NU Library Newsletter
Spring Semester:
March 2026
Spring Semester:
March 2026
We’re excited to share the March edition of our 2026 Library Newsletter. In this issue, you’ll find the latest library news, key services, and a curated selection of tools and resources designed to support your academic work, coursework, and research.
March is often associated with the arrival of spring and the joyful celebration of Nauryz, a time of renewal, unity, and new beginnings. Alongside these traditions, March is also recognized as SDG Month, highlighting the importance of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. For libraries, this is an opportunity to promote knowledge, awareness, and community engagement around sustainability, education, equality, and global responsibility. Throughout the month, our library is to share resources, activities, and initiatives that connect learning with the global effort to build a more sustainable future.
A Tribute to Sustainable Development Month
Stress Relief Week as a part of NU efforts to fulfill Sustainable Development Goals.
At the end of the Fall and Spring semesters, the NU Library hosts its annual Stress Relief Week, inviting students to take a break, relax, and recharge during the busy exam period. Organized collaboratively with the Psychological Counseling Services, the NU Psychology Club, and NU Student Fund, the event offers a variety of creative and wellness-focused activities designed to support students’ well-being and help them manage stress.
Many of the activities during Stress Relief Week align with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to well-being, education, and sustainable communities.
1. Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well‑Being
This is the primary goal supported by Stress Relief Week.
Activities such as drawing, painting, handicrafts, table games, and relaxing creative workshops help reduce stress, improve mood, and support students’ mental health during the demanding end-of-semester period.
2. Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
By creating a supportive environment for students’ well-being, the university helps improve learning outcomes. Activities like book exhibitions and creative workshops encourage lifelong learning, creativity, and intellectual engagement outside the classroom.
3. Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Creative activities such as jewelry making, origami, drawing on shoppers, and handicrafts promote mindful use of materials, creativity, and appreciation for handmade items, encouraging more sustainable consumption habits.
4. Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Events that bring students together in a safe and supportive campus space help strengthen a sense of community, inclusiveness, and social connection—important elements of sustainable and resilient communities.
Many of the activities during Stress Relief Week align with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to well-being, education, and sustainable communities.
1. Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well‑Being
This is the primary goal supported by Stress Relief Week.
Activities such as drawing, painting, handicrafts, table games, and relaxing creative workshops help reduce stress, improve mood, and support students’ mental health during the demanding end-of-semester period.
2. Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
By creating a supportive environment for students’ well-being, the university helps improve learning outcomes. Activities like book exhibitions and creative workshops encourage lifelong learning, creativity, and intellectual engagement outside the classroom.
3. Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
Creative activities such as jewelry making, origami, drawing on shoppers, and handicrafts promote mindful use of materials, creativity, and appreciation for handmade items, encouraging more sustainable consumption habits.
4. Sustainable Development Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
Events that bring students together in a safe and supportive campus space help strengthen a sense of community, inclusiveness, and social connection—important elements of sustainable and resilient communities.
Organizations, Associations, and Societies
Organizations and associations play an important role in promoting sustainable development by supporting initiatives that address environmental protection, social well-being, and economic growth. Through research, advocacy, and collaborative projects, they contribute to solving global challenges such as climate change, responsible resource management, and social inequality.
We invite you to explore this section to learn more about their efforts to promote sustainable development worldwide.
We invite you to explore this section to learn more about their efforts to promote sustainable development worldwide.
The UNGC describes itself as the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 20,000 corporate participants and other stakeholders in more than 160 countries.
It aims to drive business awareness and action in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
It aims to drive business awareness and action in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Greenpeace is a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green, just, and joyful future.
The WWF works to preserve wildlife and reduce human impact on the environment. Since 1995 it has invested more than US$1bn in upwards of 12,000 conservation initiatives. Its mission is to “build a future in which people live in harmony with nature”.
