Nazarbayev University (NU), Kazakhstan’s leading research-intensive institution, marked a historic milestone at its 2026 Commencement Ceremony in Astana by graduating its largest class to date. A total of 1,877 students received degrees, joining an expanding global alumni network contributing to science, industry, public service, healthcare, education, and innovation.
Chairman of the Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan, Maulen Ashimbayev, attended the ceremony as Guest of Honor. He highlighted NU’s growing role in strengthening Kazakhstan’s research capacity, technological advancement, and intellectual development. He also noted that the university has become a key driver of educational reform and a source of globally competitive talent supporting national development goals.
NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad congratulated graduates, emphasizing their future roles in advancing scientific discovery, entrepreneurship, policy development, and social progress. He underscored the university’s commitment to rigorous, research-based education that fosters leadership and innovation.
Technology-related fields remained highly popular, with Computer Science, Data Science, and Robotics collectively producing 351 graduates. The School of Engineering and Digital Sciences awarded 673 degrees, while the School of Sciences and Humanities graduated 653 students, together representing more than 70 percent of the cohort.
The university also conferred 73 PhD and 27 Doctor of Medicine degrees, reinforcing its status as Kazakhstan’s first research university. NU continues to strengthen its global reputation, ranked among the top 23% of universities worldwide and recognized as a leading institution in Central Asia and the Caucasus.
