Goal 1 META University implements a systematic and institutionally fixed model for ensuring the availability of education, aimed at reducing social inequalities and expanding opportunities for higher education for students from various socio-economic groups, while financial inclusion is considered as a key element of sustainable development and social responsibility of the university
The university has a multi-level system of financial support, including academic grants, social grants and a flexible system of discounts, which allows you to form a sustainable model of inclusion and equal access to education, academic grants are provided to applicants and students with high educational results and can cover up to 100 percent of the cost of tuition, social grants are focused on supporting students from socially vulnerable categories, including large families, students from regions and low-income families, an additional system of discounts is being implemented in the range from 10 to 100 percent, depending on academic achievements, participation in social and ESG activities, as well as individual socio-economic conditions
The system of financial support is complemented by mechanisms of flexible payment for tuition, including installments and individual financial conditions, which reduces entry barriers and ensures the continuity of the educational process, as a result of this model, at least 35% of students annually receive various forms of financial support, while at least 20% of students enjoy significant discounts of more than 50%, and up to 10% of students study on full grant support, which forms sustainable practices for expanding access to education and promotes social mobility
An additional element of the implementation of SDG 1 is the development of the QazDemeu volunteer movement, within the framework of which students participate in social initiatives aimed at supporting low-income and socially vulnerable groups of the population, charity events, collection of humanitarian aid and targeted support are implemented, which forms the values of social responsibility and involvement in solving social problems among students
The implementation of these initiatives provides not only access to education, but also forms a long-term social effect, expressed in reducing educational inequality, expanding opportunities for social mobility, increasing the share of students from vulnerable categories and creating an inclusive educational environment, while the retention rates of students receiving financial support correspond to the average level at the university, which confirms the effectiveness of the implemented model
Thus, META University demonstrates a systematic and measurable contribution to the achievement of SDG 1 through the creation of a sustainable model of financial inclusion of education, the integration of social support into strategic management and the creation of conditions for equal access to quality higher education, which meets the requirements of the QS Sustainability Ranking and international sustainable development practices
