Nazarbayev University (NU) has announced the appointment of Dr. Gulmira Qanay as its new Vice-President for Human Resources, Government Relations and Organizational Design, with additional responsibility for community and regional engagement, effective January 16, 2026.
The appointment was approved by NU Board of Trustees.
“I am pleased to announce that the University’s Board of Trustees has approved the appointment of Dr. Gulmira Qanay as Nazarbayev University’s new Vice-President for Human Resources, Government Relations and Organizational Design, with additional responsibility for community and regional engagement,” said NU President Waqar Ahmad. “Dr. Qanay takes on this role with an expanded portfolio that reflects the University’s strategic priorities.”
Dr. Qanay succeeds Dr. Darkhan Biyalov, who previously held the position.
Most recently, Dr. Qanay served as Rector of the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge and a Master’s degree from the University of Warwick. An accomplished academic leader, educator, and policy advisor, Dr. Qanay brings extensive experience in higher education reform, teacher education, leadership development, and gender equity in education in Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region.
At the national level, she has played a key role in the development and implementation of Kazakhstan’s teacher leadership initiative and has served as a member of the National Commission on Women’s Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan, as well as other national initiatives.
Dr. Qanay has been associated with NU since its inception, having held both administrative and faculty roles.
In her role as Vice-President, Dr. Qanay will oversee human resources, government relations, and organizational design, working closely with NU’s leadership to strengthen institutional effectiveness and alignment with the University’s strategic priorities. She will also lead NU’s work on community and regional engagement.
President Ahmad also expressed his appreciation to Dr. Darkhan Biyalov for his dedicated service to NU during his tenure as Vice-President.
