Nurbоl Tulebayev has been appointed Vice-Rector for Social Development at SDU University 

Nurbоl Tulebayev has over 20 years of professional experience in the education and public sectors. He began his career as a teacher and later held various positions at Bilim-Innovation Lyceums and the Bilim-Innovation Public Foundation. He also serves as Director General of QR News and Vice President of the Club of Editors-in-Chief Public Association.

Nurbоl Tulebayev holds qualifications in pedagogy and history and has earned MBA and PhD degrees.

We congratulate Nurbоl Tulebayev on his new appointment and wish him every success in his new role!

We also express our gratitude to Muhammedali Ibragimov, former Vice-Rector for Social Development at SDU University, for his contribution to the university’s development and social initiatives.

As part of the collaboration between SDU University and the University of Birmingham, the Character and Values Education Research Centre operates at the university. Muhammedali Ibragimov, who contributed to the Centre’s work, will continue his academic journey by pursuing a PhD at the University of Birmingham.

We wish Muhammedali Ibragimov every success in this new academic chapter!

On September 16, SDU University hosted the first session of Research Craft Talks, a new academic series bringing together researchers, faculty members and early-career scholars to explore research methods, contemporary tools and the practical aspects of academic research.

The first session featured Ainur Kenebayeva, PhD, Research Fellow. She is a Bolashak scholar and a graduate of Manchester Metropolitan University (UK) and César Ritz Hospitality Business School (Switzerland). She is also an independent multidisciplinary researcher working with Near East University and Narxoz University, as well as a certified SmartPLS expert specializing in PLS-SEM methodology.

The session provided an opportunity to exchange research experience and discuss research methodology, contemporary research tools and practical challenges faced by researchers.

Research Craft Talks will continue as a platform for sharing research practices, strengthening research culture and exploring new academic ideas.

PhD, Associate Professor at the School of Education and Humanities, Samat Muratbekuly Maxutov was awarded the academic title of Associate Professor (Docent) in the scientific field 50300 – Education by order of the Chair of the Committee for Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

This achievement is a testament to the scholar’s many years of dedicated work, professional excellence, and outstanding accomplishments in research and teaching.

We sincerely congratulate Samat Maxutov on being awarded this academic title and wish him continued success in his scientific and creative endeavors!

The first session of the season, “What Nobody Tells You About IELTS,” featured Saya Kidirali — an IELTS 9.0 holder, young entrepreneur, and IELTS expert.

As part of the session, participants had the opportunity to meet Saya personally during the Q&A Session and ask their questions.

The new season of SDU Talks will continue with sessions in different formats and on a variety of topics.

For registration and seat reservations:
+7 775 595 22 15

SDU University welcomed Professor Simon Thompson, Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (International) at the University of Sussex, and Dr Keith Pereira, Head of the Department of Social Work, Education and Childhood and Youth Studies at the University of Sussex.

As part of their visit, the professors conducted a professional development workshop, “Does Differentiation Mean Different?”, for faculty and students of the School of Education and Humanities at SDU University. The workshop focused on inclusive and adaptive teaching approaches and practical strategies for supporting diverse learners.

The visit also included meetings with SDU University leadership and representatives of the School of Education and Humanities to discuss opportunities for further academic cooperation.

Following the discussions, SDU University and the University of Sussex agreed to formalize their partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and begin developing joint projects.

SDU University has launched SDU Almaty Hub, its first urban space in Almaty. Located in the historic center of the city, the new hub will serve as a venue for educational events, professional development, and networking.

The opening ceremony was attended by Askar Zhumadildayev, Vice President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Member of the SDU University Board of Trustees; Asset Akhmetov, Founder of Sergek Group, entrepreneur, philanthropist, SDU alumnus, and Member of the SDU University Board of Trustees; and Arman Zhumazhanov, Rector of SDU University.

The ceremony included a presentation of the new space and its key areas, highlighting its role in strengthening SDU’s engagement with Almaty’s professional and academic communities.
“Unlike the main SDU University campus in Kaskelen, the new urban hub has been designed as a space where people can conveniently come after work, meet like-minded professionals, attend an open lecture, or receive guidance on continuing their education,” said SDU University Rector Arman Zhumazhanov.

What SDU Almaty Hub Offers

The new space will provide:

• admissions consultations and application support for Master’s, PhD, MBA, and Executive MBA programs;
• open lectures, workshops, and educational events;
• meetings with alumni, students, business representatives, and experts;
• a networking area for professional communication and collaboration.

The hub will serve as a venue for regular events bringing together the academic community, industry representatives, and young professionals.

About SDU University

Founded in 1996, SDU University celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Over three decades, the university has developed a modern academic environment and bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs in information technology, engineering, business and economics, education, and the humanities.

