Graduate School of Public Policy

It has been an emotional and stressful time for our MPA 2nd year students. Last week they presented their Master’s Projects and now they are close to finishing a 1,5-year journey in the full-time MPA program designed for mid/senior-level practitioners.

With a total of 59 students, it is the largest MPA group in the 10-year history of GSPP. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in their learning process. They had classes online during Semesters 1 and 2 and experienced the Hy-Flex education format during Semester 3.  

The Master’s Project conference was held in Hy-Flex format too. 20 projects have been presented during the 2-day Conference on November 6 and 7. Most students presented in-person, with about 15 people presenting online. We still have some peers we’ve never seen face-to-face before. It is very exciting to meet some of us personally for the first-time after e-meeting for a long time – said one of the students during the conference.  

There was a wide range of topics covered during the conference, including E-commerce, Cyber security, State housing, Solar energies, Energy waste, CSR development, COVID-19 consequences, Inequality issues, Civic engagement, etc. Most students have the professional background and practical experience in the field they discussed which makes their presentations more valuable and fascinating.

NU GSPP Faculty members attended the Conference and gave feedback on the students’ presentations. The recommendations have been given to improve the Master’s Project that should be submitted 2 weeks after the Conference. Most recommendations are relevant to the methodology, data analysis, and hypothesis. Mikhail Assafov, MPA 2nd year student stressed: The Master’s Project Conference was a real test for graduate students of their public speaking skills and the chance to engage in discussion of their research with the leading scholars in multiple areas. The feedback that they receive will allow them to fine-tune their research pieces according to proper academic standards.

We wish MPA students all the best in their finalization of the Master’s Projects and upcoming exams.

NU GSPP is the only school in Central Asia where the Masters’ programs for Public Policy and Public Administration are fully accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EAPAA).

The School’s mission is to improve the quality of life in the region by training managers and leaders to improve governance through understanding and implementing sound public policy and effective management.