A student leadership project in Kazakhstan shows how small but effective ideas can have the power to transform lives.
Good news for all those keen to make a difference to the world: you don’t need to wait until after you graduate.
This is proven by the Bright Ideas project at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU), Kazakhstan, in which students worked together to develop simple but effective ideas that could make a difference to their city, Almaty.
Project director Rafis Abazov says the motto for the project was: “smart universities help to build smart cities”.
Students were encouraged to look all around the world for inspiration, researching how other countries and cities had tackled similar issues, and deciding which ideas could work well for their own region.
The suggestions they came up with are certainly innovative – ranging from the unexpected benefits of adding fish to the city’s water displays, to an investigation into the use of chocolate in communication campaigns.
Bright ideas for a better world
Some of the bright ideas put forward by the KazNU students relate to waste disposal and recycling, while others focus on ways to promote healthier and more environmentally sustainable lifestyles.
Ideas included switching from plastic bags to paper, distributing outdoor treadmills around the city, and opening micro-plants for plastic and paper recycling – including one at the university itself.
One idea outlined an innovative approach to battery recycling developed in South Korea, which means used batteries can be converted into a power source for conventional LED lamps.
Another focused on the success of a communications campaign in New Zealand, which used the packaging of chocolate bars to convey simple messages about environmental sustainability.
Meanwhile, the suggestion of adding fish to the city’s fountains was not just based on aesthetic appeal, but on research suggesting this could help to reduce the number of mosquitoes.
Big problems, smart solutions
Aiman Imentai, currently completing a biology master’s program at KazNU, says she really enjoyed the challenge of attempting to solve “big problems” using “small but smart ideas”.
She adds, “I enjoyed meeting new people who are involved in making decisions about city management, and researching how the other countries and cities handle the same issues.”
In addition, KazNU students had the opportunity to present some of their ideas at a special event as part of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, 'Rio+20', held in June.
For other students keen to make a difference to the world, Aiman highly recommends looking out for similar projects. “Don’t lose your chance to contribute to your society, environment or economy. You'll also expand your knowledge and learn new skills.”
So, if you’re feeling inspired by the KazNU students’ bright ideas, now is the time to check out what projects are running at your own university, or at the universities you’re applying to.
With more institutions offering these kinds of student leadership schemes, there should be more opportunities than ever before for students to make a difference to their local communities – and the global one too.
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