Dr Gulmira Qanay is an accomplished academic leader, educator, and policy adviser with extensive experience in higher education reform, teacher education, leadership development, gender equality, and institutional transformation in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. She holds a PhD in Education from the University of Cambridge, a master’s degree from the University of Warwick, and is a Principal Fellow of Advance HE.
Dr Qanay previously served as Rector of the Kazakh National Women’s Teacher Training University and has contributed to major national initiatives in teacher leadership and educational development. She also serves on the National Commission on Women’s Affairs, Family and Demographic Policy under the President of Kazakhstan.
Associated with Nazarbayev University since its establishment, Dr Qanay has held both academic and administrative roles. As Vice President, she oversees human resources, government relations, inclusion, organisational development, and community and regional engagement, fostering partnerships among universities, schools, government, and communities to translate research into sustainable educational and social impact.
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