Managing Council
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Waqar Ahmad
PresidentProfessor Waqar Ahmad is a seasoned academic leader, most recently serving as Chancellor (President), Abu Dhabi University. Previously, he was Deputy Vice Chancellor Abu Dhabi University, Professor of Primary Care Research at University of Leeds, and Associate Professor at the University of York and the University of Bradford.
He currently holds Visiting Professorships at the London School of Economics and the University of York, and has previously held a Visiting Professorship at University College London. A Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, he enjoys an international reputation for his research on health and social care within the fields of sociology, social policy and social epidemiology. His research has appeared in major international journals and books by leading publishers. Under his leadership,
Abu Dhabi University rose to the ranking of 250-300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, was ranked in the top 60 among Times Higher Asian University Rankings and the Times Higher Young University Rankings, and among the top 200 in the Times Higher Global Employability Rankings. Reflecting his keen commitment to research contributing to policy and practice, from 2001 to 2004, Professor Ahmad served as the Chief Social Scientist at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom. He also served on the Strategic Board of the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council and the research and knowledge exchange strategic committee of the Higher Education Funding Council, England.
Professor Ahmad commented on his appointment: ‘I am humbled and honored to be trusted with this exciting and challenging role by the NU Board of Trustees and the Search Committee. NU is a beacon among higher education institutions in Central Asia. I look forward to working with the University community and our partners to make the University internationally competitive in research and teaching and a catalyst for social and economic development in Kazakhstan and the region.’
He currently holds Visiting Professorships at the London School of Economics and the
University of York, and has previously held a Visiting Professorship at University College London. A Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, he enjoys an international reputation for his research on health and social care within the fields of sociology, social policy and social epidemiology. His research has appeared in major international journals and books by leading publishers.
Under his leadership, Abu Dhabi University rose to the ranking of 250-300 in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023, was ranked in the top 60 among Times Higher Asian University Rankings and the Times Higher Young University Rankings, and among the top 200 in the Times Higher Global Employability Rankings. Reflecting his keen commitment to research contributing to policy and practice, from 2001 to 2004, Professor Ahmad served as the Chief Social Scientist at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, United Kingdom. He also served on the Strategic Board of the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council and the research and knowledge exchange strategic committee of the Higher Education Funding Council, England.
Professor Ahmad commented on his appointment: ‘I am humbled and honored to be trusted with this exciting and challenging role by the NU Board of Trustees and the Search Committee. NU is a beacon among higher education institutions in Central Asia. I look forward to working with the University community and our partners to make the University internationally competitive in research and teaching and a catalyst for social and economic development in Kazakhstan and the region.’
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Ilesanmi Adesida
ProvostProfessor Ilesanmi Adesida is a successful scientist and administrator in both scientific and educational circles.
Prior to his appointment at NU, Professor Adesida served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He received his Bachelor of Science in 1974, Master of Science in 1975, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1979 (University of California, Berkeley). From 1979 to 1984, he served as a visiting researcher and assistant professor at Cornell University. Subsequently, he was Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering
at the University of Tafawa Balewa in Nigeria from 1985 to 1987. He joined the ranks of the University of Illinois faculty in 1987, where he was a professor of Engineering Sciences, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as a special advisor on International Programs. He served as the Director of the Laboratory of Micro- and Nanotechnology from 2000 to 2005, as well as the Director of the Center for Nanoscale Sciences and Technologies from 2001 to 2012.
In addition, during those years, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He also nurtured a number of national and international partnerships in the field of education, research, and innovation entrepreneurship. Professor Adesida has published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles and has made more than 250 presentations at international conferences. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Vacuum Society, Optical Society of America and the Materials Research Society. He was awarded the Oakley Kunde Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. He was also named an Outstanding Graduate of the Department of EECS, University of California, Berkeley. He was awarded the IEEE EDS for Special Merits in 2011. In 2016 he won the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Functional Materials John Bardeen Award.
Professor Adesida was also a member of the Board of ASEE Engineering Deans and acted as Chairman of its Public Policy Committee from 2009 to 2011. Professor Adesida was Chairman of the session of the 5th Global University Summit held in Chicago in 2012, which was attended by the presidents and chancellors of some the largest international universities to discuss Developing Talent to Drive Innovation in a Global Society. He has served as Chairman of the NSF Engineering Advisory Board, an NSF Waterman Award Committee member, and worked for Committee on Institutional Cooperation and Provost Committees. He has also worked in a number of committees of the United States’ National Academies and is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering of the United States.
Prior to his appointment at NU, Professor Adesida served as Provost and Vice Chancellor for
Academic Affairs at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (UIUC).
He received his Bachelor of Science in 1974, Master of Science in 1975, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering in 1979 (University of California, Berkeley).
From 1979 to 1984, he served as a visiting researcher and assistant professor at Cornell University. Subsequently, he was Head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at the University of Tafawa Balewa in Nigeria from 1985 to 1987. He joined the ranks of the University of Illinois faculty in 1987, where he was a professor of Engineering Sciences, a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as a special advisor on International Programs. He served as the Director of the Laboratory of Micro- and Nanotechnology from 2000 to 2005, as well as the Director of the Center for Nanoscale Sciences and Technologies from 2001 to 2012.
