Nazarbayev University

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Nazarbayev University

Kazakh: Nazarbaev Únıversıteti
Type	Public
Established	2010
President	Waqar Ahmad
Students	7089
Undergraduates	4790
Postgraduates	1652
Location	Astana , Kazakhstan
Website	nu.edu.kz

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.

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 decreee issued by the Ministry of Educaton 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, making 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`."

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced what became the Belt and Road Initiative during a September 7, 2013 speech in a lecture theatre at the university. Describing the concept as the "Silk Road Economic Belt," Xi described his vision for increasing connections between Asia and Europe via Central Asia.

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.

NU joined Asian Universities Alliance in 2017 as a founding member. European University Association's Independent external evaluation of NU was published in 2017.

Rankings

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 Ranking (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. The WUR uses a data-driven methodology that comprehensively evaluates university performance, with a strong focus on research, which aligns particularly well with NU's research mission. THE WUR uses Elseiver research performance data, reputation data based on peer reviews of active researchers, and self-reported financial and international outlook data to calculate teaching and research scores. 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. These rankings evaluate universities across the key missions such as teaching quality, research output, knowledge transfer, and international outlook, ensuring comprehensive and equitable comparisons among universities. 

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Programs

Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program (NUFYP)

Most students undergo one-year intensive foundation course at the Center for Preparatory Studies before entering undergraduate programs. The program provides an intensive academic, scientific, and language proficiency preparation for English-medium studies. Education is offered to both for recipients of state scholarship and privately-financed students.

Undergraduate programs

School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG)

• BSc in Geology
• BSc in Petroleum Engineering
• BSc in Mining Engineering

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (SEDS)

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

School of Sciences and Humanities (SSH)

• Economics
• Political Science & International Relations
• Sociology
• Anthropology
• History
• World Languages and Literature
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Biological Sciences
• Mathematics

School of Medicine (SoM)

• Nursing Program (BSN)
• Nursing
• Nursing Professional Development Program (PDP)
• Medical sciences

School of Business

• Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA)

Master's and doctorate programs

• Graduate School of Education
• Graduate School of Public Policy
• Graduate School of Business
• School of Engineering and Digital Sciences
• School of Sciences and Humanities
• School of Medicine
• School of Mining and Geosciences

Professional development programs

• Executive Education programs for top and mid-level managers
• Professional Development Programs at the Graduate School of Education
• Professional Development Program for public sector professionals

Library

Since opening in 2010, the Nazarbayev University Library provides access to information, technology, reference help and programming to support the learning, teaching, and research of students, faculty, and staff.

Access to information

Nazarbayev University Library provides access to a wide range of electronic and printed resources:

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

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

The Library develops the collection according to requests from the Nazarbayev University community and Subject Librarians. Nazarbayev University Library subscribes to more than 60 databases providing access to hundreds of books, thousands of journals and millions of articles. The University of Wisconsin–Madison provides an Interlibrary Loan service for Faculty to request materials not available through the databases.

Nazarbayev University Repository

Nazarbayev University Repository is an institutional electronic archive for long-term storage, accumulation and provision for reliable open access to scientific research results and intellectual products of the Nazarbayev University community. The Repository is an opportunity for faculty, researchers, and graduate students to increase the web visibility and citation count of articles and thesis.

Technology

The Library provides computer workstations, scanners, and assistive learning technologies (Magnifier, JAWS, Braille Translator) to community members with physical and learning disabilities. Also available are E-readers.

Subject and reference librarians

Assigned to each School and Research Center is a personal Librarian that acts as a liaison between the community and the Library. Reference Librarians offer workshops, classroom instruction, and LibGuides to promote information literacy, technology, database training, citations, plagiarism, and much more.

Programming

Throughout the year, the Nazarbayev University Library acts as a consulting and training center for Kazakhstani Librarians by offering workshops, training, seminars, and webinars. The Library holds an annual seminar as a part of Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum (EHELF). The Library is an active member of Kazakhstan Association of University Libraries and promotes professional development for Academic Librarians.

Research

Nazarbayev University is a research-oriented university that aims at training human resources in academia and business. Research funding supported through internal research programs, sponsored funds, national and international grants.

In addition to faculty and student research, research undertaken by the following institutions:

• National Laboratory Astana (NLA) - multidisciplinary basic and applied research in the field of life sciences, energy, and other interdisciplinary areas of science, as well as activities to establish a scientific laboratory, experimental bases, centers, institutes for the development and implementation of scientific, scientific and technical, educational programs and training.
• Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System (NURIS)
• Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence - founded 2019, undertakes digital research with the focus on AI and machine intelligence.

Governance

The University is governed by the Board of Trustees, which operates under guidance of the Supreme Board of Trustees that administers the Nazarbayev Fund education system.

NU Campus infrastructure

• 6,811 students, 1,193 staff
• Over 20 buildings in use
• Over 270 research and teaching labs
• Technopark