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 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) actively contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 16 by promoting transparency, integrity, inclusion, and institutional accountability. Through its governance policies, academic programs, research initiatives, and engagement with the public sector, NU fosters a culture of justice, ethical governance, and civic responsibility.
Research and Innovation
Research Council: This council promotes academic integrity and advances research standards. It ensures that research conducted within the university aligns with national and global governance frameworks, focusing on creating strong institutions. The council is integral in fostering an environment of research excellence.
NU produces high-quality research addressing key themes under SDG 16:
Open Data and Governance:
- "Adopting and Managing Open Data: Stakeholder Perspectives" – This study examines how multi-stakeholder engagement shapes data transparency and governance, identifying practical barriers and enablers. It recommends frameworks for increasing civic trust through open data.
- "Open Government in Authoritarian Regimes" – This research investigates Kazakhstan’s efforts to build open institutions within an authoritarian context, offering comparative insights into institutional reform and public accountability.
Security and Civil Protection:
- NU researchers address issues such as cybersecurity, regional conflict, and civil defense, providing frameworks for national security policy and legal protection mechanisms. This includes interdisciplinary studies combining law, technology, and public policy to address current global risks.
Justice and Rule of Law:
- Studies at NU investigate institutional efficiency, access to justice, and anti-corruption mechanisms, contributing to international debates on democratic governance. Topics include digital justice systems, human rights compliance, and civic engagement in legal reform.
Community Impact
Office of Government Relations: This office plays a vital role in coordinating Nazarbayev University’s interaction with government and quasi-government agencies. It fosters communication between the university and policymakers to align academic initiatives with national development goals and governance standards. This office helps strengthen institutional relationships with governmental bodies and ensures that the university’s actions are in line with the national agenda for peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Administration and Operations
Global Reach
Programs in Law and Civil Enforcement: NU offers courses related to international law, human rights, and legal theory through the School of Sciences and Humanities and GSPP. These programs prepare graduates for roles in legal institutions, government, and civil society. Graduate statistics are available in the Data Digest. The curriculum also includes practical training, moot court simulations, and internships in justice-related institutions.
Teaching and Student Life
Public Policy and Governance Curriculum: The GSPP master's programs include core modules on ethics, governance, administrative law, and policy implementation, contributing to the development of public service professionals committed to SDG 16 values. Alumni frequently go on to lead programs at the Ministry of Justice, Parliament, and non-profit legal advocacy organizations.
Board of Trustees: This body oversees the university's strategic direction, ensuring institutional integrity and governance. It is responsible for guiding Nazarbayev University’s long-term vision while upholding standards of accountability and fairness.
Managing Council: The Managing Council oversees the university’s administrative functions, playing a central role in implementing policies and ensuring effective governance. It ensures operational transparency and promotes justice within the institution.
Managing Council: The Managing Council oversees the university’s administrative functions, playing a central role in implementing policies and ensuring effective governance. It ensures operational transparency and promotes justice within the institution.
Student Government and Union: The NU Student Government is the central body of student self-governance. It comprises the Executive, Advisory, Rights, and Budget Committees, and plays a vital role in shaping policies, promoting student interests, and safeguarding student rights. Their elections and operations are conducted transparently, ensuring equal opportunities for participation.
Stakeholder Engagement Policies: NU has developed clear guidelines for initiating and managing external partnerships. The "Criteria for Initiation of Memorandum of Understanding or Cooperation" outlines mechanisms for structured, ethical, and mutually beneficial collaborations with governmental, private, and civil society organizations.
Participatory Mechanisms: NU promotes stakeholder participation through advisory boards, roundtables, community meetings, and research engagement, fostering inclusive dialogue and shared decision-making. Annual consultations and strategic partnerships are designed to address societal priorities at the local, national, and regional levels.
Integrity and Anti-Corruption Principles: NU enforces a robust Code of Ethics that emphasizes honesty, impartiality, and accountability. It strictly prohibits bribery, nepotism, favoritism, and fraud, and upholds zero tolerance toward corruption. Integrity policies are reinforced through regular trainings and compliance monitoring.
Transparency and Financial Disclosure: NU publishes comprehensive financial information and institutional data through its annual Data Digest. This report, endorsed by the Academic Council, provides transparency in budgeting, spending, and resource allocation. It supports data-driven decision-making and public accountability.
- Capacity Building for Civil Servants: The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) offers regular training programs and workshops for Kazakh public servants. Faculty members such as Professor Colin Knox provide guidance on public administration reforms, performance-based budgeting, and open government practices. These sessions help institutionalize governance improvements across the public sector.
- Educational Programs for Policymakers: Courses like "Security Challenges and Policy Response" equip students—many of whom are mid-career officials—with critical insights into national and regional governance, policy design, and law enforcement in Central Asia. GSPP offers additional modules on public sector ethics, leadership, and legislative processes.
- Government Research Partnerships: NU conducts joint research with ministries and public institutions on topics such as decentralization, anti-corruption strategies, and digital governance. These collaborations generate actionable policy recommendations and promote evidence-based reform agendas.
- Neutral Platform for Dialogue: NU regularly hosts academic-policy dialogues, expert panels, and international workshops. These forums provide a non-partisan environment to explore complex issues such as transparency, civic participation, decentralization, and regional cooperation. Events are often held in partnership with UNDP, OSCE, and other multilateral organizations.
Academic Freedom: NU is committed to academic freedom, safeguarding the rights of faculty to teach, research, and publish without interference. This policy is enshrined in the University Charter and supported by national legislation. It allows faculty to challenge prevailing norms and engage in socially relevant scholarship.
Elected Representation: NU ensures democratic participation of students in university governance. The Student Government includes elected representatives from all academic programs and serves as a bridge between students and the university administration. Representatives contribute to curriculum improvement, academic integrity, and community building.
Nazarbayev University’s dedication to ethical governance, academic freedom, transparency, and stakeholder participation reinforces its strong alignment with SDG 16. Through integrated efforts in education, research, and institutional practice, NU plays a pivotal role in strengthening just, inclusive, and accountable institutions in Kazakhstan and beyond.