On May 29, 2026, the School of Mining and Geosciences (SMG) at Nazarbayev University hosted its 3rd Annual Industry Advisory Committee meeting. The event brought together representatives of industry partners, SMG leadership, faculty, and staff to discuss the School’s current achievements, future priorities, and opportunities for strengthening collaboration between academia and industry.
The meeting opened with welcoming remarks and introductions, followed by the “State of the School” presentation delivered by Dean Randy Hazlett. The presentation provided an overview of SMG’s academic and research development, including updates on student numbers, graduating cohorts, Fall 2026 intake, accreditation progress, research activities, and new initiatives aimed at supporting Kazakhstan’s mining, petroleum, and geoscience sectors.
A key part of the meeting focused on the implementation of recommendations from the 2025 Industry Advisory Committee meeting. The School presented progress made in response to industry feedback, including discussions on extended internships, stronger industry involvement in capstone projects, the development of micro-credential programs, and the introduction of emerging technologies relevant to mining, petroleum engineering, and geosciences.
Participants were also introduced to SMG’s ongoing and upcoming initiatives. These initiatives reflect the School’s commitment to practical learning, applied research, and industry-oriented education.
The meeting also included a feedback session where participants discussed ways to further strengthen industry relations, address future challenges in the mining and petroleum industries, attract more young people to strategic professions, and enhance the student experience across SMG programs. The discussions provided valuable input for future academic planning, research collaboration, professional training, and student development.
The event concluded with a summary of key takeaways and action items, followed by an optional laboratory tour, giving industry representatives an opportunity to learn more about SMG’s research infrastructure and laboratory capabilities.
The School of Mining and Geosciences expresses its sincere appreciation to all industry partners and participants for their continued support, valuable feedback, and active contribution to the development of education, research, and industry collaboration at Nazarbayev University.
SMG remains committed to strengthening partnerships with industry stakeholders and preparing graduates with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies needed to contribute to Kazakhstan’s strategic mining, petroleum, and geoscience sectors.