotes cooperation among universities, research institutions, public authorities, businesses and civil society to accelerate progress towards the SDGs.
On 10 September 2026, AlmaU signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UN Women in Kazakhstan. The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on gender equality, women’s empowerment and the integration of gender-responsive approaches into education and research.
On 22 October 2025, AlmaU hosted the AlmaU Impact Forum, organised in partnership with the SDG Alliance to mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
The event brought together representatives of more than 20 universities in Kazakhstan, as well as researchers, business leaders, ESG specialists, NGOs and international organisations.
The forum addressed the integration of sustainability into education, corporate governance and urban development.
Its programme connected three thematic areas:
Participants exchanged experience on responsible management, sustainability education and practical approaches to urban challenges.
The event demonstrated the University’s capacity to convene stakeholders from different sectors around common sustainable development priorities.
On 29 January 2026, AlmaU announced its participation in the UN Climate Change Universities Partnership Programme, an initiative of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The programme connects universities and experts working on climate adaptation and resilience.
Through participation, AlmaU seeks to strengthen opportunities for:
Student involvement in applied adaptation projects;
Development of locally relevant adaptation solutions;
Collaboration with academic and technical experts.
This engagement contributes to both SDG 13 and SDG 17 by linking climate-related education and research with international cooperation.
In 2026, AlmaU was appointed Vice-Chair for External Engagement and Partnerships of the UN Academic Impact SDG 7 Hub.
The Hub promotes academic cooperation on affordable and clean energy.
AlmaU’s role focuses on strengthening engagement with external stakeholders and developing opportunities for cooperation.
The appointment provides an institutional platform for expanding international academic networks related to clean energy, sustainable development and knowledge exchange.
This is a partnership and leadership role, rather than evidence of independently verified energy savings or installed renewable energy capacity.
AlmaU maintains a long-term partnership with Lehigh University, United States, established in 2019 through the Global Social Impact Fellowship.
The cooperation has expanded to include student research, academic exchanges, educational initiatives and interdisciplinary projects.
According to AlmaU’s official announcement of 17 June 2026, the partnership included:
Approximately 30 visiting Lehigh Global Social Impact Fellows in 2026;
Joint research and educational activities;
Student projects addressing social, environmental and technological challenges.
The partnership provides opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate on practical challenges in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
In June 2026, the universities discussed the development of an AlmaU–Lehigh Global Impact Collaboratory.
The proposed initiative is intended to strengthen interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
It remains a prospective institutional development rather than a completed facility.
In May 2026, AlmaU and Lehigh University implemented the Humanitarian Design and Social Entrepreneurship (HDSE) Leadership Intensive.
The programme brought together participants from Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the United States.
Two cohorts participated in workshops, mentoring, field research and interdisciplinary project development.
The programme addressed challenges including:
Environmental sustainability and climate resilience;
Student teams developed project concepts and prototypes and presented them to invited experts.
On 29 May 2026, the second cohort concluded with presentations, expert evaluation and jointly issued certificates.
The programme demonstrates a partnership model combining international education, applied research and community-oriented innovation.
On 12–13 June 2026, AlmaU hosted the first International Association of University Presidents (IAUP) Regional Conference in Central Asia.
The conference was organised under the theme:
“Impact-driven Universities: Education, Leadership and Societal Change.”
The event brought together more than 100 university leaders, experts and representatives of international organisations and government institutions from over 20 countries.
The conference was organised in partnership with IAUP and supported by several organisations, including:
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Kazakhstan;
The conference addressed the role of universities in responding to societal challenges and developing international cooperation.
It provided a platform for exchanging approaches to education, leadership and institutional impact.
AlmaU supports research collaboration with international academic institutions and experts.
From 5 to 7 June 2025, the University hosted the third International Conference “New Advances in the Political Economy of Development in Eurasia.”
The conference brought together researchers from universities and research institutions across Eurasia, Europe and North America.
Participants presented research on governance, institutions, economic development, environmental challenges and social change.
The event facilitated interdisciplinary academic dialogue and opportunities for further research cooperation.
AlmaU promotes cooperation with industry through its research centres, technology commercialisation activities and applied innovation projects.
On 5 November 2025, AlmaU signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Lithuania-based Gumi Mix Group and launched the Sponge City Kazakhstan initiative.
The project explores water-retention technologies for sustainable urban greening and climate adaptation.
During the launch, water-retention systems were installed on campus and approximately 8–10 Sievers apple trees were planted.
The initiative demonstrates cooperation between academia and a technology provider to investigate solutions relevant to water-efficient urban infrastructure.
Verified environmental outcomes will require further monitoring.
AlmaU’s Technology Commercialization Center supports cooperation among researchers, industry partners, investors and entrepreneurs.
