Nazarbayev University (NU) Executive Director of Strategy and Delivery Duncan Priestley and Associate Professor Damira Kanayeva have been awarded Principal Fellow (PFHEA) status, the highest category of professional recognition granted by Advance HE, a UK-based organization dedicated to advancing higher education.
Advance HE offers four levels of professional recognition: Associate Fellow (AFHEA), Fellow (FHEA), Senior Fellow (SFHEA) and Principal Fellow (PFHEA). The highest level recognizes individuals whose professional contributions have had a significant impact on higher education, academic leadership and educational practice.
Dr. Duncan Priestley has been with NU for more than 13 years. His responsibilities include the University’s strategic development, institutional research, performance evaluation, risk management and quality assurance. He also led the work that enabled NU to successfully complete an international quality review and accreditation by the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Dr. Damira Kanayeva has been at NU since 2011. She has contributed to developing research laboratory infrastructure, integrating research-based approaches into teaching and improving academic programs. Her research focuses on developing biosensors to detect disease-causing pathogens and biological markers. She also holds a patent for an innovation in tuberculosis diagnostics.
The recognition of two more NU representatives as Principal Fellows adds to the University’s achievements in strengthening academic leadership and advancing the quality of higher education. Previous recipients of this distinction at NU include Vice President Dr. Gulmira Qanay, Vice Provost for Academic Planning and Budget and Dean of the NU Graduate School of Education Professor Aida Sagintayeva. Samantha Smidt, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, also holds this title.
In addition, more than 80 NU faculty members and staff hold Advance HE’s Fellow and Senior Fellow designations. They represent a range of the University’s academic schools and administrative units.
