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 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Foster inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment, and decent work opportunities for everyone.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University actively promotes SDG 8 by creating a thriving ecosystem for student career development, alumni engagement, inclusive hiring, industry collaboration, and professional skills enhancement. Through various institutional initiatives, NU seeks to bridge the gap between academic education and real-world employment by preparing students to enter the workforce with the knowledge, experience, and confidence to contribute to the economic growth of Kazakhstan and beyond.
Community Impact
Teaching and Student Life
Research and Innovation
Career Fair: The Career and Advising Center (CAC) at Nazarbayev University plays a pivotal role in connecting students and alumni with the professional world. One of the most important events hosted by the CAC is the Career Fair, an exciting and dynamic opportunity for students to interact directly with potential employers, explore career options, and build relationships with industry professionals. This event is designed to bridge the gap between academic learning and career readiness, helping students transition successfully from university life to their chosen professions.
The Role of the Career Fair in Career Development
The Career Fair is a key component of the CAC’s mission to provide comprehensive career services to Nazarbayev University students and alumni. By bringing together employers from a variety of industries, the fair offers students direct access to recruitment opportunities, internships, and job openings, fostering connections that could shape their future careers.
The event allows students to meet with hiring companies, learn about industry trends, and gain insight into different career paths. It also provides an opportunity to understand the qualifications, skills, and experiences that employers are looking for, helping students align their academic achievements with real-world expectations.
Collaboration with Partners: At Nazarbayev University, collaboration with industry leaders, graduate schools, and professional organizations plays a crucial role in advancing the university’s mission to provide world-class education, foster research excellence, and prepare students for the global workforce. The university recognizes the importance of strong partnerships that bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, enhancing the university’s role as a catalyst for innovation, economic development, and societal progress.
Alumni Engagement: At Nazarbayev University, alumni engagement is a key component of the institution’s mission to foster lifelong relationships between the university and its graduates. By building a vibrant and connected alumni community, the university creates opportunities for alumni to stay involved, contribute to the growth of the university, and benefit from professional networking and development opportunities. This dynamic interaction between the university and its alumni helps to ensure that the institution remains a center of excellence, and its graduates continue to thrive throughout their careers.
Nazarbayev University recognizes the importance of maintaining strong, lasting connections with its alumni, who are often the university’s most valuable ambassadors in the professional world. The alumni network at Nazarbayev University spans across diverse fields, industries, and geographical locations, offering a broad range of opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. By facilitating a vibrant, engaged community, the university helps graduates stay connected with one another and with the university, creating a sense of pride, loyalty, and support.
The university offers a variety of platforms and events that bring alumni together, both in-person and virtually. Alumni gatherings, reunions, webinars, and networking events serve as opportunities for graduates to reconnect with their peers, share experiences, and exchange insights. These events are designed to foster strong bonds among alumni and enable them to learn from each other, creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth.
In addition to these traditional events, the university uses digital platforms, such as online alumni portals and social media groups, to maintain ongoing communication and engagement with graduates. These platforms allow alumni to stay informed about university developments, upcoming events, and new initiatives, while also providing them with a space to network, share career updates, and offer guidance to current students.
The Role of the Career Fair in Career Development
The Career Fair is a key component of the CAC’s mission to provide comprehensive career services to Nazarbayev University students and alumni. By bringing together employers from a variety of industries, the fair offers students direct access to recruitment opportunities, internships, and job openings, fostering connections that could shape their future careers.
The event allows students to meet with hiring companies, learn about industry trends, and gain insight into different career paths. It also provides an opportunity to understand the qualifications, skills, and experiences that employers are looking for, helping students align their academic achievements with real-world expectations.
Collaboration with Partners: At Nazarbayev University, collaboration with industry leaders, graduate schools, and professional organizations plays a crucial role in advancing the university’s mission to provide world-class education, foster research excellence, and prepare students for the global workforce. The university recognizes the importance of strong partnerships that bridge the gap between academic learning and professional practice, enhancing the university’s role as a catalyst for innovation, economic development, and societal progress.
