NU Teaching Conference – 2026
The Teaching–Faculty Nexus for Excellence:
Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Higher Education
October 29-30, 2026 | Astana, Kazakhstan
Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Higher Education
October 29-30, 2026 | Astana, Kazakhstan
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Hosted by the Graduate School of Education, Nazarbayev University (NU), in collaboration with Advance Higher Education (Advance HE)(UK), Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) (UK) and NU Graduate School of Public Policy, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, School of Medicine, and the Centre for Preparatory Studies
Welcome to the NU Teaching Conference 2026
Welcome to the NU Teaching Conference 2026: The Teaching-Faculty Nexus for Excellence - Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Higher Education, a landmark international gathering dedicated to advancing teaching excellence, faculty development, and sustainable quality enhancement. The conference coincides with the 15th anniversary of Nazarbayev University. It brings together academics, faculty developers, quality assurance professionals, policymakers, doctoral researchers, and industry partners to explore how strategic partnerships across teaching practice, faculty development, and institutional policy can strengthen educational quality, inclusion, and long-term institutional resilience. In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital transformation, shifting learner expectations, and complex global challenges, institutions must integrate pedagogical innovation with robust quality assurance and leadership development. By strengthening the teaching-faculty nexus, the conference aims to foster ecosystems where academic excellence, collaboration, and sustainable innovation thrive.
The conference will leverage NU’s academic ecosystem, including:
The conference will leverage NU’s academic ecosystem, including:
- Institutional expertise in curriculum innovation and program design
- Faculty development and academic leadership initiatives
- Cross-school collaboration in pedagogical research and practice
- Quality assurance and policy engagement frameworks
Led by the Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University, and organized in collaboration with Advance HE (UK), QAA (UK), and NU’s Graduate School of Public Policy, School of Engineering and Digital Sciences, School of Medicine, and the Centre for Preparatory Studies, the conference the conference provides a platform for rigorous scholarly exchange and comparative dialogue across diverse higher education contexts. Through interdisciplinary engagement and international collaboration, the NU Teaching Conference - 2026 aims to contribute to research-informed practice, institutional learning, and policy innovation in higher education. Join us in Astana to engage in critical dialogue, share evidence-based practices, and advance sustainable excellence in teaching and learning.
About Nazarbayev University
Nazarbayev University is a research-intensive university in Kazakhstan with a strong international orientation. Established to develop research, teaching, and institutional innovation aligned with global standards, the University brings together an international faculty and diverse student body across a range of disciplines. The conference is hosted by the Graduate School of Education, which engages in research on educational policy, leadership, multilingualism, and higher education reform in Kazakhstan and beyond. Through research-informed practice and international collaboration, the School contributes to scholarly dialogue on educational transformation in regional and global contexts.
About Graduate School of Education
The Graduate School of Education at Nazarbayev University (GSE) is the main host of the conference. GSE is a dynamic, research-intensive academic school committed to advancing educational thinking, policy, and practice in Kazakhstan and internationally. In recognition of its academic standing, GSE is ranked #176- 200 in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings (Education). Since its establishment, GSE has cultivated a strong culture of academic excellence, leadership, and international collaboration, working closely with leading global partners, including the University of Cambridge and the University of Pennsylvania. The School offers three graduate programs, the MA in Multilingual Education, the MSc in Educational Leadership, and the PhD in Education, designed to prepare future scholars, institutional leaders, and policy influencers. The School combines rigorous teaching with high-impact research addressing pressing educational challenges at national and global levels, while fostering an inclusive academic environment that supports innovation, scholarly inquiry, and professional growth. In recognition of its academic quality, NU GSE has been awarded International Program Accreditation by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), with all three programs accredited without conditions. The accreditation confirms full alignment with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG) and acknowledges the School’s strong quality assurance systems, student engagement practices, robust assessment processes, and comprehensive learning support.
Conference Themes
The conference is organised around two main themes:
Theme 1: Quality of Teaching & Learning
This theme focuses on advancing evidence-informed and contextually responsive approaches to teaching and learning quality in higher education.
