I was in the first cohort to graduate from the MPH program (2016-2018), and this experience was mind-changing. First, the MPH faculty helped me build a solid foundation in epidemiology, biostatistics, and study designs, which further helped me advance this knowledge during my PhD in Public Health at the University of Basel. The knowledge I gained during the MPH was necessary, and without this program, my further achievements would not have been possible. Second, during this program, I’ve done and published my first research, which I presented at the ISPOR conference in Baltimore, USA. Third, moreover, the soft skills (communication, problem-solving, and international perspective) also expanded my horizons and helped me after graduation. This program helped me understand that I wanted to further advance in the field of research. Now I am working in clinical research in Switzerland and I am grateful to the entire MPH faculty and especially Byron because without it, all my further achievements would not have been possible.
Hi everyone, I’m Sabira. I’m a graduate of the NU Foundation Year Program (NUFYP), and now I’m studying computer science. I chose to study at Nazarbayev University because it is one of the most progressive universities in Kazakhstan and is also ranked among the best universities in the world. Regarding the NUFYP program, it was a really valuable experience for me as a student. NUFYP truly prepares you for a challenging bachelor’s degree program. For those who graduate from NUFYP, studying for a bachelor’s degree becomes easier because they are already familiar with the learning format, the assessment system, and have built a social network, which helps them find friends in the future. Personally, I was excited about the social life on campus during NUFYP. I participated in creative events at NU, for example, I painted horses on the wall of the Block 2 for Nauryz celebration. But most of all, I enjoyed doing project work. Subjects like Foundations of Leadership and EAP gave us students the opportunity to feel like researchers. I learned how to find academically relevant and useful resources, and how to express my thoughts professionally. I am very proud of my Leadership project, which helped me understand the admission policy for people with special needs. NUFYP was a great start for me—it was like a demo version of real university life. However, NUFYP can also be challenging for students if they don’t invest enough time in it. Therefore, I highly recommend staying focused on studies and being less involved in campus life, as it was one of the main reasons some students couldn’t pass NUFYP. Overall, NUFYP helped me feel more confident in my Bachelor’s course, and it helped me establish strong relationships with the NU community. I recommend this Program to those who want to enter university life with ready-made connections and knowledge.
“I chose the MPP program because it offered scholarship opportunities, a well-known reputation of high quality education and the expertise on Central Asian countries’ experience.”
Previously I was exceedingly interested in Economics as I worked for an NGO in my home country for several years. However, further on, my passion to be a civil servant in order to make positive changes and contribute to the development of the whole region started to prevail. So, I decided to continue my education.
I knew that NU, a new university with high standards of education and great facilities, had been recently opened in a neighboring country. I started looking for suitable programs. Having critically analyzed curriculum and requirements, I chose the MPP program as my priority due to scholarship opportunities, a well-known reputation of high quality education and the expertise on Central Asian countries’ experience. I reckoned that it perfectly suited my research interests and profile. It was clear that the program was very competitive, with many students applying. Fortunately, my background in Economics from the international university, social activities and work experience helped me to believe in myself and apply to NU. Now I can say that NU has fascinating facilities to study and live, as well as diverse and qualified faculty members who are always ready to help.
I also have to mention MPP’s Singapore component program, which gave me a chance to familiarize myself with one of the world’s most effective governance systems. The MPP program assists me to achieve not only my educational goals, but also enriches my leadership skills that are critical for my future career path. Thank you, NU, for being my second home!
“What attracted me the most was the partnerships NU had signed with leading global universities, in my case the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania.”
I heard about NU when it first opened. I had come to Kazakhstan before its opening and I could hear people in the country talking about a big education project, they meant NU.
What attracted me the most was the partnerships NU had signed with leading global universities, because I thought that was going to give NU the support to run programs effectively and engage in interesting joint research projects.
During my studies I was dealing with professors from different countries, who shared different perspectives on the issues we care about, in my case education. I also enjoyed spending time in the NU library because not only was I able to find books in my field of research, but other useful resources like CDs, journals or newspapers.
The main reason I chose this program was the support it has from the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania. I think the chance we have at NU to exchange ideas or participate in joint projects is very important for the development of a solid research project.
Among the top positive things about studying at NU, I would highlight: firstly, the partnerships with other universities along with excellent professors; secondly, the research focus and; thirdly, the resources available for students including the library, dorms, canteens and sports facilities to mention some.
“It is a very unique opportunity to study Central Asian history right at the region, while the language of instruction is English”
I studied International Relations in the US when I was an undergrad, but then I decided to really follow my wish to switch to History when I was in the last year of studying. I got to know about NU when I was searching for graduate programs in History with a focus on the region of Central Asia. It is a very unique opportunity to study Central Asian history right at the region, while the language of instruction is English, and I have always wanted to travel in Kazakhstan. I had read about the research interests of the professors and research projects of each current student at that time of Eurasian Studies program on the website, and all seemed to be very interesting.
My first year in Eurasian Studies program was very intensive, but highly rewarding at the same time. I really like our curriculum which gives us a good foundation for doing research in the first semester, enables us to explore courses in different fields starting from the second semester, and gives us a long-term working period for our thesis.
The professors are very knowledgeable and are always willing to help the students when they have questions. My supervisors have been constantly helping me with great effort in my process of doing research and drafting up for my thesis.
Besides, NU itself is a burgeoning university. There are always new facilities being built on campus. The students of NU are very intelligent, hard-working, friendly and active. I have made many friends not only with students within our program, but also students who have different majors. At first, I thought graduate students would be left out from activities on the campus, but actually I have joined student clubs and made friends with many undergrads as well.
I hope more international students will join the NU community to study here in the future!
