Nazarbayev University

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Nazarbayev University (NU) is a flagship academic institution in Central Asia with ambitions to achieve global recognition as a top-tier research university. Located in the heart of Eurasia, in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, NU distinguishes itself through a fully merit-based admission system that seamlessly integrates professor-led teaching and research from a student's very first day as a freshman.

Nazarbayev University

Kazakh: Nazarbaev Únıversıteti
Type	Public
Established	2010
President	Waqar Ahmad
Provost	Ilesanmi Adesida (resigned effective December 31, 2024)
Students	7189
Undergraduates	4790
Postgraduates	1652
Location	Astana , Kazakhstan
Website	nu.edu.kz

History

In 2006, Nursultan Nazarbayev, the First President of Kazakhstan, announced the vision of establishing an internationally renowned university. On September 25, 2009, Aslan Sarinzhipov was appointed as the President of JSC 'New University of Astana' (the former name of NU), pursuant to a decree issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan. On November 28, 2010, his appointment as Chairman of the Executive Council was sanctioned by the Head of the Prime Minister's Office. Subsequently, in accordance with the protocol of the Supreme Board of Trustees of NU AOE dated June 16, 2011, Mr. Shigeo Katsu was appointed as President of NU.

On June 28, 2010, NU held its Grand Opening Ceremony, marking the inauguration of the institution. Shortly thereafter, NU emerged as the country’s premier academic institution, with aspirations to achieve global recognition as a research university. It holds the distinction of being the first university in Kazakhstan founded on the principles of autonomy and academic freedom. The university's autonomous status was formally conferred by the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan, “On the Status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools,’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund’.” on January 19, 2011.

On June 15, 2015, NU held its inaugural graduation ceremony. A total of 446 students, encompassing both undergraduate and graduate programs, celebrated their academic achievements on this momentous occasion.

Ranking

Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR)

Nazarbayev University (NU) is ranked in the top 30 percent of international research universities according to the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE WUR). THE WUR is globally recognized as the leading ranking table of university performance.

NU has secured its position within the 501-600 range, thus demonstrating the best performance among universities in Kazakhstan, Central Asia and the Caucasus. NU intends to reach the top 20% of global universities by 2030.

Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2024

NU has made its first appearance in the prestigious university league table, securing the 106th position out of 673 institutions spanning across 79 countries and territories in the Times Higher Education (THE) Young University Rankings 2024. Specifically designed for institutions established within the last five decades, this ranking employs methodology of the World University Rankings, with slightly recalibrated weightings evaluating the excellence of teaching, research, international outlook and industry connections.

Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2024

NU is listed in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings for 2024, ranked 129 out of 739 institutions. The rankings for Asia utilize identical criteria to the THE World University Rankings, adjusted to suit the specific characteristics of Asian institutions.

Subject Rankings

Nazarbayev University’s academic excellence in diverse disciplines is reflected in its strong performance in the subject rankings of the global university league tables.

NU is ranked in 22 subjects in the 2024 edition of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject, illustrating the breadth and high quality of the university's performance.

In addition, commissioned by the Shanghai Ranking, the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects included two disciplines from NU in its 2023 edition - Telecommunication Engineering, and Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

These results serve as a testament to the university’s competitive performance in a wide spectrum of disciplines on the global stage.

Accreditation

Institutional Evaluation

NU was engaged in the Institutional Evaluation Programme (IEP) of the European University Association (EUA) between 2017 and 2020 to obtain an independent external review of its academic quality, research and strategic management practices.

NU successfully completed the initial and follow-up phases of the external evaluation and continues its efforts at self-improvement. Please read relevant reports on the IEP EUA website.

Institutional Accreditation

NU is undergoing International Quality Review (IQR) by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA, UK), which leads to institutional accreditation for successful applicants.

QAA is a leading global expert in the quality assurance of higher education. The IQR is based on the compliance of institutions with the 10 Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area (ESG).

NU has successfully completed the application and scoping stages. Currently the university is proceeding to the review stage, which includes a self-evaluation process. As a result, a self-evaluation report against each of the 10 ESG Standards will be produced.

The designated leads of key areas (standards) will be cooperating with the wider community to gather evidence and examples of good practice.

Program Accreditation

NU strives to achieve internationally recognized academic excellence, and prioritize program accreditation through external bodies of the highest repute.

The Graduate School of Public Policy Masters programmes in Public Administration and Public Policy were successfully accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) in 2019 and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) in 2023.