Sub-themes include:
Sub-themes include:
- Evidence-based Teaching
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and Reflective Practice
- Inclusive Pedagogies and Assessment
- Curriculum Design and Enhancement
- Teaching Excellence Ecosystems: Policy, Leadership, and Professional Standards
- Context, Culture, and Internationalisation in Higher Education
- Digital, AI-Enhanced Teaching and Responsible Innovation
- Reimagining Teaching and Learning Quality in Higher Education
- Partnerships for Quality: Collaboration Across and Beyond Institutions
Theme 2: Faculty Development
This theme examines sustainable models of faculty development and institutional support systems that enhance academic careers and promote teaching excellence.
Sub-themes include:
Sub-themes include:
- Designing impactful faculty development programs and structured career pathways
- Roles, practices, and institutional support for teaching excellence
- Communities and cultures of professional learning
- Well-being, workload, and sustainable academic careers
- Policy, leadership, and professional standards in faculty development
Call for Papers
NU Teaching Conference – 2026
The Teaching–Faculty Nexus for Excellence: Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Higher Education
October 29-30, 2026 | Astana, Kazakhstan
The NU Teaching Conference – 2026 invites innovative, research-informed, and
practice-oriented contributions that advance excellence in higher education through
meaningful partnerships between teaching and faculty development. This landmark
conference seeks to cultivate dialogue, collaboration, and transformative strategies
that strengthen institutional quality, pedagogical innovation, and academic
leadership.
We welcome original submissions that explore how universities can integrate
teaching excellence, faculty scholarship, quality assurance, digital transformation,
and cross-sector collaboration to build resilient and future-ready higher education
ecosystems. Each proposal will undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review
process conducted by an international Program Committee to ensure academic
integrity, fairness, and scholarly excellence.
Submission Guidelines (abstracts)
General
To ensure high academic standards and eligibility for international indexing, all submissions to The Teaching-Faculty Nexus for Excellence: Partnerships to Enhance Quality in Higher Education must strictly follow the guidelines below. Non-compliance may result in desk rejection or exclusion from the review process. We aim to uphold a global benchmark of scholarly quality and integrity.
Authors are invited to submit abstracts that:
Authors are invited to submit abstracts that:
- Clearly define the scope and objectives of the study;
- Articulate theoretical, empirical, or practical contributions;
- Demonstrate originality and relevance to the conference themes;
- Present evidence-based findings, analysis, or documented best practices;
- Highlight implications for policy, institutional strategy, or pedagogical innovation;
Language and Format
Papers must be in English and formatted in a MS Word document. Authors must follow the prescribed formatting instructions provided, including layout, margins, headings, figures, tables, and references. Documents must be fully searchable and include embedded fonts.
1. Word Limit: 300 to 500 words (excluding references). Overlength submissions will not be reviewed.
2. Submission Process: All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the official conference submission system. Authors must:
● create an account;
● provide personal and submission details;
● upload the abstract;
● confirm compliance with submission policies;
● complete submission before the deadline.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
3. Review Process: All submissions undergo a peer review conducted by an abstract review committee.
4. No-Show Policy: At least one author must register and present the paper (in person or virtually). Papers not presented during the conference will be excluded from the conference program and proceedings.
5. Author Agreement: Authors who choose to submit a full paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings must agree to comply with the conference’s publication policies, ethical standards, and review procedures.
Failure to comply may result in the paper being rejected, removal from the
proceedings, or other appropriate actions.
6. Authors may decide whether they wish their papers to be considered for publication in the conference proceedings. Only papers whose authors opt in will be reviewed by the Conference Proceedings Committee, and those meeting the established quality standards will be selected for publication (see Submission guidelines for papers).
1. Word Limit: 300 to 500 words (excluding references). Overlength submissions will not be reviewed.
2. Submission Process: All abstracts must be submitted electronically via the official conference submission system. Authors must:
● create an account;
● provide personal and submission details;
● upload the abstract;
● confirm compliance with submission policies;
● complete submission before the deadline.
