NU's contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Vision: To be a leading institution in promoting sustainability, innovation, and social responsibility, contributing to the well-being of society and the environment.
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mission: To integrate sustainable practices into all aspects of campus life, ensuring that education, research, and community engagement align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Minimize disparities within and between countries.
Our goals in action
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Nazarbayev University (NU) is committed to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion across its academic and social environments. Through dedicated policies, outreach programs, and support services, NU actively works to reduce inequality and create opportunities for all, regardless of background or ability.
Teaching and Student Life
Community Impact
Free Mentoring Programs: NU students participate in mentoring and tutoring initiatives that support children from socially vulnerable backgrounds and children with disabilities. Programs such as the "Mentoring Program" by the ____________________________________________ and ____________________________________________ have helped hundreds of children across Kazakhstan.
Warm Winter: Operating for over a decade in Astana and Karaganda, this project provides approximately 250 children from low-income families with warm winter clothing each year, addressing urgent seasonal needs and improving the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Research and Innovation
Nazarbayev University’s Support for Students with Disabilities and Special Learning Needs Policy is a foundational initiative aimed at fostering an inclusive academic environment where all students, regardless of physical or cognitive challenges, can thrive. This policy underscores the university’s commitment to accessibility, equity, and the empowerment of individuals with diverse needs, ensuring they receive the resources and accommodations necessary for academic and personal success.
The Support for Students with Disabilities and Special Learning Needs Policy is a testament to Nazarbayev University’s dedication to building an inclusive and sustainable educational environment. By breaking down barriers and promoting equity, the policy ensures that every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed. This initiative not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also reflects the university’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.
The Support for Students with Disabilities and Special Learning Needs Policy is a testament to Nazarbayev University’s dedication to building an inclusive and sustainable educational environment. By breaking down barriers and promoting equity, the policy ensures that every student, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to succeed. This initiative not only aligns with global sustainability goals but also reflects the university’s vision for a more inclusive and equitable future.
Research on Gender and Inclusion: Recent studies by NU scholars address issues of inclusion and equity:
Research on Gender and Inclusion: Recent studies by NU scholars address issues of inclusion and equity:
"The Role of Environment on Women's Perception about Their STEM Studies" (Tsakalerou et al., 2024) examines factors influencing female students’ persistence in engineering fields in Kazakhstan.
Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) Training: Since 2022, NU has offered weekly ESD sessions for women in collaboration with the Consortium of Gender Scholars and ESD Global. These sessions provide women with tools to protect themselves from gender-based violence, including emotional, verbal, and physical self-defense techniques. The program addresses the unique challenges women face and fosters confidence, resilience, and safety.
Awareness Campaigns and Education: Through lectures, workshops, and public events, NU raises awareness about discrimination, ableism, gender inequality, and socio-economic disparities. These initiatives promote respectful dialogue and understanding across the university community.
"Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure and Financial Protection in Kazakhstan" (Shaltynov et al., 2024) investigates inequities in healthcare access.
"Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology and Mortality Forecast" (Zhakhina et al., 2024) identifies vulnerable populations and proposes solutions for health equity.
"Late Diagnosis of CKD and Survival in Kazakhstan" (Kim et al., 2024) explores structural gaps in health systems and the implications for patient outcomes.
"Environmental Sustainability in Healthcare: Perspectives of Students" (Balay-Odao et al., 2024) reflects intersectional inequalities in medical education and practice.
"Social Inclusion and Sustainable Development: Findings from Seven African and Asian Contexts" (Mir et al., 2024) contributes to global knowledge on inclusive development.
"Standard Precautions Compliance among Nurses in Kazakhstan" (Cruz et al., 2024) highlights occupational inequalities in healthcare.
"Breaking Barriers: Entrepreneurship Policy and Women’s Entry" (Yousafzai et al., 2024) explores how policy reforms can encourage more women to engage in entrepreneurship.
Administration and Operations
"Surviving the Storm: Russian Migrant Women Entrepreneurs" (Muzykina et al., 2024) explores gendered resilience and entrepreneurship during crises.
