At a working session of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development of the Mazhilis of the Parliament Republic of Kazakhstan, chaired by Askhat Aimagambetov, members of Parliament reviewed Nazarbayev University’s 2025 annual report.
The report, along with the University’s new strategy, was presented by NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad. He noted that the strategy, titled “A World-Class University made in Kazakhstan,” places a strong emphasis on promoting Kazakhstani education internationally and strengthening the country’s global academic presence.
Askhat Aimagambetov highlighted the University’s commitment to openness and transparency:
“NU is the flagship and pride of our national education system. Preserving the high quality of education and scientific capacity here is a matter of national importance. The University’s unique laboratories, infrastructure, and research potential should be funded at the level of development, not merely survival.”
One of the clearest indicators of public trust in the University is the continued growth in the number of applicants each year. According to the President, applications from more than 12,000 prospective students were submitted in May this year alone. He also noted a growing number of transfer students coming to NU from both neighboring and more distant countries, partly due to global political instability.
Professor Waqar Ahmad stated:
“Kazakhstan has identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and sustainable infrastructure as national priorities. In line with these strategic directions set by the Head of State, NU will launch the new School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI) this August. The School will focus on computer science, robotics, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.”
Particular attention during the session was given to funding. According to the data presented, government-funded scholarships allocated to students admitted to NU currently account for around 50% of the University’s total revenue. University leadership noted that NU is increasingly working toward greater financial sustainability through philanthropic support, fee-based educational programs, and international research grants.
The President also emphasized the growing demand for admission to the University. This year, competition for undergraduate scholarships reached 10 applicants per place, while even fee-paying places remain limited due to high demand. This interest is driven by the quality of education and the strong employability of NU graduates. According to the report, 98% of graduates secure employment within the first year after graduation, while 92% of the University’s 12,000 alumni continue to live and work in Kazakhstan.
The presentation also highlighted NU’s continued rise in international rankings, particularly the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, where the University is positioned among the world’s leading universities. NU currently ranks first in Central Asia and the Caucasus, fourth among CIS universities, and is also among the leading universities in the Turkic world.
