General information
Graduate Assistantship
Research Assistantship
3MT COMPETITION
For Graduate Students
Graduate studies offer students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in a specific field, preparing them for leadership roles in academia, industry, and beyond. Our graduate program provides students with the tools to succeed, including rigorous coursework, hands-on research experience, and access to a vibrant community of scholars and professionals.
With a commitment to excellence in teaching and cutting-edge research, our faculty are dedicated to helping students reach their full potential. Whether you are just starting your academic journey or looking to advance your career, our graduate studies has always something to offer. Start your next chapter with us and join the dynamic community of thinkers and leaders at the forefront of their fields.
Graduate Studies Committee
The Graduate Studies Committee, as an advisory subcommittee of the Academic Council, oversees academic, research, and administrative support for all Master’s and PhD students at NU. Our primary goal is to promote excellence in graduate education, scholarship, and research. Key functions include:
1. Collaborating with Schools and university divisions to enhance strategies for graduate student recruitment, applications, admissions, registration, enrollment, academic progress, and completion.
2. Reviewing and recommending guidelines, procedures, and policies to enhance the quality and cohesiveness of graduate education.
3. Providing advice and recommendations on the development, quality, and operation of graduate programs.
4. Identifying, disseminating, and encouraging best practices in graduate education.
Our commitment is to enhance the overall graduate experience and foster a culture of academic excellence. The Committee has student representatives who can help bring the student voice to the faculty and management:
Aldamzhar Kiikbayev
SEDS Master Student
aldamzhar.kiikbayev@nu.edu.kz
Abdullah Rasheed Qureshi,
SMG PhD Student
abdullah.qureshi@nu.edu.kz
Find out more about other student representatives in other institutional level committees here.
PhD Students Forum
The PhD students forum is a platform where PhD students of all NU schools exchange ideas, share experiences, and network with each other. It could be an online discussion board, an in-person meeting, or a virtual conference. The purpose of the forum is to provide support, resources, and visibility to PhD students as they navigate their academic and professional journey.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
October 07, 2024
Writing Up Data Workshop
This Wednesday, join the NU Writing Center for an insightful workshop led by Dr. Carlos M Abaunza.
Workshop Highlights:
Interpreting Data: Learn how to extract rich stories from both qualitative and quantitative data.
Clear and Concise Presentation: Discover techniques for presenting your findings in a way that captivates your audience.
Visualizations and Graphs: Use visuals effectively to enhance understanding.
Essence of Research: Capture the heart of your research and communicate it effectively.
Who Should Attend?
Undergraduate and graduate students working on capstone projects, theses, or dissertations.
Anyone eager to acquire new academic writing skills.
Workshop Details:
Level: Beginner-Intermediate
Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Time: 6:00pm
Location: 5E.228 Library Conference Hall, Main Campus
Reserve Your Spot: Make your free appointment at nazarbayev.mywconline.com. Don’t miss this opportunity to enhance your research communication skills!
17 September, 2024
Exciting News for Students: 2024 NU 3MT Competition!
NU Graduate Studies Office is excited to invite you to the University Final of the 3MT (Three Minute Thesis) Competition, where PhD students will showcase their research in just 3 minutes! Date: 20th September 2024 Venue: Green Hall, Block C2 Time: 5:30 PM Come and support our talented graduate students as they present their innovative ideas and research breakthroughs. This is a great opportunity to learn, network, and be inspired by the work being done in our community. We look forward to seeing you there!
09 September, 2024
Exciting News for Students: 3MT Wildcard Competition 2024!
We are thrilled to announce that the Wildcard Competition of the NU Three Minute Thesis (3MT) for 2024 will take place on Tuesday, September 10, in the Senate Hall of Block 1. The 3MT competition challenges students to present their thesis research in just three minutes, using only one slide, making it an excellent opportunity to hone your presentation skills and engage with a broader audience. The Wildcard Competition is a special round where School People's Choice winners get another chance to compete for a spot in the NU Finale scheduled for September 20. Don’t miss this exciting event and come support your peers as they showcase their research in a dynamic and engaging format!
September 2, 2024
Upcoming Presentation: Effective Paraphrasing Techniques to Avoid Plagiarism
Dear Students,
We would like to invite you to attend a free workshop on effective paraphrasing techniques offered by the NU Writing Center on Thursday (September 5), 6 PM, in the Library Conference Hall (Room: 5E.228). The workshop will be led by Professor Jeffrey Carney and will cover essential strategies for avoiding plagiarism. Seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Register for the workshop at nazarbayev.mywconline.com to take advantage of this opportunity to improve your academic writing skills.