"Menopausal Status Impact on Quality of Life in Kazakhstani Healthcare Workers" (Terzic et al., 2024) emphasizes workplace support needs for aging female professionals.
"Association between Menopause and Occupational Burnout" (Terzic et al., 2024) highlights the health and equity challenges faced by women healthcare workers.
Nazarbayev University embeds equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into its institutional framework. Similar to leading global institutions, NU recognizes that reducing inequalities requires systemic approaches that address barriers faced by underrepresented and marginalized groups.
- Strategic Alignment: NU integrates EDI into strategic planning, policy development, and reporting processes. The university is committed to removing structural inequities within its systems to create an equitable environment for all students, staff, and faculty.
- Awareness Campaigns and Education: Through lectures, workshops, and public events, NU raises awareness about discrimination, ableism, gender inequality, and socio-economic disparities. These initiatives promote respectful dialogue and understanding across the university community.
- Inclusive Governance: Representation of diverse voices in university councils and committees ensures inclusive decision-making processes. NU strives to ensure that policies and programs reflect the needs and aspirations of a broad range of stakeholders.
The Code of Ethics reflects the values and behavioral expectations of NU community members, regardless of their individual role, position or practice. It aims to assist members of the NU community to understand their ethical and behavioral responsibilities and to identify and resolve ethical issues that might arise over the course of their work and/or other affiliation with the University.
Faculty Policies and Procedures: At Nazarbayev University, establishing and implementing clear policies and procedures for faculty is essential to fostering a fair and equitable academic environment. These guidelines not only support professional growth and high-quality education but also align with the principles of sustainable development.
Policies ensure that all faculty members, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or other factors, have equal rights and access to resources, professional growth, and academic opportunities. This approach promotes social equity, a fundamental principle of sustainable development
Support for Students with Disabilities and Special Learning Needs Policy: This foundational policy ensures that students with physical or cognitive challenges receive necessary accommodations, resources, and support to thrive academically and personally. NU's commitment to accessibility and equity empowers all students to succeed and aligns with global sustainability and human rights goals.
Faculty Policies and Procedures: At Nazarbayev University, establishing and implementing clear policies and procedures for faculty is essential to fostering a fair and equitable academic environment. These guidelines not only support professional growth and high-quality education but also align with the principles of sustainable development.
Policies ensure that all faculty members, regardless of gender, age, nationality, or other factors, have equal rights and access to resources, professional growth, and academic opportunities. This approach promotes social equity, a fundamental principle of sustainable development
Support for Students with Disabilities and Special Learning Needs Policy: This foundational policy ensures that students with physical or cognitive challenges receive necessary accommodations, resources, and support to thrive academically and personally. NU's commitment to accessibility and equity empowers all students to succeed and aligns with global sustainability and human rights goals.
Anti-Harassment Committee Bylaws: Establishes guidelines for addressing harassment, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for all community members.
The Committee aims to promote a harassment-free campus culture by coordinating educational initiatives, aligning with national and international standards, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the university community.
The main functions of the Anti-Harassment Committee include coordinating educational initiatives to create a safe and inclusive campus environment and developing and improving internal policies to prevent harassment. The Committee provides support to victims, evaluates the effectiveness of measures taken, conducts surveys, and offers training to raise awareness and prevent harassment incidents.
The Committee aims to promote a harassment-free campus culture by coordinating educational initiatives, aligning with national and international standards, and fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the university community.
The main functions of the Anti-Harassment Committee include coordinating educational initiatives to create a safe and inclusive campus environment and developing and improving internal policies to prevent harassment. The Committee provides support to victims, evaluates the effectiveness of measures taken, conducts surveys, and offers training to raise awareness and prevent harassment incidents.
MynShyraq Project: With the slogan “A thousand villages – a thousand children – a thousand lights – a thousand dreams,” this initiative brings creative and educational events to rural areas. It offers children in remote villages exposure to new ideas, technologies, and possibilities, promoting inclusion and equal opportunity.
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By embedding inclusivity into education, operations, and community service, NU upholds the principles of SDG 10 and sets a standard for socially responsible higher education in the region.