Almaty, Kazakhstan — May 30, 2025: IR&A Experts from Nazarbayev University (NU) played a prominent role at the III Institutional Research Forum in Kazakhstan, hosted by the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University (QyzPU), contributing valuable expertise on data-driven decision-making in higher education.

The forum opened with Matthew Courtney, Director of Institutional Research at NU, serving as the moderator of the first session, setting the stage for a series of impactful discussions on education quality in the digital era.

Duncan Priestley, Executive Director of Strategy and Delivery at NU, delivered a keynote titled “Enhancing Curricula through Data-Driven Decision-Making”, highlighting how the strategic use of analytics strengthens academic program development.

In the afternoon's practical sessions, Assel Zhakibayeva, Institutional Research Analyst at IR&A NU, led a workshop on “Engaging Stakeholders through Survey Data Storytelling”, focusing on effective communication of insights through data visualization. Meanwhile, Diana Kalemeneva, Survey Coordinator at IR&A NU, shared her hands-on experience with Qualtrics survey tools, emphasizing their role in institutional research and student feedback systems.

NU’s strong presence at the forum reflects its leadership in promoting analytical practices and digital transformation in higher education. Their contributions sparked dynamic discussions and provided practical takeaways for professionals across the sector.