Sayasat Nurbek

  • Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan
  • One of the most prominent National-level experts on education, education management, education program design, education and labor market analysis
    and policies.
  • Founder of milestone education projects in the region (Ecole 42 partner school, first National Public Policy School, National Skills Foresight, National
    School of Public Policy, Public policy and analysis think tank).
  • Certified Foresight and Future Studies expert.
  • Proven international and national-level track record of managing large-scale education programs with annual budget exceeding 100 mln$
  • Multilingual Public Figure, Speaker, Lecturer and Educator with over 1,000 Public lectures and talks and 100,000+ general audience in social media.

Professional experience

June 2022 – Present

Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Feb 2022 – June 2022

Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Member of the Parliament from the ruling Amanat Party, Member of the Committee on Social Affairs (Education, Healthcare)

Oct 2019 – Present 

CEO, Founder of BTS Education LLP

BTS Education is leading EdTech company in Kazakhstan

Results of work
  • Secured a Round A/B investment of 5 mln.USD from Eurasian Digital Ventures Fund
  • Product Manager for key National EdTech and Labor market projects
    • National Atlas of new professions (Skills and Competencies Foresight Study)
    • Student voice assistant Up.Ai
    • National Career Advising Service Edunavigator.kz
    • Service for online teaching 2tors.online
    • The first national education marketplace EdMarket.kz
  • Manages team of 45 education, AI/ML experts and engineers

Aug 2018 — Oct 2019

Head of Education of BTS Digital

BTS Digital is digital arm of  Eurasian Resources Group

Results of work
  • Secured funding with Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) – 1 mln.USD
  • Designed ERG Corporate University organization and course structure for ERG – 2 mln.USD
  • Accomplished B2G Partnerships with Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Education, OSCE, World Bank, ADB, EBRD, UNDP – 1.5 mln. USD
  • Accomplished B2B Partnerships with:
    • Khan Academy (Regional Partner) – 500k USD
    • Microsoft Education (Education Partner) – 100k USD
    • Khosla Ventures CK-12 Foundation (Country Partner) – 300k USD
    • Burning Glass (Country Partner) – 200k USD

Jan 2019 – Present

Chairman of the board at Alem-School

Alem School is the first disruptive programming school in the region in partnership with Nicola Sadirac (Founder 01 Edu System, Founder Epitech, Web Academy, Co-Founder Ecole 42)

Results of work
  • Established first of its kind programming school in the region in partnership with Nicola Sadirac (Founder 01 Edu System, Founder Epitech, Web Academy,
    Co-Founder Ecole 42)
  • Secured sponsorship funding with private investor – 2 mln.USD
  • Supervise 15+ staff of tutors and mentors
  • Supervised design of innovative digital learning platform (Python, BigData, AI/ML, NLP, CyberSec, DevOps, KernelDev, Web, Kotlin, PWA, Oculus Rift, HTC
    Vive, Raspberry Pi, Arduino)

Jan 2019 — Present

National coordinator at Atlas of New Skills and Professions

Atlas is first nation-wide skills and professions foresight research in 9 key economy areas. It will help to understand which industries will actively develop and what new skills and competencies will be in demand.

Results of work
  • Initiated first nation-wide skills and professions foresight research in 9 key economy areas. It will help to understand which industries will actively
    develop, what new technologies, products, management practices will be born in and what new skills and competencies will be in demand. Atlas will also
    shed light on what industries, professions, skills will become obsolete (retiring professions), and which parts of the workforce will need retraining,
    upskilling and mobilization to other sectors and jobs.
  • Product manager for mobile app that is currently most advanced vocational guidance tool to understand future trends in the labor market (due to release
    in April 2020)
  • Secured funding with private investor – 100k USD, Ministry of Labor and World Bank – 1 mln.USD
  • Supervise 15+ staff of researchers and team of 30+ foresight moderators
  • Supervise pool of 1500+ experts in 9 areas (oil&gas, mining, machinery, tourism, construction, agriculture, energy, IT and telecom, transportation and
    logistics)

Dec 2017 – Present

Goodwill ambassador at National Geographic Kazakhstan

Results of work
  • Supervised group of 20+ staff for National Geographic Journal translation in Kazakh Language
  • Secured sponsorship and partnership funding from public and private organizations – 150k USD
  • Supervised 10+ expeditions with National Geographic
  • Supervised 20+ NatGeo master classes and trainings with local scientists and photographers
  • Designed K-12 education programs based on NatGeo research database
  • Supervised creation of NatGeo Textbook Reader for Secondary Schools (Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Physics)