In addition, during those years, he was the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. He also nurtured a number of national and international partnerships in the field of education, research, and innovation entrepreneurship. Professor Adesida has published more than 350 peer-reviewed articles and has made more than 250 presentations at international conferences. He is a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Vacuum Society, Optical Society of America and the Materials Research Society. He was awarded the Oakley Kunde Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education. He was also named an Outstanding Graduate of the Department of EECS, University of California, Berkeley. He was awarded the IEEE EDS for Special Merits in 2011. In 2016 he won the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) Functional Materials John Bardeen Award.
Professor Adesida was also a member of the Board of ASEE Engineering Deans and acted as Chairman of its Public Policy Committee from 2009 to 2011. Professor Adesida was Chairman of the session of the 5th Global University Summit held in Chicago in 2012, which was attended by the presidents and chancellors of some the largest international universities to discuss Developing Talent to Drive Innovation in a Global Society. He has served as Chairman of the NSF Engineering Advisory Board, an NSF Waterman Award Committee member, and worked for Committee on Institutional Cooperation and Provost Committees. He has also worked in a number of committees of the United States’ National Academies and is a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering of the United States.
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Aslan Sarinzhipov
Executive Vice-PresidentAslan Sarinzhipov is an established professional with a diverse background in economics, diplomacy, and education administration.
He obtained his Bachelor's degree in International Economics from the Kazakh Economic University named after T. Ryskulov in 1996, complemented by a year of study at the University of Oklahoma in 1993-1994. Following this, he pursued further academic endeavors, graduating from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in 1997. Throughout his career, Sarinzhipov has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. He completed internships at prestigious institutions such
as the Kennedy Institute for Public Policy at Harvard University in 2007. He holds a Candidate of Economic Sciences degree from the Kazakh Economic University (2006) and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania (2013).
Sarinzhipov's professional journey began in 1996 at the Executive Committee of the Interstate Council of Central Asia. He then transitioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1997 before serving as an economic attaché at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the USA from 1998 to 2002. His experience expanded further as he took on roles at the World Bank Regional Office in Central Asia, focusing on infrastructure and financial market development from 2002 to 2007.
In 2007, Sarinzhipov assumed the position of Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC "National Analytical Center under the Government and the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan," overseeing economic development, finance, and education. His leadership skills led him to become the President of NU from 2009 to 2013, followed by his appointment as the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2013 to 2016.
Since 2016, Sarinzhipov has served as the Chairman of the Management Board at Nazarbayev Fund, where he continues to drive initiatives aimed at enhancing education and socio-economic development in Kazakhstan. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Executive Vice President of NU since 2023, further contributing to the university's mission of academic excellence and innovation.
He obtained his Bachelor's degree in International Economics from the Kazakh Economic
University named after T. Ryskulov in 1996, complemented by a year of study at the University of Oklahoma in 1993-1994. Following this, he pursued further academic endeavors, graduating from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in 1997.
Throughout his career, Sarinzhipov has demonstrated a commitment to continuous learning and professional development. He completed internships at prestigious institutions such as the Kennedy Institute for Public Policy at Harvard University in 2007. He holds a Candidate of Economic Sciences degree from the Kazakh Economic University (2006) and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Pennsylvania (2013).
Sarinzhipov's professional journey began in 1996 at the Executive Committee of the Interstate Council of Central Asia. He then transitioned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in 1997 before serving as an economic attaché at the Embassy of Kazakhstan in the USA from 1998 to 2002. His experience expanded further as he took on roles at the World Bank Regional Office in Central Asia, focusing on infrastructure and financial market development from 2002 to 2007.
In 2007, Sarinzhipov assumed the position of Deputy Chairman of the Board of JSC "National Analytical Center under the Government and the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan," overseeing economic development, finance, and education. His leadership skills led him to become the President of NU from 2009 to 2013, followed by his appointment as the Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan from 2013 to 2016.
Since 2016, Sarinzhipov has served as the Chairman of the Management Board at Nazarbayev Fund, where he continues to drive initiatives aimed at enhancing education and socio-economic development in Kazakhstan. Additionally, he has taken on the role of Executive Vice President of NU since 2023, further contributing to the university's mission of academic excellence and innovation.
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Massimo Pignatelli
Vice President for Medicine – Dean of School of MedicineDr. Massimo Pignatelli, MD, Ph.D., a distinguished pathologist and biomedical scientist, prior to his appointment held the position of the Dean of NU School of Medicine (NUSOM), which was formally established in January 2014.
Before coming to NUSOM in November 2013, Dr. Pignatelli was at the University of Glasgow School of Medicine, where he served as international lead in the College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences and head of the School of Medicine, which includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing and Health Care. He also held the St. Mungo-Notman Chair as head of pathology. Dr. Pignatelli joined the University of Glasgow in 2011 following an academic career at Imperial College, London as
senior lecturer/reader in pathology and at the University of Bristol, where he was professor of histopathology and head of clinical sciences. Dr. Pignatelli earned his MD summa cum laude from the University of Bologna, Italy, and his PhD from University College, London. He is a noted and well-published physician-scientist whose research focuses on epithelial adhesion molecules and particularly on their exploitation as biomarkers for tissue diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment.