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
3. Review Process: All submissions undergo a peer review conducted by an abstract review committee.
4. No-Show Policy: At least one author must register and present the paper (in person or virtually). Papers not presented during the conference will be excluded from the conference program and proceedings.
5. Author Agreement: Authors who choose to submit a full paper for inclusion in the conference proceedings must agree to comply with the conference’s publication policies, ethical standards, and review procedures.
Failure to comply may result in the paper being rejected, removal from the
proceedings, or other appropriate actions.
6. Authors may decide whether they wish their papers to be considered for publication in the conference proceedings. Only papers whose authors opt in will be reviewed by the Conference Proceedings Committee, and those meeting the established quality standards will be selected for publication (see Submission guidelines for papers).
Important Dates
Submission of Abstract Deadline: 15 June 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 15 July 2026
Registration Deadline for Presenters: 20 July - 20 September 2026
Registration Deadline for Attendees/Participants: 20 July - 20 October 2026
Conference program: 25 September 2026
Conference Dates: October 29-30, 2026
Notification of Acceptance: 15 July 2026
Registration Deadline for Presenters: 20 July - 20 September 2026
Registration Deadline for Attendees/Participants: 20 July - 20 October 2026
Conference program: 25 September 2026
Conference Dates: October 29-30, 2026
Invited Speakers
(TBC)
- Max HoldenFounder & Art Director
- Eva StarkCustomer Support
- Julia BushDesign Director
- Carlos LottMarketing Director
Participant registration & fees
Participant Type
Price
Local Participants
15,000 KZT
Local students
10,000 KZT
NU Faculty
5,000 KZT
International students
50 USD
International participants from upper-income countries
100 USD
International participants from low-income countries
75 USD
NU students & GSE faculty
free of charge
Notes: Classification of countries by income level follows internationally recognised criteria (see the link).
Why Participate?
Key reason to participate
- Advance scholarship and teaching practiceEngage with cutting-edge research and evidence-based practice in teaching, learning, and faculty development. Share your work, learn from innovative pedagogical approaches, and help shape contemporary understandings of quality teaching in higher education.
- Build international networks and partnershipsConnect with international scholars, university leaders, policymakers, and faculty
developers. The conference provides opportunities to initiate joint research
projects, develop exchange programmes, and establish regional and global
institutional collaborations. - Contribute to regional and global dialogueParticipate in strategic conversations on higher education reform, internationalisation, academic careers, and quality assurance. Share perspectives from your own institutional context and contribute to comparative learning across
regions. - Engage across sectorsInteract with stakeholders beyond academia, including policymakers, quality
assurance professionals, and industry partners. Gain insights into how teaching
excellence intersects with workforce needs, innovation ecosystems, and societal
impact. - Showcase your work and enhance visibilityPresent your research or practice through papers, workshops, posters, or panels.
Receive feedback from a diverse international audience and increase the visibility of your work, supporting future publication and professional recognition. - Experience Kazakhstan as an emerging educational hubDiscover Astana as a growing centre for higher education and international
academic exchange. Kazakhstan’s strategic location, cultural diversity, and expanding global engagement make it a compelling setting for collaboration and knowledge sharing. - Support professional growth and career developmentParticipate in specialised workshops focused on teaching innovation, leadership,
and research development. Dedicated sessions will support early-career academics and doctoral researchers, offering insights into sustainable academic careers and effective faculty development models. - Shape the future of quality in Higher EducationContribute to collective reflections on the future of higher education at institutional, regional, and global levels. Engage in discussions on embedding innovation, inclusion, accountability, and excellence into everyday academic practice.
- Connect across disciplinesEngage with participants from education, engineering, medicine, public policy, digital sciences, and related fields. Cross-disciplinary dialogue will open new perspectives and inspire innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
Kazakhstan is undergoing significant reforms in higher education, with increasing emphasis on teaching quality, faculty development, and institutional governance. Situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the country offers a distinctive context in which questions of quality, leadership, and internationalisation are being actively negotiated.
