Renowned Academic leader appointed Nazarbayev University’s New Provost
Nazarbayev University is delighted to announce Prof. Rehan Sadiq as its new Provost, from October 1, 2025. He joins NU from his role as Provost and Vice-President Academic (Okanagan campus), Professor of Civil Engineering, and Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia (UBC), where he has built a distinguished career in higher education leadership. As Provost and member of UBC Executive, he led or co-led key strategic initiatives to strengthen the University, including increasing the number of international students at UBC Okanagan campus, securing significant number of additional government funded student places in health and technology related areas, launching new programs (at Bachelor, Masters and Doctoral levels) in engineering, business, education, health and natural sciences, and consolidating UBC’s position among the world’s finest universities (41st in Times Higher Education ranking).
Prof. Sadiq previously served as the Executive Associate Dean of the School of Engineering at UBC’s Okanagan campus. During his tenure, the school emerged as one of Canada’s leading hubs for engineering education and research (UBC’s ‘Engineering and Technology’ subject is ranked among top 50 in the Times Higher Education rankings). Under his leadership, the School of Engineering achieved a threefold increase in industry-funded research and saw undergraduate and graduate student enrollment double.
‘We are very delighted to welcome Prof. Rehan Sadiq as our new Provost” – said NU President, Prof. Waqar Ahmad. “He is a world-leading researcher and an accomplished leader, having served in similar roles at the University of British Columbia. We appointed him after a world-wide search, attracting hundreds of well-qualified candidates. NU has already achieved beyond any other university of a similar age. Prof. Sadiq has the stature, leadership experience and drive to deliver our ambition of being recognized as a globally significant university, committed to driving the transformation of Kazakhstan.’
Prof. Rehan Sadiq said: ‘I am honored to join Nazarbayev University as Provost. What inspired me most about NU is its vibrant research ecosystem, its bold and forward-thinking academic community, and its commitment to supporting the transformation of Kazakhstan into a globally competitive knowledge economy. The university’s commitment to developing talented and ambitious future leaders, and generating new knowledge that tackles regional and global challenges is inspiring. I look forward to nurturing a collaborative environment where innovative research, creative ideas and academic excellence flourish — and where every member of the NU community is empowered to grow, contribute, and lead with purpose.’
As Provost of Nazarbayev University, Prof. Sadiq will lead the University’s drive to be internationally competitive in teaching, research, graduate employability and societal impact. He will work with the President, the senior leadership team, our students, faculty, staff and stakeholders, to strengthen NU’s global standing as a world class university, while committing to supporting the development of Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region.
Prof. Sadiq is a world-renowned researcher and academic leader whose research in asset management of water supply systems, environmental risk analysis, and lifecycle assessment of the built environment has earned international acclaim. His 800 publications, with approximately 29,000 citations, place him among the 100 top-cited civil engineering researchers worldwide. Prof. Sadiq is a Fellow of five major professional societies and engineering associations in Canada and has been honored with the prestigious CSCE Albert E. Berry Medal for his contributions to environmental engineering.
Prof. Rehan Sadiq succeeds Prof. Ilesanmi Adesida, who served NU with distinction for eight years. He was appointed following an international search which attracted several hundred applications. The appointment process involved the University’s Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff and external stakeholders. Mr. Alan Ruby, a longstanding member of NU’s Board of Trustees and Senior Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania, participated in the selection process and commented:
‘Rehan Sadiq is a wonderful addition to Nazarbayev University’s senior leadership team. He is an internationally recognized academic leader, researcher and teacher who brings with him energy, enthusiasm and a commitment to excellence, to guide NU as it pursues its goal of producing globally minded leaders, internationally significant research and supporting the nation’s social and economic development. Members of the Board of Trustees were committed to appointing a world-class leader and academic to this critical position. In Rehan Sadiq, we have found that person.’
NU offers a portfolio of over 70 outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. University’s faculty hails from over 60 countries, fosters a global learning environment, and contributes significantly to research on key challenges facing Kazakhstan and the region.
NU’s established reputation as the region’s leading university attracts outstanding students. In 2025, the university received more than 10,000 applications – a 34% increase on the previous year. Over the past 15 years, NU has produced 12,000 professionals who are serving in important roles in Kazakhstan and abroad.
