On September 21, 2025, the staff and students of the South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Ozbek Zhenibekov (SKPU) joined a citywide cleanup day organized as part of World Cleanup Day . This event was more than just a cleanup, but a true example of environmental responsibility, unity, and love for their hometown.

The cleanup day brought together representatives of the university administration, faculty, and approximately 1,000 students . The scale of participation demonstrated that environmental awareness and care for nature are central to the university's values. University leadership places particular emphasis on environmental education among young people, engaging students in active community service.

Before the event , Board Member and Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Social Affairs Barshagul Kashkynkyzy delivered a welcoming speech. She noted that participation in environmental campaigns is an important civic responsibility for every citizen of the country:
"Keeping our city clean is everyone's responsibility. Nature is our common home, and caring for it should become a way of life. Events like these foster hard work, community, and a sense of belonging among young people," the vice-rector emphasized.

After the presentation, the participants energetically set to work. The university was assigned specific areas in different parts of the city. Faculty and students were divided into teams, each responsible for its own area. Roadside areas, squares, lawns, and courtyards were cleaned. Collected trash was taken to designated landfills, grass was mown, and sidewalks were swept.

The work took place in an atmosphere of inspiration and collective enthusiasm. Students from the Faculty of Education and Psychology cleaned the surrounding park areas, the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Geography tended to the green spaces and planted young trees, and the Faculty of Philology cleaned the streets in the city center and posted small posters encouraging cleanliness.

Particular attention was paid to environmental education and awareness . During the cleanup, students discussed issues of recycling, waste sorting, and environmental protection. Many noted that such events not only improve the environmental situation but also foster a sense of personal responsibility for the city's well-being.

Third-year student of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Aliya Seitova, shared her impressions:
"We don't just clean up trash; we set an example. After all, if each of us keeps our surroundings clean, our city will become even more beautiful. As future teachers, we must set a role model for our students and instill in them a respect for nature."

The university's student associations and youth organizations actively participated in organizing the cleanup. Members of the Zhas Orda Student Council and the Zhastar Ruhy movement helped coordinate participants, monitored safety, and actively covered the event on social media. They posted photos, reported on the cleanup's progress, and encouraged other students to join environmental initiatives.

The cleanup day was held in a friendly and positive atmosphere. Many students noted that working together fosters team bonding and a sense of community. Despite physical fatigue, the participants shared a positive mood and a sense of accomplishment.

At the end of the event, the collected waste was handed over to municipal services for disposal. Representatives of the city administration and public organizations thanked the university for its high level of organization and proactive approach.

Ozbekali Zhanibekov South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University has participated in environmental and social campaigns on numerous occasions. The university traditionally hosts the "Clean City," "Green Region," and "Eco-Saturday" campaigns aimed at improving the urban environment. Furthermore, students help green streets, plant trees, and improve schoolyards throughout the year.

Environmental education is an integral part of the educational process at SKPU. At the initiative of the rector, the university offers special courses and clubs where students study environmental issues, waste sorting, and the rational use of resources. This work helps develop environmentally conscious citizens who understand the value of a clean and safe environment.

The cleanup day on September 21st was a logical continuation of this systematic work. It demonstrated that the university staff is not limited to theoretical knowledge but applies it in practice, making a tangible contribution to the city's improvement.

At the end of the event, Barshagul Kashkynkyzy thanked all participants and emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness not only on the cleanup day but also every day:
"Cleanliness isn't just physical labor; it's an indicator of spiritual culture. When a person treats nature and their city with care, they cultivate inner harmony. We want our students not only to teach well, but also to set an example to raise an environmentally responsible generation."

Many students expressed their willingness to continue participating in such events and proposed making environmental cleanups a regular occurrence. University administration supported this initiative, emphasizing that the environmental movement should become part of the university's tradition.

Thus, the participation of the staff and students of the South Kazakhstan Pedagogical University named after Uzbekali Zhanibekov in the citywide cleanup day became a shining example of active citizenship, love for their hometown, and a conscious attitude toward nature.

This campaign reminded everyone that cleanliness begins with each of us , and that caring for the environment is not a one-time event, but a way of life. A clean city is a reflection of the culture of its residents , and it is the youth today who are demonstrating that Shymkent's future lies in cleanliness, unity, and responsibility.