Nazarbayev University switches to distance learning

Starting April 6th, the first week of regular classes began for all NU students in an online mode. For all students who needed laptops, Nazarbayev University provided them free of charge.

The classes will be delivered using a range of university learning resources such as Moodle’s Big BlueButton;  Zoom; Qualtrics; Google Hangouts; Adobe Connect; Active Presenter; Audacity; narrated PowerPoints; online journals and e-books; resources in the Innovative Learning Hub; and textbooks. NU Library now operates online.

Online assessment tools are being developed, including open book exams, case studies, group-based interviews, essays, video-based assessments and research papers. NU will further enter into a partnership with Coursera to access its extensive library of online courses.

– All universities are facing similar challenges: shifting to online teaching and assessment; ensuring admission of high-quality students, scheduling the end of spring semester followed by summer semester offerings, possible ripple effects to the new academic year, dispersion of students and faculty, need for enhanced student engagement and pastoral care, internship issues, and how to successfully destress campus life. However, importantly and very inspiring, universities have also showcased how they can contribute to national efforts to overcome COVID-19, through analysis, diagnostics, treatment, and technical innovation and service to society; in short, doing what universities do best: making concentrated brainpower work, – said Mr. Shigeo Katsu, the NU President.

Almost all NU students were able to leave campus before Nur-Sultan City started its lockdown on March 20th. Only a small number of students are authorized to stay in the campus dormitories.

More info about latest Nazarbayev University updates on actions to address the COVID-19 situation here.

It is noteworthy that all important and updated information is available at the University’s COVID-19 website.