April 8, 2024
Exciting News for NU Ph.D. Student Community. The Provost Office is thrilled to announce the launch of the very first Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition! We’re looking for enthusiastic research students who can explain their work in a way that will captivate a non-specialist audience. 3MT® challenges research students to present a compelling oration on their thesis topic and its significance in just three minutes, using only one static slide. It’s an exercise in developing academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Are you ready to take on the challenge?
Stay tuned for more details on how to participate at graduatestudies.office@nu.edu.kz and the NU 3MT webpage
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HELPFUL LINKS
Policies and Procedures for Graduate Students
Departments and Program Directors
Grad Student Union board members
Health & Counselling Services
Alumni Associations
Library Study Room Booking
Fees and Funding
Learn about Science Communication
Writing Center Services and Events
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FOR NEW STUDENTS
Graduate Student Handbook
My Registrar
Student Portal
Orientation
NU PhD Framework
NU Master’s Framework
GTA Training
Graduate Programs Q&A
Disability and Special Learning Needs Support
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Graduate Assistantships (GA) at NU
Graduate Assistantship at NU is a form of engagement of PhD students that provides practical experience that builds disciplinary and transferrable knowledge, skills, and abilities. Graduate Assistantship is a semester long commitment and are assigned prior to GA semesters that are aligned with the University Academic Calendar. For 2024/2025 academic year GA will be offered in Spring (Jan. – May), Summer (Jun. – Jul.), and Fall (Aug. – Dec) semesters.
GA application process is online. APPLY HERE following the announced deadlines to complete the form for a selected assignment and submit your CV. Spring 2025 GA application is available from December 17 to 27, 2024. Contact the Graduate Studies Office at graduatestudies.office@nu.edu.kz for more information or refer to the Guide for NU Graduate Assistants and their Mentors.
Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence
The Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence was established in 2021 to acknowledge NU PhD students for their assisting efforts, most dedicated service to the students, and exemplary performance as Graduate Teaching Assistants. Students, faculty (mentors), GTAs can take part in nominating the awardee. 'Call for '2024 Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence' application is available until April 30, 2024.
Winners of the Graduate Teaching Assistant Award
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2024 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence
Nikolay Mikhailov
PhD candidate
School of Sciences and Humanities
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2023 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence
Zhandos Salpynov
GTA, PhD student in Global Health
NUSOM
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2022 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence
Zulyar Kavashev
PhD candidate
Graduate School of Education
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2021 Graduate Teaching Assistant Award for Teaching Excellence
Aliya Assubayeva
PhD in Education
Graduate School of Public Policy
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GA associated contact list
School level contacts:
GSB Yerkezhan Ybyrayeva yerkezhan.ybyrayeva@nu.edu.kz,
SEDS Damira Serikova damira.serikova@nu.edu.kz,
SSH Gulden Kassenova gulden.kassenova@nu.edu.kz,
SMG Altynay Kazhkenova, altynay.kazhkenova@nu.edu.kz,
GSE Elmira Tukanayeva elmira.tukanayeva@nu.edu.kz,
GSPP Nurgul Tuyebayeva nurgul.tuyebayeva@nu.edu.kz,
NUSOM Anuar Arykbayev anuar.arykbayev@nu.edu.kz
Provost Office level contacts:
Office of the Associate Provost for Graduate Studies graduatestudies.office@nu.edu.kz
Research Assistantships for Graduate Students
As an academic and research-intensive institution, NU encourages graduate students to pursue a Research Assistantship is an invaluable opportunity to actively engage in research projects led by esteemed faculty members. This hands-on experience enriches your academic journey and provides essential skills and insights that will set you apart in your future career. As a Research Assistant, you'll be part of groundbreaking research that addresses some of the world's most pressing challenges.
Benefits of a Graduate Research Assistantship
Joining our GRA program offers numerous advantages:
Financial Support: RA positions come with a compensation that helps cover living expenses, relieving some financial burdens.
Research Experience: Gain practical research experience, enhancing your academic and professional portfolio.
Networking: Build valuable connections with faculty, fellow students, and professionals in your field.
Career Advancement: The skills and knowledge you acquire will make you a more attractive candidate for future job opportunities or further academic pursuits.