Alumni Engagement: At Nazarbayev University, alumni engagement is a key component of the institution’s mission to foster lifelong relationships between the university and its graduates. By building a vibrant and connected alumni community, the university creates opportunities for alumni to stay involved, contribute to the growth of the university, and benefit from professional networking and development opportunities. This dynamic interaction between the university and its alumni helps to ensure that the institution remains a center of excellence, and its graduates continue to thrive throughout their careers.
Nazarbayev University recognizes the importance of maintaining strong, lasting connections with its alumni, who are often the university’s most valuable ambassadors in the professional world. The alumni network at Nazarbayev University spans across diverse fields, industries, and geographical locations, offering a broad range of opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. By facilitating a vibrant, engaged community, the university helps graduates stay connected with one another and with the university, creating a sense of pride, loyalty, and support.
The university offers a variety of platforms and events that bring alumni together, both in-person and virtually. Alumni gatherings, reunions, webinars, and networking events serve as opportunities for graduates to reconnect with their peers, share experiences, and exchange insights. These events are designed to foster strong bonds among alumni and enable them to learn from each other, creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth.
In addition to these traditional events, the university uses digital platforms, such as online alumni portals and social media groups, to maintain ongoing communication and engagement with graduates. These platforms allow alumni to stay informed about university developments, upcoming events, and new initiatives, while also providing them with a space to network, share career updates, and offer guidance to current students.
Industry 4.0 and SMEs: NU researchers explore challenges and success factors in implementing Industry 4.0 technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises, helping drive digital transformation and competitiveness.
NU scholars conduct impactful research on inclusive labor markets, industrial innovation, and startup ecosystems:
Startup Ecosystem in Emerging Economies: Research on Kazakhstan’s startup ecosystem provides insights into the role of emotional intelligence, gender diversity, and leadership style in building innovative, high-growth enterprises.
Graduate Employability: Studies led by NU scholars assess how international education contributes to employability and graduate capital, particularly in Kazakhstan’s evolving labor market.
Administration and Operations
Career Appointments: Career Appointments at Nazarbayev University offer structured advising sessions with the Career and Advising Center (CAC) staff to streamline career support services. These one-on-one meetings provide personalized guidance on various aspects of career development, such as job search strategies, CV and cover letter writing, interview preparation, and graduate school applications. Students can schedule appointments to discuss their specific career goals, receive feedback on their progress, and get advice on how to navigate the professional world. CAC staff also assist with identifying relevant internship and job opportunities, tailoring recommendations based on students' skills and aspirations. By offering dedicated, individualized support, Career Appointments ensure that students are well-prepared to achieve their career goals and succeed in their chosen fields.
The Career Advising Program at Nazarbayev University is designed to equip students with the tools, knowledge, and resources they need to navigate the complex and competitive job market. Through a comprehensive suite of services and personalized support, the program provides students with essential career guidance, focusing on areas such as career planning, CV writing, and graduate applications. By ensuring that students are fully prepared to enter the professional world, the Career Advising Program plays a crucial role in enhancing career readiness and empowering students to achieve their professional goals.
Skills Development: The Skills Development Webinars at Nazarbayev University are designed to equip students with essential skills for their future professional lives. These webinars focus on key areas such as communication, leadership, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork, all of which are highly valued by employers across various industries. Each session is led by experienced professionals and experts, providing students with practical insights and strategies to enhance their personal and professional development.
The webinars offer interactive learning experiences, allowing students to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and work on real-world case studies. This hands-on approach ensures that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical skills required to succeed in their careers. Additionally, these webinars help students stay up-to-date with industry trends and the latest tools and technologies that can boost their employability.
By attending these sessions, students are better prepared to face the challenges of the job market, build strong professional networks, and adapt to the dynamic demands of the workplace. The Skills Development Webinars serve as an integral part of Nazarbayev University’s commitment to providing a holistic education that supports students in becoming well-rounded, capable professionals.
