Interview with NUGSB students:
Serik Tulebayev, EMBA program
Yerkhan Koshkarbayev, BBA program
Why did you choose NUGSB?
Did your son’s admission influence your decision to continue own studies in the EMBA program?
I had never considered applying to Nazarbayev University myself, but I always hoped that Yerkhan would study there, given the university’s strong reputation and high standard of education.
Its graduates are known to have excellent opportunities for building successful and prestigious careers.
Watching Yerkhan during his studies, I often listened to him share his impressions and talk about the knowledge he was gaining. Over time, I began to notice clear changes in him: he started thinking more broadly, his horizons expanded significantly, and it was obvious that what he was learning would be highly valuable in his future career.
Gradually, a thought came to me — why not try studying at the same university myself?
I have always believed in lifelong learning, so in answer to the question: yes, my decision was influenced by Yerkhan’s feedback and his experience in the program.
Do you ever share academic advice with each other? Who tends to motivate the other more?
Studying at the same business school as your son gives a constant opportunity to support each other. There are many organizational challenges, and Yerkhan often helps me navigate them. In turn, I share my life experience, especially when Yerkhan is faced with decisions about how to act in a given situation.
As for motivation, I believe it goes both ways. Different generations inspire each other: the older generation gets motivation from the younger, while the younger gains perspective from the older.
Continuing your education at 57 is, of course, a powerful source of motivation for the younger generation.
Has your relationship changed since you both became students at the same university?
Have you found that you now have more shared topics to discuss?
Of course, we now have many more shared topics. We have overlapping subjects and even some of the same professors, so we naturally started communicating more often.
Yerkhan has more experience on the academic side —he is better oriented in the subjects and more familiar with the professors. Because of this, I sometimes find myself asking him even more questions than he asks me.
At the same time, our programs are quite different. Yerkhan and his classmates on the Bachelor of Business Administration program focus more on theoretical knowledge, while the Executive MBA program is built around practical, life, and professional experience.
That’s what makes our discussions especially engaging— we exchange perspectives, occasionally debate, and ultimately find it very valuable.
What differences do you see between student life today and what it was like in your time?
Who is more demanding when it comes to grades—the father or the son?
Student life today is certainly very different from what it was in my time, as each generation has its own approach to learning.
I am pleasantly impressed by the conditions at Nazarbayev University — education, infrastructure, sports facilities, accommodation, and the overall atmosphere. Honestly, when we were students, such opportunities were only a dream. Now everything is available: the key is to make the most of these resources.
Regarding grades, Yerkhan values both grades and actual knowledge. I also care about grades, but my focus is more on practical, applicable knowledge.
Do you plan to work together in the future? What are your expectations from studying, and what career plans or dreams do you hope to pursue?
It will depend on the circumstances. Yerkhan will choose his own path and place of work, while I will continue advancing my professional career. Our main goal is to apply the knowledge we gain as effectively as possible, both for the benefit of our company and to achieve our professional ambitions.
Overall, we are very grateful for the opportunity to study at the same university — it is a unique and valuable experience for both of us.
Serik Tulebayev, EMBA program
Yerkhan Koshkarbayev, BBA program
Why did you choose NUGSB?
Did your son’s admission influence your decision to continue own studies in the EMBA program?
I had never considered applying to Nazarbayev University myself, but I always hoped that Yerkhan would study there, given the university’s strong reputation and high standard of education.
Its graduates are known to have excellent opportunities for building successful and prestigious careers.
Watching Yerkhan during his studies, I often listened to him share his impressions and talk about the knowledge he was gaining. Over time, I began to notice clear changes in him: he started thinking more broadly, his horizons expanded significantly, and it was obvious that what he was learning would be highly valuable in his future career.
Gradually, a thought came to me — why not try studying at the same university myself?
I have always believed in lifelong learning, so in answer to the question: yes, my decision was influenced by Yerkhan’s feedback and his experience in the program.
Do you ever share academic advice with each other? Who tends to motivate the other more?
Studying at the same business school as your son gives a constant opportunity to support each other. There are many organizational challenges, and Yerkhan often helps me navigate them. In turn, I share my life experience, especially when Yerkhan is faced with decisions about how to act in a given situation.
As for motivation, I believe it goes both ways. Different generations inspire each other: the older generation gets motivation from the younger, while the younger gains perspective from the older.
Continuing your education at 57 is, of course, a powerful source of motivation for the younger generation.
Has your relationship changed since you both became students at the same university?
Have you found that you now have more shared topics to discuss?
Of course, we now have many more shared topics. We have overlapping subjects and even some of the same professors, so we naturally started communicating more often.
Yerkhan has more experience on the academic side —he is better oriented in the subjects and more familiar with the professors. Because of this, I sometimes find myself asking him even more questions than he asks me.
At the same time, our programs are quite different. Yerkhan and his classmates on the Bachelor of Business Administration program focus more on theoretical knowledge, while the Executive MBA program is built around practical, life, and professional experience.
That’s what makes our discussions especially engaging— we exchange perspectives, occasionally debate, and ultimately find it very valuable.
What differences do you see between student life today and what it was like in your time?
Who is more demanding when it comes to grades—the father or the son?
Student life today is certainly very different from what it was in my time, as each generation has its own approach to learning.
I am pleasantly impressed by the conditions at Nazarbayev University — education, infrastructure, sports facilities, accommodation, and the overall atmosphere. Honestly, when we were students, such opportunities were only a dream. Now everything is available: the key is to make the most of these resources.
Regarding grades, Yerkhan values both grades and actual knowledge. I also care about grades, but my focus is more on practical, applicable knowledge.
Do you plan to work together in the future? What are your expectations from studying, and what career plans or dreams do you hope to pursue?
It will depend on the circumstances. Yerkhan will choose his own path and place of work, while I will continue advancing my professional career. Our main goal is to apply the knowledge we gain as effectively as possible, both for the benefit of our company and to achieve our professional ambitions.
Overall, we are very grateful for the opportunity to study at the same university — it is a unique and valuable experience for both of us.