KBSU is training personnel for a sustainable future for the republic

In an interview with RAEX, the acting rector of the KBSU discussed new trends in sustainable development.

According to Yuri Altudov, the demand for ESG* topics has become more pragmatic: businesses and the government expect universities to provide not only research but also ready-made solutions for regional development. Ahead of the All-Russian Conference on Sustainable Development of Universities, the acting rector of KBSU explained how the university is transforming theoretical ESG principles into specific projects for Kabardino-Balkaria, why it is focusing on human-centeredness, and how it trains specialists capable of solving the republic’s pressing challenges.

*ESG — Environmental, Social, Governance

Source: RAEX rating group website

— How would you rate the trend in interest in sustainable development/ESG topics within the university community among government agencies and businesses?

— Interest in this topic is undergoing a major transformation. While previously it was largely driven by the global agenda, today we are witnessing its adaptation to domestic conditions.

We are moving from theoretical discussions to practical implementation, and for KBSU, this is one of the key strategic priorities. The university, as a driver of the republic’s economic growth, not only adapts to these demands but also shapes this agenda.

In 2025, the cycle of many corporate ESG strategies will end, and businesses will move from declarations to the systemic integration of sustainability into the core of their business models. This is no longer a separate function, but a distributed responsibility. Government interest is also being structured, as evidenced by new national standards and a slight shift in focus from the environment to the social dimension.

Overall, demand for ESG topics has become more pragmatic: both businesses and government agencies expect universities not only to provide research but also ready-made solutions for regional and corporate development.

— Is there a desire to reconsider certain components of this topic—perhaps with a more down-to-earth perspective, aligning them with the current and future development challenges of the country, regions, municipalities, and businesses?

— Certainly, the ESG agenda is being rethought. We’ve lived through a decade of sustainable development goals; this is the right time to evaluate the path taken and make adjustments.

In Russian practice, abstract goals are being replaced by a focus on real human and regional impacts: quality of life, human development, and community engagement. This is precisely why KBSU is emphasizing human-centeredness as a key area of ​​sustainable development this year.

Together with the republic’s government, we are implementing a number of institutional projects to develop human-centered models for territorial development.

This approach is directly aligned with the socioeconomic development strategy of Kabardino-Balkaria and is in line with the nationwide commitment to improving the quality of life set by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

— Have the ongoing reforms in higher education over the past few years affected the general interest in this topic? Or are these processes unrelated?

— These processes are directly interconnected. The reform of higher education, the transition to new models of university governance, and the modernization of educational programs have all created the foundation for the deeper implementation of ESG principles. Universities are becoming centers of responsible regional development.

We have integrated sustainable development principles into KBSU’s development strategy as part of the Priority 2030 program. They are now an integral part of the university’s transformation process.

A sustainable development center has been established at KBSU, coordinating projects on the green economy, water resources, health preservation, and human-centeredness.

For us, ESG is not just a trendy acronym, but a tool for strategic development for the university and the region, and we strive to ensure that people and their development remain at the center of this system.

— Education in Sustainable Development / ESG: Demand, New Emphasis?

— ESG topics are consistently integrated into the core programs of our main departments. We offer programs in economics and management, social work, psychology, public and municipal administration, tourism, and hospitality, with modules on social responsibility, sustainable territorial development management, management ethics, and digital services for citizens.

We offer full-time programs in which sustainable development principles are embedded into the very foundations of the educational process. These programs focus on areas most relevant to the specific needs of our region: ecology, nature tourism, and sustainable territorial management.

Currently, 839 full-time students are enrolled in these ESG-focused programs.

Over the past three years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest in these programs.

The region clearly requires specialists in environmental monitoring, sustainable tourism, and adaptation to natural hazards.

— What is the ratio of publicly funded to fee-paying students in these programs? Are there any «targeted» students among them?

— The ratio is stable: approximately 40% are funded by public funds and 60% are fee-paying. There are also targeted students, although their number is currently lower than we expected. Nevertheless, targeted admissions in environmental and geographic areas continue annually, confirming the regional demand for such personnel.

— Have your university developed any online educational courses in sustainable development/ESG? What are these courses?

— We are developing such courses and distributing them through the «Open University Space» online platform. The courses «Fundamentals of Bioecology and Sustainable Development» and «Sustainable Tourism: ESG in Practice» are already available.

— What is the trend in demand for these courses and what is their audience?

The trend is positive: the courses are actively used by students majoring in ecology, geography, and tourism. Furthermore, they are accessible to external users, which helps attract students from remote areas of the republic, where in-person instruction is not always available, as well as from other regions.

— What are the employment prospects for graduates with specialized ESG education?

— The demand for our graduates with ESG competencies is growing. This is facilitated by federal initiatives, regional programs, and the development of tourism in the region.

At the local level, KBSU graduates are in demand in state and municipal government bodies, educational and medical institutions, the tourism and recreation industry, and companies working on regional projects.

Companies in the tourism and hospitality sectors (regional tourism, medical tourism), educational and cultural projects, as well as companies involved in infrastructure and services in the region are interested.

We are also launching university sustainable development projects aimed at creating new industries and markets for our region, such as medical tourism, human-centered territorial management, new hospitality industry clusters, and sustainable agriculture.

This allows us to forecast the labor market in advance and «reserve» jobs for our students, understanding the competencies they will need in a few years.