Its activities include technology transfer, commercialisation planning, mentoring and research-based entrepreneurship.
The Center’s institutional materials describe a mentoring network involving more than 150 business leaders and experts.
This infrastructure supports opportunities for translating academic research into potential practical and commercial applications.
The Syr qorǵany – sekseýil project demonstrates AlmaU’s cooperation with public institutions, businesses and environmental organisations.
The initiative focuses on the restoration of degraded land in the Aral Sea region through saxaul planting.
In 2024, AlmaU volunteers planted 5,100 seedlings.
In 2025, students participated in a campaign organised by the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea and Freedom Bank, contributing to the planting of a further 8,000 seedlings.
The University’s reported contribution reached 13,100 seedlings across 2024–2025, with more than 160 participantsinvolved over the two years.
The project received international recognition in the Actions RSE / ESG category at the Trophées des Entreprises 2025 awards.
It demonstrates a partnership model connecting environmental action, corporate participation and volunteer engagement.
Established in September 2022, SDG Legion is a student organisation dedicated to promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The club supports student leadership, sustainability education, volunteering and public engagement.
Its previously reported activities include cooperation with the Institute of Economic Research, Air Astana, Huawei and other stakeholders.
The educational business game Mission 2030;
The Youth Forum on Innovation, Leadership and ESG;
The Girls Changing the World for the Better forum;
Charity and community support initiatives;
Student research addressing social issues.
The club provides opportunities for students to engage with external organisations and participate in initiatives aligned with the SDGs.
These examples reflect the club’s established activities; they are not all presented as events newly implemented during 2025–2026.
AlmaU supports interdisciplinary cooperation through its schools, research centres, laboratories and educational platforms.
Its institutional infrastructure includes facilities and initiatives related to:
These facilities can support cooperation with external researchers, industry specialists and educational institutions.
Access conditions may vary by laboratory, project and partnership agreement.
The University’s research and innovation infrastructure contributes to the development of interdisciplinary projects and opportunities for knowledge exchange.
AlmaU integrates sustainability-related topics into academic programmes and professional education.
Relevant courses and learning areas include:
Principles of Sustainable Business Development;
Sustainable Development: Principles and Practice;
Sustainable Cities and Urban Development;
These educational activities support the development of competencies relevant to the implementation of the SDGs.
International partnerships provide opportunities to enrich curricula through collaborative research, student projects, visiting experts and shared educational approaches.
These indicators reflect different types of partnership activities, including membership, formal agreements, research collaboration, educational programmes and joint project outputs.
They should not be combined into a single count of active institutional partnerships.
Conclusion
AlmaU’s contribution to SDG 17 is reflected in its expanding network of international academic, institutional, governmental, business and civil society partnerships.
During 2025–2026, the University strengthened its international engagement through the UN Global Compact, PRME Champions, UN Women, the UN Climate Change Universities Partnership Programme and the UN Academic Impact SDG 7 Hub.
Its collaboration with Lehigh University demonstrates the value of sustained research and educational partnerships, while the IAUP Regional Conference and AlmaU Impact Forum illustrate the University’s capacity to convene stakeholders across countries and sectors.
Applied initiatives such as Sponge City Kazakhstan and Syr qorǵany – sekseýil further show how partnerships can support environmental innovation and community engagement.
Through its Center for Sustainable Development and ESG, academic networks, student organisations and research infrastructure, AlmaU continues to develop cooperation that connects knowledge with practical sustainable development challenges in Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
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Official evidence: AlmaU and the UN Global Compact, September 2025
Official evidence: AlmaU as PRME Champion for 2026–2027
Official evidence: AlmaU and International Academic Cooperation Through PRME Chapter Eurasia
Official evidence: Fourth SDSN Kazakhstan Conference Announcement, September 2026
Official evidence: AlmaU Impact Forum in Partnership with the SDG Alliance, October 2025
Official evidence: AlmaU and UN Women Sign Memorandum of Cooperation, September 2026
Official evidence: AlmaU Joins the UN Climate Change Universities Partnership Programme, January 2026
Official evidence: AlmaU Appointed Vice-Chair of the UNAI SDG 7 Hub
Official evidence: AlmaU and Lehigh University Identify New Areas for Cooperation, June 2026
Official evidence: HDSE Leadership Intensive 2026 — Second Cohort Results
Official evidence: IAUP Central Asia Regional Conference at AlmaU, June 2026
Official evidence: AlmaU Hosts the Third International Political Economy Conference, June 2025
Official evidence: AlmaU and Gumi Mix Group Launch Sponge City Kazakhstan
Official evidence: Syr qorǵany – sekseýil: International Recognition and Results, December 2025
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