KazNU Develops an Inclusive Digital Platform

A presentation of a new web platform integrating digital technologies with inclusive education was held at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. As part of their industrial internship, 12 students with special educational needs developed a modern web portal aimed at promoting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The project was implemented through the joint support of the IT Department, the Faculty of Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and the Ban Ki-moon Institute for Sustainable Development. The project’s greatest value lies in its genuine inclusivity. During the internship, young people with hearing impairments, visual impairments, and cerebral palsy (CP) worked side by side with their peers, demonstrating outstanding results in an environment of equal opportunity.

Throughout the development process, the participants established effective internal communication. To ensure seamless collaboration during the internship, a professional sign language interpreter was included in the team. A student with a visual impairment played a particularly important role by serving as both a co-designer and the lead accessibility tester, ensuring that the website would be as user-friendly and barrier-free as possible for all users. Working together as a cohesive team, the young specialists built the entire front-end architecture from scratch, ranging from an interactive events calendar to fully functional News and Media modules. The platform consists of six comprehensive sections, including an interactive blog featuring SDG color coding, a media gallery, and the Institute’s official brand kit.

This initiative makes a tangible contribution to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Quality Education (SDG 4), Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

Press Service of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University