Nazarbayev University (NU) and the Bach Institute for Human Development (BIHD) plan to launch five international certification programs focused on early childhood care, parent support, mental well-being, senior care and assistance for people with special needs.
The partnership agreement was signed during a November 9–10 visit to NU by Dr. Elijah Bach, BIHD’s co-founder and director. The collaboration includes establishing a regional BIHD center at NU’s Graduate School of Education (NUGSE), launching professional training programs and conducting joint research.
Over the first two years, the partners plan to introduce five six-week online programs:
Certified Professional Nanny — professional care for young children;
Certified Parent Coach — guidance and support for parents;
Certified Mental Wellness Coach — support for the emotional well-being of children and adults;
Certified Senior Care Professional — care and support for older adults;
Certified Paraprofessional for People with Special Needs — assistance for people with special needs.
The programs will be adapted to the Kazakhstani context, with learning materials translated into Kazakh and Russian. They will be open not only to professionals in relevant fields but also to anyone interested, including parents and family caregivers.
Practical training will be a central part of the programs. Participants will use AI-powered simulators to practice professional skills and receive feedback. Those who successfully complete the training will receive professional certificates issued by BIHD. The programs are designed as continuing education and do not lead to an academic degree.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform the workplace, skills that technology cannot fully replicate are becoming increasingly valuable. These include empathy, meaningful human interaction and the ability to respond to individual needs. Such skills are essential in working with children, families, older adults and people with special needs. The new programs aim to strengthen the quality of support in these areas and make relevant professional knowledge more accessible.
NUGSE will contribute to adapting the programs to local needs, providing academic oversight and evaluating their effectiveness. As part of the pilot project, the Certified Parent Coach program will train teachers to support child development, family well-being and stronger partnerships between schools and parents. NUGSE researchers will assess the practical outcomes of the training, including changes in how parents engage with their children and their schools.
BIHD works with 39 partner organizations in 18 countries, including United Nations entities, the Asian Development Bank and 15 universities. The new regional center in Astana will bring together the Institute’s international experience and NU’s academic expertise, with the potential to extend these educational initiatives to other Central Asian countries.
