The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy’s (NU GSPP) mission is to improve the quality of life of people in Kazakhstan and Central Asia by training leaders to improve governance through excellence in teaching, research and executive development that focuses on key policy and leadership challenges.

It aims to become the leading public policy school in Kazakhstan and the region and strives to raise the standards of governance through professional public policy education and research.

Since its launch in 2012, NU GSPP has maintained a strong strategic partnership with the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. Together we have been working closely to establish NU GSPP as the public policy school of choice in Central Asia. NU GSPP incorporates scientific research into its teaching to provide one of the most innovative and progressive master’s programs in the Central Asian region.

NU GSPP’s degree programs include the Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration, and the PhD in Public Policy. Our students who come from the public sector, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, have the opportunity to spend 2-3 weeks under the Singapore component of our Master programs and up to 3 months in the PhD program.

NU GSPP’s faculty are actively engaged in research in civil service reforms, modernization of the public service, natural resources management, policy analysis, sustainable development solutions, advocacy and consultancy to government institutions and international organizations on a wide range of public policy/administration issues in Kazakhstan and beyond.

 

Welcome to the Graduate School of Public Policy where we firmly believe that good governance matters in improving the lives of people!

At the GSPP, you will begin an exciting learning journey through a professional public policy education with its distinctive multidisciplinary curriculum that involves both academic rigour in knowledge of public policy analysis and the acquisition of relevant professional skills. You will have a firm grasp and nuanced understanding of both common and unique challenges that policy makers and administrators face around the world

The multidisciplinary education that you receive will provide the strong foundation that will enable you to better understand key factors that contribute to sound public policies and which lead to good governance in a country. You will gain deeper insights into complex current policy issues and challenges and acquire skills that contribute towards creative and efficacious resolution of policy challenges on a local, national or international level. You can be assured that a multidisciplinary public policy education is among the best investments that will prepare and equip you well to handle the heightened uncertainties and rapid changes that characterize the dynamic environment that we live in. By the time you graduate we are confident that in whatever work and career path that you choose to take, you will be better able to make significant contributions towards improving the lives of people in the varied places that you return to.

To ensure an enriching and fulfilling experience at the School, I strongly encourage you to remain actively engaged with both fellow students and faculty to get the best out of the time you spend in the School.

We look forward to walking this important phase of your life journey and in celebrating your achievements with you.

With best wishes, Dr Weng Tat HUI

Mission

The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy (NU GSPP) has as its mission improving the quality of life of the people of Kazakhstan and Central Asia by training leaders to improve governance through excellence in teaching, research and executive development that focuses on key policy and leadership challenges.

Vision

NU GSPP will transform the public sector in Kazakhstan helping it to modernize public sector of the country. In line with the aspirations of Kazakhstan, the NU GSPP will train policy makers and leaders both for that Republic and its neighbours. NU GSPP aims to become a leading school of public policy that will be known for:

  • world class educational standards
  • impactful research with international standing
  • commitment to Kazakhstan

NU Graduate School of Public Policy’s Commitment to Diversity

NU GSPP has a strong commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion as specified in the Nazarbayev University Strategy for 2018-2030. This Strategy recognizes “Embracing diversity – integrated into every aspect of education, research, and community”; “Equal access to education – regardless of race, religion, gender, physical capacity, or socioeconomic status” and “Merit-based institution open to all talented and bright students, faculty and researchers” as the University’s core values.

NU GSPP is devoted to recruiting and strengthening diversity in its Faculty composition. NU GSPP believes that welcoming people from underrepresented backgrounds strengthens intellectual depth and offers multiple perspectives. NU GSPP is currently under-presented with female Faculty and particularly welcomes female applicants to Faculty positions.

NU GSPP is committed to recruit students from public, private, and nonprofit sectors who are pursuing professional advancement from all regions of Kazakhstan. NU GSPP also draws international applicants from across the globe, including Central Asia, Caucasus, Western Europe, East and Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Some of the NU GSPP programs tend to attract a sizeable amount of Nazarbayev University undergraduate alumni and NU GSPP welcomes applicants from various institutional and disciplinary settings and backgrounds.

Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy (NU GSPP) has a long-term partnership with the Lee Kuan School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.

In 2019 QS World rankings NUS is ranked 11th in the world and remains the 1st in Asia.

The LKY School, one of the most dynamic public policy schools in Asia, offers a unique global classroom where students have the opportunity to explore public policy issues, interact with world-class faculty, and network with the future generation of Asian leaders. Although the LKY school was formally launched in 2004, it has inherited a rich legacy left by its predecessor, the Public Policy Program, which started in 1992 in partnership with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.