Book Exhibition "Sustainable Development: Building a Better Future"
The library presents an exhibition dedicated to sustainable development and everyday practices that support a more environmentally responsible lifestyle. The display features books on global sustainability challenges as well as publications that introduce hobbies and activities promoting responsible consumption, creativity, and care for the environment. Readers are invited to explore ideas that show how small personal interests and habits can contribute to a more sustainable future.
Book Exhibition "Kazakh National Clothes, Food, and Ornaments"
We are pleased to present a book collection dedicated to this bright spring holiday.
Our selection features books on Kazakh national clothing, traditional cuisine, and the rich world of ornaments - symbols that reflect the history, worldview, and aesthetics of the people. Each title reveals unique elements of cultural heritage and helps readers better understand traditions passed down from generation to generation.
We invite you to explore the collection and discover the beauty and wisdom of Kazakh culture during this season of renewal.
Our selection features books on Kazakh national clothing, traditional cuisine, and the rich world of ornaments - symbols that reflect the history, worldview, and aesthetics of the people. Each title reveals unique elements of cultural heritage and helps readers better understand traditions passed down from generation to generation.
We invite you to explore the collection and discover the beauty and wisdom of Kazakh culture during this season of renewal.
Library Interviews
Now, let’s explore the inspiring sustainability initiatives and experiences shared by members of the NU community.
In this section, SDSN Youth, an NU student club, and Zhuldyz Orazymbetova, Head of the Patron Services Office at NU Library, share their reflections and insights on their engagement with sustainable development.
Have you recently read a book you’d like others to discover? Submit a short book review for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of the Library Newsletter.
Send your review to library@nu.edu.kz (subject: Book Review for the Library Newsletter).
In this section, SDSN Youth, an NU student club, and Zhuldyz Orazymbetova, Head of the Patron Services Office at NU Library, share their reflections and insights on their engagement with sustainable development.
Have you recently read a book you’d like others to discover? Submit a short book review for a chance to be featured in an upcoming issue of the Library Newsletter.
Send your review to library@nu.edu.kz (subject: Book Review for the Library Newsletter).
A Conversation with SDSN Youth
Since 2022, SDSN Youth Kazakhstan (Sustainable Development Solutions Network) has been launched as part of the global initiative of SDSN and SDSN Youth across countries. Our goal is to promote knowledge about and the implementation of SDGs through youth involvement.
SDSN Youth Kazakhstan inspires and empowers young people to contribute to local solutions towards SDGs. Our previous projects targeted several specific environmental and social problems in the region.
Here are some of our past contribution:
Here are some of our past contribution:
- SDG week with different activities dedicated to a specific SDG.
- Guest lectures and events: Talks with UN volunteers, Regenerative Agriculture contest, Lecture on Urban Planning, and the roundtable discussion on women's rights "Voices if empowerment"
Universities and libraries play a key role in helping students become sustainability-aware by providing access to reliable knowledge and fostering critical thinking. Through information literacy programs, libraries can teach students how to evaluate sources, identify misinformation or disinformation, and use academic databases to explore sustainability topics more responsibly. Libraries can also host lectures, workshops, and discussions on SDGs, creating spaces where students engage with experts, researchers, and practitioners. Such initiatives complement youth-led activities like those organized by SDSN Youth Kazakhstan, helping students connect academic learning with real-world sustainability challenges.
Young researchers face the following issues: lack of data and transparency, restricted access to the existing data, public skepticism towards SDG topics, and inability to translate research results to policy solutions due to stakeholders' gatekeeping influence. Considerable regional research gaps and the lack of high-quality academic literature on specific topics is another major challenge for an SDG researcher. While there are great opportunities for research focusing on SDGs in some regions, finding relevant literature and filling gaps may be overwhelming due to the researcher's resource and time constraints.
Two great starting points for learning about the SDGs are water-ca.org (Central Asian Journal of Water Research), a peer-reviewed journal connecting regional water science directly to SDG 6, and the UNEP YouthXchange Green Skills and Lifestyles Guidebook, which helps young people explore green jobs, sustainable consumption, and their role in the broader SDG agenda.
