Our commitment to health and well-being extends beyond the classroom, ensuring that students, faculty, and staff have access to the care and resources they need to thrive. Through strategic collaborations with local, national, and international health organizations, we enhance healthcare accessibility, promote preventive programs, and provide essential mental health support—creating a holistic approach to wellness for our entire community.

Local and National collaborations

At Nazarbayev University, we are dedicated to ensuring access to high-quality healthcare for our students and staff. Through strategic partnerships with leading health institutions, we provide comprehensive medical support and services tailored to the needs of our university community.

• One of our key collaborators is UMC (University Medical Center) Medical Assistance, a trusted healthcare provider operating within NU’s University Health Center (UHC). This partnership enables us to offer a wide range of primary healthcare services, including general medical care, advanced diagnostics, specialist referrals, and voluntary health insurance options. By integrating medical expertise with a patient-centered approach, we are committed to promoting well-being and ensuring that our community receives the best possible care.

• From November 13 to December 20, 2024, Nazarbayev University, in collaboration with UMC Medical Assistance, took a significant step in strengthening emergency response capabilities on campus. As part of this initiative, there were organized Basic Life Support (BLS) training for 100 university employees, equipping them with essential lifesaving skills. Also as part of the "Industrial Safety" course, the Health and Wellbeing Department and the Occupational Safety and Health Department from Nazarbayev University shared their experiences with colleagues from Astana IT University in providing First Aid training according to international and national standards.

• Archimedes Medical Group, a local medical assistance provider for Allianz Global Health, facilitates health insurance services for NU international employees and their family members. This partnership offers comprehensive medical care, streamlining access to trusted healthcare providers.

• Each year, student volunteers from the NU Red Crescent Society, with support from the Health and Well-being Department, actively organize Blood Donation Drives on campus to support the Research and Production Center of Transfusiology. Over the past two academic years (2023-2024, 2024-2025), 687 donors from the NU community contributed 289.2 liters of blood, potentially saving 2,061 lives through events like the Halloween Blood Drive, Women’s Blood Drive, and Valentine’s Day Blood Drive. These initiatives foster a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility, strengthening NU’s commitment to health and humanitarian efforts.

• NU cooperates with the Committee of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Republic of Kazakhstan to reinforce infection control measures, monitor infectious disease trends, and implement campus-wide preventive health strategies to safeguard the university community.

• Recognizing the importance of mental well-being, NU collaborates closely with the Municipal Mental Health Center to strengthen its Psychological Counseling Services within the Health and Well-being Department. This partnership enables intervention for mental and behavioral health concerns while providing NU students with access to specialized psychiatric care, addiction treatment, psychotherapy, and medical-social support, ensuring comprehensive and timely assistance for those in need.

Global cooperation

• NU School of Medicine (NU SOM) continues to expand its educational and research programs together with its strategic partner University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to train the new generation of healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, biomedical scientists and public health specialists).

NU actively engages with the local community through various health outreach programs aimed at promoting overall well-being. These initiatives include student volunteering opportunities, workshops, and awareness campaigns covering key health topics such as hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports and exercise, mental health, and aging well.

In 2024 key activities included:

• Women’s Health Awareness Events: as part of our commitment to women’s health awareness, we collaborated with NU students to host educational campaigns focused on breast and cervical cancer awareness, emphasizing the importance of early detection and proactive health screenings.
• Run for Autism: a charity run in support of the "Every Child Deserves a School" program by the Bolashak Foundation, aimed at helping children with autism and promoting their inclusive education. On May 18, 2024, nearly 60 representatives of the NU community participated in this initiative.
• Blood Donation Event: Valentine’s Blood Drive organized by NU Red Crescent Society with support of the Health and Well-being Department, which took place on February 13-14 at the Main Atrium. Thanks to the active participation of students and staff and faculty members, 190 donors contributed, collecting 85.5 liters of blood—a lifesaving effort that could benefit up to 570 people.
• Student Sport League: Nazarbayev University hosted the first-ever Student Sport League Finals. Collaborating with student sports chapters, NU initiated this event, developed the project, and submitted it to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan. In this league, Universities from across Kazakhstan came together to showcase their athletic prowess.
• “Jüregımnıñ Jeñımpazy” Charity Run - This event has grown into a powerful symbol of charity and sportsmanship, with over 2,000 participants last year. It aims to raise awareness about transplantation, highlight the importance of organ donation, and provide moral support to those awaiting life-saving operations.
• Student-led health clubs: NU students take an active role in advancing the university’s health initiatives through dynamic, student-led health clubs. These clibs provide valuable opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience, raise awareness, and contribute to community well-being. Our department plays a vital role in supporting the following clubs: Surgery Club – Expanding students’ knowledge and practical skills in surgical techniques through workshops, simulations, and expert-led sessions. Psychological Club – Promoting mental health awareness, emotional resilience, and peer support through discussions, events, and wellness activities. Public Health Club – Advocating for disease prevention, health education, and community outreach programs to improve public well-being.By collaborating with these student-led initiatives, we empower future healthcare professionals and foster a culture of health awareness and proactive care within our university and beyond.
• Enhanced Support for Vulnerable Groups: NU continues to strengthen its efforts in supporting vulnerable populations by expanding programs, collaborating with local organizations, and implementing new initiatives aimed at improving access to education and social services. Our support includes: accessible campus facilities, academic assistance, assistive technologies, counseling and mental health support, housing accommodation and special events.

Maternity Policy

Nazarbayev University is committed to supporting women in the workforce by offering maternity benefits that exceed state-mandated requirements. Female employees are entitled to maternity leave in accordance with the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as additional (financial) benefits outlined in the Policy on Remuneration and Incentives for Administrative Staff of NU and the Bylaws on Basic Trends on Social Policy of the autonomous organization of education Nazarbayev University.

1) For employees not covered by the Republic of Kazakhstan’s compulsory social insurance system (foreign citizens and stateless persons temporarily residing in Kazakhstan), childbirth maternity leave / newborn child (children) adoption leave payment is based on their average salary, provided they have been employed at NU for at least 12 months before the leave begins.

1.1. If such an employee has worked for less than 12 months, the leave payment is calculated using the following formula:

Average daily salary × Pay coefficient × Number of working days occurring during the leave. The pay coefficient is determined by dividing the number of days worked at NU by the total number of working days in the 12 months preceding the leave.

2) For employees covered by the Republic of Kazakhstan’s compulsory social insurance system (citizens of Kazakhstan, as well as foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Kazakhstan), childbirth maternity leave / newborn child (children) adoption leave payment maintains the average salary, minus the amount of social benefits received for income loss due to pregnancy, childbirth, or adoption, as per Kazakhstan’s compulsory social insurance laws.

These benefits reinforce NU’s commitment to a family-friendly work environment and uphold its core value of ensuring equal access to education, irrespective of race, religion, gender, physical ability, or socioeconomic status.

Paternity Policy

NU recognizes the essential role of fathers in childcare and fully supports male employees in taking parental leave, as stipulated in Article 100 of the Labor Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This regulation enables fathers to actively participate in caregiving responsibilities, allowing their spouses to focus on professional growth while maintaining a balanced family dynamic.

Notably, three male employees at NU have exercised this right, reflecting the University’s commitment to gender equity and workplace inclusivity.

By upholding these policies, NU continues to cultivate a supportive and equitable work environment that encourages both professional growth and work-life balance.

Access to Sports Facilities

While the university maintains a structured fee system to ensure the sustainability of its infrastructure, it also offers various discounts and rental opportunities to make sports and recreational activities more accessible.

NU’s sports facilities operate on a charged-access model for all users. However, the pricing structure is designed to be affordable and inclusive:

• Students: Monthly access is available at a highly subsidized rate of 5,000 KZT (~10 USD), ensuring affordability for students.
• Employees: University staff receive a 50% discount on facility access fees.
• Family Discounts: Special discounts are available for employees' spouses and children to encourage family engagement in sports and wellness activities.