Jul 2016 – Nov 2017

Managing Director and Board Member at Astana International Financial Center

Results of work
  • Partook in developing the AIFC Development Strategy, Developed AIFC HR and Education Strategy
  • Supervised 20+ Staff of HR and Education specialists
  • Designed professional development programs in partnership with Harvard University, NYU, UC Berkeley, Cornell Business School, Oxford University, Said
    Business School (50+ key personnel trained)
  • Supervised design and development of the AIFC Bureau for Continuing Professional Development (BCPD)
  • Supervised design of 20+ professional programs aimed at maintenance and development of the core pillars of AIFC including Islamic finance, fintech,
    capital markets, green finance, as well as asset and wealth management
  • 500+ mid-career professionals trained in the fields of accounting, finance, legal, human resources, information and communication technology (ICT) and
    corporate governance, in Kazakhstan and the region

Sep 2013 — 2016

Director at Institute of Public Policy

Results of work
  • Established first Public policy research think tank (currently #51 in Global Go Think Tank Index)
  • Supervised 30+ Staff of researchers and experts
  • Secured sponsorship funding with public and private organizations – 200k USD
  • Designed and conducted first National Values research framework methodology (as a result Kazakhstan became part of World Values Survey)
  • Designed and conducted first National Corruption Perception Index (as a result Kazakhstan became more visible in Transparency International)

Oct 2010 — Sep 2013

President of Bolashak Presidential Scholarship Program 

Results of work
  • Managed national scholarship program with an annual budget of 100 mln.USD
  • Managed Staff of 150 education experts
  • Designed and conducted professional education programs with World’s top +200 Colleges and Universities (THE, Shanghai Jiao Tong, US News Report
    Rankings)
  • Chaired Admissions Committee (10,000 applications, 2,500 scholarships given annually)
  • 12,000+ undergraduate and graduate students trained in BA, BSc, MA, MSc, PhD, LLM, MBA, Doctorate degrees in 150+ areas

Sep 2009 — Oct 2010

Founding Dean of National School of Public Policy

Results of work
  • Established first school of Public policy and policy analysis in Kazakhstan
  • Established partnership programs with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School, Maxwell School of Public Administration, China National School of Administration, London School of Economics, Peking University School of Government, Royal Dutch ROI Institute, Moscow School of Public Administration, Russian Academy of Public Administration, MoscowSkolkovo School
  • Supervised 15+Staff of faculty and researchers
  • Secured sponsorship funding with public and private organizations –100k USD
  • Designed and developed first MA (Master of Arts) Academic Program in Public Policy and Analysisin Kazakhstan

Dec 2008 — Aug 2009

HR Management Executive Director of Sovereign Wealth Fund “Samruk-Kazyna”

Results of work
  • Partook in developing the Fund’s Development Strategy, Developed HR and Corporate Education Strategy
  • Designed and implemented SWF SamrukKazyna’s HR policy covering 38 Portfolio Companies with 250k+ personnel
  • Designed KPIs and corporate competency framework for Portfolio Companies (recruitment, assessment, incentives, education and upskilling, performance management, corporate culture, formation of personnel reserve)
  • Designed and implemented procedures of competitive recruitmentfor the Fund and Portfolio Companies
  • Supervised design of corporate and individual training programs
  • Implemented corporate Regulations for remuneration and social support for Portfolio Companies.
  • Designed and implemented the Fund’s Code of Business Ethics and corporate culture
  • Supervised 20+ Staff of HRM and Education experts
  • Designed professional development programs in partnership with GE Corporate University, Temasek Business Leadership Center, Duke Corporate Education, Singapore Cooperation Enterprise
  • Supervised design and development of the SamrukKazyna Corporate University (SKCU)
  • 1000+ midcareer professionals trained in the fields of accounting, finance, legal, human resourcesand corporate governance

2008

Vice-Rector International Cooperation And Research of Academy of Public Administration

Results of work
  • Supervised international partnership programs with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Duke Sanford School, London School of Economics (LSE), Vienna Diplomatic Academy, École nationale d’administration (ENA), Russian Academy of Justice, Hanns SeidelStiftung, EBRD, ADB, UNDP, OSCE
  • Implemented dual degree programs with LSE, ENA, Russian Academy of Justice, Ulster University (Ireland)
  • Supervised 10+ Staff of faculty and researchers
  • Supervised visiting lectures of 20+ foreign faculty and 40+ lectures of diplomatic corps
  • 46 Academy students (Master of Arts) trained abroad via dualdegree programs (LSE, ENA, Russian Academy of Justice, Ulster University)
Results of work
  • Coordinated working group on new model of national civil service developed in partnership with Singapore Cooperation Enterprise
  • Designed and implemented new model of civil service education in partnership with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
  • Designed academic and organizational framework of the first National School of Public Policy in partnership with Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
  • Supervised 10+ Staff of HR policy experts
  • Implemented legislative amendments in 10+ legislation documents (laws, Presidential Decrees, )

