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 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Develop robust infrastructure, advance inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and drive innovation.
Our goals in action
Nazarbayev University (NU) actively contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) by spearheading scientific research, launching innovative projects, supporting industrial transformation, and building smart, sustainable infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration, NU nurtures an environment of entrepreneurship and engineering excellence that fuels innovation-driven growth.
Research and Innovation
Teaching and Student Life
EGIStic: EGIStic is an advanced, integrated platform designed to transform agricultural practices by leveraging cutting-edge technologies to achieve greater productivity and sustainability. The project embodies the principles of precision agriculture, which focuses on optimizing resource use and improving crop yields while minimizing environmental impact.
EGIStic utilizes innovative tools such as satellite imagery, drones, and IoT sensors to collect real-time data on soil health, crop conditions, weather patterns, and pest activity. This data enables farmers to make informed decisions, ensuring efficient use of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The platform offers tailored recommendations for specific agricultural regions, considering local climatic, soil, and crop factors. This approach not only enhances productivity but also reduces wastage of resources.
By promoting efficient practices, EGIStic aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture. It helps to reduce carbon emissions, limit soil degradation, and preserve water resources, contributing to long-term environmental conservation.
Saumal: A metabiotic developed using a unique Kazakhstani strain, contributing to biotechnology and health innovation. The term saumal refers to fresh mare's milk, a cherished component of Kazakh culture renowned for its unique health benefits. For centuries, it has been celebrated for its restorative properties and its role in traditional diets and wellness practices. Building on this heritage, SAUMAL® has been developed as a freeze-dried powdered product, combining the traditional essence of mare's milk with modern food technology.
What is SAUMAL®?
SAUMAL® is a high-quality, natural product made from whole mare’s milk using advanced sublimation (freeze-drying) technology. This method preserves the milk's rich nutrient profile, ensuring it retains its bioactive compounds, vitamins, and minerals. The result is a fine white powder with a pleasant milky aroma that meets stringent food quality and safety standards. SAUMAL® exemplifies innovation in food production, merging traditional knowledge with state-of-the-art technology to create a product with global market potential.
The Sustainability Living Lab (SLL) is a program implemented by the Office of Sustainable Development with the support of Chevron, launched in 2019 at Nazarbayev University (NU). SLL program provides opportunities for NU community to improve environmental sustainability on the University campus through academic, research and innovation projects. Projects under SLL address topics such as:
Strategic Collaboration with Samruk-Kazyna: Nazarbayev University partners with Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, to promote innovation and industrial development at scale. This collaboration includes:
University–Industry Collaboration
NU bridges the gap between academia and industry through:
Infrastructure for Innovation
NU’s campus itself is a living example of smart, sustainable infrastructure, with:
EGIStic utilizes innovative tools such as satellite imagery, drones, and IoT sensors to collect real-time data on soil health, crop conditions, weather patterns, and pest activity. This data enables farmers to make informed decisions, ensuring efficient use of resources like water, fertilizers, and pesticides.
The platform offers tailored recommendations for specific agricultural regions, considering local climatic, soil, and crop factors. This approach not only enhances productivity but also reduces wastage of resources.
By promoting efficient practices, EGIStic aligns with the principles of sustainable agriculture. It helps to reduce carbon emissions, limit soil degradation, and preserve water resources, contributing to long-term environmental conservation.
Saumal: A metabiotic developed using a unique Kazakhstani strain, contributing to biotechnology and health innovation. The term saumal refers to fresh mare's milk, a cherished component of Kazakh culture renowned for its unique health benefits. For centuries, it has been celebrated for its restorative properties and its role in traditional diets and wellness practices. Building on this heritage, SAUMAL® has been developed as a freeze-dried powdered product, combining the traditional essence of mare's milk with modern food technology.
What is SAUMAL®?
SAUMAL® is a high-quality, natural product made from whole mare’s milk using advanced sublimation (freeze-drying) technology. This method preserves the milk's rich nutrient profile, ensuring it retains its bioactive compounds, vitamins, and minerals. The result is a fine white powder with a pleasant milky aroma that meets stringent food quality and safety standards. SAUMAL® exemplifies innovation in food production, merging traditional knowledge with state-of-the-art technology to create a product with global market potential.
