I am Zhangyl Abilbek, a dedicated academic professional, sustainability advocate, and global citizen from Almaty, Kazakhstan. My journey has been shaped by a deep passion for education, leadership, and environmental stewardship. Starting with a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, I’ve pursued a career that combines technical expertise with impactful initiatives to address pressing global challenges.
Currently, I serve as the Head of the Natural Sciences Department at SDU University, where I lead efforts to enhance STEM education and promote sustainability. I’ve mentored over 30 graduates, empowering them to secure prestigious scholarships and make meaningful contributions to global forums. My leadership has extended to sustainability-focused projects like “Green University,” which integrates eco-friendly practices into institutional operations, and a recent initiative to develop smart soil enrichment solutions addressing climate change.
My achievements include being selected as a fully funded scholar for the HISA Youth Dialogue, where I also serve as a Youth Envoy, and representing my country as a fully funded scholar at the Japan Youth Summit. Additionally, I am honored to have been chosen as a Harvard HPAIR Scholar, where I engaged with global leaders and changemakers to tackle critical issues. These experiences have broadened my perspective and deepened my commitment to creating positive change.
While I am proud of my strengths in strategic leadership, networking, and problem-solving, I also embrace my weaknesses, such as occasionally taking on too much, as opportunities for growth and learning.
I am passionate about inspiring others and fostering collaboration to build a more sustainable and equitable world. Joining the UPG Sustainability Leadership program would allow me to learn from and contribute to a global network of changemakers, advancing the mission of empowering citizens to create meaningful impact.
Leadership, Collaborative, Creative, Action-oriented ,Disciplined, Problem-solving skills ,Strong communication skills , Strategic thinker and adaptable.
A time when I used collaborative strength was during the “Green University” project at my institution, where we aimed to implement sustainable practices and reduce the environmental footprint of our campus. The initiative required contributions from a diverse range of stakeholders, including students, faculty, administration, and external partners. At first, the sheer scale and complexity of aligning these groups seemed overwhelming, but I knew that collaboration was the key to success.
I began by organizing inclusive brainstorming sessions, ensuring that every stakeholder had an opportunity to share their perspectives, ideas, and concerns. By creating an open and respectful space for dialogue, I fostered trust and mutual understanding among the participants. Through these discussions, we identified common goals, such as reducing campus waste, conserving energy, and enhancing green spaces.
Next, I took a leadership role in coordinating efforts across different groups. For example, I worked with student organizations to run awareness campaigns and sustainability challenges, such as recycling drives and energy-saving competitions. I partnered with faculty members to integrate sustainability topics into their coursework, empowering students to approach the issue from an academic perspective. Simultaneously, I engaged with the administration to secure funding for larger initiatives, such as installing energy-efficient lighting systems and creating eco-friendly infrastructure.
One of the most impactful aspects of this collaboration was bringing together various perspectives to design practical solutions. For instance, when implementing a campus-wide recycling program, students suggested ways to make participation convenient, faculty contributed research on effective waste management strategies, and the administration provided the necessary resources. By uniting these efforts, we successfully launched a program that dramatically reduced campus waste within its first year.
The project’s success was evident in measurable results, including a significant reduction in energy consumption and waste production. However, its true impact extended beyond numbers—it strengthened our campus community, showing how collaboration could turn a complex challenge into an opportunity for collective growth and meaningful change.
This experience reinforced my belief in the power of collaboration. It taught me that by working together, leveraging diverse strengths, and aligning effor
Yes, I have extensive experience as a volunteer, and it has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my personal and professional journey.
One of my most impactful volunteering experiences was during the “Jas Maman” program, a national initiative focused on mentoring recent university graduates to develop their careers as future educators. As a mentor, I guided over 560 Bachelor’s degree graduates, helping them navigate career paths, build confidence, and acquire the skills needed to excel in academia. My role included organizing workshops on pedagogy, conducting one-on-one coaching sessions, and connecting participants with opportunities for professional growth. Through this experience, I learned the transformative power of mentorship and how inspiring and empowering others can lead to long-term positive impacts.
In addition, I volunteered to provide free-of-charge teaching in Math and English to low-income students in my community. Many of these students lacked access to quality education due to financial constraints, and I saw an opportunity to make a difference. I organized weekly tutoring sessions, tailoring lessons to address their unique challenges and learning needs. By simplifying complex topics and encouraging interactive learning, I helped these students build confidence in their abilities. Several of them went on to excel in their studies, and seeing their growth was incredibly fulfilling.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of accessibility in education and the profound difference it can make in someone’s life. It taught me the value of equity and reinforced my belief in using my skills to create opportunities for those who might otherwise be left behind.
