NU hosted a ceremony in recognition of inaugural President Shigeo Katsu’s remarkable 13-year tenure as leader. The event was attended by esteemed guests, government officials, and members of the university community who expressed their deep appreciation for President Katsu’s invaluable contributions. Under his guidance, NU embarked on a journey to become a world-class higher education institution and has achieved remarkable success in its mission.
Alikhan Smailov, the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NU conveyed his gratitude on behalf of the government and the Board of Trustees. He acknowledged President Katsu’s personal and irreplaceable contribution to NU’s mission, emphasizing that the university’s transformative progress was made possible through President Katsu’s fruitful and inspiring work.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” suggests Eastern wisdom. We are honored to have taken the first step with you. Your work in the Board of Trustees will continue to impact the development of education in Kazakhstan,” Prime Minister Smailov expressed.
Timur Suleimenov, First Deputy Chief of Staff at the Presidential Office of Kazakhstan, conveyed his honor in expressing appreciation on behalf of the presidential administration. He acknowledged President Katsu’s unwavering dedication to innovation, excellence, and love for the country, which propelled NU to great heights.
“President Katsu’s contribution is not limited to education, he was part of the Five Institutional Reforms and 100 Steps national development programs. His legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. We are happy he will continue to be a part of and a friend of Kazakhstan,” Suleimenov concluded.
Ilesanmi Adesida, Provost and Acting President of NU shared a personal note: “On a personal level, it has been a joy working with Mr. Katsu. I had worked in the U.S. before coming to Kazakhstan. I never wanted to move anywhere cold. It has been almost 7 years at NU since. I came here significantly because of him. My previous work was at a university that is 150 years old. What I’ve seen here accomplished in 13 years is not achievable anywhere else.”
Dr. Adesida praised Shigeo Katsu’s ability to transform great ideas into practical realities through consistent dedication and laser focus. He also extended thanks to President Katsu’s wife, Christiana, for her unwavering support.
In his farewell address, President Katsu reflected on his transition from international development to becoming a university president. He emphasized that the essence of international development lies in developing human capacity and building effective institutions, which is precisely what NU has been accomplishing. President Katsu expressed gratitude for the opportunity to surround himself with young people. “I have been lucky to be surrounded by young people all these years. It is a real luxury at my age to wake up and learn something new every day,” he confessed.
Shigeo Katsu reminded the audience of the three key elements necessary for building a successful institution: talent (including students, faculty, and administration), ample resources, and good governance. President Katsu urged government officials to continue supporting NU, enabling the university to further promote its core values of openness, transparency, merit-based admissions, and academic and research integrity. He acknowledged the dedicated team at NU, committed to upholding these principles and fostering a culture based on these values.
Shigeo Katsu’s presidential tenure completion marks the end of an era characterized by extraordinary achievements in higher education and national development. Under his visionary leadership, NU has transformed into a talent factory, nurturing future leaders. President Katsu’s unwavering dedication, innovation, and love for Kazakhstan have left an indelible mark on the university’s success. As he passes the torch to the next generation of leaders, he will continue supporting the university’s growth through his roles as a member of the Board of Trustees and Advisor to the Acting President.
