Several Nazarbayev University (NU) faculty members have been awarded Senior Fellowship by Advance HE (UK), a globally recognized mark of excellence in higher education.
The honorees include Elmira Tursunkhanova, Head of Discipline at the Center for Preparatory Studies; Shazim Memon and Essam Shehab, Professors at the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences; Thomas Duke, Acting Director of the Writing Center at the School of Sciences and Humanities; and Daniel Hernández-Torrano, Professor at the Graduate School of Education.
This recognition celebrates their leadership in teaching and learning—mentoring colleagues, fostering pedagogical innovation, and shaping institutional strategies that enhance teaching quality and student success.
“The relationship with Advance HE signifies our commitment to faculty development and outstanding student outcomes”, said Professor Waqar Ahmad, NU President.
The Senior Fellowship status under the UK Professional Standards Framework (PSF) is awarded to higher education professionals who demonstrate strategic leadership in teaching and learning. This goes beyond classroom instruction to include:
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Mentoring and supporting educators across teams or disciplines.
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Innovating curriculum and assessment practices.
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Influencing institutional policies and quality enhancement initiatives.
Senior Fellowship signals internationally benchmarked excellence, positioning recipients for academic leadership roles and advancing NU’s reputation as a hub of pedagogical innovation.
