Nazarbayev University Held its First Graduation Ceremony

Astana, Kazakhstan - 29th June/PRNewswire - The First Graduation Ceremony of Nazarbayev University (NU) took place on June 15, 2015. The President of Kazakhstan, Nursultan Nazarbayev addressed the Class of 2015.

Nazarbayev University, created on the initiative of the President of Kazakhstan in 2010, is fast becoming a leading research university in Kazakhstan and the region. The first cohort of graduating students consists of 446 undergraduate and graduate students. Of the 365 bachelor degree holders, 115 have been accepted to Masters and PhD programs in leading universities of the world, some 90 graduates plan to continue their studies at Nazarbayev University; more than 80 received job offers from leading national and international companies, and another 50 are interviewing with prospective employers.

Shigeo Katsu, the President of Nazarbayev University says: “The first graduation is a very important historical moment for us. I want to congratulate all of our graduating students who are truly pioneers. The fact that many of them have been admitted to very demanding Graduate programs in world-class universities attests to their talents and hard work and to the high quality of NU’s academic programs. For instance, Aisulu Aitbekova who graduated with a degree in chemical engineering from School of Engineering will pursue her studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As to those who will hit the job market, many will join global companies such as KPMG, PWC, Schlumberger and others. So I would like to thank our faculty and staff for their dedication to students, and government authorities as well as the taxpayers for allowing us to build a student-centered learning environment here.”

NU has 7 schools that offer undergraduate and graduate programs, including a US styled medical program. At this point undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Science and Technology, School of Engineering.  The Graduate School of Public Policy, Graduate School of Education and Graduate School of Business offer advanced degrees only. Majors in high demand include computer sciences, robotics and mechatronics, mechanical, electrical and civil engineering, education management, biological sciences, etc.

During the university’s first five years annually some 500 talented students were admitted, coming from all the regions of Kazakhstan, and even a few from neighboring countries. All Kazakhstani undergraduate students have been recipients of full scholarships that cover tuition, room and board for the expected duration of the studies. The majority of graduate students also are beneficiaries of scholarships.

NU’s academic programs are designed in partnership with a number of the leading universities. "The strategic partnerships that Nazarbayev University has forged give its students the benefits of a global education, and the opportunity to learn at some of world's leading universities. Such international exposure is not only beneficial to the students individually, but is also essential for Kazakhstan's continued success in an increasingly globalized world," – says Prof. Kishore Mahbubani, Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore, the strategic partner for Nazarbayev University’s School of Public Policy.