Developing sustainable development competencies in university students: academic expectations and labor market requirements
Bespalyy S. Bespalaya Y.
2026Frontiers Media SA
Frontiers in Education
2026#10
In the context of the global labor market transformation caused by technological change and the need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), developing sustainable development (SD) competencies in university graduates is becoming a key factor in their competitiveness. The aim of the study was to identify and analyze the needs of Kazakhstani employers for SD competencies in graduates of technical and humanities specialties, as well as to assess the level of awareness among the academic and business communities. The empirical base consisted of a questionnaire and interviews with respondents from five cities of Kazakhstan. The results revealed a significant gap between the declarative importance of SD and its operational understanding. Sectoral differences were identified: in the technical sector, systems thinking and strategic foresight are most in demand, while in the humanities, normative and interpersonal competence are in high demand. A deficit in these competencies among graduates was identified. The results underscore the need for targeted integration of SD competencies into educational programs through curriculum updates, the development of project-based learning, and stronger ties with industry. Copyright
education for sustainable development , employer expectations , graduate employability , labor market , skills of the future , sustainable development competencies , university
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Toraighyrov University, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
Innovative University of Eurasia, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
PF JSC National Center of Expertise and Certification, Pavlodar, Kazakhstan
Toraighyrov University
Innovative University of Eurasia
PF JSC National Center of Expertise and Certification
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