Scientific Discoveries

Author: Albanbaeva Dzhyldyz Osmonkulovna
Candidate of Pedagogical Sciences, Acting Associate Professor Kyrgyz State University named after I. Arabaev Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

IMPLEMENTATION OF ESG PRINCIPLES IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES OF HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS: THE EXPERIENCE OF KYRGYZSTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN

Key words: sustainable development; ESG principles; higher education; university; environmental responsibility; social sustainability; corporate governance; university development strategy.

Annotation. In the context of the transformation of the global educational environment and the growing requirements for social responsibility of higher education institutions, the implementation of sustainable development principles based on the ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) concept is becoming increasingly relevant. Today, universities are considered not only as centers for training qualified personnel and generating knowledge, but also as key actors in socio-economic development, as the formation of environmental culture, and the обеспечение of transparent and responsible governance. The purpose of this article is to analyze the theoretical and practical aspects of implementing ESG principles in the sustainable development strategies of higher education institutions, as well as to identify the specific features of their application in universities of Central Asian countries. The study employs methods of analysis and synthesis of scientific sources, comparative analysis, systemic, and structural- functional approaches. The paper examines the main directions of the ESG agenda in university activities: environmental responsibility (energy efficiency, resource management, and “green” infrastructure), the social dimension (inclusive education, human capital development, and engagement with society), and the governance component (transparency, digitalization, and anti-corruption policies). Particular attention is paid to the role of the ESG approach in enhancing the competitiveness of universities, their positioning in international rankings, and the formation of sustainable educational ecosystems. The results of the study can be used in the development of university development strategies, educational programs, and managerial decisions aimed at integrating sustainable development principles into the higher education system.