2024, September 9
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NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad: NU at the Forefront of Science and Innovation in Kazakhstan
2024, September 9
Share this articleNU, one of Kazakhstan's leading educational institutions, is dedicated to achieving the highest standards in both education and research.
At an April meeting of the National Council on Science and Technology, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev aptly stated, "In a country where science is strong, the state is strong. Without science, the country is doomed. But a country with advanced science can overcome any crisis. When science flourishes, the economy flourishes, and the well-being of the people increases."
High rankings reflect global recognition
NU's commitment to educational excellence was highlighted last year when the university was included in the prestigious Times Higher Education World University Rankings. NU is now ranked in the top 30% of universities globally, 129th among Asian universities, and 106th among young universities. Additionally, 22 of NU’s subjects are ranked in the Times Higher Education Subject Rankings. These rankings, the highest among educational institutions in Kazakhstan, are a testament to the university’s remarkable achievements in just fourteen years. This success is the result of strong state support and the University’s commitment to high-quality teaching and world-class research.
Currently, NU is leading over 300 scientific projects, many funded by renowned international organizations such as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Aga Khan Foundation, NATO’s Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Program, the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), Chevron, and others. These projects cover a wide range of topics, from molecular virology research to innovative teaching methods for children with special needs. By actively supporting research across diverse fields, NU continues to position itself at the forefront of technological development in the region.
Recognition in Kazakhstan
Recognition of Nazarbayev University’s reputation within Kazakhstan is particularly significant. In the latest update of the Kazakh National H-index Ranking 2023, NU secured the top spot among Kazakhstan’s universities. The National H-index Ranking is an international and independent system for assessing the research output of individual researchers, research groups, and educational institutions within a specific country. It is based on the overall Hirsch index, offering a comprehensive evaluation of scientific institutions in Kazakhstan using data from leading scientific databases and platforms such as Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.
Last year, NU was honoured with the Scopus Award in the category “Research Impact on Society: Natural Sciences, Engineering, Social Sciences, Arts and Humanities.” This recognition marks a significant milestone for the university, as it reflects the efforts of its research community to improve society through research in a wide range of disciplines, from natural sciences and engineering to social sciences, arts, and humanities. This award underscores the university’s commitment to conducting impactful research that not only advances knowledge but also contributes meaningfully to society.
Students are our Top Priority
Supporting and unlocking the full potential of its students is one of NU’s top priorities. The university is committed to attracting the most talented young people, both locally and internationally. Engaging students in research from the undergraduate level allows them to gain valuable experience and knowledge under the direct supervision of NU faculty. Students have the opportunity to attend and present at international conferences, publish in prestigious scientific journals, and interact with esteemed researchers across various fields. These efforts are aimed at nurturing and developing the next generation of researchers.
In 2023, NU students co-authored 300 research articles, with 64% of these being published in Q1 journals (the top 25% in their fields), demonstrating a high standard of quality. At NU, students contribute to the life of the University through student government, sports and participation in student clubs and societies.
Over the past 14 years, NU has graduated over 10,000 students in fields such as engineering, sciences, humanities, medicine, business, education, and public policy. More than 90% of these graduates remain in Kazakhstan, contributing to the country’s workforce development.
The primary goal of the university is to equip its graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their careers and to contribute to the economic and social development of Kazakhstan.
NU Professors among Top 2% of the World’s Best Scientists
Nazarbayev University is dedicated to attracting and retaining international faculty who are recognized experts in their fields with substantial research accomplishments. In a testament to this commitment, Stanford University’s annual ranking of the world’s best scientists placed several NU professors among the top 2% globally, based on the impact of their publications in 2022. This prestigious ranking, compiled by Stanford researchers using data from the Scopus database, profiles over 180,000 leading scientists and evaluates citation metrics. Among the NU professors included in this top 2% are Professors Massimo Pignatelli, Timur Atabaev, Zhumabay Bakenov, Alexander Tikhonov, Shazim Memon, Randy Hazlett, Saffet Yagiz, Vesselin Paunov, Prim Singh, and many others.
