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Dean’s Message
At the Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business we are dream builders.

The country is on a bold path to turn Kazakhstan into one of the leading economies of the region and a regional engine of the global economy. Our mission is to develop the business leaders, entrepreneurs and visionaries who are spearheading economic growth and innovation.

Students in our degree programs acquire the skills and business intelligence to bring state-of-the-art management approaches to the organizations they join. Our open enrollment programs bring actionable and ready-to-use solutions to business professionals from a wide range of industries. Our distinguished invited speakers’ forum has seen world leaders, captains of industry, CEOs and presidents of local, regional and global companies, and global technology leaders.

> We are different. Our full-time faculty come from leading business schools of the world and have been recognized for their expertise and scholarship. Our strategic collaboration with the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University brings additional world class faculty from the leading business school in the USA. Our academic network covers the top business schools across every continent in the world.
> We are different. Our research helps companies in the region and the world to better understand and face the challenges of today’s rapidly changing environment. We don’t just teach business knowledge and management decision frameworks – we create them.
> We are different. Our infrastructure is comparable to the best in the world. Comfortable. Connected. And conducive to great team work.
> We are different. We are changing the country and the region, one student at a time. Come join us on our exciting journey. Join us in our flagship MBA programs. Join us in one of our many open enrollment programs. Join us as a corporate partner in our research or corporate scholarship programs.

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


GSB is proudly accredited by both the Association of MBAs (AMBA) and the Business Graduates Association (BGA).



The Graduate School of Business is actively pursuing accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).



GSB is a member of the EFMD network connecting with top business schools around the world.



About AMBA & BGA Accreditation

“Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business is a leading business school with a commitment to excellence, innovation, and global perspective, NUGSB offers a range of cutting-edge business programs designed to prepare students for successful careers in diverse fields. After a thorough and rigorous evaluation process, including a site visit by an international peer review team, NUGSB has met and exceeded the stringent international standards set by AMBA & BGA. This accreditation is a testament to NUGSB's commitment to delivering world-class business education, innovative research, and an exceptional student experience.” (AMBA media centre)

Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association (BGA) said: ‘I would like to congratulate everyone at Nazarbayev University’s Graduate School of Business for this accreditation. The school is doing incredible work in creating quality MBA programmes – which create fantastic opportunities for their alumni. I look forward to working with this school very closely in the future and welcome them to the AMBA family of the top 2% of business schools globally.”

NUGSB is now the only AMBA & BGA-accredited business school in Kazakhstan offering EMBA, MBA, and MSc Finance degrees fully in English.
NUGSB is now the only AMBA & BGA-accredited business school in Kazakhstan offering EMBA, MBA, and MSc Finance degrees fully in English. The programs are taught by internationally recognized faculty who are full-time professors at the business school. Dr. Jenifer Lewis, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Accreditation, highlighted the unique position of NUGSB, stating, “Our programs are designed to foster a transformative educational experience, preparing students for leadership roles in the global business landscape. The international panel of experts commended GSB's connections with industry, made possible by resident faculty who research the Kazakhstan business environment and engage with students and alumni to support the transformational aspirations of Kazakhstan.”

Dr. Joep Konings, the Dean of NUGSB, emphasized that "according to the well-known UT Dallas rankings of research-intensive business schools, NUGSB is ranked number one in Eurasia. By obtaining AMBA & BGA accreditation, we show the relevance of being a research-intensive business school. Bear in mind that less than 2% of all business schools globally achieve such an AMBA/BGA quality label. This will make our graduates and alumni even more attractive for hiring by multinational enterprises, leading companies, banks and government. It is an important recognition of the capabilities of our students to transform society and business, generating a positive impact on the region. This global recognition will generate important visibility not only locally, but on the international market for business education."

Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business extends its gratitude to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, and all stakeholders who have contributed to this remarkable accomplishment. With this accreditation, NUGSB is well-positioned to continue its legacy of academic excellence and provide students with an outstanding education, equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the competitive world of business.


Accreditation in the media:
December 03, 2019 – Graduate Schools of Business. Accreditations, ratings and quality indicators: a warning for the buyer – an article in forbes.kz, read here
November 30, 2018 – AACSB accreditation – a quality mark in a business school diploma – an article in zakon.kz, read here

January 19, 2018
The accreditation process has started!
Graduate School of Business is initiating eligibility application for obtaining accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). On December 13, 2017, members of the Nazarbayev University Academic Council endorsed the initiative.
AACSB provides internationally recognized, specialized accreditation for business programs. AACSB Accreditation is known worldwide, as the longest standing, most recognized form of specialized/professional accreditation an institution and its business programs can earn.


November 19, 2023
November 14, 2023 – AACSB accreditation – a quality mark in a business school diploma – an article in zakon.kz, Zakon.kz
November 12, 2023 – AACSB accreditation – a quality mark in a business school diploma – an article in Stan.kz,Stan.kz
November 20, 2023 – AACSB accreditation – a quality mark in a business school diploma – an article in Forbes.kz, Forbes.kz
November 15, 2023 – AACSB accreditation – a quality mark in a business school diploma – an article in OpenNews.kz,OpenNews.kz