The 2026 Orientation Week for new students of the Nazarbayev University Foundation Year Program (NUFYP) has come to an end.
This year, around 800 students were admitted to the program, making it the largest intake for NUFYP to date. Throughout the week, the NUFYP team worked to provide our new students with a welcoming and meaningful start to their university journey, helping them get to know the University, learn more about the program, and become part of the university community.
As part of Orientation Week, online sessions for parents were held in both Kazakh and Russian, giving them an opportunity to learn more about the University and the NUFYP program.
For students, the week included opportunities to learn more about the University and its departments, meet their teachers, and get to know one another. The program also featured introductory sessions in their academic disciplines, diagnostic tests, and the Treasure Hunt team challenge, which encouraged students to connect with each other while exploring the University campus.
The first sessions of Orientation Week 2026 were held on Monday. New NUFYP students were welcomed by NU Vice President for Student Affairs and International Cooperation Kadisha Dairova, Acting General Director of NU CPS Eric Wente, and NU CPS Heads of Disciplines Johee Hong, Elmira Tursunkhanova, and Alejandro Acuyo-Cespedes.
On Friday, NU Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Samantha Smidt addressed the new students. She highlighted that NUFYP offers a unique opportunity to prepare for the transition from school to university-level learning.
Samantha noted that studying at NUFYP can provide students with an important advantage before beginning their undergraduate studies. The program not only helps students strengthen their subject knowledge, but also develop the skills needed to succeed at university. She encouraged students to make the most of this year and use the opportunity to prepare themselves for their future studies.
During the final session of Orientation Week, students were introduced to the Academic and Learning Center (ALC), which supports students in developing their academic skills and provides additional support throughout their studies. Students learned about the resources available at the Center and how they can benefit from them during the academic year.
NUFYP Student Council President for 2025–2026, Zamira Kokumbayeva, also shared her experience with the new students. She spoke about her own Foundation Year experience, how valuable the year was for her further studies, and how she balanced her academic responsibilities with an active student life.
The new students also had the opportunity to take part in a panel discussion and ask questions of the NU CPS Acting General Director, NU CPS Discipline Heads, and the former NUFYP Student Council President. The discussion gave students an opportunity to learn more about the program, academic life, and the opportunities available to them throughout the year.
The final event of Orientation Week was the award ceremony for the Treasure Hunt Quiz winners. Members of the winning team received prizes in recognition of their teamwork, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the University campus.
Orientation Week has come to an end, and our students are now ready to begin a new chapter as they start the academic year.
We wish all NUFYP 2026–2027 students a successful start, new knowledge, memorable experiences, and confidence as they begin their journey towards further university studies.