Publications in Top Research Journals
For a research university, the number of research articles published in reputable journals is a key indicator of the quality of its work. In 2018, the total number of NU articles indexed by the Scopus database was 2,554. By 2023, this number had nearly tripled, reaching 7,990, accounting for one-sixth of the total research papers published by scientists in Kazakhstan.
A similar trend is seen in NU’s publications in Q1 journals (the top 25% in their fields). In 2018, the number of Q1 articles was 914, while in 2023, this figure rose to 3,463. Remarkably, every third article published in Q1 journals by researchers from Kazakhstan is authored by NU professors. While we celebrate the contribution of our researchers, including student researchers, through collaboration with other Kazakh universities, we are also bringing standards up in many Kazakh higher education institutions.
Research that benefits society
Nazarbayev University is committed to research excellence, with a focus on contributing to the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan and the Central Asian region. NU scientists engage in research across both fundamental and applied disciplines, with a particular emphasis on science, technology, medicine, life sciences, social sciences, and education—areas that align with Kazakhstan’s priority development goals.
Key research areas include socio-economic transformation and human capital development, intelligent systems and human-machine interfaces, human health and well-being (such as cancer biology, digital medicine, and infectious diseases), advanced materials and new technologies (including biomaterials, energy storage and generation, nanomaterials, and electronics), as well as energy, natural resources, and the environment. Our research in mining and geosciences too is making a significant contribution.
One notable example of NU’s impactful research is the development of an anti-cancer drug by a team of scientists led by biologist Dos Sarbassov. Over the past three years, the team has validated their research and, in 2022, received targeted funding for clinical trials from the Kazakh Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
In another significant project, researchers at the Institute of Smart Systems and Artificial Intelligence (ISSAI) are working on developing a large language model (LLM) for the Kazakh language. This project is poised to revolutionize AI capabilities in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. The launch of the first LLM for the Kazakh language is scheduled for Kazakhstan’s Independence Day on December 16 this year.
Brain Gain
Over the past 13 years, Nazarbayev University has successfully brought back nearly 100 leading scientists to Kazakhstan. This achievement is largely due to the university's commitment to meritocracy, high standards of academic integrity, and the special NU Postdoctoral Scholars Program, which has attracted talented young Kazakh scientists who earned their doctoral degrees abroad. Today, more than 30% of NU's faculty are Kazakh citizens. Additionally, the National Laboratory Astana, housed within NU, has attracted over 140 Kazakh scientists with international diplomas postgraduate degrees and work experience. NU has also managed to bring in talented researchers from abroad, including professors such as Dos Sarbassov, Nurxat Nuraje, Akhan Almagambetov, Askhat Jumabekov, Anara Sandygulova, Zauresh Atakhanova, Aziz Burkhanov, and many others. I am grateful to our Provost, Professor Adesida Ilesanmi, for his leadership on this important initiative.
International Collaborations
International collaborations are recognized as a crucial factor in improving the quality of publications and enhancing the citation rate and impact of research publications. Expanding professional networks and engaging in global partnerships often lead to the production of highly cited research papers. Between 2018 and 2023, NU produced 4,201 research papers in collaboration with 3,031 institutions across 131 countries.
NU’s international collaboration rate of 66.2% places the university on par with institutions that emphasize global partnerships, such as the National University of Singapore (NUS). This is a strong reflection of NU’s dedication to developing international research networks and collaborations.
NU not only sets high standards in research but also actively contributes to the raising of standards development within Kazakhstan’s universities more generally. By implementing cutting-edge technologies, supporting international research, and training qualified specialists, NU plays a key role in shaping the country's scientific landscape. Its achievements in international rankings, significant contributions to scientific publications, and support for Kazakhstani researchers underscore the university's commitment to strengthening Kazakhstan’s scientific potential and maintaining its status as a hub for a rapidly advancing scientific community.
Waqar Ahmad, President of NU
