Science for the Region – Sustainable Water Management Strategy by Kozybayev University

Kozybayev University has launched a major scientific project aimed at developing and implementing high-tech solutions for the monitoring, purification, and rational use of water resources in the North Kazakhstan Region. The expert team comprises scientists with a unique blend of knowledge in chemistry, ecology, medicine, epidemiology, agriculture, engineering, and digital technologies from Kazakhstan, the USA, the UK, Turkey, China, India, and Pakistan, signifying that the project is conducted at the intersection of disciplines and incorporates advanced global expertise.

The project leader is Professor Dmitry Berillo, PhD, from the Department of Science and Technological Development at Kozybayev University, who shared the implementation plans with us. The scientist possesses extensive research experience and is ranked among the top 40 most cited scientists in the field of chemical sciences in Kazakhstan according to Web of Science, with a Hirsch index of 25 (Scopus) and 28 (Google Scholar).

– Dmitry Alexandrovich, as far as we know, this research is of great significance for North Kazakhstan?

– Yes, indeed, our project is not merely fundamental scientific research; it is the foundation for establishing a Center of Academic Excellence in water resources, healthcare, and sustainable development of the North Kazakhstan Region.

We are addressing one of the most critical regional issues – the condition of drinking and irrigation water – from the most advanced scientific and technological perspectives.

The themes targeted by the project are both applied and urgent: the contamination of drinking water sources, the rise of mutagenic and toxic compounds (agrochemicals and fertilizers) in surface waters, and a high level of organic components and microbiological pollution. These problems are directly linked to public health risks, such as the development of chronic illnesses and the worsening of the overall epidemiological situation.

The project runs until 2027 and is aimed at achieving strategically important outcomes: improving the health of the region's population by enhancing drinking water quality, increasing agricultural crop yields through eco-friendly irrigation technologies involving water-retaining hydrogels, and minimizing negative environmental impacts by introducing digital water quality monitoring solutions and "green" purification technologies using recyclable adsorbents. Its implementation will serve as another contribution by the university to the development of the regional research ecosystem and will exert a positive influence on its socio-economic development.

– What material and technical facilities will be used to conduct the research?

– The program encompasses five complementary blocks: from the hygienic assessment of water supply and the evaluation of epidemiological risks to the biological rehabilitation of water bodies and the digitalization of water monitoring for key indicators. To implement them, a powerful scientific and technological laboratory complex, Kozybayev Lab, has been established, which includes the following laboratories: – water quality assessment; – biosensor technologies and multimodal microscopy; – GIS technologies; – environmental toxicology and biodiversity; – microbiology; – AgroChemAnalytics.

This year, a mobile laboratory will be equipped for the rapid analysis of heavy metals in water.

This will enable a complete analysis cycle, from field sampling to in-depth chemical, biological, and digital data analysis.

– What has already been accomplished, and what is the project implementation plan?

– Since the beginning of the year, work has been underway to develop next-generation biosensors for bacterial monitoring, and the transfer of efficient technologies is expected. Additionally, new water purification methods have already been developed, and the implementation of bioremediation using the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris is anticipated to reduce $CO_2$ emissions and remove toxic substances. Furthermore, technologies for sustainable agricultural water use will be implemented through water-retaining hydrogels.

The university possesses the necessary licenses and access to geographic information systems and software (ERA, ArcGIS Pro, with AI interfaces for flood monitoring and forecasting currently under development),

which enables the practical integration of digital solutions into ecological and agricultural tasks.

This will help address a particularly acute problem faced by the northern and western regions of the country – severe flooding, such as in 2024 when residential areas and agricultural lands were submerged.

Within the framework of the project, it is planned to establish at least three startups, specifically focusing on biosensors, intelligent IoT water resource management systems, and water-retaining hydrogels for agriculture.

A mobile application and a web portal will also be created to provide timely alerts to the population regarding potential flood situations and water contamination in open reservoirs. It is expected that at least five intellectual property objects will be secured, alongside the training of 10 PhD doctors and the publication of more than 20 scientific papers, including those in journals ranked in the Q1–Q2 quartiles.

Thus, Kozybayev University is deploying a large-scale project designed to achieve a breakthrough in the field of water resource management in the North Kazakhstan Region. Its implementation will improve the environmental situation in the region, establish a solid foundation for its sustainable socio-economic development, strengthen research potential, and increase the number of highly qualified personnel. Meanwhile, the laboratory complex, equipped with the most modern high-precision equipment, will enable comprehensive research and the development of advanced solutions for water purification and rational use.

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АННОТАЦИЯ

The Kozybayev University project, led by Professor Dmitry Berillo, is aimed at establishing a Center of Academic Excellence in water resources within the North Kazakhstan Region. An international team of scientists is developing high-tech solutions for drinking water purification, the bioremediation of water bodies, and the digital monitoring of flood situations. The implementation of the project will improve the environmental situation and public health, while enhancing the efficiency of the region's agro-industrial complex.