Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business (NUGSB) hosted a delegation of 50 senior executives from the Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA programme on September 14–18, 2026, giving one of the world's most experienced international EMBA cohorts a first-hand look at Kazakhstan's economy and business community.
The Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA, joint programme of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and HKUST Business School, brings together business owners, CEOs, board members and senior executives from around the world, across industries including banking and finance, investment, asset management, retail and consulting. The programme was ranked No. 1 in the world 12 times by the Financial Times global Executive MBA ranking, reflecting its international reputation and reach.
The residency combined an educational module at Nazarbayev University with visits to leading companies and organisations including Baiterek, AIFC, Astana Hub, ERG, Halyk Bank and BI Group, giving participants an opportunity to explore Kazakhstan’s economy, business environment and regional role firsthand.
Connecting international executives with the NUGSB alumni community
A highlight of the visit was a panel session on September 15 that brought together the NUGSB alumni community and the Kellogg-HKUST participants for an open discussion on the forces shaping business and investment in Kazakhstan and the wider region. The conversation covered three connected themes: business and investment, including finance, venture capital and strategic partnerships; technology and infrastructure, with a focus on AI, digital transformation and logistics; and China and Hong Kong, including the China–Europe trade corridor and its implications for regional business.
The panel was moderated by Aliya Salybekova (EMBA 2018), CEO of Baylig Finance and co-founder of Nomad Golf Studio, with more than 10 years of entrepreneurial experience. It featured Arsen Galimzhanov (FTMBA 2025), an expert in AI, cloud technologies and corporate innovation; Adil Upabekov (EMBA 2023), GR Director at Qazaq National Product, Chairman of the NUGSB Alumni Association and a member of the maslikhat; Zhanar Bagasharova (FTMBA 2016), Director of Global DTC Kazakhstan and an expert in logistics and the China–Europe trade corridor; and Aidar Ilyassov (MSc Finance 2019), Head of the Raison office, with expertise in investment, fintech and partnerships with Chinese companies.
Spanning finance, entrepreneurship, technology, logistics and international trade, the speakers brought a range of perspectives to the discussion, and the Kellogg-HKUST participants engaged actively throughout, with a lively exchange of questions and professional experiences. The session also surfaced potential areas for future collaboration between the two business communities — an example of how an active alumni network can act as a bridge between Kazakhstan's business community and international executives.
Strengthening international business connections
For NUGSB, engagements like this build a broader international network of business leaders, create opportunities for alumni to exchange expertise with peers from leading institutions, and reflect the School's role in connecting Kazakhstan with the global business education community — connections that extend beyond the classroom into professional exchange, collaboration and new opportunities.
Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business welcomes international business communities to Kazakhstan and looks forward to creating further opportunities for knowledge exchange, alumni engagement and global collaboration.
The Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA, joint programme of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and HKUST Business School, brings together business owners, CEOs, board members and senior executives from around the world, across industries including banking and finance, investment, asset management, retail and consulting. The programme was ranked No. 1 in the world 12 times by the Financial Times global Executive MBA ranking, reflecting its international reputation and reach.
The residency combined an educational module at Nazarbayev University with visits to leading companies and organisations including Baiterek, AIFC, Astana Hub, ERG, Halyk Bank and BI Group, giving participants an opportunity to explore Kazakhstan’s economy, business environment and regional role firsthand.
Connecting international executives with the NUGSB alumni community
A highlight of the visit was a panel session on September 15 that brought together the NUGSB alumni community and the Kellogg-HKUST participants for an open discussion on the forces shaping business and investment in Kazakhstan and the wider region. The conversation covered three connected themes: business and investment, including finance, venture capital and strategic partnerships; technology and infrastructure, with a focus on AI, digital transformation and logistics; and China and Hong Kong, including the China–Europe trade corridor and its implications for regional business.
The panel was moderated by Aliya Salybekova (EMBA 2018), CEO of Baylig Finance and co-founder of Nomad Golf Studio, with more than 10 years of entrepreneurial experience. It featured Arsen Galimzhanov (FTMBA 2025), an expert in AI, cloud technologies and corporate innovation; Adil Upabekov (EMBA 2023), GR Director at Qazaq National Product, Chairman of the NUGSB Alumni Association and a member of the maslikhat; Zhanar Bagasharova (FTMBA 2016), Director of Global DTC Kazakhstan and an expert in logistics and the China–Europe trade corridor; and Aidar Ilyassov (MSc Finance 2019), Head of the Raison office, with expertise in investment, fintech and partnerships with Chinese companies.
Spanning finance, entrepreneurship, technology, logistics and international trade, the speakers brought a range of perspectives to the discussion, and the Kellogg-HKUST participants engaged actively throughout, with a lively exchange of questions and professional experiences. The session also surfaced potential areas for future collaboration between the two business communities — an example of how an active alumni network can act as a bridge between Kazakhstan's business community and international executives.
Strengthening international business connections
For NUGSB, engagements like this build a broader international network of business leaders, create opportunities for alumni to exchange expertise with peers from leading institutions, and reflect the School's role in connecting Kazakhstan with the global business education community — connections that extend beyond the classroom into professional exchange, collaboration and new opportunities.
Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business welcomes international business communities to Kazakhstan and looks forward to creating further opportunities for knowledge exchange, alumni engagement and global collaboration.