The LKY School has assisted with the design and development of the NU GSPP’s programs. Its faculty members offer courses and speeches at the NU GSPP every year, and as a part of our courses, students are given a study tour to Singapore.

More information about signing the Long-term Agreement and Partnership Establishment can be found here. In June 2015 the LKY School delegation headed by the Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Professor Kishore Mahbubani visited Astana for a week. During this visit strategic areas and milestones for further collaboration were discussed.

Representatives of two schools, including deans met with the State Secretary of the Republic of Kazakhstan, top management of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-corruption. It was stated in the course of the meetings that joint efforts of NU GSPP and Lee Kuan Yew School in the area of civil service reforms, talent management and anti-corruption values’ propaganda will highly contribute to human capital development in Kazakhstan.

In the framework of the visit a Roundtable on modernization of Kazakhstan’s civil service with participants from the President’s Office, Agency for Civil Service Affairs and Anti-corruption and ministries of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held.

Read the article of Professor Kishore Mahbubani following his visit to Astana

 

The Singapore Component with Nazarbayev University at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (watch video)

Careers

We are looking for candidates who share our mission and vision and want to make a difference and contribute to improving the quality of life. If you are looking for multicultural environment, wide range of training and career opportunities and want to be a part of an academic world, consider applying for a job at NU GSPP.

NU GSPP is devoted to recruiting and strengthening diversity in its faculty composition. NU GSPP believes that welcoming people from underrepresented backgrounds strengthens intellectual depth and offers multiple perspectives. NU GSPP is currently under-presented with female Faculty and particularly welcomes female applicants to Faculty positions. 

Benefits for academic staff:

  • Internationally competitive salary;
  • Holiday leave of 56 days per annum;
  • Two flights for the appointee and dependents home per annum;
  • International health insurance;
  • Housing for the appointee and dependents;
  • Assistance for relocation expenses including air fares for the appointee and dependents;
  • Mentorship in teaching and research from senior colleagues from strategic partner- LKYSPP;
  • Faculty exchange program;
  • Funding to conduct preliminary research work.

Benefits for administrative staff:

  • Competitive salary;
  • Holiday leave of 30 days per annum;
  • Premium health insurance;
  • Housing opportunity*;
  • Mentorship and shadowing from senior colleagues from strategic partner- LKYSPP;
  • Training and development.

* Housing allocation for administrative staff is subject to University selection criteria

Job advertisement

PROFESSOR AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY

Nazarbayev University Profile

Nazarbayev University was launched in 2010 as a premier national and regional university, partnering with some of the most recognized names in international higher education.  Admission to NU is highly competitive; the student body is selected from the top high schools throughout the country and region.

Graduate School of Public Policy Profile

The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) at Nazarbayev University, invites applications to join our international faculty and to share in our vision of becoming the leading public policy school in the Central Asia region. Candidates should have the requisite teaching, research and public policy experience to contribute to curriculum development, innovative pedagogy and international scholarship. Experience with public sector organizations, consultancies with international organizations, leadership in the development of relevant educational institutions and teaching experience in Asia will be regarded as strong additional qualifications.

NU GSPP enrolled its first students in 2013 and offers degree programs in Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration and PhD in Public Policy. The School’s partner institution is the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.  Our Master programs have achieved full accreditation from the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA).

NU GSPP is devoted to recruiting and strengthening diversity in its Faculty composition. NU GSPP believes that welcoming people from underrepresented backgrounds strengthens intellectual depth and offers multiple perspectives.

Job Description

Applications are particularly invited from candidates with an established record of research and teaching in the following areas:

  • Macroeconomic Policy
  • Urban and Transport Policy
  • Health and Social Policy
  • Crisis and Emergency Management

Qualifications

  • PhD in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science or a related discipline with a public policy focus
  • Relevant academic teaching and research experience: Full Professor – at least 2 years at full professor or 5 years at associate professor level
  • International research profile – Publications in reputable international peer reviewed journals on policy-relevant topics; success in attracting competitive funding; awards and prizes from relevant professional/academic associations

Additional information

Required Documents

Application Procedure: Candidates should submit the following documents in electronic form (MS Word or PDF file)

  •    Cover letter indicating rank of position applied for
  •    Detailed curriculum vitae
  •    Names and contact details of three referees
  •    Teaching dossier including teaching evaluations
  •    Samples of course outlines
  •    Brief statement of past and current research

Benefits

  •  A three- and five –year renewable contract
  •  Internationally competitive salary
  •  Furnished accommodation
  •  Two annual home round trip air tickets for faculty member and dependents
  •  Education allowance for faculty member’s children
  •  International health insurance

Please apply via this link.

