At Nazarbayev University, prevention and healthy lifestyle promotion are regarded as some of the most effective ways to preserve health and improve quality of life. The University seeks not only to provide access to medical care, but also to create conditions that help students and staff better understand their health, identify risks in a timely manner, and develop healthy habits.
The Health and Well-being Department advances preventive healthcare, promotes health literacy, and implements initiatives related to medical examinations, public health, vaccination, first aid, reproductive health, healthy nutrition and other areas.
Medical Check-Ups and Screenings
Preventive medical check-ups and health screening help identify health risks at an early stage and support timely access to appropriate care.
NU facilitates preventive health assessments for eligible members of the University community through available healthcare and insurance arrangements. The scope of screening is determined by the applicable programme, healthcare requirements and individual eligibility.
Where follow-up is required, individuals are guided toward appropriate medical consultation, further diagnostic assessment or treatment.
Health Express Check-up is an on-campus preventive health initiative offering rapid health assessments, including eye screening (visual acuity, intraocular pressure and refraction), body composition analysis, blood pressure measurement and blood glucose testing.
Student Medical Screening: https://hwd.nu.edu.kz/page32919553.html
Employee Check-up: https://hwd.nu.edu.kz/page32919414.html
Health Education and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion
Throughout the academic year, the Health and Well-being Department regularly invites healthcare professionals, experts and partner organizations to deliver lectures, consultations, interactive sessions and preventive health activities.
Topics may include:
- prevention of chronic and infectious diseases;
- women’s health;
- sexual and reproductive health;
- cancer prevention;
- HPV and vaccination;
- nutrition and healthy habits;
- physical activity;
- musculoskeletal health;
- stress, emotional burnout and overall well-being;
- first aid.
The campus also hosts Health Week, Health Talks, expert sessions, thematic health days, screenings and other interactive formats that allow participants to receive reliable information and practical recommendations directly from specialists.
Information about upcoming activities and invitations is shared through the University’s official communication channels.
First Aid Trainings
Nazarbayev University develops first-aid skills and strengthens the community’s readiness to respond in emergency situations.
Practical training in Basic Life Support (BLS) and basic first aid is organized for staff and other members of the community.
During training, participants learn:
• how to recognize life-threatening conditions;
• cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR);
• how to provide assistance in cases of choking;
• basic actions for injuries and other urgent medical conditions;
• how to act until professional medical help arrives.
Vaccination
Vaccination is one of the key tools for preventing infectious diseases.
Health and Well-being Department informs the University community about current vaccination recommendations and, together with healthcare organizations, organizes vaccination campaigns on campus based on the epidemiological situation and community needs.
The University also works to prevent infectious diseases through awareness activities, epidemiological monitoring, and coordination of necessary preventive measures.
Sexual and Reproductive Health
Nazarbayev University recognizes sexual and reproductive health as an important part of overall health and well-being. Members of the NU community have access to medical consultations, preventive examinations, and appropriate referrals when specialized care is required.
Support includes:
• primary medical care;
• consultations with an obstetrician-gynecologist at the University Health Center;
• preventive examinations;
• medical recommendations;
• referral to relevant specialists when necessary.
The University also conducts educational activities on:
• sexual and reproductive health;
• menstrual health;
• HPV;
• cervical cancer prevention;
• healthy relationships;
• prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
Students diagnosed with algomenorrhea or dysmenorrhea may be registered in the internal registry of the University Health Center. In accordance with current University procedures, they may be issued a medical document confirming absence from classes once a month for up to three days. This measure helps take into account severe menstrual health symptoms while supporting continuity of the educational process.
Healthy and Affordable Food on Campus
A range of food options is available across the campus and residential areas, including canteens, cafés and other food outlets offering hot meals, salads, vegetarian options, set meals, and both traditional and international cuisine.
Some food outlets offer special prices, discounts and loyalty programs for students. Certain categories of students may also receive additional social support related to meals. Students living in residence halls have access to equipped shared kitchens and can prepare their own food according to personal, cultural and dietary preferences.
Ensuring the sanitary safety of campus food facilities is an important part of the University’s work. Health and Well-being Department, together with relevant University units, regularly conducts sanitary and hygiene monitoring, including assessment of food storage conditions, cleanliness of premises, compliance with hygiene requirements, and waste management arrangements.
An additional tool supporting informed food choices is nutritional information displayed on the packaging of selected ready-to-eat meals, including information on calories, protein, fat and carbohydrates.