Before coming to NUSOM in November 2013, Dr. Pignatelli was at the University of Glasgow
School of Medicine, where he served as international lead in the College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life Sciences and head of the School of Medicine, which includes the Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, and Nursing and Health Care. He also held the St. Mungo-Notman Chair as head of pathology.
Dr. Pignatelli joined the University of Glasgow in 2011 following an academic career at Imperial College, London as senior lecturer/reader in pathology and at the University of Bristol, where he was professor of histopathology and head of clinical sciences. Dr. Pignatelli earned his MD summa cum laude from the University of Bologna, Italy, and his PhD from University College, London. He is a noted and well-published physician-scientist whose research focuses on epithelial adhesion molecules and particularly on their exploitation as biomarkers for tissue diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment.
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Kadisha Dairova
Vice President for Student Affairs and International CooperationMrs. Dairova graduated from Almaty State Teachers’ Institute of Foreign Languages, with a specialty in “English Language”.
She holds a degree of Candidate of Philological Sciences from Moscow Teachers’ Institute of Foreign Languages. Earlier, she worked as the Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA; and the Second Secretary of the Department of American, and European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Mrs. Dairova was an Associate Professor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Kazakh State University, and a founder and president of the publicly
funded “Linguistic Center” for the development of languages in Almaty. From 1998 to 2005, Mrs.
Dairova was a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA, and Advisor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on humanitarian issues of bilateral cooperation. Her priority responsibility was administration of the “Bolashak” Presidential Program of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the USA and Canada.In addition, Mrs. Dairova was also President of the Center for International Programs JSC, Vice-Rector for Development of the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP); and Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
She holds a degree of Candidate of Philological Sciences from Moscow Teachers’ Institute of
Foreign Languages. Earlier, she worked as the Third Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA; and the Second Secretary of the Department of American, and European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Mrs. Dairova was an Associate Professor of the Diplomatic Academy of the Kazakh State University, and a founder and president of the publicly funded “Linguistic Center” for the development of languages in Almaty. From 1998 to 2005, Mrs.
Dairova was a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the USA, and Advisor of the Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan on humanitarian issues of bilateral cooperation. Her priority responsibility was administration of the “Bolashak” Presidential Program of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the USA and Canada.In addition, Mrs. Dairova was also President of the Center for International Programs JSC, Vice-Rector for Development of the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics and Strategic Research (KIMEP); and Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.
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Darkhan Bilyalov
Vice PresidentDarkhan Bilyalov is a seasoned academic leader currently serving as the Vice-President at NU.
His career in higher education is distinguished by his expertise in managing large-scale educational projects and fostering international academic partnerships. Holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University, Bilyalov has authored over 50 publications, reflecting his deep commitment to academic excellence and development in the field of social sciences and humanities. His experience includes significant roles such as overseeing university operations and budgets,
demonstrating his proficiency in educational leadership.
His career in higher education is distinguished by his expertise in managing large-scale
educational projects and fostering international academic partnerships. Holding a Ph.D. in Higher Education from Pennsylvania State University, Bilyalov has authored over 50 publications, reflecting his deep commitment to academic excellence and development in the field of social sciences and humanities. His experience includes significant roles such as overseeing university
operations and budgets, demonstrating his proficiency in educational leadership.
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Assel Uvaliyeva
Vice PresidentAssel Uvaliyeva is a holder of a Doctor of Business Administration degree.
She presently serves as the Vice President of NU. She is a graduate of the Bolashak International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and received her MPA degree in Canada. In 2020, she successfully defended her PhD thesis at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, receiving the “Best Doctoral Dissertation” award under the DBA program. Assel Uvaliyeva’s work experience includes 8 years of administering the program “Training top management of small and medium-sized businesses -
Business Roadmap 2020” in partnership with Duke Corporate Education with the support of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. She is also the founder of the NU Graduate School of Business and leader of the team to establish long-term partnerships with Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Assel Uvaliyeva participated in the largest research project on entrepreneurship in the world, GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), and took part in the development of the Development Strategy of the international research university NU in 2009. From 2022 until her arrival at NU, she served as vice-rector at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Starting from December 2023, she continues her professional activities at NU.
She presently serves as the Vice President of NU. She is a graduate of the Bolashak
International Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and received her MPA degree in Canada. In 2020, she successfully defended her PhD thesis at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, receiving the “Best Doctoral Dissertation” award under the DBA program. Assel Uvaliyeva’s work experience includes 8 years of administering the program “Training top management of small and medium-sized businesses - Business Roadmap 2020” in partnership with Duke Corporate Education with the support of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan. She is also the founder of the NU Graduate School of Business and leader of the team to establish long-term partnerships with Duke University's Fuqua School of Business. Assel Uvaliyeva participated in the largest research project on entrepreneurship in the world, GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), and took part in the development of the Development Strategy of the international research university NU in 2009. From 2022 until her arrival at NU, she served as vice-rector at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. Starting from December 2023, she continues her professional activities at NU.
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