 

OPEN RANK FACULTY POSITIONS AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY

  • Astana, Kazakhstan
  • Full-time
  • Department: Graduate School of Public Policy
  • Job Type: Faculty

Company Description

Nazarbayev University (NU) – located in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan – is an English-language research university, established in partnership with leading universities around the world. NU’s international partners include Cambridge University, University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, National University of Singapore, University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Pittsburgh.  The University has rigorous admission standards and accepts only the best students from the region. In a short 13 years since its inception, NU has achieved notable recognition, entering the Times Higher Education Global Ranking in 2024 and securing a position in the top 30% of research universities worldwide. Presently, NU stands as the leading university in Central Asia.

NU’s Graduate School of Public Policy enrolled its first students in 2013 and offers degree programs in Master in Public Policy, Master in Public Administration and PhD in Public Policy. The School’s partner institution is the National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.  Our Master programs have achieved full accreditation from the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA) since 2017 and the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) from 2023.

Job Description

The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) at Nazarbayev University, invites applications to join our international faculty and to share in our vision of being the leading public policy school in the Central Asia region. Candidates should have the requisite teaching, research and public policy experience to contribute to curriculum development, innovative pedagogy and international scholarship. Experience with public sector organizations, consultancies with international organizations, leadership in the development of relevant educational institutions and teaching experience in Asia will be regarded as strong additional qualifications.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science or a related discipline with a public policy focus
  • Relevant academic teaching and research experience: Full Professor – at least 2 years at full professor or 5 years at associate professor level, Associate Professor – at least 2 years at associate professor or 5 years at assistant professor level
  • International research profile – Publications in reputable international peer reviewed journals on policy-relevant topics; success in attracting competitive funding; awards and prizes from relevant professional/academic associations

Applications are particularly invited from candidates with an established record of research and teaching in the following areas:

  • Macroeconomic Policy
  • New Technology and Public Policy
  • Urban and Transport Policy
  • Crisis and Emergency Management

Additional Information

Required Documents

Application Procedure:

Candidates should submit the following documents in electronic form (MS Word or PDF file)

  • Cover letter indicating rank of position applied for
  • Detailed curriculum vitae
  • Names and contact details of three referees
  • Teaching dossier including teaching evaluations
  • Samples of course outlines
  • Brief statement of past and current research

Benefits

  • A three- and five –year renewable contract
  • Internationally competitive salary
  • Furnished accommodation
  • Two annual home round trip air tickets for faculty member and dependents
  • Education allowance for faculty member’s children
  • International health insurance

 

POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY

Nazarbayev University was launched in 2010 as a premier national and regional university, partnering with some of the most recognized names in international higher education.  Admission to NU is highly competitive; the student body is selected from the top high schools throughout the country and region.

The NU campus is located in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, in the heart of the new and ultra-modern Left-Bank region of the city. Incoming faculty will enjoy a cosmopolitan living experience, interwoven with traditional cultural influences in food and entertainment. The social life offers a rich and vibrant atmosphere with excellent clubs and restaurants, theater, music, opera, dancing, museums, modern and traditional bazaar shopping, professional and amateur sports, outdoor recreation, and much more.

The Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP) at Nazarbayev University, invites applications for the full-time Postdoctoral Scholar position and join our international faculty  to share in our vision of becoming the leading public policy school in Central Asia. Initial appointment is on a 2-year renewable contract with a possibility of renewal for up to another 2 years maximum, subject to annual performance reviews. We offer an attractive internationally competitive remuneration package. 

NU GSPP is devoted to recruiting and strengthening diversity in its Faculty composition. NU GSPP believes that welcoming people from underrepresented backgrounds strengthens intellectual depth and offers multiple perspectives.

Qualifications

  • PhD in Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science or a related discipline with a public policy focus
  • Candidates should have the requisite teaching, research and public policy expertise to contribute to innovative pedagogy and international scholarship.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Teach two courses per year in area of specialization or in a subject determined in consultation with the Dean
  • Conduct research  and prepare research proposals under the supervision of a senior faculty member
  • Participate in research and collaborative activities with other educational or research institutions
  • Publish in reputable  scientific  publications  and  disseminate  research  findings  using  other appropriate media
  • Make presentations at national and international conferences and events
  • Contribute to the preparation of research proposals and applications to external funding under the supervision of a senior faculty member

Required Documents for Application:

Candidates should submit the following documents in electronic form (MS Word or PDF file)

  • Cover letter indicating position applied for
  • Detailed curriculum vitae
  • Two reference letters
  • Copies of qualifications

Benefits

  • Internationally competitive salary
  • Furnished accommodation
  • One annual home round trip air tickets for Postdoc and dependents
  • Education allowance for faculty member’s children
  • International health insurance

You can submit your documents via this link.