2025, January 22
Share this articleNazarbayev University (NU) has achieved notable progress in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings by subject, particularly in the fields of education and medicine, with education studies now placed in the top 200.
NU is ranked in nine out of 11 Times Higher subject clusters in these rankings. Four clusters of NU's programs are now ranked among the top 500 globally. These rankings assess institutions based on criteria such as teaching quality, research environment and quality, industry links and internationalization.
In 2023, NU entered the prestigious THE rankings for the first time, securing a position in the 501–600 range. In the latest rankings, education studies climbed from the 251–300 to the 176–200 bracket, while medical and health advanced from the 501–600 to the 401–500 category. Engineering, social sciences and arts and humanities are also ranked among the top 500.
“This recognition reflects the university’s commitment to an unwavering pursuit of academic and research excellence. It is a testament to the exceptional contribution and dedication of our faculty, researchers, students, and staff. While we take pride in these results, we will commit to building on these for the future”, said NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad.
In particular, these achievements reflect the hard work of NU’s academic units, particularly the Graduate School of Education (GSE) and the School of Medicine. NU GSE, established in 2012, has developed cutting-edge master's and doctoral programs in collaboration with renowned global institutions such as the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania.
Aida Sagintayeva, who has been leading the Graduate School of Education since its establishment, is the only Kazakhstani woman among the deans of our schools at NU. She commented on this achievement, attributing the school’s success to collective efforts: “This achievement is the result of many years of work of our faculty, staff and students. For Kazakhstan, this is an important step, confirming that we are becoming a significant player in the global educational arena. As a person born and raised in Kazakhstan, I perceive this success as a personal achievement. It is proof of how far we have advanced in the development of education, and how we, while maintaining a unique local approach, contribute to global academic excellence.”
NU School of medicine, founded in 2015 in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh School of medicine, contributes to the creation of a revolutionary healthcare system in Kazakhstan. Since its inception in 2015, one of the main strategic goals of the school has been to develop a model for medical care in Kazakhstan by integrating research, innovation, education, and patient care.
“It is a significant milestone for NU School of Medicine, a relatively new school established only nine years ago. This achievement aligns with our recent success in securing two international accreditations - one for our Doctor of Medicine academic program, recognized by the Eurasian Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education and Health Care (ECAQA), and another for the University Medical Center (UMC), accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI). Both highlight NU Medicine’s unwavering commitment to excellence in education, research, and patient care. These accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and outstanding performance of our faculty, staff, and students. Looking ahead, we remain firmly devoted to nurturing the next generation of doctors, nurses, public health specialists, and biomedical scientists who will shape a healthier future for the people of Kazakhstan and beyond,” noted NU Vice President and Dean of the School of Medicine Massimo Pignatelli.
The nine subject clusters, in which NU is ranked, account for 22 broad subjects. This means that NU is ranked highly for every subject in which we offer undergraduate or postgraduate degrees. NU is steadfast in its ambition to be ranked among the top 300 universities worldwide by 2030. With consistent progress in global rankings and a strong commitment to excellence in education and research, the university continues to enhance its reputation as a leader in academic innovation and societal impact.
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