Volunteering has also included participating in environmental initiatives, such as organizing clean-up drives and tree-planting campaigns as part of the “Green University” project. This deepened my understanding of the collective responsibility we share toward environmental preservation and how grassroots actions can lead to meaningful change.
These experiences have instilled in me a strong sense of community, leadership, and empathy. They have shown me that even small acts of service, such as teaching or cleaning up public spaces, can create a ripple effect, inspiring others to contribute to the greater good. Volunteering continues to be a source of personal growth and fulfillment in my life.
Graduate: I have completed a graduate degree (e.g. I have a Masters degree or PhD)
With my background in both sustainability-related education and leadership in community-driven projects, I am highly capable of leading initiatives that promote positive environmental impact and empower others to take action. As a leader of multiple sustainability-focused projects, such as the “Green University” and the “Next-Gen Soil Enrichment with Biogumus via Smart Automation”, I have consistently demonstrated my ability to implement impactful solutions within my community and university.
My experience in academia and STEM education equips me with the tools to educate others about sustainability challenges and solutions. I have mentored over 560 graduates through the “Jas Maman” Program, focusing on developing young leaders, many of whom have gone on to participate in international forums. Additionally, I have experience working on sustainability-focused grants, securing funding for projects aimed at addressing climate change and community well-being.
One of my strengths is the ability to create practical, scalable solutions to sustainability challenges. For example, through the Biogumus initiative, I worked to develop innovative technologies for waste management and soil enrichment. These efforts showcase my hands-on approach to solving environmental problems and my ability to lead others in adopting sustainable practices.
Beyond my academic and leadership skills, I have also honed my ability to collaborate internationally, having worked with partners in Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Indonesia on sustainability projects. This international exposure not only strengthens my understanding of global sustainability challenges but also allows me to bring diverse perspectives and solutions to my work.
With a strong commitment to sustainable development, and a clear record of actionable initiatives, I am confident that I possess the capability to lead meaningful change as a UPG Sustainability Leader. My goal is to inspire others to join in taking impactful actions, and I am eager to enhance my leadership abilities through this training to continue advancing sustainability within my community and beyond.
When starting any sustainability project, there are always a few hurdles I expect to face. Here are some of the challenges I anticipate, and how I plan to tackle them:
One of the first challenges I expect is convincing people to support the project. Whether it’s local communities, businesses, or even government bodies, many people are skeptical about sustainability initiatives—either because they don’t see the immediate benefits or simply don’t understand how they fit into their lives.
My plan is to start by listening to the concerns of the community. I believe in building trust by engaging people early on and showing them the direct benefits of the project. Whether it’s through workshops, local meetings, or showing success stories from similar projects, I’ll focus on making the benefits clear and tangible. I’ll also make sure to involve local influencers and leaders, who are trusted figures in their communities, to help spread the word and encourage others to get involved.
Like many projects, one challenge that could arise is securing enough resources, especially funding. Without sufficient financial backing, it’s hard to move beyond the initial stages.
I’m no stranger to securing grants and funding, so I plan to reach out to multiple sources—from government grants to corporate sponsors to crowdfunding platforms. Additionally, I’ll make sure the project is closely aligned with local and regional priorities, like job creation or environmental protection, to make it more attractive to potential funders. But beyond that, I’ll focus on building strategic partnerships with local businesses and educational institutions that will help provide not only financial support but also practical resources and expertise.
Sustainability often involves shifting people’s behaviors and perspectives, which can be one of the hardest parts. People are used to doing things a certain way, and introducing something new can be met with resistance, even if it’s beneficial in the long run.
I plan to take a hands-on approach—offering workshops and pilot projects that allow people to try out the new methods before committing fully. By showing them small, immediate benefits (like cost savings, improved health, or convenience), I hope to make the idea of sustainability feel more accessible. It’s all about demonstrating, not just telling. The more people experience the positive impact themselves, the more likely they are to change their mindset.
More than 500 people
Yes
Karagach community, my own employer SDU university
SDU University, my current employer, will be a key pillar of support for organizing my mini-training session. The university has a strong focus on innovation and community engagement, making it an ideal partner for this initiative. Here’s how SDU will assist: SDU will provide the necessary space for the training, such as classrooms or seminar halls, equipped with modern audiovisual tools and other facilities to ensure a smooth and professional delivery of the session. The university will help promote the event through its internal communication channels, such as email newsletters, university bulletin boards, and social media platforms. This will help attract participants from both within the university community and the wider local area. SDU has a wealth of academic staff and experts across various fields. I will be able to tap into their knowledge for additional support, whether for guest lectures, workshops, or Q&A sessions that will enrich the learning experience for attendees. The university’s administration will assist with logistical coordination, including managing registrations, setting up the event schedule, and ensuring that the necessary materials and resources are avail
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