Given the scale of NU’s sports infrastructure, significant resources are required for maintenance and operations. To optimize facility usage and provide additional funding, NU collaborates with third parties through rental agreements. These arrangements include:

• Hourly Rentals: External organizations and individuals can rent sports spaces on an hourly basis.
• Long-Term Rentals: Some organizations, such as swimming schools, rent facilities for extended periods, allowing the broader community to participate in programs beyond NU’s internal members.
• National Institutions and Organizations: NU also partners with national institutions that rent facilities for tournaments in sports such as football and volleyball.

Nazarbayev University strives to balance accessibility with operational sustainability. Through its flexible pricing structure, discounts for internal members, and rental agreements with external organizations, NU ensures that its high-quality sports facilities serve both the university community and the wider public.

At Nazarbayev University, the Health and Well-being Department recognizes the significance of sexual and reproductive health care services, as well as the need for accessible information and education. NU is committed to ensuring that students receive the necessary resources to make informed decisions about their health. Several initiatives have been implemented to provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services on campus.

• Reproductive health care services: At NU, every female student has access to free consultations, screenings, and medical support to maintain reproductive health and prevent potential health issues. In 2024, under the Primary Health Care Services (PHC), there were 1,415 visits and 3,115 medical services provided. Additionally, under the voluntary health insurance program, there were 36 visits and 68 medical services delivered.
• Free Annual Gynecological Check-ups: NU offers free annual medical check-ups to students, which include consultations with a gynecologist. These services promote early detection and preventive care, ensuring students have access to necessary medical support. In 2024 2,028 students underwent a planned annual medical check-up.
• Regular Educational Sessions: Workshops and seminars are conducted regularly on topics such as contraception, sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, menstrual health, and reproductive rights. These sessions equip students with essential knowledge to make informed health decisions.
• Access to Reliable Resources: NU provides students with educational materials on safe sexual practices and STI prevention. Online resources and guidance on where to seek professional medical support are made available.
• Access to contraception and protection on campus: The university has two on-campus pharmacies that provide access to various types of contraceptives, including condoms, birth control pills, and emergency contraception.
• Counseling Services: NU provides counseling services for sexual and reproductive health issues, including contraception, pregnancy, and sexual abuse. The counseling services are confidential and provided by trained psychologists who offer support and guidance on various issues.
• Policy and procedures on the students’ health and medical services: Female students diagnosed with algodysmenorrhea or dysmenorrhea may be registered in the internal registry of the University Health Center. They are eligible to receive a sick leave certificate for these conditions once per month, with a maximum duration of three (3) days. This internal policy was introduced as a supportive measure to accommodate female students experiencing severe menstrual pain while maintaining academic continuity.
• Student-Led Initiatives: In collaboration with student organizations, NU hosts awareness campaigns on breast and cervical cancer. These campaigns encourage proactive health screenings and promote preventive care among students.

NU ensures that students have the necessary resources to make responsible and informed health choices.

Ensuring the mental well-being of students is a key priority for the University. The Health and Well-Being Department’s Psychological Counseling Service (PCS) is committed to providing students with access to mental health support services, promoting a proactive approach to mental well-being, and creating a supportive campus environment where students can thrive academically and personally.

Students have access to a range of mental health support services designed to address their psychological and emotional well-being. These services include professional individual counseling, peer support programs, group sessions and workshops on stress management, coping strategies, emotional resilience and many other topics according to the Outreach calendar. The university recognizes the importance of both preventive and responsive support systems to ensure students receive timely assistance. Activities such as mindfulness sessions, stress-relief workshops, and art therapy programs are integrated into student life to encourage self-care and emotional well-being. The university also collaborates with student organizations to create peer-led initiatives that foster a culture of openness and mental health awareness.