The NU Teaching Conference - 2026 provides a scholarly forum to examine how teaching excellence and faculty development can be meaningfully integrated within diverse institutional and policy environments. The conference brings together scholars, academic leaders, and practitioners to exchange research, compare reform experiences, and explore sustainable models for strengthening quality in higher education.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue, develop collaborative networks, and contribute to comparative perspectives on teaching, professional learning, and institutional change across regions.
The NU Teaching Conference - 2026 provides a scholarly forum to examine how teaching excellence and faculty development can be meaningfully integrated within diverse institutional and policy environments. The conference brings together scholars, academic leaders, and practitioners to exchange research, compare reform experiences, and explore sustainable models for strengthening quality in higher education.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage in critical dialogue, develop collaborative networks, and contribute to comparative perspectives on teaching, professional learning, and institutional change across regions.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Teaching conference 2026 features a hybrid format, combining in-person engagement
with virtual accessibility to deliver global reach.
with virtual accessibility to deliver global reach.
Day 1 – October 29, 2026
- Inaugural session
- Keynote addresses (I & II)
- Panel discussion
- Parallel sessions and concurrent presentations
- Welcome reception (by invitation)
Day 2 – October 30, 2026
- Keynote addresses (III-IV)
- Concurrent presentations
- Highlighted panel discussion
- Invited international speakers
- Concluding session
Special Sessions & Workshops
XXX (TBD)
Conference Committees
Steering Committee
Aida Sagintayeva
Chair
Daniel Sheratte
Co-chair
Charles Knight
Co-chair
Representatives
from NU LTC, AQC
Chair
Daniel Sheratte
Co-chair
Charles Knight
Co-chair
Representatives
from NU LTC, AQC
Mir Afzal Tajik
GSE member
Oliver Mutanga
GSE member
Daniel Hernández-Torrano
GSE member
GSE member
Oliver Mutanga
GSE member
Daniel Hernández-Torrano
GSE member
Anita Jayachandran
GSE member
Alejandro Acuyo-Cespedes
CPS member
Aziz Burkhanov
GSPP member
GSE member
Alejandro Acuyo-Cespedes
CPS member
Aziz Burkhanov
GSPP member
Prof. Antonio Sarria-Santamero
SEDS member
Matteo Rubagotti
GSE member
Laura Ibrayeva
CARCEIT member
SEDS member
Matteo Rubagotti
GSE member
Laura Ibrayeva
CARCEIT member
Organizing Sub-committees
Conference Planning Committee
TBD
Chair
Chair
Mariza Tsakalerou
SEDS member
SEDS member
Anel Numukhametova
CPS member
CPS member
Abstract Review & Communication
TBD
Chair
Chair
Cevat Erisken
SEDS member
SEDS member
Elmira Tursunkhanova
CPS member
CPS member
Aziz Burkhanov
GSPP member
GSPP member
Administrative & Logistical Support Committee
TBD
Chair
Chair
Michael Johnson
CPS member
CPS member
Mariza Tsakalerou
SEDS member
SEDS member
Conference Sponsor Committee
TBD
Chair
Chair
Gulsim Kulsharova
SEDS member
SEDS member
Student Committee
TBD
Chair
Malika Begimova
GSE member
Chair
Malika Begimova
GSE member
Muhammad Yasir Khan
GSE member
Nargiza Abdyrakhman Kyzy
GSE member
GSE member
Nargiza Abdyrakhman Kyzy
GSE member
Anara Burambayeva
GSE member
GSE member
Aisulu Burkhanova
GSE member
GSE member
Catering & Social Events Committee
TBD
Chair
Chair
Contacts
Conference inquiry: nugse.teaching-conference@nu.edu.kz
Phone: 8 (7172) 705738
Address: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, Kazakhstan
Stay Connected!
Phone: 8 (7172) 705738
Address: Nazarbayev University, 53 Kabanbay Batyr Ave, Astana, Kazakhstan
Stay Connected!