The English for Academic Purposes programme of the Centre for Preparatory Studies was accredited by the British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) in 2020. NU is the first university in the CIS countries to gain BALEAP accreditation. In 2024, the School has received Re-accreditation from BALEAP.

The Graduate School of Business is pursuing the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, and the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA) joint accreditation for its programmes. AACSB and AMBA are two of the three main global accreditation bodies in business education (the "triple crown"). The School is now engaged in the annual review process for AACSB accreditation and assessment stage of AMBA & BGA joint accreditation.

13 programmes of 3 NU Schools - Schools of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS), Mining and Geosciences (SMG), and Sciences and Humanities (SSH, STEM) - are in preparation for the application for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accreditation.

The list of programmes:

• BEng in: Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; Chemical & Materials Engineering; Electrical & Computer Engineering; Civil & Environmental Engineering; BSc in: Robotics Engineering; Computer Science (SEDS);
• BSc in: Geology; Petroleum Engineering; Mining Engineering (SMG);
• BSc in: Physics; Chemistry; Mathematics; Biological Sciences (SSH).

The Schools have revised their programmes to align them with ABET accreditation requirements and are now engaged in the data collection process.

The School of Medicine received full international accreditation from the Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA), recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) for its Doctor of Medicine (MD) programme. It confirms that the MD programme meets rigorous standards of quality and excellence in medical education.

The Graduate School of Education is progressing towards applying for the International Programme Accreditation (IPA) by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA). The QAA, an independent quality body for higher education in the UK, is one of the world’s experts in quality assurance.

Schools and Programs

NU offers world-class degrees in a wide range of disciplines, including earth sciences, digital sciences, public administration, educational leadership, engineering, and medicine. The university comprises eight schools offering both undergraduate and graduate programs: the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences; School of Sciences and Humanities; School of Medicine; School of Mining and Geosciences; Graduate School of Business; Graduate School of Education; Graduate School of Public Policy; and the Center for Preparatory Studies.

All schools are supported by strategic partnerships with the world’s leading institutions, research institutes, and laboratories. These include the Colorado School of Mines (USA), Duke University (USA), National University of Singapore (Singapore), University of Cambridge (UK), University of Pennsylvania (USA), University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (USA), and University of Wisconsin-Madison (USA).

NU Foundation Year Program

The program provides intensive personal development, study skills, mathematics, and academic language proficiency preparation for NU's undergraduate programs. Most students undergo one-year intensive foundation course at the Center for Preparatory Studies before entering undergraduate programs.

Undergraduate programs

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences:

• BE Chemical and Materials Engineering
• BE Civil and Environmental Engineering
• BS Computer Science
• BE Electrical and Computer Engineering
• BE Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• BS Robotics Engineering

School of Sciences and Humanities

• BA Anthropology
• BS Biological Sciences
• BS Chemistry
• BA Economics
• BA History
• BS Mathematics
• BS Physics
• BA Political Science and International Relations
• BA Sociology
• BA World Languages, Literatures and Cultures

Graduate School of Business

• Bachelor of Business Administration

School of Mining and Geosciences

• BS Geology
• BS Mining Engineering
• BS Petroleum Engineering

School of Medicine

• Bachelor in Medical Sciences
• BS Nursing Program
• Bachelor in Nursing

Master's and doctorate programs

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences:

• MS Biomedical Engineering
• MS Chemical and Materials Engineering
• MS Civil and Environmental Engineering
• MS Computer Science
• MS Data Science
• MS Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Master in Engineering Management
• MS Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• MS Robotics
• PhD Chemical Engineering
• PhD Civil Engineering
• PhD Computer Science
• PhD Electrical Engineering
• PhD Mechanical Engineering
• PhD Robotics Engineering

School of Sciences and Humanities

• MS Applied Mathematics
• MS Biological Sciences and Technologies
• MS Chemistry
• MA Economics
• MA Eurasian Studies
• MS Physics
• MA Political Science and International Relations
• PhD Chemistry
• PhD Eurasian Studies
• PhD Life Sciences
• PhD Mathematics
• PhD Physics

Graduate School of Public Policy

• Master in Public Administration
• Master in Public Policy

PhD Public Policy Graduate School of Education

• MS Educational Leadership
• MA Multilingual Education
• PhD Education

Graduate School of Business

• MBA
• MS Finance
• EMBA
• PhD Business Administration

School of Mining and Geosciences

• MS Geosciences
• MS Mining Engineering
• MS Petroleum Engineering
• PhD Mining Engineering
• PhD Petroleum Engineering

School of Medicine

• Doctor of Medicine
• MS Molecular Medicine
• Master in Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Master in Public Health
• Master in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
• PhD Biomedical Sciences
• PhD Global Health

Research

NU is committed to achieving excellence in research, and to ensuring that its research contributes to the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan and the region. NU research covers both fundamental and applied predominantly STEM disciplines, life sciences, social sciences, and education, reflecting Kazakhstan’s priority development areas.