The Sustainability Living Lab (SLL) is a program implemented by the Office of Sustainable Development with the support of Chevron, launched in 2019 at Nazarbayev University (NU). SLL program provides opportunities for NU community to improve environmental sustainability on the University campus through academic, research and innovation projects. Projects under SLL address topics such as:
- Renewable materials
- Energy-efficient technologies
- Smart building design
- Circular economy solutions
Strategic Collaboration with Samruk-Kazyna: Nazarbayev University partners with Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakhstan’s sovereign wealth fund, to promote innovation and industrial development at scale. This collaboration includes:
- Joint technology assessments and pilot projects in areas such as energy, transport, and advanced manufacturing
- Talent pipeline development through internships and fellowships for NU students within Samruk-Kazyna portfolio companies
- Support for commercialization of university-developed technologies via strategic investment and scaling opportunities
University–Industry Collaboration
NU bridges the gap between academia and industry through:
- Joint R&D initiatives
- Commercialization of research outcomes
- Internships and co-op programs
- Startup incubation and mentoring
- Industry-informed curriculum design
Infrastructure for Innovation
NU’s campus itself is a living example of smart, sustainable infrastructure, with:
- Energy-efficient buildings
- Public access to potable groundwater via filtered water stations
- Investment in digital infrastructure for remote learning and research collaboration
- Facilities for testing prototypes and launching tech-based solutions
Community Impact
NU contributes to national and global innovation policy through:
- Hosting open-access seminars, public lectures, and policy forums
- Publishing white papers and strategic research on industrial development
- Advising governmental bodies and international organizations on topics such as AI regulation, infrastructure resilience, and green technology adoption
Kompra is a cutting-edge service designed to promote trust and transparency in the business environment by assessing the reliability and integrity of counterparties. By providing detailed insights into the financial and operational stability of business partners, Kompra reduces risks, fosters ethical practices, and contributes to a culture of accountability. This innovative tool is essential for sustainable economic growth and resilient communities.
CodiPlay is a groundbreaking B2B educational solution designed to revolutionize programming education by enabling schools to teach coding skills to students using smartphones. This innovative platform aims to bridge the gap between traditional education and the digital skills required in the modern world, making coding accessible to students of diverse backgrounds and fostering a culture of technological fluency and innovation.
CodiPlay leverages the ubiquity of smartphones to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience. Its user-friendly interface, gamified lessons, and modular approach cater to learners at all levels, from beginners to advanced coders. Schools can easily integrate the platform into their curricula, enhancing their educational offerings without requiring costly hardware or extensive infrastructure.
By fostering a new generation of tech-savvy individuals, CodiPlay contributes to innovation ecosystems and the development of sustainable industries, particularly in emerging markets.
Smartestprep simplifies the journey to higher education, ensuring students are well-prepared and confident as they pursue admission to prestigious institutions. The platform offers a range of services, including academic assessments, test preparation, application guidance, and scholarship assistance, tailored to meet the unique needs of each student.
CodiPlay leverages the ubiquity of smartphones to provide an engaging and interactive learning experience. Its user-friendly interface, gamified lessons, and modular approach cater to learners at all levels, from beginners to advanced coders. Schools can easily integrate the platform into their curricula, enhancing their educational offerings without requiring costly hardware or extensive infrastructure.
By fostering a new generation of tech-savvy individuals, CodiPlay contributes to innovation ecosystems and the development of sustainable industries, particularly in emerging markets.
Smartestprep simplifies the journey to higher education, ensuring students are well-prepared and confident as they pursue admission to prestigious institutions. The platform offers a range of services, including academic assessments, test preparation, application guidance, and scholarship assistance, tailored to meet the unique needs of each student.
SDF (Social Development Fund): Finances applied research and prototype development in priority industrial sectors. SDF plays a vital role in bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and market-ready solutions.
ABC Incubation Center: Provides support for early-stage startups, offering mentorship, workspace, and access to funding opportunities. It fosters entrepreneurial thinking and accelerates the commercialization of research-based ideas.
NU’s innovation ecosystem is further supported by key institutions:
Cutting-Edge Research Driving Industry 4.0
Nazarbayev University supports a vast portfolio of peer-reviewed research exploring breakthroughs in manufacturing, construction, energy, aerospace, AI, and material science. Research outputs include:
Nazarbayev University supports a vast portfolio of peer-reviewed research exploring breakthroughs in manufacturing, construction, energy, aerospace, AI, and material science. Research outputs include:
Applications of machine learning in health, construction, and predictive analytics
Development of advanced additive manufacturing techniques and materials
Design of smart infrastructure systems and sustainable buildings
Studies in robotics, biomechanics, and nanotechnology
Promotion of circular economy models and waste reduction in the built environment
Together, these initiatives reinforce NU’s role as a regional leader in industrial innovation and sustainable development. By combining academic rigor with entrepreneurial spirit, NU is building the foundations for Kazakhstan’s knowledge economy and a future-ready workforce.