Nazarbayev University (NU) stood out to me as the top university in Kazakhstan, but it wasn’t until I visited the campus as a high school student that I knew this was where I wanted to be. The sense of community and vibrant atmosphere immediately drew me in.
Pursuing a BSc in Petroleum Engineering at NU was challenging, but it was an unforgettable journey. The support from the professors, staff, and fellow students at the School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG) made even the toughest moments rewarding. I had the privilege of working on a research project with KazMunaiGas, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in a real Kazakhstani field. Our team, led by Professor Peyman Pourafshary, contributed to academic publications and international conferences—an experience I will always cherish.
Beyond academics, NU enriched my social life. I made lifelong friends and created unforgettable memories. I’m proud to be an NU alumna, but even prouder to be part of the SMG family. Looking back, NU helped shape my path and gave me the confidence to pursue further studies in the UK.
For prospective students, my advice is simple: embrace everything NU offers. Step out of your comfort zone, learn from your mistakes, and never set limits on what you can achieve. The opportunities are endless, and your only competition is yourself.
I am Kamila Raziyeva, a recent graduate of the PhD program in Biomedical Science from the School of Medicine at Nazarbayev University. The program significantly enhanced my career by providing me with the chance to work in cutting-edge laboratories under the supervision of excellent mentors. Through this experience, I had the opportunity to publish my research in high-impact journals and collaborate in an intellectually stimulating environment surrounded by leading experts in the field.
The academic program is well-planned, providing sufficient time for research while ensuring a strong foundational knowledge through coursework in the first two years. The introductory courses, including those focused on thesis and grant writing together with instructors, were instrumental in preparing me for my research goals. The support from the school was crucial, providing assistance with equipment and reagents whenever needed, which greatly facilitated my PhD thesis work.
“I highly appreciate that here in Kazakhstan, we have such a high-level educational institution with international academic standards, whose graduates possess the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to the development and prosperity of the Kazakh economy. Therefore, as an employer, I encourage and support the training of our top managers through participation in both diploma and non-diploma programs at NUGSB.
The NUGSB Executive MBA program has provided me with the opportunity to gain world-class knowledge from outstanding faculty from around the globe while remaining in Kazakhstan, which allowed me to continue working.
NUGSB’s strategic partnership with the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University, one of the leading business schools in the world, offers unique teaching methods and approaches. Along with its outstanding faculty and cutting-edge research facilities, this makes NUGSB a desirable place to gain the international knowledge and experience needed to address today’s globalization and integration challenges, taking into account the specifics of Kazakhstan. It was an excellent opportunity for me to achieve my educational goals, as well as to acquire skills in accepting and implementing new ideas and strategies in management.
Nazarbayev University is one of the most successful educational and scientific projects in the region.
Today, in the era of globalization, the most important source of a company’s competitive advantage is its internal capabilities. Therefore, successful management of an organization requires a top manager to effectively mobilize the company’s resources in a way that simultaneously maximizes internal efficiency and responds to external challenges.”
During his studies, Almasadam Satkaliyev served as the General Director of JSC Samruk-Energy. JSC Samruk-Energy is a holding company with a mandate to implement state policy in the energy sector. The company’s main areas of activity include the production, transmission, and distribution of electricity, as well as coal mining. Samruk-Energy is represented in almost every region of the country, employing about 24,000 people. The company accounts for about 47% of the total electrical capacity of Kazakhstan and nearly 40% of electricity generation and coal mining in the country.
As part of the NU family, I had the chance to grow not only as an engineer but also as a person. Having access to the faculty, facilities, and resources was an incredible opportunity that enriched my journey abroad. The curriculum was rigorous, and the faculty served as exceptional mentors, providing a comprehensive understanding of the Oil & Gas industry. Their passion for teaching and their willingness to challenge us to think critically made a lasting impact on me.
One of the highlights of my experience was spending time with my classmates, especially during coffee breaks at Daily Cup. Kazakh hospitality will always hold a special place in my heart. I am also grateful to the professors, who were experts in their fields and fostered an environment where diverse perspectives were welcomed—a beautiful multicultural approach.
Nazarbayev University also offered incredible opportunities for practical application through internships, research projects, and study abroad programs. I spent one summer in Japan, collaborating with Akita University, then spent over two months with a company focused on consulting for the Oil and Gas industry. I also had the honor of representing the university at the SPE paper contest for the Russia and Caspian region, as well as the international student paper contest at ATCE 2024, where I had three papers published. My time at Nazarbayev University allowed me to grow significantly as an engineer.
My time at Nazarbayev University not only prepared me for the challenges of a globalized world but also gave me lifelong friends—people I can now call family.
After completing my Master’s degree, I was eager to transition into environmental science and began searching for PhD opportunities. I found a project at Nazarbayev University’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department that perfectly matched my academic background. Coming from a different field (with a Bachelor’s in Biological Sciences and a Master’s in Public Health), the Civil Engineering courses were initially challenging. However, once I started my research, I quickly realized their value.
NU provided me with numerous opportunities to participate in diverse research projects and collaborate with both local and foreign universities. Throughout my PhD, I’ve worked on experimental studies, social research, and modeling/forecasting projects. I also had the chance to collaborate with faculty from KazNU, the University of Pittsburgh, UiT the Arctic University of Norway, and was involved in the European Circular B COST Action-CA21103 initiative.
The PhD program allowed me to develop a broad range of skills. As a Teaching Assistant for courses ranging from Biology to Fluid Mechanics, I gained interdisciplinary knowledge and valuable experience in research, problem-solving, and management, whether addressing lab issues or organizing student activities. These experiences gave me a solid foundation for pursuing a career in academia. While NU’s advanced research facilities are impressive, it’s the people who truly make a difference. The support and motivation I received here have been incredible, shaping my academic journey.