In 2024, initiatives included:

• Coping Skills Group - is a 6-week program for NU students focused on building skills to navigate life challenges using cognitive behavioral therapy techniques. Each session included mindfulness, core topic discussions, and practice, covering topics like mindfulness, challenging thoughts, anger management, distress, relaxation, and sleep hygiene.
• Emotional regulation skills - The training aims to enhance participants' emotional awareness and identification. It also focuses on mitigating the duration and intensity of unwelcome emotions, decreasing overall emotional vulnerability, and alleviating emotional suffering.
• Psychological Gym - a group session that helps students understand and manage their emotions, similar to how a physical gym improves fitness. Activities like role-playing, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence training strengthen emotional awareness and regulation skills.
• Emotional Burnout - the training aims to raise awareness, develop coping skills, and provide support through: identifying signs of emotional burnout, understanding contributing factors, mastering stress management, practicing relaxation and self-care, and creating a safe space to discuss burnout-related issues.
• Overcoming Procrastination - the training focuses on overcoming procrastination by helping participants identify its causes, develop effective time management strategies, set achievable goals, and build motivation to take consistent action. Procrastination, the habitual delay of crucial tasks, results in life problems and psychological distress.
• Sociodrama - The group focuses on exploring individual ideas and relationships. Sociodrama, addressing conflicts involving both individuals and society, aims to heal societal issues affecting its members.
• Emotional Overeating - This group therapy offers a safe, non-judgmental space for sharing experiences, gaining practical coping tools, and receiving professional guidance to enhance emotional well-being, fostering deeper understanding of emotional overeating behaviors through collaborative exploration of underlying factors.

Access to Free Mental Health Support For Students

To ensure inclusivity, students can access free mental health support services provided by the University. These include psychological counseling, mental health screenings, and crisis intervention services. Students have access to individual psychological consultations, available both in-person and online, ensuring confidential and professional support. Each student is entitled to up to 10 free counseling sessions per academic year.

Additionally, for those requiring specialized or long-term care, the university provides signposting to external mental health professionals and psychiatric services at City Center for Mental Health on a free basis and within voluntary health insurance services for students also on a free basis.

By providing a comprehensive approach to mental health support, the university aims to empower students to prioritize their well-being, access necessary resources, and navigate academic life with resilience and confidence.

• Proactive Mental Health Promotion: PSC conducts informational sessions, mental health awareness campaigns, and interactive workshops to help students build emotional well-being skills.
• Crisis Support & Emergency Assistance: Students facing urgent psychological distress have access to immediate counseling support and referral services to professional mental health care.
• Digital & Self-Help Resources: We provide students with educational materials, mindfulness tools, and stress management techniques through online platforms and campus initiatives.

NU is committed to fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes the mental health and well-being of its staff. Recognizing that a healthy workforce is integral to institutional success, NU provides comprehensive mental health support services, actively promotes mental well-being, and offers clear pathways to both free and charged mental health resources.

Staff members at NU have access to a variety of mental health support services designed to address both personal and professional challenges. The university's Psychological Counseling Services offer individual and group counseling sessions on any mental health-related issues, providing support in crisis situations and assisting in finding ways to resolve concerns.

Access to Free Mental Health Support For Staff

Staff have access to free mental health support services through the university's Psychological Counseling Services. These services include confidential counseling sessions and support in crisis situations. Additionally, the university provides information about external resources, such as the round-the-clock helpline of the City Center for Mental Health (CCMH): 54-76-03 (24/7).

• For local staff: Those registered at the University Health Center within Primary Healthcare Services can access psychology sessions at the UHC on campus.
• For international staff: Free mental health support is provided within international health insurance services. Each insured staff member has 10 consultations per year covered by their insurance.

Access to Charged Mental Health Support For Staff

For specialized or extended care beyond the scope of free services, NU provides information and referrals to external mental health professionals. While these services may incur costs, the university ensures staff are informed about available options and any potential financial support mechanisms.