On November 5, NU held the Alumni Reunion which gathered together graduates from the 2015-2022 cohorts. NU is organizing an Alumni Reunion for the fourth time. Previously, such meetings were held in 2016, 2017, and 2019.
On behalf of the NU Administration, NU President Shigeo Katsu has joined the event online and welсomed all participants of the Reunion. “As our alumni, you will play and are already playing a very important role in telling and showing the public what NU spirit is about, what NU experience is about, and what NU DNA is about. University will always be there to support you. We are immensely proud of all of your achievements. You are with us for your life. NU will also be with you for your life“, said Shigeo Katsu.
Provost of NU, Ilesanmi Adesida, the Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs Loretta O’Donnell and Director of Career and Advising Center Gaini Yessembekova gave a welcoming speech to the alumni as well.
Provost Ilesanmi Adesida and Chairperson of NU Alumni Council Nurseit Kurmantayev signed a Memorandum of understanding between NU and NU Alumni Public Union as a symbol of cooperation between the University and the Alumni Union. According to the terms, joint events and more close and active collaboration is planned by attracting more alumni to the NU activities.
The event was continued by Alumni talks where speakers shared their memories about NU, their successful career stories, and the effects of their education that they experienced after graduating from NU. The topics of presentations covered a wide range of issues, such as the implementation of business and social projects, medtech startups, education, medicine, career achievements, etc.
Magzhan Sovetbek, SEDS’18, “Dixi School” Founder shared his insights on the entrepreneurial journey and importance of building a community around your interests, Ayan Birimzhan, SSH’16, “Health Project” Founder shared his experience and personal story in raising investments for his startup, Assem Tazhiyeva, GSE’18, “Ozim” project founder told us about her path from a volunteer to an expert.
Aldamzhar Kiikbayev, SEDS’22, Backend Developer and aspiring Data Scientist talked about the importance of roles in the team, Yussup Tumgoyev, SEDS’20, CEO MyMind (tech start-up) shared the idea of a self-administered exam to identify the signs and extent of Alzheimer’s disease. Aigerim Abdiorazova, SoM’18, Deputy CEO, National Research Cardiac Surgery Center covered the organ donation topics, Aidana Madiyeva, SoM’20, final year Residency student shared touching stories in the pediatric section, Bakhnur Ziyabekov, GSE’17, «Hello Aul» project founder shared stories of awakening students’ passion for the English language in 36 villages so far, Gulnara Salmenova, GSE’16, «Teach for Kazakhstan» project Founder talked about companies activities on addressing educational inequity through collective leadership.
Adil Kusmanov, Head of the expert-analytical group of the Center for Analysis and Monitoring of Socio-Economic Reforms under the President of the RK, shared his experience on working towards launching pension reform, a national fund to children project and finally, Mikhail Assafov, GSPP’22, Senior Project Assistant, Politico-Military Dimension, who was also a moderator of Alumni talks, shared the video report on how Coast Guard diving teams were trained in the framework of the OSCE Astana project.
In the interactive part of the program, graduates of different years participated together in quiz games and competed in different sports activities.
The evening program followed up with a reward ceremony where the winners and most active participants were awarded memorable gifts. Latino club members organized a master class. The program was finalized with congratulatory speeches and warm wishes on NU Alumni Association’s 4th birthday.
Most importantly, the Reunion provided Alumni with an opportunity to rejoin altogether, feel like being back home and see each other.