Postgraduate education is one of SDU’s key areas of development. The university offers Master’s, PhD, MBA, and Executive MBA programs. These include the MBA in Healthcare Management, delivered jointly with Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, with graduates receiving two degrees.

SDU also delivers the MSc (Master of Science) in Psychology in cooperation with Birkbeck University of London. Students study at the SDU campus following the British university’s program and receive a Birkbeck University of London degree upon completion.

SDU is also the first university in Central Asia officially recognized by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Educator Network for preparing educators for IB programs. The university holds FIBAA institutional accreditation and is represented in the international QS and Times Higher Education rankings.

The launch of SDU Almaty Hub marks a new stage in the university’s development, making Master’s, MBA, and other postgraduate programs more accessible to professionals and young specialists in Almaty while creating a new venue for educational events, professional meetings, and networking.

On September 10, Asel Ibadulla –  a Stanford University PhD student, the first Kazakhstani recipient of the Knight-Hennessy Scholarship, and a RAISE Fellow – delivered a guest lecture at SDU University.

Asel is a graduate of Nazarbayev University and Yale University. She has conducted research at Yale School of Medicine and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and was named to the Forbes Kazakhstan “30 Under 30” list.

During the session, Asel shared practical advice on making the most of university opportunities, developing research, volunteering, and leadership experience, and strengthening applications to international universities and scholarship programs.

SDU University Rector Arman Zhumazhanov met with members of the Student Government to discuss student initiatives and strengthen direct communication between students and university leadership.

Student Government brings together talented and active students who contribute to university life and represent the interests of the student community. It includes the President, Ministers, and their respective teams, with each Minister working with a dedicated team of students in their area. They also serve as an important link between students and the university administration. The President of the Student Government is Aiym Nurzhanova, who joined SDU in 2025 with the highest possible 140 points on the UNT.

The Rector thanked the students for their work and emphasized that the university is ready to support their initiatives.

The development of student clubs was also discussed. SDU currently has more than 43 student clubs, and the Rector encouraged the Student Government to create new clubs, organize more activities, and make student life even more engaging.

“Technology, communication, and students’ interests are constantly changing. We need to keep moving forward as well. Let’s work together — the university is ready to support your ideas and help turn them into action,” said the Rector.

To maintain an ongoing dialogue, Arman Zhumazhanov will meet with the Student Government every two weeks on Tuesdays at 2:30 PM. These meetings will provide an opportunity for students to discuss their ideas, projects, and proposals directly with the Rector.

From August 17 to 28, 2026, SDU Extension Center delivered the 80-academic-hour “School-Based Academic Research” professional development course for QBIS School teachers in both offline and online formats.

During the course, teachers enhanced their knowledge of project-based learning, organizing scientific research activities with students, research methodology, assessment, and the use of digital and AI tools.

On August 21, a special open information session was organized for the course participants at SDU University. The session brought together invited experts with experience in preparing students for scientific research projects, as well as professors and lecturers from SDU University.

The course speakers were:

• Azat Qali — PhD, Director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Research;
• Gulbarshyn Kyrgyzkhan — PhD, Senior Lecturer;
• Bauyrzhan Qaziyev — PhD in Education, Nottingham University, UK.

Participants who successfully completed the course requirements received certificates confirming 80 academic hours of professional development, valid for teacher certification purposes.

SDU Extension Center continues to organize professional development and advanced training programs for teachers in accordance with the needs of educational institutions.

Contact information:
+7 776 702 31 34
Extension Center

From 17 to 27 August 2026, SDU Extension Center conducted an 80-hour professional development course, “Interactive Teaching Strategies,” for 20 teachers of Tamos High School.

The course was organized at the request of the school and brought together teachers from the natural sciences and humanities. The training was delivered entirely in English and in a face-to-face format, providing participants with opportunities to explore and apply practical strategies directly in the classroom context.

The course is included in the state register of professional development programmes approved by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan and is recognized for teachers’ professional attestation.

The programme consisted of three core modules:

• Module 1: Lesson Planning
• Module 2: Student Engagement
• Module 3: Interactive Methods

The programme featured lectures and hands-on sessions led by experts with extensive international academic experience:

• Idriss Musa Garba, PhD — Bingham University, Nigeria;
• Meruyert Bizhanova, PhD Candidate — University of Oxford, Department of Education, UK;
• Madina Ashirimbetova, PhD Candidate — Academic Mobility, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Senior Lecturer, SDU University.

Throughout the training, participants explored effective approaches to lesson planning, strategies for increasing student engagement, and practical ways of integrating interactive teaching methods into their lessons.

All 20 participants successfully completed the course requirements and received professional development certificates valid for teacher attestation.

SDU Extension Center continues to provide professional development and upskilling programmes for educators tailored to the needs of educational institutions.

Contact Us
+7 776 702 31 34
 extension.school@sdu.edu.kz