Campus food outlets:
Public Health & Infection Prevention
Protecting the health of our community
Nazarbayev University works to maintain a safe and healthy campus environment through a comprehensive approach to public health, disease prevention and epidemiological safety.
The University monitors public health and epidemiological risks, coordinates preventive measures and works closely with the University Health Center, healthcare providers and relevant public health authorities.
Key activities include epidemiological monitoring and surveillance, prevention and control of communicable diseases, management of infectious disease cases and potential outbreaks, contact identification and follow-up, health risk assessment and timely communication of preventive measures.
Vaccination is an integral part of NU’s infection prevention approach. The University promotes evidence-based vaccination, provides information on recommended immunizations and organizes on-campus vaccination initiatives in response to current public health needs and recommendations.
When communicable disease cases are identified, NU coordinates response measures in accordance with applicable public health requirements, including communication with relevant authorities, assessment of potential exposure, implementation of preventive measures and guidance to affected members of the University community.
Physical Well-being
Nazarbayev University promotes physical activity as an important part of health, well-being and community life. Throughout the year, the University provides opportunities for members of the NU community to stay active, participate in recreational and competitive sports, and connect with others through shared physical activities.
Alongside access to modern sports facilities, NU organizes community-wide sporting events, staff competitions, tournaments, running events and recreational activities designed for different interests and levels of physical fitness.
Sports Clubs & Regular Activities
NU provides a wide range of opportunities for regular physical activity through more than 30 sports clubs and sections, offering team and individual sports, swimming, fitness and other forms of exercise.
Activities are supported by the University’s sports infrastructure, including a 50-metre swimming pool, fitness facilities, multifunctional sports halls, squash courts, a climbing wall and outdoor football, basketball and volleyball areas.
In addition to organized sports, NU promotes everyday physical activity and movement as part of a healthy daily routine. Employees can take part in daily 10-minute exercise sessions, providing a simple and accessible opportunity to incorporate movement into the working day. A dedicated Stretching Club for employees offers regular sessions focused on flexibility, mobility and physical well-being.
The University also provides short guided exercise videos, allowing members of the NU community to follow simple exercise routines independently, including during breaks in the working or study day.
Together, regular training sessions, sports clubs, stretching, daily exercise and other recreational activities provide different ways to stay active and make movement a regular part of everyday life.
Sports Events, Tournaments & Competitions
Throughout the year, Nazarbayev University organizes and supports a variety of sports events, tournaments, competitions and community activities, providing opportunities for both recreational participation and competitive sport.
Activities include football and futsal, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, swimming, running and other individual and team sports. Student sports clubs and organizations actively contribute to campus sporting life by participating in and supporting tournaments, competitions and other activities.
NU also organizes running and community sporting events that bring together students, faculty, staff, alumni and families. The NU Charity Run offers 1 km, 5 km and 7 km distances, enabling participation by people with different levels of fitness and running experience.
Major University-wide initiatives include the NU Staff Games, which bring employees together through team and individual competitions such as volleyball, futsal, 3×3 basketball, table tennis, relay racing and tug of war.
Family Day combines physical activity with community and family engagement: employees and their children participate together in family relay races and recreational sports activities, promoting active lifestyles across generations.
Students from relevant NU sports clubs are actively involved in the organization of the Staff Games and Family Day and serve as referees for the respective sports competitions. This student–staff collaboration strengthens engagement across the University community while giving students an opportunity to contribute their sporting knowledge and experience.
The University campus is also used as a space for outdoor physical activity. Campus orienteering events invite participants to navigate outdoor routes and checkpoints across the University grounds, combining walking or running, navigation, teamwork and problem-solving.
Together, sports tournaments, running events, team competitions and University-wide initiatives promote physical activity, teamwork, intergenerational and student–staff engagement, social connection and a strong sense of community across NU.
Promoting Everyday Physical Activity
One of the Department’s goals is to make movement accessible not only to people who exercise regularly, but also to those with different levels of physical fitness.
Activities in this area include:
• short physical activity breaks during the working day;
• regular Stretching Club sessions for staff;
• step and fitness challenges;
• walking and other recreational activities;
• awareness initiatives on the role of movement, recovery and prevention of sedentary lifestyles;
• short exercise routines that can be performed independently during study or work breaks.
These formats help integrate physical activity into daily routines and support the development of sustainable healthy habits.
