For the first time, Times Higher Education has released its Central Eurasia university ranking, placing Nazarbayev University fourth among 122 institutions. The university shares its position with Boğaziçi University, underscoring its growing international reputation.
The ranking draws on data from the World University Rankings 2026. Founded in 2010, Nazarbayev University leads among Kazakh institutions and trails only three Turkish universities: Koç University, Middle East Technical University and Sabancı University.
University President Professor Waqar Ahmad described the recognition as confirmation of NU’s standing as a key academic and research hub in Central Eurasia. He noted that strategic reforms and increased investment in science and innovation are expected to further strengthen its global competitiveness.
NU also stands out for its international engagement, including foreign students, faculty and research output. The university has doubled its PhD grants to 200, with applications open until March 2026.
The pilot ranking includes universities from member states of the Organization of Turkic States — Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye and Uzbekistan — with potential expansion in the future.
