Nazarbayev University (NU) is currently hosting Orientation Week — a time for new students to get acquainted with the university, its academic environment, and each other. The university leadership addressed undergraduate, graduate, PhD, and Foundation Year Program (NUFYP) students, sharing their advice and guidance for the years ahead.
Addressing the students, NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad urged them to seize the opportunities available at the university and actively step beyond their usual experiences.
“Make the most of every opportunity. The next few years will pass more quickly than you imagine. Say yes to experiences that broaden your horizons, whether they take place in a laboratory, a classroom, a student organisation, or halfway across the world through an exchange programme.”
Professor Ahmad also encouraged students not to fear challenges, to ask questions, and to support one another, noting that university connections often become the foundation of future professional collaborations.
“Challenge yourself. Do not be afraid to ask difficult questions, to explore new ideas and to step outside your comfort zone. And finally, support one another. The friendships you build here may become your strongest professional network, your future collaborators, and some of the most important relationships of your lives.”
Kadisha Dairova, Vice President for Student Affairs and International Cooperation, spoke to the students about the importance of well-rounded development:
“We are genuinely delighted to welcome you to our community! Your time at the university is a unique period full of opportunities. Please, do not limit yourselves to academics alone: enjoy student life, and develop your talents and leadership skills. Get involved in extracurricular activities. It is exactly this balance that will help you grow into confident professionals and future leaders.”
Samantha Smidt, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, explained what it means to be a student at a research-intensive university:
“University isn’t just ‘school, but bigger’. Here, teaching is not just the delivery of settled knowledge. It is training in how knowledge is produced, tested, and sometimes overturned. Remember you are not here to receive four years of finished knowledge. You are here to learn how knowledge gets made — and, before long, to help make some of it yourselves. Say yes early to opportunities that look slightly beyond you — if it interests you, go for it. Even if you don’t feel ready. Say yes anyway.”
It is worth noting that this year, 3,290 freshmen, master’s, and doctoral students joined the NU community, having successfully passed a rigorous selection process out of nearly 12,000 applicants.
