Almaty, 2026 — The Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU) has been awarded GOLD Status, achieving 550 points in an independent assessment conducted as part of the Smart Water Zone initiative. The project promotes sustainable water resource management and the implementation of best environmental practices across organizations in Kazakhstan.
Smart Water Zone is a national initiative implemented by GPI Group in partnership with Coca-Cola Kazakhstan and the Green Urban Association, with the support of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The initiative aims to foster a culture of responsible water use, promote modern approaches to water resource management, and strengthen the environmental responsibility of organizations.
As part of the assessment, experts evaluated KBTU's water management system, water consumption and wastewater monitoring practices, environmental policies, educational and research activities, participation in international initiatives, and the integration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the University's operations.
Following the independent evaluation, the experts highly commended KBTU's comprehensive approach to sustainable water management. The University's key achievements include:
• the adoption of a formal Sustainable Water Management Policy;
• systematic monitoring of water consumption and wastewater volumes;
• the implementation of research projects by the KBTU SDG Projects Department and the KBTU School of Information Technology and Engineering, including the Smart Agriculture project, which applies Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve water-use efficiency. The assessment also recognized the University's participation in international research initiatives led by Professor Zhanay Sagin of the School of Information Technology, including FLOOD-MAR HUB, TERESA, and INOWAS, which focus on sustainable water resource management, flood and drought forecasting, and the development of innovative hydrological solutions;
• the organization of educational, scientific, and public awareness activities aimed at promoting responsible water use and environmental stewardship;
• the implementation of internationally recognized management system standards, including ISO 14001, ISO 45001, and ISO 9001, across the University's educational, research, and administrative activities.
KBTU's participation in the Smart Water Zone assessment was coordinated by the SDG Projects Department, which played a leading role in preparing the University's submission. The Department also regularly organizes international conferences, educational programmes, seminars, workshops, and collaborative projects dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, environmental responsibility, and the sustainable management of natural resources.
Receiving GOLD Status confirms the high level of development of KBTU's environmental management system and demonstrates the effectiveness of the University's sustainability strategy. It also reflects KBTU's continued commitment to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.