The organizers were the NU Social Development Fund (SDFNU) and the NU Research Center for Entrepreneurship (NURCE).
The conference served as a platform for discussing successful social entrepreneurial projects in Central Asia, innovative approaches to addressing social issues, and the role of the state and research centers in supporting social entrepreneurs. Additionally, the conference included presentations on the collaborative efforts of NURCE and SDFNU with universities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia in the field of social development. Scientists, teachers, students, and experienced practitioners presented their scientific works, the best of which will be published free of charge in Scopus journals.
Sayasat Nurbek, the Kazakh Minister of Science and Higher Education, along with representatives from the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information, UNDP in Kazakhstan, and Bard College delivered keynote speeches during the event. Panel sessions featured participants from Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan
“University should be in touch with reality and open to everything in its surroundings; it can not be a closed box. It should impact and serve the society. The idea is a part of the Ministry’s strategy as well. We push our universities to become more involved in research and social projects. NU’s experience in this area is valuable,” noted Minister S. Nurbek, opening the event.
“The conference is a step towards creating a platform where researchers and practitioners in the field of social entrepreneurship will build up effective interaction to integrate knowledge, develop innovation, and create sustainable change. This year, we invited representatives of Central Asian universities to exchange experiences and scale up to the entire region. I confidently put our program as an example of the successful integration of education and social entrepreneurship,” said Nyussupov Sayat, Head of the SDFNU Executive Management.
With the assistance of the fund, over 50 social projects have been implemented since 2020, benefiting more than 50,000 people, including rural residents, children, and those from socially vulnerable categories. Among these projects is the Ozim Platform, which developed a mobile application for parents of children with special needs.
“We won the social project competition at NU and successfully executed the project in 2021. Previously, regions lacked access to reliable information sources concerning children with special needs. We conducted a thorough analysis and research into the needs of parents with children requiring special attention, leading to the creation of a dedicated mobile application. This application serves parents, specialists, and educators alike. The Ozim Platform has garnered international recognition through UNICEF’s endorsement,” noted Assem Tazhiyeva, founder of the Ozim Platform.
During the conference, representatives from the NURCE research center, established under the auspices of the NU Graduate School of Business, discussed the outcomes of their efforts in fostering social entrepreneurship. Professor Shumaila Yousafzai, the center’s director, particularly highlighted the success of the “Together We Have It All” monograph, a deep dive into the lives of women entrepreneurs spearheading community-based tourism in Kyrgyzstan. She also mentioned the book “Trailblazers of the Steppe,” which profiles 50 Kazakh businesswomen.
“These narratives of empowerment, challenge, and success serve not only to inspire but also to foster a more inclusive economic ecosystem in Central Asia. The region, with its rich cultural heritage and dynamic socio-economic landscape, is brimming with potential that remains largely untapped. Entrepreneurs and social innovators in the region face unique challenges, from access to capital and markets to navigating regulatory environments and harnessing the power of technology. Yet, amidst these challenges lie immense opportunities for growth, innovation, and impact. This is why we organize such conferences,” said Professor Yousafzai.
Throughout the conference, scientists, educators, students, and experienced practitioners presented their research in the field of social entrepreneurship. The conference organizers plan to publish the best works free of charge in Scopus journals.
