About us

History of the University

NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2006 - 2009

2006 March
Announcement by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the intent to create a world-class university

2009 Fall

Appointment of a project team to establish the university and the creation of the “New University of Astana” JSC in accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated June 20, 2009, No. 957, regarding the establishment of the non-profit JSC “New University of Astana”

By the decree of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan issued on September 25, 2009, Aslan Sarinzhipov was appointed as the President of JSC “New University of Astana.”

mg 3265 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
dscf3447 1 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2010

June
Opening ceremony of NU

September
Start Foundation Program

Opening of Research Centres — Center of Energy Research and Center for Life Sciences

November
Order from the Head of the Prime Minister’s Office, dated November 28, 2010, regarding the election of Mr. Aslan Sarinzhipov as the Chairman of the Executive Council

group 1171275179 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

The graphical symbol of the logo was created based on the first letters of the university’s name — N and U — named after the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev: Nazarbayev University. The letters are combined using a traditional ornamental pattern.
The elements of the ornament symbolize a spear and a ram’s horn, uniting the letters into a single, cohesive composition.

17ffae511dc4b2445927ee90bf5c3dd3608c2c83 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Our Alumni

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672c5a4a1f950 5 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Islam Salikhanov

School of Medicine • Master of Public Health
672c5a4a1f950 2 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Sabira Baidildina

Center for Preparatory Studies • Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program (NUFYP)
photo nargiza e1668719380144 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Nargiza Chorieva, Uzbekistan

Graduate School of Public Policy • Master in Public Policy (MPP) 2018
214600423 212329457560121 2932239061730413788 n NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Marcelo J. López Lara, Mexico

Graduate School of Education • PhD in Education 2017
672c5a4a1f950 7 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Di Wang, China

School of Sciences and Humanities • M.A. in Eurasian Studies 2018
672c5a4a1f950 3 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Razida Kenes

School of Mining and Geosciences • BSc Petroleum Engineering, 2023
672eed6b15028 1 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Kamila Raziyeva

School of Medicine • Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, 2024
672c5a4a1f950 4 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Almassadam Satkaliyev

Graduate School of Business • Executive MBA
672c5a4a1f950 1 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Jose Villero-Mandon, Columbia

School of Mining and Geosciences • MSc in petroleum engineering
672c5a4a1f950 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

Akmaral Agibayeva

School of Engineering and Digital Sciences • Civil Engineering
image 245 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2011

January
A law was enacted based on the principles of academic freedom, autonomy, self-governance, and collegial decision-making regarding the status of “NU,” “Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools,” and “Nazarbayev Foundation.”
The adoption of the law on the status of “NU” “Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools,” and “Nazarbayev Foundation” dated January 19, 2011, which served as the basis for the establishment of a managing council

June
By Protocol No. 1 of the Supreme Board of Trustees of NU AOE, dated June 16, 2011, Mr. Katsu was appointed as NU President.

August
Opening of undergraduate schools

Fall
First research publication under NU name
First medical research conference at NU

2012

March
First JCI accreditation of a National Medical Holding Hospital

August
The Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum launched at NU

Fall
Opening of the Graduate School of Public Policy and the Graduate School of Education

image 245 2 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
3ef92b779c79102fd0880aaf7c28f7d77f250e6c NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2013

Spring
Launch of Executive MBA program at the Graduate School of Business
Approval of NU Strategy for 2013-2020 by the Supreme Board of Trustees

June
The Second Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum held at NU

2014

May
First Oxford University Press publication by NU “Kazakhstan -2050”

July
Opening of the Pilot Technopark

June
III Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum “Successful University: How to Build One” held at NU

r1hsuckzsaxklsub NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
part1 21 resized NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2015

March
Establishment of the National Laboratory Astana

June
First Graduate Ceremony with participation of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan

August
Opening of the School of Medicine

Fall
Establishment of the University Medical Center with three of the former National Medical Holding hospitals

2016

May
V Eurasian Higher Education Leaders Forum 2016

September
Launch of the ABC Quick Start Acceleration Program

October
First PhD Defense (GSE)
Launch of the institutional self-evaluation exercise

1496633237 article b NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
new nu 1 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2017

April
Launch of the Asian Universities Alliance

August
EUA’s independent, external evaluation of NU is published

June
Commencement of the first PhD graduates

September
Opening of School of Mining and Geosciences
Opening of GSPP’s PhD program in Public Policy
Opening of the Zero Year Program for graduate students

2018

June
VII Eurasian Higher Education Leaders’ Forum 2018 took place at NU

August
Introduction of the Undergraduate Core Curriculum Framework (UCCF)

December
Opening of Laboratory complex C4
Approval of NU Strategy for 2018-2030 by the Supreme Board of Trustees

facilities2 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
pic2 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2019

February
Announcement of NU transformation

May
Opening of the Athletic Center
Fifth Graduation Ceremony (Commencement)
First Doctors of Medicine and Bachelors in Applied Nursing

August
Restructuring of School of Engineering, School of Sciences and Technology, and School of Humanities and Social Sciences into two schools: School of Engineering and Digital Sciences and School of Sciences and Humanities

September
The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) Masters programs are fully accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA)

2020

April
CPS’ program English for Academic Purposes received accreditation from BALEAP

June
1st Digital Graduation Ceremony

July
Asian Universities Alliance’s Executive Presidency for 2020-2021

hlc8oofvreaoovdkwdfkiuzkejzeplswuqwtul43 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
nu team is a winner of the gold medal in the worldwide igem competition 1024x576 1 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2021

January
NU professors were ranked among the top 2% of the highly-cited scientists in the world.

February
Rationalization Exercise
The rationalization exercise introduced changes to the organizational structure of the University, leveraging the effectiveness of NU’s human and financial assets.

November
The NU team won the gold medal in the worldwide iGEM competition.
The NU team won the International Olympiad in Electrochemical Materials Science.

2022

May
NU included in the CWUR prestigious academic ranking of the world’s top universities

June
SDSN Kazakhstan hosted by NU

December
Scientists from NU were recognized as the best researchers.
NU scientists are included in the list of the top 2% of scientists in the world, based on the impact of their publications in their respective fields in 2021.

image 247 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
image 246 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

2023

April
Launch of The Academic Leadership Institute
100 heads of Kazakhstani universities have been trained under the Academic Leadership Institute program at NU.

May
Provost Ilesanmi Adesida was appointed as the NU Acting President.
Hosting AUA Summit 2023
Hosting Asia Pacific Career Development Association (APCDA) Hybrid Conference

July
NU GSPP Master’s Programs Achieve Accreditation by NASPAA.

September
NU has debuted in the top 30 percent of international research universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2024.

November
NU GSB Earns Prestigious AMBA & BGA Accreditation, Marking a New Era of Excellence.

December
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education awarded the “Best Scientist” accolade for 2023 to 11 NU researchers.

nu svg15 2 NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 
i square home NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

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i square heart NU was announced in 2006 by the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan and founded in 2010 as the country’s flagship institution for academics and researchers to collaborate. We’re also the country’s first global-level, autonomous research university, granted by law on 19 January, 2011 “On the status of ‘NU,’ ‘Nazarbayev Intellectual Schools’ and ‘Nazarbayev Fund.’” 

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 © Nazarbayev University

Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana city, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave.

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8 (7172) 70 66 88

nu@nu.edu.kz

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