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Dean’s Message
The Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business (NUGSB) is a globally
connected business school with a clear mission: to develop principled leaders and
generate knowledge that shapes business practice in emerging and global markets.
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, NUGSB plays a unique role in linking
global management thinking with the realities of fast-growing and transforming
economies. Our degree programs and executive education offerings combine
intellectual rigor, data-driven decision-making, and strategic insight, equipping
leaders to navigate uncertainty, scale organizations, and create long-term value.
NUGSB’s academic strength is built on internationalization at home. Our full-time
faculty is globally recruited and holds PhDs from the world’s leading universities,
including Stanford, LSE, INSEAD, and comparable institutions. Their research
appears in top international journals and directly informs business, finance, and
public-policy decisions.
Our long-standing strategic collaboration with Duke University’s Fuqua School of
Business has been instrumental in establishing NUGSB’s global standards and
academic culture with strong academic ties continue. At the same time, we are
expanding our international footprint through high-impact partnerships, including a
close collaboration with HKUST Business School with a double-degree Bachelor in
Eurasian Business.
Beyond education, NUGSB serves as a convening platform for senior executives,
policymakers, and global thought leaders. Through our programs, advisory boards,
and corporate partnerships, the NUGSB Business Network has become a recognized
forum where captains of industry meet, exchange ideas, and shape the region’s
economic future.
At NUGSB, we do not simply teach management, we advance it!
connected business school with a clear mission: to develop principled leaders and
generate knowledge that shapes business practice in emerging and global markets.
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, NUGSB plays a unique role in linking
global management thinking with the realities of fast-growing and transforming
economies. Our degree programs and executive education offerings combine
intellectual rigor, data-driven decision-making, and strategic insight, equipping
leaders to navigate uncertainty, scale organizations, and create long-term value.
NUGSB’s academic strength is built on internationalization at home. Our full-time
faculty is globally recruited and holds PhDs from the world’s leading universities,
including Stanford, LSE, INSEAD, and comparable institutions. Their research
appears in top international journals and directly informs business, finance, and
public-policy decisions.
Our long-standing strategic collaboration with Duke University’s Fuqua School of
Business has been instrumental in establishing NUGSB’s global standards and
academic culture with strong academic ties continue. At the same time, we are
expanding our international footprint through high-impact partnerships, including a
close collaboration with HKUST Business School with a double-degree Bachelor in
Eurasian Business.
Beyond education, NUGSB serves as a convening platform for senior executives,
policymakers, and global thought leaders. Through our programs, advisory boards,
and corporate partnerships, the NUGSB Business Network has become a recognized
forum where captains of industry meet, exchange ideas, and shape the region’s
economic future.
At NUGSB, we do not simply teach management, we advance it!
Dr. Jozef Konings
Dean, Graduate School of Business
Mission
In formulating its mission, NUGSB was inspired by the mission of Nazarbayev University: To be a model for higher education reform and modern research; to contribute to the establishment of Astana as an international knowledge, innovation, and medical hub; and to prepare students for a world of increased volatility, uncertainty, complexity,
and ambiguity. NUGSB supports NU’s mission in areas relevant to the school. The mission of the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business is to develop principled leaders and generate knowledge to transform business and society.
Vision
NUGSB aspires to be established as the world-class business school, and recognized through the quality of its education, the impact of its research, international orientation, and engagement with the business community. These ambitions will be achieved by delivering a full-fledged portfolio of world-class degree and non-degree programs in
Business and Management; and by creating and disseminating impactful knowledge and insights through business research. Our strategic partnership agreement with the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and potential future partnerships will help us develop the capabilities necessary to achieve this vision.
Accreditation Process
The Graduate School of Business (GSB) is currently undergoing the process of obtaining accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB provides internationally recognized specialized accreditation for business programs. AACSB accreditation is globally known as the oldest and most recognized form of specialized/professional accreditation that an institution and its business programs can earn.
Key stages of the AACSB process at GSB:
Key stages of the AACSB process at GSB:
- The application to participate in the program was submitted on March 9, 2018.
- The application to begin the accreditation process was reviewed and resubmitted on October 3, 2018, along with responses to additional questions from the Initial Accreditation Committee (IAC).
- The AACSB International Initial Accreditation Committee (IAC) voted to accept the Eligibility Application for participation in the accreditation process on November 13, 2018.
- NUGSB officially entered the initial accreditation process with AACSB on December 21, 2018.
- The assigned AACSB mentor visited GSB from August 31 to September 3, 2019, providing positive feedback.
- NUGSB submitted the first Initial Self-Evaluation Report in September 2023.
- NUGSB submitted the second Initial Self-Evaluation Report in September 2024.
Mentions of Accreditation in the Media:
December 3, 2019 – Business Schools: Accreditations, Rankings, and Quality Indicators: A Buyer Beware – article on forbes.kz, read here.
November 30, 2018 – AACSB Accreditation: A Mark of Quality in a Business School Diploma – article on zakon.kz, read here.
Accreditation News Archive:
January 19, 2018
The accreditation process at GSB has begun!
The Graduate School of Business at Nazarbayev University has initiated an application for eligibility to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Earlier, on December 13, 2017, the Academic Council members of Nazarbayev University supported this initiative.
AACSB accreditation is globally recognized as the most enduring and highly regarded form of specialized and professional accreditation that an institution and its business programs can achieve.
November 30, 2018 – AACSB Accreditation: A Mark of Quality in a Business School Diploma – article on zakon.kz, read here.
Accreditation News Archive:
January 19, 2018
The accreditation process at GSB has begun!
The Graduate School of Business at Nazarbayev University has initiated an application for eligibility to receive accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Earlier, on December 13, 2017, the Academic Council members of Nazarbayev University supported this initiative.
AACSB accreditation is globally recognized as the most enduring and highly regarded form of specialized and professional accreditation that an institution and its business programs can achieve.
Only around 5% of the world’s top universities have obtained AACSB accreditation. As of the time of writing, no business school in the CIS region has received accreditation from this organization.
AACSB accreditation is a vital indicator of the quality of a university’s academic and research programs, its faculty, and its graduates. It ensures that the program equips students with a comprehensive and adequate set of skills that meet the practical demands of today’s business environment. With this accreditation, students are assured that they are aligning their futures with business schools of the highest caliber, while employers can be confident in hiring graduates from the most prestigious institutions.
This is the general picture. Currently, GSB is embarking on a thorough, lengthy, and demanding process. As part of this journey, we will be reaching out to our alumni to gather feedback on how their education at GSB has impacted their careers. Since the process begins in February, please stay tuned for accreditation updates and help us with your feedback!
November 30, 2016
Triple Accreditation (or Triple Crown Accreditation)
Triple accreditation (or Triple Crown Accreditation) is an elite designation awarded to business schools globally by the three largest and most influential accreditation bodies.
AACSB accreditation is a vital indicator of the quality of a university’s academic and research programs, its faculty, and its graduates. It ensures that the program equips students with a comprehensive and adequate set of skills that meet the practical demands of today’s business environment. With this accreditation, students are assured that they are aligning their futures with business schools of the highest caliber, while employers can be confident in hiring graduates from the most prestigious institutions.
This is the general picture. Currently, GSB is embarking on a thorough, lengthy, and demanding process. As part of this journey, we will be reaching out to our alumni to gather feedback on how their education at GSB has impacted their careers. Since the process begins in February, please stay tuned for accreditation updates and help us with your feedback!
November 30, 2016
Triple Accreditation (or Triple Crown Accreditation)
Triple accreditation (or Triple Crown Accreditation) is an elite designation awarded to business schools globally by the three largest and most influential accreditation bodies.