Nazarbayev University LibGuides: Green Campus: Sustainability Living Lab

Sustainability Living Lab

The Sustainability Living Lab program is supported by Chevron and aims to implement sustainable development research and innovation projects on campus with the involvement of Nazarbayev University students, professors, and staff.

Biodiesel from cooking oil

Description

The project aims to design and assemble an experimental biodiesel fabrication unit for utilization of used cooking oil produced by canteens and restaurants located on campus. Biodiesel could be used then to run the transport fleet of the University.

Participants

Damir Aidarkhanov, (PhD student), Aidar Seralin (Junior Researcher, National Laboratory Astana), Abilmansur Yeshmuratov (4-year student)

Green Corner

Description

The purpose of this project is to ease the stress level of staff and students by organizing the space that can be suitable for plants. The project offers several cascades of possible Green Corner. Students are welcome to organize lectures on raising awareness about green lifestyle and environmental issues here.

Participants

Aray Nurkali (4-year student, SSH),
Nurislam Kalikhbayev (3-year student, SSH)

Vegan meat

Description

By growing micro-fungi in a lab to produce meat alternative the project offers a vegetarian option and triggers NU community to switch to a healthier and more eco-friendly lifestyle. Thus, it will cause a reduction of carbon footprint of the campus.

Participants

Yermek Aitenov, Aiaulym Nurgozhina, Samat Kozhahmetov, Almagul Kushugulova, Altynai Tuyakova (National Laboratory Astana)

topyraQ

Description

The project offers a self-sustainable solution of the food waste problem in NU. The food waste like peels of fruits & vegetables, eggshells, tea bags, etc. from canteens and cafes on NU will be used for vermicomposting. Red Californian worms will be used to digest food waste and create compost. Then, the team will grow greens and vegetables on that compost.

Participants

Anelya Tynysbek (4-year student, SEDS),
Gulban Tillabek (4-year student, SEDS),
Gaziza Katenova (2-year student, SEDS),
Gulnur Pernebekova (3-year student, SEDS).

Drinking Fountain on campus

Description

To raise awareness of the plastic catastrophe and to provide drinking water to the NU community, the team installed drinking fountains in most visited places on campus: Library, Block C3 and C4. We believe this project will significantly reduce the plastic on campus

Participants

Indira Kyilybayeva (Master student, GSPP),
Sabyr Assylbekov (Master student, GSPP)

Precious Plastic

Description

Precious Plastic – is a worldwide movement, which aims to promote plastic recycling. As the university collects about 100 kg of plastic waste monthly, it is a perfect place to organize a recycling workspace for both utilization and education purposes.

Participants

Ilyas Anibayev (3-year student, SSH),
Bibigul Ospan (staff member, NURIS)

Indoor air quality

Description

The suspended liquid or solid particles in the air, Particulate Matter (PM), reported as serious human health hazards. The aim of research is to determine the level of PM concentration in the NU community by evaluating various low-cost monitors and to provide suggestions to improve air quality.

Participants

Mehdi Amouei Torkmahalleh (Professor, SEDS), Zarina Akhmetvaliyeva (staff, Office Provost), Elzira Kenzhegaliyeva (staff), Enoch Adotey (PhD student, SEDS), Motahareh Naseri (4-year student, SEDS).

Green box

Description

The project supports the growth of seedlings. The root of the tree is included in the ground inside the paper green box and it is filled with water. This paper box saves evaporation inside and stores water for a long time. In combination with mycorrhiza, it promotes root growth to the water-holding layer. Moreover, the box decomposes after one year.

Participants

Zhanat Maksut (Researcher, Energetic Cosmos Laboratory)

Zhanaru

Description

The project represents the first in Kazakhstan reverse vending machine, which accepts plastic bottles and aluminum cans, and pays back coins or gives points in a special application (by QR Code). Later, these points can be used in canteens and cafes of Nazarbayev University while purchasing food and beverage. The collected items will be sent for recycling.

Participants

Madi Yussupov (MSc student, NU), Dinislam Urazayev (3-year student, SSH, NU), Nurzhan Mashpiyev (4-year students, Suleyman Demirel University), Aruzhan Yedilova (4-year student Suleyman Demirel University)

Energy-efficient greenhouse

Description

An energy-efficient greenhouse on campus. It is an elegant solution and could be a great story: the team proposes to repurpose the construction that used to be a storage for oil, use energy from the wind turbines and solar panels near Technopark (NU) to the greenhouse and produce the cleanest food in Astana.

Participants

Dastan Sarbassov (Technopark resident),

Yerzhan Syrgaliyev (Advisor, NURIS)