On August 29, Nazarbayev University (NU) hosted NU Alumni Fest 2026 to celebrate the institution’s 15th anniversary. Organized jointly by the university and the NU Alumni Association with support from the NU Impact Foundation, the charity festival brought together 1,500 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and partners to strengthen community ties. Through ticket sales, the event successfully raised KZT 7 million. All proceeds will go directly toward establishing an additional scholarship for socially active NU students.
The extensive program began with welcoming remarks from Sayasat Nurbek, Acting Minister of Science and Higher Education, followed by sessions where prominent alumni shared their professional journeys. The “Build Your Own Path” panel featured founders and investors from Smartestprep, ARLAN BIOTECH, Drinkit, Sturgeon Capital, and Outpeer AI. A second discussion, “Leadership & Impact,” brought together executives and public officials representing Otbasy Bank, the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms, the Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development, and McKinsey.
In addition to networking, the festival provided an Opportunity Hub where participants connected directly with leading employers. The recruitment zone hosted representatives from Higgsfield AI, BI Group, Alstom, BCG, Deloitte, EPAM, KAZ Minerals, McKinsey, Otbasy Bank, SLB, Smart Bridge, and Teach For Kazakhstan. Across the campus, attendees enjoyed sports, robotics and drone zones, speed dating, and a large children’s playground.
A special highlight of the festival was a ceremony for the Classes of 2020 and 2021, whose traditional graduation celebrations took place during the pandemic period. NU President Waqar Ahmad personally welcomed the returning graduates back to campus to formally celebrate their academic achievements. The festival then concluded with a concert featuring the NU Orchestra, NU Choir, student dance and vocal clubs, and a headline performance by ALEM.
NU Alumni Fest 2026 was made possible with the support of main partners BI Group and Higgsfield AI, demonstrating the enduring strength of the university community long after graduation. The festival brought together alumni, students, faculty, staff, and university partners, creating a space for professional networking, knowledge sharing, and new initiatives.
