2024, June 7
Share this articleMore than 1500 students, including 54 international students, received diplomas this year.
The degree awarding was held according to the canons of world university ceremonies, with the participation of the best students of the course, university management and professors, members of Parliament and the University Board of Trustees, representatives of ministries and companies, and alums.
As Dr. Ilesanmi Adesida, acting president of NU, noted in his welcome speech, NU was established as a strategic platform to contribute significantly to the development of the country, region, and the world. "As you may know, Nazarbayev University was recently ranked in the top 30% of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings. In recent years, we have gained accreditation in academic programs, including Foundation Year, Graduate School of Public Policy, and Graduate School of Business, School of Medicine, and we are in the self-evaluation phase in Engineering, Digital Sciences, Mining and Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. The European University Association positively evaluated us. Further, we aim to be recognized by the best universities in the world as equal partners," Dr. Adesida said, wishing the graduates to be bold and hardworking to make significant and sustainable changes in the country.
This year, 1507 people, including 54 international students, received diplomas: 1038 bachelors, 408 masters, 42 PhDs and 19 MDs. The School of Sciences and Humanities and the School of Engineering and Digital Sciences prepared the most specialists.
"In these four years of training, we have been through a lot. A period of pandemic, political changes and much more. Despite all these challenges, we are graduating from a university in the top 30% of the world's universities. I believe we are responsible for using our research skills and inquisitive minds to help the university, our country, and the people. As a computer science major, I worked on a railroad safety system and am excited that it will soon help save hundreds of lives," said Yerasyl Kadirzhanov, a School of Engineering and Digital Sciences graduate and former president of NU Student Government.
Askhat Aimagambetov, Chairman of the Committee on Social and Cultural Development of the Majilis, noted in his welcoming speech that the university's mission is to train highly qualified professionals who will become leaders of change in all spheres of Kazakhstan society and beyond—from public policy and business to education and science. "NU is one of the leading universities not only in Kazakhstan but also in the world; we can say this with great pride. Graduating from such a university is a matter of pride and a great responsibility for our students. Therefore, I believe that they will use the knowledge gained here to develop the country and our economy. Wishing all graduates success, I would also like to thank the teachers," Aimagambetov said after awarding diplomas with honours to 10 NU bachelor's degree graduates.
The Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, also congratulated the graduates and presented diplomas to the best master's and doctoral students of this graduation year. "Despite criticism and some private opinions, NU is one of this country's foremost higher education research institutions. Spearheading innovation research, higher education is bringing up people like you, the new leader of this country. I have started my speech by giving thanks to the faculty and leadership of NU, the research infrastructure, your dedication, and your hard labour. NU has entered almost 100 best young universities in the world and 11% of universities in Asia, and of course, it is the No. 1 research university in Kazakhstan," Sayasat Nurbek noted, adding that the State will continue to invest in research, innovation projects and development of higher education, as well as support young professionals.
Yerbol Tulegenov, an MBA program graduate, on behalf of all the graduates at the ceremony, told about his path and why it is essential to believe in your knowledge and be sincere. "Everyone has mentors who encouraged you to come to NU. I hope you call or meet with them today to thank them. I, too, had such a mentor who made me realize that sincerity is more important than knowledge, and knowledge is more important than a degree. University changed my life dramatically and opened up new opportunities. After graduation, I worked in strategy consulting. I was included in the Presidential Youth Reserve and now I head the Kazakhstani IT-company "CSI Stat", he said and urged the graduates to contribute to Kazakhstan's development.
Eight thousand seven hundred forty-six people in engineering, science, technology and humanities have earned NU degrees since 2015 - the first graduation. Together with this year's graduates and continuing students - more than 15,000 - they form a community of NU "DNA carriers" - people committed to academic integrity and transparency, with critical thinking, curiosity and initiative.
About 92% of employed NU graduates are in Kazakhstan, and 8% are gaining experience in leading companies abroad. At the same time, 4 out of 10 bachelors after graduating from NU continue their studies at leading universities of Kazakhstan, including NU, or abroad. Their competencies are highly appreciated by professors from Columbia University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National University of Singapore, Seoul National University, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Muhammad bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence and many others, which confirms the quality of education and high reputation of NU.
Credentials for some photos Arman Mukhatov