A Conversation with Zhuldyz Orazymbetova
I chose anthropology because I have always been interested in deeply understanding people’s lives, cultures, and everyday practices that we often take for granted. Anthropology gave me the tools to critically analyze these aspects and see the social meanings behind ordinary experiences. My favorite part of the program was learning from professors who were passionate about their research and shared stories from their fieldwork. Their experiences inspired me and made me curious to conduct my own fieldwork in the future.
Yes, a project titled A Comparative, Interdisciplinary Ethnography on Entrepreneurship in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, led by Dr. Philipp Schroeder, had a lasting impact on me. Joining this project helped me clearly define my research interests, and from that point on, I intentionally developed my academic trajectory in this direction. I wrote my undergraduate thesis on a related topic, successfully published it, and I am currently continuing this line of research as a research assistant at the Nazarbayev University’s Research Center for Entrepreneurship.
The library played an important role in supporting my research by providing access to academic articles and publications that were not freely available through platforms like Google Scholar. In addition, the library facilities, including room booking, offered a quiet and comfortable environment where I could study, prepare for exams, and complete online assessments. This space was essential for maintaining focus and productivity during my studies.
Anthropology shapes how I approach both my work and everyday life, often even unconsciously. It provided me with strong research skills, such as the ability to find reliable information, critically analyze it, and interpret social phenomena independently. These skills are highly valuable, as many people rely on others to conduct research, while I am able to do it myself. More broadly, anthropology taught me to see the world through an analytical lens, allowing me to better understand people, behaviors, and social contexts around me.
I would strongly encourage students at Nazarbayev University to take advantage of every fieldwork opportunity available. I personally regret not participating more actively in fieldwork, especially in archaeology, because working in real research settings with professors and peers is a unique and memorable experience. Fieldwork allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in practice and better understand the realities of research. It is also an opportunity to discover your interests and develop skills that will shape your future academic and professional path.
Library Workshops & Consultations
Join the Open Library Sessions this month to explore the NU Repository, research-related topics, and more. These sessions provide an opportunity to learn about useful library tools, discover strategies for effective information searching, and gain practical skills that can support your coursework and research. Participants will also have the chance to ask questions and receive guidance from library specialists.
Upcoming Events
As March comes to an end, we warmly invite you to join a series of events designed to celebrate and nurture a passion for reading.
Join us for an inspiring discussion dedicated to The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a timeless novel about dreams, courage, and the journey of following one’s personal legend.
Recent Events
The Teaching and Learning Support Office and the Patron Services Office, successfully delivered a series of library events that brought together members of the NU community and visitors from beyond.
Communicating Your Research Confidently and Effectively for 7MR
There was a session for 7 Minute Research participants on March 3, 2026, helping them present their research clearly and confidently. Attendees practiced engaging techniques, audience hooks, and received constructive feedback to polish their presentations ahead of the competition.
Literary Lounge: Soft Voices, Strong Stories
As part of Week of Women 2026, on March 12, 2026, the Literary Lounge: Soft Voices, Strong Stories invited NU students, faculty, and staff to celebrate the achievements of women in literature. The session offered an inspiring discussion on books by women authors, showcasing powerful narratives and fostering engaging conversations in a relaxed, lounge-style atmosphere.
Publisher Session: From Indexing to Impact: Understanding the True Value of Research in Society
On March 19, 2026, NU Library recently hosted a webinar organized by Springer Nature on research metrics and the broader impact of scholarly work. The session highlighted the value of indexing, recent developments in indexing systems, ethical considerations, and the ways research contributes to real-world knowledge, policy, and societal outcomes beyond traditional metrics.
