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 4: Quality Education
Promote lifelong learning opportunities and ensure inclusive, equitable quality education for everyone.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University exemplifies its commitment to SDG 4 by creating an inclusive, high-quality, and globally competitive academic ecosystem. Through transformative research, institutional partnerships, and innovative pedagogy, NU contributes to educational excellence, equity, and systemic reform in Kazakhstan and beyond.
Research and innovation
Teaching and student life
"Sustainable lifestyle" This course educates participants on how to live more sustainably, focusing on practical approaches to reduce environmental impact. It helps students and staff adopt a more sustainable way of life through actionable strategies.
Professional Development Programs. The Graduate School of Education offers programs that support the professional development of educators, enhancing their skills in teaching and leadership within the education sector. These programs are essential for fostering high-quality educational experiences at the university.
Professional Development Programs. The Graduate School of Education offers programs that support the professional development of educators, enhancing their skills in teaching and leadership within the education sector. These programs are essential for fostering high-quality educational experiences at the university.
Nazarbayev University offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs designed in partnership with globally recognized institutions, including:
These collaborations have shaped the university’s rigorous curriculum, faculty recruitment standards, and institutional governance models. All programs are delivered in English, ensuring international comparability and fostering global citizenship among students.
The integration of teaching and research ensures that faculty members are not only educators but also active contributors to global knowledge production, bringing the latest developments directly into the classroom.
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Cambridge
- Duke University (Fuqua School of Business)
- University of Pittsburgh
- National University of Singapore (Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy)
- University College London (UCL)
- Carnegie Mellon University
These collaborations have shaped the university’s rigorous curriculum, faculty recruitment standards, and institutional governance models. All programs are delivered in English, ensuring international comparability and fostering global citizenship among students.
The integration of teaching and research ensures that faculty members are not only educators but also active contributors to global knowledge production, bringing the latest developments directly into the classroom.
NU ensures equitable access through a comprehensive scholarship system, with approximately 95% of students receiving government-funded financial support. This merit-based approach promotes diversity by enabling talented students from all regions of Kazakhstan, including rural and low-income backgrounds, to pursue world-class education.
The Academic Advising Office provides first- and second-year students with tailored academic planning and support, helping them transition successfully into university life and pursue their academic goals with confidence.
The Academic Advising Office provides first- and second-year students with tailored academic planning and support, helping them transition successfully into university life and pursue their academic goals with confidence.
NU SG Ministry of Research and Innovations. This ministry hosts informational sessions and provides guidelines to encourage student engagement in research and innovation. It fosters a culture of exploration and academic inquiry, empowering students to contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
SLL Program is a program implemented by the Office of Sustainable Development with the support of Chevron, launched in 2019 at Nazarbayev University. SLL program provides opportunities for NU community to improve environmental sustainability on the University campus through academic, research and innovation projects. The SLL Program consisted of Creativity, Academics and Outreach.
Participating in the SLL program is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and make a positive impact on the environment. Whether you're a student looking to gain practical experience, a researcher seeking to tackle pressing sustainability issues, or a community member interested in promoting sustainable living, we invite you to join us in our mission to build a more sustainable future for all.
SLL Program is a program implemented by the Office of Sustainable Development with the support of Chevron, launched in 2019 at Nazarbayev University. SLL program provides opportunities for NU community to improve environmental sustainability on the University campus through academic, research and innovation projects. The SLL Program consisted of Creativity, Academics and Outreach.
Participating in the SLL program is a unique opportunity to gain practical experience and make a positive impact on the environment. Whether you're a student looking to gain practical experience, a researcher seeking to tackle pressing sustainability issues, or a community member interested in promoting sustainable living, we invite you to join us in our mission to build a more sustainable future for all.
Nazarbayev University is a hub for research that directly informs policy, pedagogy, and inclusion strategies. Faculty from the School of Sciences and Humanities, GSE, and beyond contribute to peer-reviewed journals and major policy dialogues.
Key recent studies:
- "Assessing the Preparedness of Future Special Education Teachers for Inclusive Classrooms in Kazakhstan": This study assesses the readiness of future special education teachers in Kazakhstan to work in inclusive settings. A survey of over 1,000 students from eight universities revealed that while future educators feel confident working with children with speech and hearing impairments, they are less prepared to support children with severe and multiple disabilities. Concerns were also raised about academic performance, peer interaction, and parental attitudes. The findings highlight the need to improve teacher training programs and provide practical experience in inclusive environments.
- "Barriers to Inclusion: Insights from Special Education Teachers in Kazakhstan": This study explores the key barriers faced by special education teachers in Kazakhstan’s inclusive classrooms, based on interviews with 41 teachers from diverse regions. Major challenges include lack of resources, parental engagement issues, insufficient training, and administrative burdens, highlighting the need for systemic reforms and targeted professional development to support inclusive education.
