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[mrgradstudent]

I saw this job posting recently on h-net:

https://www.h-net.org/jobs/job_display.php?id=42284

Nazarbayev University is the new flagship university in Kazakhstan, with instruction to be in English and a wide varieties of departments coming online in the next few years, with most hiring it seems to be from the US and Europe.

I'm working towards finishing up a History PhD at an Ivy on topics that relate to the region.  I'm a good student, but not a top student, and considering the job market here is abysmal and this seems like an interesting place, with pretty amazing facilities and decent pay (I was quoted 30% over comparable American salaries as expat hardship, with travel, free housing on site, etc.).  Does anyone have any opinions about Nazarbayev University, or in general about working for a new university in a foreign country?

And as a larger question, my assumption would be this would be a decently negative strike against you in American academic circles, partly for cooperating with the regime, and partly since it's so unknown.  How do people look at working at these new Western branch universities (or ones built with Western consultation) in the Gulf States, Singapore, etc.  Is this a death sentence to having a life at American universities? (i.e. is there no going back?)

[spinkbottle]

It looks really - business-friendly, to say the least.  Not to mention being named after a permanent? live president.  But I guess if your research relates to the region, it might be worth it. 

Can't answer the long-term reputation question, sorry.

[normative_]

I don't know this university in particular, but I am familiar with this part of the world.

As in other countries in this part of the world, personal relations, clientelism, and top-down authoritarianism are typical. Don't expect anything to go by the rule book. Expect a certain level of corruption, especially whenever you have to deal with the state, but if you do go, hire yourself a company, hopefully at the university's expense to manage the "administration" of settling in. It's worth the time and trouble it will save you to ensure that you receive the right permits, have your belongings pass through customs quickly and intact, and so on. Always have a plan B in case your employer breaks a promise. You have no realistic recourse to getting what you were promised.

Don't expect a good library. Publishers often simply refuse to deliver, citing poor copyright protection. If they have good electronic sourcing, and this is sufficient, then you're set. Negotiate either funds to travel outside to do your book purchases or ensure that your salary takes this into account. The latter is better. Also check the currency terms of your contract. Will you be paid in local currency, adjusted to U.S. Dollars every month? Or every year? Or in Euros?

Having said all this, Hiring outsiders, particularly someone with an air of prestige, is also a typical tactic for the first few years. What they desperately want is to have the most prestigious westerners on board as a sign of quality. They will also splurge on a shiny new campus until whoever is in charge decides they need to save money by targeting the foreigners, as the most expensive, first. Until then, however, you can use your popularity to your advantage in getting pretty good net salary to pay off any student loans you might have. And be clear about it: elections or not, you're considering moving to an authoritarian dictatorship. A judicious helping of STFU will be an important survival skill. The leaders of the university won't be in that position without being loyal to the regime. If you muck about, they will silence you to save themselves.


On the general situation in the country, see:

http://www.amnesty.org/en/news-and-updates/report/kazakhstani-authorities-must-tackle-police-brutality-2010-03-22
http://www.transparencykazakhstan.org/eng/
http://www.democracyweb.org/accountability/kazakhstan.php

[normative_]

And look...Nazarbayev has just been elected with 95% of the vote, with 90% participation!

The BBC reported today that students were threatened with expulsion from the university if they didn't go and vote properly. That's proof enough that this university will be a tool of the state.

[totoro]

You can't put Singapore universities in the same category as places like this. They are generally good quality.

[normative_]

Eh...you've looked at a map recently, right? This thread is about Kazakhstan.

[totoro]

Eh...you've looked at a map recently, right? This thread is about Kazakhstan.

The OP mentions Singapore as being in the same category as Kazakhstan universities like this Nazarbayev one. I'm saying that there is a huge difference.

[eharold88]

As one who is in Kazakhstan, please beware.  Nazarbayev University is only a shell with Kazakhstanis in control with a Kazakhstani approach to higher education.  It is only a fascade that is but another attempt to disguise while not really adhering to western or international standards.  Many western faculty who arrived only one month ago are already disgruntled. 

