Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek officially introduced the new President, Professor Waqar Ahmad, to the faculty, staff and students of NU.
According to the minister, three worthy candidates applied for the position of president, among whom British citizen Professor Waqar Ahmad was chosen.
“Professor Waqar Ahmad has many years of academic experience and has made significant contributions to the development of higher education and social sciences in the UK and UAE. We believe that this is the best choice for the university and Kazakhstan as a whole. I am confident that he will make a great contribution to the development of NU, which today occupies a strong position in international rankings, and with the arrival of Professor Waqar Ahmad, a new page will open in the history of the university. Despite the fact that NU has an autonomous status, the ministry is ready to provide the necessary support. I wish success to the new NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad,” the minister said at the general meeting.
The process of selecting a president for the university, which is in the top 30% of the best universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranking, lasted about a year, during which 2 thousand applications were considered. For recruitment, a commission was created, including members of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, deans, representatives of the teaching staff, the scientific community and the medical cluster of the university. Meetings were held with students, graduates, teachers, and school deans. The search for candidates for the position of President of NU was carried out by the international recruiting company Korn Ferry.
“I am honored to be appointed NU President. The appointment was the result of an inclusive, rigorous, highly competitive and multi-stage selection process. I am grateful to the Search Committee, the Board of Regents, and the NU Supreme Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the task of leading the next phase of the university's development. I also thank the Acting President, Prof. Ilesanmi Adesida, for his work during the search period,” shared Prof. Waqar Ahmad.
Before coming to Kazakhstan, Professor Waqar Ahmad worked as the rector of Abu Dhabi University for almost seven years. There he had the opportunity to work with NU scientists and admits that he was impressed by the reputation, ambition, results and quality of their research, as well as the Kazakh university's commitment to academic freedom.
“NU must not only be the best in Central Asia, but strive to become one of the best in the whole world in order to stimulate the improvement of the quality of higher education throughout the region and make a significant contribution to the development of Kazakhstan. I intend to work fruitfully with the university community and stakeholders to realize the country's vision for the university,” said the new president.
Professor Waqar Ahmad has extensive experience in academia, predominantly in the UK. He received his PhD from the University of Bradford, after which he worked as a professor at the University of York and University College London. Professor Waqar Ahmad has held positions such as Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and Head of the Department of Science in the Office of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. He is the author of more than 90 research papers published in prestigious scientific journals.
Source: Nazarbayev University Website
According to the minister, three worthy candidates applied for the position of president, among whom British citizen Professor Waqar Ahmad was chosen.
“Professor Waqar Ahmad has many years of academic experience and has made significant contributions to the development of higher education and social sciences in the UK and UAE. We believe that this is the best choice for the university and Kazakhstan as a whole. I am confident that he will make a great contribution to the development of NU, which today occupies a strong position in international rankings, and with the arrival of Professor Waqar Ahmad, a new page will open in the history of the university. Despite the fact that NU has an autonomous status, the ministry is ready to provide the necessary support. I wish success to the new NU President Professor Waqar Ahmad,” the minister said at the general meeting.
The process of selecting a president for the university, which is in the top 30% of the best universities in the world according to the Times Higher Education ranking, lasted about a year, during which 2 thousand applications were considered. For recruitment, a commission was created, including members of the Board of Trustees, the Governing Council, deans, representatives of the teaching staff, the scientific community and the medical cluster of the university. Meetings were held with students, graduates, teachers, and school deans. The search for candidates for the position of President of NU was carried out by the international recruiting company Korn Ferry.
“I am honored to be appointed NU President. The appointment was the result of an inclusive, rigorous, highly competitive and multi-stage selection process. I am grateful to the Search Committee, the Board of Regents, and the NU Supreme Board of Trustees for entrusting me with the task of leading the next phase of the university's development. I also thank the Acting President, Prof. Ilesanmi Adesida, for his work during the search period,” shared Prof. Waqar Ahmad.
Before coming to Kazakhstan, Professor Waqar Ahmad worked as the rector of Abu Dhabi University for almost seven years. There he had the opportunity to work with NU scientists and admits that he was impressed by the reputation, ambition, results and quality of their research, as well as the Kazakh university's commitment to academic freedom.
“NU must not only be the best in Central Asia, but strive to become one of the best in the whole world in order to stimulate the improvement of the quality of higher education throughout the region and make a significant contribution to the development of Kazakhstan. I intend to work fruitfully with the university community and stakeholders to realize the country's vision for the university,” said the new president.
Professor Waqar Ahmad has extensive experience in academia, predominantly in the UK. He received his PhD from the University of Bradford, after which he worked as a professor at the University of York and University College London. Professor Waqar Ahmad has held positions such as Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University and Head of the Department of Science in the Office of the Prime Minister of Great Britain. He is the author of more than 90 research papers published in prestigious scientific journals.
Source: Nazarbayev University Website