From Oil to Science: Government Support for Research Centers in Kazakhstan

Almaz Sharman Professor of medicine Deputy CEO, Nazarbayev University Chairman of the Board, National Medical Holding

NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY: MAIN PRIORITIES

Established by President Nursultan Nazarbayev

To become a globally recognized teaching and research institution.

To equip the country's students to compete globally by integrating teaching, research and the industrial application of science.

• Academic freedom and institutional independence • International academic partners selected from leading universities and

research institutions.

PARTNERS FOR NU SCHOOLS AND RESEARCH CENTERS

University College London (UK) – School of Engineering and UPC

Carnegie Mellon University (USA) – School of Science and Technology

University Wisconsin-Madison (USA) – School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Argonne National Laboratory (USA) – Interdisciplinary Engineering Center

Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory (USA) – Center for Energy Research

University Pittsburgh (USA) – Center for Life Sciences

Duke University Business School (USA) – Graduate School of Business

National University of Singapore (Singapore) – Graduate School of Public Policy

Oregon Health and Science University (USA) – Center for Life Sciences

Stanford University (USA) – Center for Life Sciences

University of Pennsylvania (USA) – Center for Educational Policy

NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC SCHOOLS

University Preparatory Certificate (2010)

School of Engineering (2011)

School of Humanities and Social Sciences (2011)

School of Science and Technology (2011)

Graduate School of Medicine (2014)

Graduate School of Public Policy (2012)

Graduate School of Business (2012)

• Finance systems focused on the sustaining the existing institutions.

• Funding for research represents less than 1% GDP.

• There is insufficient funding for high quality research.

• Kazakhstan lacks an incentive system for researchers.

• Current salaries are below international standards.

• Few opportunities exist for research jobs in-country.

• Intellectual property is not currently managed in a structured fashion.

• Long-term venture-like funds are not currently established to help develop an industry.

CURRENT SYSTEM OF THE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR RESEARCH IN KAZAKHSTAN

• National research priority areas: • Energy research • Innovative technologies in processing of raw

materials and products • Innovation and telecommunication technologies • Life Sciences • Basic research in humanities and other research

fields • National research councils in relevant priority areas

• Three streams of research funding research:

• Basic funding (scientific infrastructure and property, support salaries)

• Grant funding (support of research programs); • Program-target funding (to resolve strategic

challenges)

• Peer review of research applications

NATIONAL LEGISLATION TO SUPPORT RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY RESEARCH CENTERS

Center for Life Sciences

National Medical Holding Clinical Research Centers

Center for Energy Research

Interdisciplinary Engineering center

Center for Educational Policy Research

Gene therapy of mitochondrial mutations

Fetal surgery

Artificial lung (pediatric and adult)

Artificial heart (Left ventricular assistance device)

Regenerative medicine

Organ transplantation

Clinical trials of drugs

Radiosurgery in cancer treatment

Personal medicine and genomics

Anti-aging and longevity research

Increase fertility

Reduction in child mortality

Reduction of burden of disease

Disease prevention

Longevity and quality of life

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80+

RESEARCH PROJECTS OF THE CENTER FOR LIFE SCIENCES

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School of Medicine

National Medical Holding

Hospitals

Center for Life Science

NAZARBAYEV UNIVERSITY

INTEGRATED ACADEMIC HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

To lead innovation in the health care sector and transfer that knowledge to the broader health care community in Astana, then in Kazakhstan and worldwide

Center for Energy Research

Bioenergy

Biotechnology

Nanotechnology

Medical Biotechnology

Power Energy

Renewable energy

Energy Efficiency/

Energy Saving

Smart Grids

Alternative Energy: Nuclear/ Thermonuclear

High Energy Physics

Energy, Ecology & Climate

Modeling of Energy Sector and

its Impact on Environment and Climate Change

Computer Science

Analysis and Visualization

Artificial Intelligence

Computer Modeling

Traditional Energy:

Clean Coal Technology

CO2 Utilization Technology

Strategic partners:

Nazarbayev University will contribute to maintaining this momentum and helping to make Kazakhstan one of the 50 most competitive countries in the world by 2015

www.nu.edu.kz twitter.com@almazsharman