How to Apply
Explore Opportunities: Visit the NU schools' webpages (SEDS, SSH, SMG, SoM, GSE, GSPP, GSB) or access the PURE SYSTEM to browse available research projects and find those that align with your academic and research interests. Within the PURE system, you may search by Projects, Research Units, or Faculty Profiles.
Contact Faculty Members: Reach out to Principal Investigators or Project administrators leading the project(s) you are interested in. Express your interest and inquire about available positions.
Prepare Your Application: Prepare a robust application, including your resume, academic transcripts, and a well-crafted statement of purpose that explains why you're an excellent fit for the project.
Submit Your Application: Follow the application process outlined by the faculty member, project administrator, and the department, following the specific deadlines and requirements.
Interview: If selected, you may be invited for an interview to discuss your qualifications and your fit for the research team.
The University encourages you to explore all possibilities of a Research Assistantship while pursuing your degree. Your dedication to research now will contribute to the future of your field. We believe that the pursuit of knowledge knows no bounds, and we invite you to embark on an exciting journey of discovery through our Graduate Research Assistantship program.
NU Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) Competition
What is a 3MT competition ?
The Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is an academic research communication competition developed by The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia. 3MT cultivates students’ academic, presentation, and research communication skills.
The competition supports their capacity to effectively explain their research in three minutes. Graduate students from diverse disciplines will compete to convey their complex research to a general audience in a clear, engaging, and accessible manner. The 3MT competition aims to enhance the profile of the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) both within universities and the wider community.
Why attend ?
- Gain insights into groundbreaking research
- Support our talented graduate students
- Witness the next generation of innovators
- Network with fellow academics and professionals
2024 3MT Competition Timeline
The 2024 NU 3MT Competition is now open to ALL eligible PhD students.
Till August 28: School-level 3MT competitions
September 10: Wildcard Competition
September 20: NU 3MT Competition Final
2024 Prizes
Prizes can vary at the discretion of your School.
School Heats
- School are welcome to provide prizes to participants
- Winner progresses to NU Final
- People’s Choice progresses to Wildcard Competition
Wildcard Competition
- No prize is provided for this event
- Winner advances to UQ 3MT Final
NU 3MT Final
- First Prize: $3000 travel/research grant
- Runner-Up: $1500 travel/research grant
- People’s Choice: $1500 travel/research grant
Eligibility Criteria
- Active NU PhD candidates who have successfully passed their confirmation milestone (including candidates whose thesis is under submission) by the date of their first presentation. Graduates are not eligible.
- 3MT presentations must represent the primary research the students have conducted in their PhD programs.
- Competitors must present in person and agree to be video/audio recorded and photographed. They must also allow those recordings and photographs to be made public.
Rules
- A single static PowerPoint slide is permitted (no slide transitions, animations or ‘movement’ of any description, the slide is to be presented from the beginning of the oration).
- No additional electronic media (e.g., sound and video files) or props (e.g., costumes, musical instruments, laboratory equipment) are permitted.
- Presentations are limited to 3 minutes maximum and competitors exceeding 3 minutes are disqualified.
- Presentations are to be spoken word (e.g., no poems, raps, or songs).
- Presentations are considered to have commenced when a presenter starts their presentation through movement or speech.
- The decision of the adjudicating panel is final.
Judging Criteria
Presentations will be assessed according to the criteria listed below Please note that each criterion is equally weighted.
Comprehension and Content
- Presentation provided clear background and significance to the research question
- Presentation clearly described the research strategy/design and the results/findings of the research
- Presentation clearly described the conclusions, outcomes, and impact of the research
Engagement and Communication
- The oration was delivered clearly, and the language was appropriate for a non-specialist audience
- The PowerPoint slide was well-defined and enhanced the presentation
- The presenter conveyed enthusiasm for their research and captured and maintained the audience’s attention
Training and Resources
NU Writing Center Workshops
Workshop: Demystifying 3MT
29 August 2024 I Time: 3 - 4 PM
Venue: 1009 in Block C3
Register here
Individual sessions with Writing Center couches:
With Adina-Camelia Arvatu: TBA
With Thomas Duke: TBA
NU Library Resources and Workshops
Registration TBA
Contact the NU 3MT coordinator
If you should have questions or concerns regarding the 3MT Competition, please email us at 3mt@nu.edu.kz
