Pioneering Kazakh Tech Visionary Showcases Eco-Friendly Innovations at Women in Tech International Conference
OSAKA, Japan – Kazakh entrepreneur and environmental advocate Assel Seifullina will represent her country and Central Asia at the Women in Tech Global Summit from April 23 to 25. In an interview with The Astana Times, Seifullina discussed her career, projects, and goals, highlighting her role in ecological transformation and sustainable development in the region.
Attending the Women in Tech summit represents a significant opportunity for Seifullina to amplify Kazakhstan's role in global green innovation. As a winner of the Women in Tech Caucasus and Central Asia (CCA) GreenTech Awards, she plans to use this platform to inspire and showcase innovative environmental initiatives from the region.
Born and raised in Kazakhstan, Seifullina entered the IT and education fields at the beginning of her career. She has since created multiple sustainability initiatives, such as Zara's Planet, Intellect and Soul, and Beauty Recycling, which promote environmental education, support children with special needs, and advocate for sustainability in the beauty industry, respectively.
A life-changing event triggered Seifullina's interest in sustainability and support for children with special needs. The illness of her own child motivated her to action, ultimately leading to the Intellect and Soul project, which integrates technology, psychology, and creative techniques to create a supportive environment for children's development.
Zara's Planet, another of Seifullina's projects, engages children through interactive games and books to educate them about environmental issues. This program is essential for creating awareness among the younger generation, as they grow up in a culture of consumerism without understanding the environmental consequences.
Seifullina believes in small steps leading to substantial change, evident in her personal and professional journey. She views her participation in the Women in Tech summit as part of her personal mission and an opportunity to share her experiences with a global audience.
Kazakhstan and Central Asia have made progress in women's inclusion in IT, startups, and sustainability sectors, but significant challenges remain. Access to funding, overcoming gender stereotypes, and finding mentorship opportunities are ongoing issues faced by women in the region. Seifullina advocates for dedicated venture funds, greater visibility for women leaders, educational programs promoting STEM fields among girls, and corporate programs with flexible working conditions and support for women on maternity leave.
Central Asia faces major environmental issues like reliance on fossil fuels, inadequate recycling infrastructure, and a lack of environmental education. Seifullina emphasizes that ecology is a source of innovation and economic expansion, making integration of technology and sustainability crucial for long-term economic benefits. By focusing on early environmental education, sustainability in curricula, promoting eco-friendly habits, and attracting investment, she aims to drive environmental transformation in the region.
Through her work with Global Green Hub, Seifullina connects people, ideas, and technologies to accelerate environmental transformation in Central Asia. The organization addresses challenges like insufficient financing of green projects, lack of public-private partnerships, and a need for grant programs and global networks to support women and green initiatives in the region.
Seifullina's participation in the Women in Tech summit in Osaka signifies a crucial moment for her, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia. She hopes to use this opportunity to establish valuable contacts, attract international partners, investors, and experts, and change the common perception of Central Asia as a region consuming innovation rather than creating it.
With her dedication to sustainable development, environmental education, and empowering women in technology, Assel Seifullina hopes to play a significant role in shaping a more sustainable future for Central Asia.
- At the Women in Tech Global Summit, Seifullina intends to use finance and business strategies to fund and showcase innovative environmental projects from Kazakhstan and Central Asia, promoting technology and education-and-self-development in these areas.
- Seifullina's personal growth was significantly influenced by her experiences with her child's illness and her work in education-and-self-development, leading to the creation of projects like Intellect and Soul and Zara's Planet that focus on the environment and personal development.
- In addressing Central Asia's major environmental issues, Seifullina advocates for the integration of technology and sustainable practices in education, business, and daily life, aiming for technology to drive economic growth while promoting personal-growth and environmental-science in the region.