Mentorship Program: The Mentorship Program at Nazarbayev University connects students with alumni to enhance their educational experience and support their career development. Through one-on-one mentoring relationships, students gain valuable insights from alumni who have navigated similar academic and professional paths. Mentors provide guidance on career planning, industry trends, job search strategies, and personal development, helping students make informed decisions about their future careers. This program also allows students to expand their professional networks and develop meaningful connections with experienced professionals in their field of interest. By fostering these relationships, the Mentorship Program prepares students to transition successfully from university to the workforce, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers.
Employer Involvement in Curriculum Design: NU regularly incorporates employer feedback into its curriculum development process. Through advisory boards, consultations, and academic reviews, industry experts help shape course content, ensuring that students develop competencies aligned with contemporary workforce needs. These efforts help bridge theoretical learning with applied professional skills.
Skills Development: The Skills Development Webinars at Nazarbayev University are designed to equip students with essential skills for their future professional lives. These webinars focus on key areas such as communication, leadership, time management, problem-solving, and teamwork, all of which are highly valued by employers across various industries. Each session is led by experienced professionals and experts, providing students with practical insights and strategies to enhance their personal and professional development.
The webinars offer interactive learning experiences, allowing students to actively participate in discussions, ask questions, and work on real-world case studies. This hands-on approach ensures that students not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop the practical skills required to succeed in their careers. Additionally, these webinars help students stay up-to-date with industry trends and the latest tools and technologies that can boost their employability.
By attending these sessions, students are better prepared to face the challenges of the job market, build strong professional networks, and adapt to the dynamic demands of the workplace. The Skills Development Webinars serve as an integral part of Nazarbayev University’s commitment to providing a holistic education that supports students in becoming well-rounded, capable professionals.
Mentorship Program: The Mentorship Program at Nazarbayev University connects students with alumni to enhance their educational experience and support their career development. Through one-on-one mentoring relationships, students gain valuable insights from alumni who have navigated similar academic and professional paths. Mentors provide guidance on career planning, industry trends, job search strategies, and personal development, helping students make informed decisions about their future careers. This program also allows students to expand their professional networks and develop meaningful connections with experienced professionals in their field of interest. By fostering these relationships, the Mentorship Program prepares students to transition successfully from university to the workforce, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in their careers.
Employer Involvement in Curriculum Design: NU regularly incorporates employer feedback into its curriculum development process. Through advisory boards, consultations, and academic reviews, industry experts help shape course content, ensuring that students develop competencies aligned with contemporary workforce needs. These efforts help bridge theoretical learning with applied professional skills.
Fair Recruitment and Equal Opportunity: The hiring process at Nazarbayev University is grounded in transparency, objectivity, and independence. NU adheres strictly to the principle of equal opportunity, ensuring that all employment decisions are free from discrimination based on gender, age, physical ability, race, nationality, socioeconomic status, place of residence, religion, political beliefs, clan or class affiliation, or membership in any public association.
Core Institutional Values: NU fosters a culture of professionalism, ethical behavior, and diversity across all aspects of teaching, research, and administration. Integrity is a foundational value upheld throughout the academic and operational environment, ensuring a workplace that supports fair treatment, inclusion, and mutual respect. The university promotes openness through public access to relevant information and strives to integrate diverse perspectives into its community and curriculum.
Core Institutional Values: NU fosters a culture of professionalism, ethical behavior, and diversity across all aspects of teaching, research, and administration. Integrity is a foundational value upheld throughout the academic and operational environment, ensuring a workplace that supports fair treatment, inclusion, and mutual respect. The university promotes openness through public access to relevant information and strives to integrate diverse perspectives into its community and curriculum.
Together, these initiatives position Nazarbayev University as a leading force in promoting decent work and economic growth, in line with the vision of SDG 8. The university’s focus on employability, workplace equity, practical training, industry alignment, and lifelong learning underscores its commitment to fostering a skilled, resilient, and inclusive workforce.