As of July,2024, NU has published a remarkable total of 3,671 papers in Q1 journals (recognized as the top 25% of prestigious journals according to Scopus), accounting for nearly one-third of all Q1 research papers produced by all Kazakhstani institutions during the period 2011-2023 which is 10,896 publications. This highlights the significant role played by NU in advancing scholarly endeavors in Kazakhstan.

Research centers of excellence play a pivotal role in NU’s development as a research-intensive university. These specialized hubs of intellectual exploration foster collaboration, innovation, knowledge creation, and academic excellence. They provide the essential world-class research infrastructure and highly trained support staff necessary to support research that significantly contributes to the nation's scientific and economic progress:

• Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI): Conducts interdisciplinary research on machine intelligence to solve real-world problems of industry and society.
• NLA Center for Life Sciences: Focuses on biomedical research
• NLA Center for Energy and Advanced Materials Science: Develops interdisciplinary fundamental and applied research to drive Kazakhstan’s green economic and technological development.
• Energetic Cosmos Laboratory Project Group (ECL): Explores fundamental problems in physics and astrophysics, contributing to the technical know-how and innovation ecosystem of NU.
• NU Research and Innovation System (NURIS)
• Central Asian Research Center for Education Innovation and Transformation (CARCEIT): provides an international focus for high-quality research that informs education policy and practice and builds education networks and communities in Central Asia.
• NU’s Research Centre for Entrepreneurship (NURCE): An innovative and dynamic research center dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship research. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, NURCE generates and shares impactful knowledge about business and entrepreneurship, benefiting not only practitioners, policymakers, and society as a whole.

Governance

In compliance with the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated January 19, 2011 “On the status of “NU”, “Nazarbayev Intellectual schools” and “Nazarbayev Fund”, the governance bodies of NU are as follows:

• Supreme Board of Trustees
• Board of Trustees
• Executive Bodies

The Managing Council of the University is a collective executive body responsible for the operational management of the University. The Managing Council organizes implementation of the decisions of the Supreme Board of Trustees and the Board of Trustees and is accountable to the Board of Trustees and responsible to them for carrying out its duties.

On June 28, the NU Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Waqar Ahmad as the President of the University.

NU Statistics

• 7,089 students, including 4,790 undergrads, 1652 postgrads.
• 1,193 staff members.
• Over 20 buildings in use
• Over 270 research and teaching labs

Facilities

NU campus offers a nurturing environment for students' academic, professional, and social growth. Equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including a modern library, lecture halls, research laboratories, sports centers, and residence halls, it provides a holistic educational experience. The campus also features dining options, convenient shops, and a range of support services tailored to student needs, ensuring a comfortable and enriching learning environment.

NU Library

Since its opening in 2010, the NU Library has provided access to information, technology, reference assistance, and programming to support the learning, teaching, and research of students, faculty, and staff.

The NU Library offers a wide range of electronic and printed resources, including:

• Print Books and e-books
• Audiobooks
• Print periodicals and e-journals
• DVDs
• Encyclopaedias
• Dictionaries
• Central Asian newspaper microforms dating back to the 1860s

The Library supports the institution’s language of instruction by providing a predominantly English-language collection. To support local culture and interests, the Library has a growing collection of Kazakh and Russian literature.

NU Sport Complex

The NU Sports Complex is a multifunctional sports facility that includes the Athletic and Sports Centers, featuring an Olympic-standard swimming pool, a multifunctional hall, a squash room, various sports halls, a gym for faculty, staff, and campus residents located in Block 38, and outdoor summer sports fields for football, basketball, and volleyball.

The NU Sports Complex offers a range of opportunities in sports, including:

• Classes and gyms
• Intramural sports
• Various sport clubs
• Exposure to professional athletes and other sports events