Nazarbayev University (NU) has launched the Halyk Financial Markets Lab at the NU Graduate School of Business with the support of Halyk Bank. The lab’s core asset is access to the CRSP (Center for Research in Security Prices) database.
Developed at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, CRSP is widely regarded as the global gold standard in financial data. It contains detailed historical information on U.S. stocks, bonds, and indices, including prices and dividends dating back to 1928. For MSc in Finance students, this marks a shift from theoretical learning to empirical analysis, enabling them to test advanced financial models such as CAPM and factor models using the same datasets employed by leading Wall Street firms.
The lab will form part of NU’s educational and research infrastructure, supporting applied research and the training of specialists in finance, analytics, and digital technologies.
It will integrate academic learning with real-world practice by providing students and faculty access to market data, analytical tools, and global financial case studies.
NU President Waqar Ahmad said at the opening:
“Business schools must be closely connected to the real economy — the world of business, finance, and markets. It is essential that students and faculty work with real data both in teaching and research. This strengthens the university’s connection to how financial systems and markets operate in practice.
Students acquire practical skills that are essential for the job market. At the same time, our research goes beyond academia and has a real impact on the world of business and finance.”
He also noted that the lab strengthens the long-term partnership between NU and Halyk Bank and enhances the university’s research capacity through access to financial market data used in real business decision-making.
Chair of the Management Board of Halyk Bank, Umut Shayakhmetova, said:
“Today, more than 50 graduates of Nazarbayev University work at Halyk Bank. NU graduates are particularly strong in analytics, risk management, data science, and data analytics. Moreover, our Artificial Intelligence Center is headed by a young and talented NU graduate, and a significant part of our data science and analytics team consists of NU alumni.
We often say that data is the new oil, and in this context, the quality of professionals who can work with it is critically important. NU graduates demonstrate an exceptionally high level of preparation.”
Dean of the NU Graduate School of Business, Joep Konings, added:
“The Financial Markets Lab provides students with access to extensive historical financial datasets, including daily stock market data from the United States and other markets. This enables the identification of patterns in financial markets and the development of forecasting models — in many ways, we now have gold in our hands.”
The lab represents a significant investment in data infrastructure, equipping students with the skills required for careers in the financial sector, including trading and financial analytics.
It also connects finance with STEM disciplines — data science, computer science, and artificial intelligence — fostering interdisciplinary research and AI-driven solutions based on large-scale data.
The launch of the lab builds on the long-standing collaboration between NU and Halyk Bank, including joint programs in leadership and digital skills development implemented in recent years.
The Financial Markets Lab is expected to become a platform for students, researchers, and practitioners working on advanced financial and technological solutions, further strengthening NU’s role as a research university focused on the knowledge economy.
Photo: NU Image
