2024, May 13
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European Union to Fund Kazakh Research in Sustainable Development
2024, May 13
Share this articleThe role of higher education in promoting sustainable development and enhancing cooperation with European organizations in sustainable development and green energy were discussed at the 2nd Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Conference.
Can Kazakh researchers participate and significantly contribute to the European Union innovation projects? How are Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, addressing climate change and socio-economic challenges, and why is higher education considered a key player in promoting a culture of sustainable development? These and other topics are being discussed at the 2nd Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Conference on May 13-14 at NU (NU). It is dedicated to localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Central Asian sectors and enhancing cooperation with European organizations in sustainable development and green energy. As the Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek noted in his video message, the conference will create new opportunities for increased cooperation and collaboration between research centres and universities, including the potential for Kazakh researchers to contribute to European Union innovation projects.
“Our efforts are aimed at creating as many research universities as possible in the country, and we believe that Kazakhstan will be able to position itself as a hub of higher education and global research. Every year we send 500 scientists for training in leading international scientific institutions and universities, it gives our scientists together with European institutions and universities to work out programs aimed at further development and partnership", - said the Minister.
At the conference, experts and academics from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan will discuss localization as a tool for implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at national and regional levels in sectors such as education, public health, energy, public administration, and the non-governmental industry over two days. This discussion will underscore the crucial role of higher education in promoting sustainable development, inspiring the audience about the impact they can make. Dr. Tristan McCowan, Professor of International Education at University College London, will deliver a keynote speech on this topic.
“It is essential to share knowledge and commonalities between countries and continents for close cooperation in environmental protection, energy and climate change. We are glad that NU hosts SDSN Kazakhstan, and according to our strategic development plan, SDSN thrives to achieve significant results in this area. Also, thanks to the Ministry's financial support, efforts in these areas will be intensified,” said NU Acting President Dr. Ilesanmi Adesida.
NU, as the National Country Office of the SDSN - the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network in Kazakhstan, has brought together 25 Kazakhstani universities and research institutes, including KazNU, SDU, KAZNARU, KBTU and others, to promote dialogue on practical solutions and research development to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals. From 2011 to 2023 inclusive, 33% of all NU scientific publications are devoted to different SDGs.
At the conference, Kremena Mileva, Representative of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation European Commission, discussed the support tools of Horizon Europe, the critical EU program for funding research and innovation to combat climate change. According to Kamil Akatov, Chairman of the Science Foundation Board, they are interested in productive and practical cooperation with the European Union within the framework of Horizon Europe. “We are ready not only to share our achievements but also to actively participate in common projects and research that will lead to concrete results in sustainable development. Today, the Science Fund is actively developing partnerships with focal points in Germany, France, Poland, Bulgaria and Turkey,” said Kamil Akatov.
To expand opportunities and contacts, a workshop on sustainable energy will be held on May 14. The participants of the CA region will get acquainted with the support tools of the EU Horizon Europe program in energy and climate change projects.