Nov 2006 — Feb 2008

Investment Department Expert, Advisor ti CEO of Sustainable Development Fund Kazyna

Results of work
  • Managed 10+ investment projects in agriculture, bioethanol production, transportation, energy, alternative energy, construction areas
  • Advised CEO on GR issues and served as CEO’s assistant as Deputy Chairman of ruling political party NurOtan
  • Designed investment projects reporting standards including detailed project performance indicators (NPV, IRR, ROI)Total evaluation of managed investment portfolio 1.5 mln USD

Dec 2002 — Dec 2003

Department Director of Youth Congress of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Results of work
  • ManagedDepartment for Social, Economic and Regional Development
  • Built 10+ partnershipswith local and international NGOs
  • Member of the Youth Council under the President of Kazakhstan
  • Supervised legislative actionon Youth Law bill in the Parliament of Kazakhstan

Member of the Youth Council under the President of KazakhstanSupervised legislative actionon Youth Law bill in the Parliament of Kazakhstan

Aug 2001 — Aug 2004

IT Helpdesk Specialist of L.N.Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Astana

Results of work
  • Technical support to 2000+ Faculty as part of the IT helpdesk team
  • Maintenance and repair of 2000+ PC/laptops/video conferencing equipment
  • Design and development of the university website www.enu.kz

2001

Intern Iowa Interactive Inc. of Government of State of Iowa, IA, USA

Results of work
  • Web and Graphics Designerfor the first Egov portal in the USA IOWAccess
  • Assistance to Director of Website Development Clint Clark

Aug 2000 — Dec 2000

Campaign aide of Congressman Mark Smith’s election campaign (State of Iowa, USA)

Results of work
  • Personal Assistant to Congressman Mark Smith
  • Participated in 50+ campaign activities, fundraising events and voter meetings

1998 — 2000

Irtysh River Bridge Construction Project, Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Ltd., Alsim Alarko

Results of work
  • Interpreter to the Project CEO and senior management
  • Written translation 500+ memos, letters and technical papers

Academic and Teaching

Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Public Policy

2014 – Present

Visiting Lecturer Public Policy and Analysis

Nazarbayev University Graduate School of Business

2013 – Present

Visiting Lecturer Strategy and Management

Graduate School of Business Almaty Management University

Feb 2013 – Sep 2016

Lecturer of Business administration department

Turan-Astana University

Sep 2010 – Feb 2011

Associate Professor of the Department of Law, International Law

Kazakh Humanities and Law University MBA School

Mar 2010 – Aug 2015

Lecturer in HR Management

Academy of Public Administration

Oct 2008 – May 2010

Associate Professor Institute of Public and Local Administration

I.P.E. (Istituto per ricerche ed attività educative), Naples, Italy

Feb 2006

Visiting Lecturer

Education (degrees highlighted)

2019 | Certificate

UNESCO Futures Studies Program

Futures Thinking and Strategy

2018 | Certificate

International Labor Organization (ILO)

Rapid Foresight andSkills Technology Foresight

2013 | Certificate

Brunel University | London

Strategic Planningand Change in Higher Education

2010 | Executive Diploma

The Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy | Singapore

Public Administration and Policy

2008-2010 | BA in Psychology

Kokshe Academy

Concentration – Socionics, psychometrics, designed an applied MBTI testing methodology in Kazakh

2010 | Executive Diploma

Sanford School of Public Policy | Duke University | NC, USA

Public Policy and Analysis

2008 | Executive Diploma

Singapore Civil Service College | Singapore

HR Management in Public Service

2005-2006 | MA in Geopolitics

Sapienza University of Rome | Rome, Italy

Soft power, Public diplomacy

1999-2004 | BA in International Law

Eurasian National University

International Intellectual Property law, WIPO

2003 | Certificate

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Mass Media and Communications Management

2001 | AA in Political Science

Marshalltown College | IA , USA

Public administration and policyanalysis

Skills

  • Education Strategy & Management
  • Product Development
  • Labor market framework and policies
  • Multilingual Communicator and Public Speaker
  • Large-scale Project Management
  • Foresight and Future studies
  • Human Resources Management
  • Knowledge management and Learning organization design

Languages (CEFR scale)

Kazakh

Native

Russian

Native

English

C2 Proficient

Turkish

C2 Proficient

Italian

C1 Advanced

Spanish

B1 Intermediate

Latin

B1 Intermediate

Japanese

A2 Elementary

Arabic

A2 Elementary

Awards and Medals


Medal for the 20th anniversary of Astana


Medal Jubilee medal of WKGMU


Medal for the 20th anniversary of KATEV


Medal for dedicated work


Badge of honor KazGUU


15 years of Law Faculty of ENU


Medal for the 20th anniversary of independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan


25 years to the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan

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