- "Teachers’ Attitudes towards Inclusive Education in Central Asia": This quantitative study surveyed 869 teachers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to examine their attitudes toward inclusive education for students with SEND. The findings reveal a shift from traditional segregation-based approaches to more inclusive and equitable practices, though teacher attitudes remain diverse, with six distinct attitude groups identified.
- "Empowering Inclusion: Pre-Service Teachers’ Proposals": This study explores pre-service teachers’ views on improving Initial Teacher Education (ITE) in Kazakhstan for inclusive education. Based on interviews with twelve participants, it highlights the need for more practical experience, stronger university-school partnerships, and better training in inclusive teaching. Recommendations include policy reforms to support pre-service teachers through mentorship and early field placements.
- "Education in Emergencies: Global Research Landscape during COVID-19": This study applies an Education in Emergencies (EiE) lens and scientometric analysis to examine 95,628 education-related publications on COVID-19 from 2020 to early 2023. It highlights a steady rise in research output, dominated by Global North countries and English-language sources. The focus is largely on online learning and technical aspects, with limited attention to social justice. The study underscores the need for more inclusive, equity-focused research and calls for systematic reviews to guide future education policy and resilience.
- "Mapping International Student Mobility in Higher Education": The findings offer insights to guide future ISM research and policy development in higher education.
The Graduate School of Education (GSE) is a leading national force in educational reform. Developed with support from the University of Cambridge and University of Pennsylvania, the GSE prepares educational leaders who are shaping Kazakhstan’s academic and policy landscape.
GSE programs include:
Graduates of the GSE now serve as vice-rectors, school directors, ministry officials, and policy experts. These alumni lead systemic reforms in curriculum design, inclusive education, teacher training, and education governance.
GSE programs include:
- MA in Educational Leadership (School, Higher, Inclusive Education)
- MA in Multilingual Education
- PhD in Education
- Short-term Executive Education and Policy Fellowships
Graduates of the GSE now serve as vice-rectors, school directors, ministry officials, and policy experts. These alumni lead systemic reforms in curriculum design, inclusive education, teacher training, and education governance.
Community impact
NU Academic Advising Office This office provides academic advising and support to 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students, helping them navigate their educational journey and make informed decisions about their studies. The office offers personalized guidance, ensuring students receive the support they need to succeed in their academic pursuits.
NU Surgery Club - The Surgery Club organizes suturing sessions and other practical activities for medical students, offering them hands-on experience in key surgical skills. These sessions help students gain practical knowledge and enhance their professional development in the medical field.
Professional Clubs (KFSA, APSS, AAC, SASA, Case Club, ELS, etc.): These student-led professional clubs host events specific to their fields of study, offering opportunities for NU students to network, learn from industry professionals, and navigate their career paths. These clubs help students make informed career choices by offering guidance and resources aligned with their academic goals.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - LinkedIn Learning for staff. NU provides access to LinkedIn Learning for staff, offering a broad range of courses aimed at developing professional skills. This platform enables staff to acquire new competencies and stay updated with the latest trends in their respective fields.
NU’s student-led Red Crescent Society, academic fairs, donation drives, and peer tutoring programs cultivate a campus-wide culture of volunteerism, empathy, and social engagement.
NU Surgery Club - The Surgery Club organizes suturing sessions and other practical activities for medical students, offering them hands-on experience in key surgical skills. These sessions help students gain practical knowledge and enhance their professional development in the medical field.
Professional Clubs (KFSA, APSS, AAC, SASA, Case Club, ELS, etc.): These student-led professional clubs host events specific to their fields of study, offering opportunities for NU students to network, learn from industry professionals, and navigate their career paths. These clubs help students make informed career choices by offering guidance and resources aligned with their academic goals.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - LinkedIn Learning for staff. NU provides access to LinkedIn Learning for staff, offering a broad range of courses aimed at developing professional skills. This platform enables staff to acquire new competencies and stay updated with the latest trends in their respective fields.
NU’s student-led Red Crescent Society, academic fairs, donation drives, and peer tutoring programs cultivate a campus-wide culture of volunteerism, empathy, and social engagement.
Nazarbayev University’s quality and commitment to SDG 4 have earned it increasing recognition in global higher education rankings:
These milestones reflect NU’s ambitious strategic objective of entering the top 20% of universities globally by 2030, with a near-term focus on advancing into the top 40 in the Education subject category.
- Ranked in the Top 176–200 worldwide for Education in the THE World University Subject Rankings 2025
- 501–600 globally in THE World University Rankings 2025 (top 24–29% of research universities)
- 106th in THE Young University Rankings 2024
- 129th in THE Asia University Rankings 2024
- Top 5 in the CIS region, and leading university in Central Asia by global ranking measures
These milestones reflect NU’s ambitious strategic objective of entering the top 20% of universities globally by 2030, with a near-term focus on advancing into the top 40 in the Education subject category.
Global Reach
Through world-class academic design, impactful research, inclusive policies, and global partnerships, Nazarbayev University is not only transforming higher education in Kazakhstan—it is setting new regional and international standards for quality, equity, and innovation in education.