Beware, you are entering not a western nor international university but one that is not what it appears.

[jmenicucci]

I posted this elsewhere, but as faculty as Nazarbayev University, I am happy to share with you my experiences here with full disclosure of my biases, etc. Please message me if you have any questions.

[trueopinion]

I just looked at whom they hired in Math, Physics and Chemistry. It is pathetic. They even hired an old fellow without a PhD. I bet they have better faculty in the University of Zimbabwe. Shame on Nazarbayev  that he gave his name to this  poor excuse of a "University".

[sunshine101]

I have been at Nazarbayev University since August 2011. I teach in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS). Like the majority of my colleagues, I hold a Ph.D. from a very well-respected university (in the U.S.), and I have extensive teaching experience. I took this job because I am adventurous and because the offer was too good to pass up. As a current faculty member, I can verify that Nazarbayev University takes good care of its international hires. Some of the financial perks include: high salary, beautiful housing, research funding, and twice annual trips (for employee and family members) to country of origin. Academic perks include the opportunity to work with bright, motivated students, a 2/2 teaching load, and the chance to contribute to the development of a promising university that partners with major international institutions (SHSS partners with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and UW-M is very eager to see our school be successful!). A new institution in a former soviet republic, NU obviously has a lot of hurdles to overcome, ranging from layers of bureaucracy to forums (like this one) filled with misinformed comments. For those of you on this forum who are quick to criticize and eager to spread stereotypes and rumors, shame on you. For those of you looking at this forum because you are curious and considering applying for a position at NU (especially in SHSS), I encourage you to do so and to find out for yourselves what NU has to offer. NU will not be a good fit for everyone, but it is for many, including me and the majority of my SHSS colleagues this first year. From what I have witnessed first hand, those who are leaving or are considering leaving (and there are few that I am aware of in SHSS), are either not good fits for NU or are people quick to complain and get worked up about every little detail--and let's face it, there are a lot of details in academia, especially at a brand new institution in KZ. As for myself, I am very happy that I chose to move to Astana, and I intend to stay here for a while (though KZ doesn't have a tenure system, the labor codes make it very difficult to fire employees after three years of employment). The job is challenging but rewarding and the compensation is outstanding! I feel very privileged to have my job at NU and to have the opportunity to be involved with the development of an international university in Eurasia.

[alleyoxenfree]

I just looked at whom they hired in Math, Physics and Chemistry. It is pathetic. They even hired an old fellow without a PhD. I bet they have better faculty in the University of Zimbabwe. Shame on Nazarbayev  that he gave his name to this  poor excuse of a "University".

Really, the person was "old" and "without a Ph.D."?

That describes a lot of capable faculty in the U.S., namely a lot of community college and state college faculty with excellent teaching experience, who entered the profession before degree creep.

Stow your prejudices and you might be able to consider the needs of the students there more clearly.

[trueopinion]

You said it yourself. It is just a community college with a lot of hot air.  The faculty they hired in Natural Sciences is a perfect fit for a community college, a dead-end job.

[macadamia]

I was not able to find the natural sciences hires on the website.

[scotto703]

I have been at NU since October of 2011, so far, I have been paid on time, have been reimbursed for my expenses on time, and have been treated well by both the university administration and the Kazakh people.  The restaurants are good, the people welcoming, the accommodate nice, and the salary is good.

That said, this is the university's second full year of operation, and things are still developing.  That's why we're here.  If anyone expected to walk in to a fully functional, mature institution, they are naive to say the least.  While there are growing pains (associated with any start-up), the students are good, they are being well educated, and despite everything, life, education and now research, is ongoing.

For those who visit NU in say, 5 years, they will likely find a much more mature organization with an established research presence, and quality teaching as well as a number of internationally accredited programs.  If you are a well-qualified Ph.D. in the sciences, especially computer science, I encourage you to send in your C.V.  There are places here for those who are adventurous, don't mind a little snow and cold weather, are somewhat thick-skinned, and focused.  Just read your contract before you sign, and then don't complain.

If "trueopinion" wishes to maintain truth in advertising, s/he may wish alter the name to simply "opinion".