Analysis and implementation of ESG principles in higher education: integrating project management and sustainability practices in Kazakhstan

Purpose of the research. The aim is to analyze the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into higher education in Kazakhstan through the lens of project management (PM), and to propose a framework for aligning sustainability initiatives with institutional reforms.

Methodology. The study applies a qualitative research design based on secondary data analysis combined with a SWOT analysis of Kazakhstani higher education institutions. Comparative case studies of Nazarbayev University (NU) and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) were examined, with reference to global best practices.

Originality / value. The research provides one of the first systematic assessments of ESG adoption in Kazakhstan’s higher education sector, linking sustainability governance with project management models (P5, PRiSM, Agile). It contributes to the emerging discourse on ESG in Central Asia, offering a hybrid PM framework adaptable to the regional context of limited funding, centralized governance, and hydrocarbon dependence.

Findings. Results show that Kazakhstani universities have strong potential in social inclusivity and governance but face weaknesses in environmental sustainability and PM institutionalization. The SWOT analysis indicates that strengths (internationalization, social reforms) and opportunities (faculty training, global partnerships) can outweigh threats (funding gaps, governance constraints) if managed through hybrid ESG-PM models. Case evidence demonstrates measurable outcomes, such as energy savings (KazNU) and a 10% increase in digital literacy (NU). Scaling requires structured monitoring and interdisciplinary engagement to position Kazakhstan as a regional leader in sustainable higher education.

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