KBSU Receives Sustainability Rating from RAEX
Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov was among the first seven Russian universities assessed by the RAEX rating agency according to new sustainability standards. The university was awarded a «B» rating, which reflects systematic work in environmental, social, and governance areas.
The rating, presented at a press conference at TASS, evaluates universities’ contribution to minimizing ESG (environmental, social, and governance) risks to the national economy. KBSU was one of the participants in the pilot project, which developed and tested the assessment methodology.
A distinctive feature of the new RAEX rating is its comprehensive approach. Experts assessed not only the university’s internal practices (energy conservation, employee social protection), but also its external impact through education, research, and outreach.
According to the agency’s report, KBSU’s high level of compliance with sustainable development principles in the social and governance areas is recognized as a strength. The university’s advanced material and technical infrastructure for supporting vulnerable groups and its ongoing corruption prevention program were noted.
Commenting on the results at a TASS press conference, Zurab Berelidze, Director of the KBSU Center for Sustainable Development, explained how the university plans to use this assessment in its work.
«For us, the ranking is, first and foremost, a clear benchmark for development. It helps us set priorities and focus our efforts in the right direction. Participation in the pilot project allowed us to understand the evaluation criteria and identify growth areas for the coming year,» noted Zurab Berelidze.
He emphasized that the project-based approach is a key contribution of a classical university to the region’s development.
«We act as a consultant and partner to the republic in many areas. Our strategy is based on project-based work: we utilize scientific knowledge, research, and connections in the professional community to offer concrete solutions. By attracting external partners, we focus on projects that can create new market niches in the region or the country,» explained the center’s director.
This approach allows the university to anticipate personnel needs and train specialists in demand in promising economic sectors. Zurab Berelidze cited three key projects as practical examples of this strategy.
KBSU scientists have made a breakthrough discovery in the carbon cycle, confirming the mechanism of root carbon nutrition in plants. This fundamental research opens up new opportunities for soil fertility management and carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry.
At the university’s initiative, a strategic session on the integrated development of the city of Tyrnyauz, which is experiencing a new industrial boom, was organized. Representatives of the republic’s leadership, leading state corporations, and the KBSU expert community participated in the session. The result was a city development program focused on creating a comfortable urban environment and improving quality of life.
The university also initiated the creation of a Competence Center in Medical Tourism and High-Altitude Medicine. The project aims to utilize the unique resources of the Caucasus to develop modern rehabilitation and health services. KBSU will become the core of a cluster uniting medical, educational, and tourism organizations, and will train personnel in specialized programs combining medicine and hospitality.
The assigned rating served as an objective assessment of the university’s current work and identified areas for further improvement. RAEX’s expert assessments highlighted KBSU’s potential for developing publications on sustainable development, as well as for creating open online courses. The university’s work within the ESG agenda confirms its role as a hub for the region’s socioeconomic development.