TED Talk Movie Night: Leadership & Personal Growth
As part of Week of Women 2026, the library hosted a TED Talk Movie Night on March 13, 2026, featuring two inspiring talks: Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders by Sheryl Sandberg and The Power of Vulnerability by Brené Brown. The screening sparked thoughtful reflection and discussion on leadership, confidence, and authenticity, encouraging participants to consider new perspectives on personal and professional growth.
Congratulations to ...
NU Library Introduces Assemgul Temirkhanova as Director
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Assemgul Temirkhanova as Library Director. NU Library warmly welcomes her in her new role and looks forward to continued growth, innovation, and meaningful engagement with the University community under her leadership.
Research & Academic Support
Research Support
The NU Library continues to provide personalized, one-to-one research support to help you succeed academically, whether you’re planning your thesis or an article for publication. Our librarians are here to support you in publishing, managing, and preserving your research outputs.
Visit the Main Library (Floor 3, Block 5e, Office 323) to meet our Research Support librarians, or contact us at library@nu.edu.kz.
Prefer online support? Book a virtual appointment, or explore our 24/7 LibGuides to navigate resources anytime, anywhere.
Your research success is our priority. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Visit the Main Library (Floor 3, Block 5e, Office 323) to meet our Research Support librarians, or contact us at library@nu.edu.kz.
Prefer online support? Book a virtual appointment, or explore our 24/7 LibGuides to navigate resources anytime, anywhere.
Your research success is our priority. Don’t hesitate to reach out!
Did you know that ...?
We are proud to feature an open access book chapter authored by two distinguished professors from the Graduate School of Education, Professor Naureen Durrani and Professor Zumrad Kataeva, together with Professor Aliya Kuzhabekova, a Kazakhstani researcher affiliated with University of Calgary in Canada. Their chapter, Policy Context for Gender Equality Reforms in Education in Central Asia, was published by Springer Nature in the Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education series and is available in the NU Repository.
The chapter offers a comparative analysis of gender equality policies in education across the five Central Asian countries. It traces the legacy of the Soviet era, examines the influence of globalisation and neoliberal reforms, and considers the role of nationalist discourses in shaping education policy. The authors also explore how international commitments and national structures interact with deeply rooted social norms, which often remain the most significant barriers to meaningful reform.
By making this work openly accessible, the authors ensure that their insights reach a global audience, contributing to wider debates on education and equity. This publication exemplifies NU’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and showcases the leadership of NU’s women scholars in shaping international scholarship.
You can read the full chapter in the NU Repository.
If you’d like to attend open information literacy (IL) sessions conducted by the Library Research Support Office librarians, please check the calendar. Upcoming sessions will cover practical topics such as publishing strategies, identifying high‑impact journals, understanding transformative agreements, and more.
You can also book online or offline appointments with our librarians to consult directly about your research.
The chapter offers a comparative analysis of gender equality policies in education across the five Central Asian countries. It traces the legacy of the Soviet era, examines the influence of globalisation and neoliberal reforms, and considers the role of nationalist discourses in shaping education policy. The authors also explore how international commitments and national structures interact with deeply rooted social norms, which often remain the most significant barriers to meaningful reform.
By making this work openly accessible, the authors ensure that their insights reach a global audience, contributing to wider debates on education and equity. This publication exemplifies NU’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5 on Gender Equality, and showcases the leadership of NU’s women scholars in shaping international scholarship.
You can read the full chapter in the NU Repository.
If you’d like to attend open information literacy (IL) sessions conducted by the Library Research Support Office librarians, please check the calendar. Upcoming sessions will cover practical topics such as publishing strategies, identifying high‑impact journals, understanding transformative agreements, and more.
You can also book online or offline appointments with our librarians to consult directly about your research.
Exploring SDG Research Impact in SciVal
How NU contributes to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
SciVal offers ready-made queries to map publications to the 17 SDGs. Here’s a quick guide to exploring NU’s outputs, using SDG 5: Gender Equality as an example.
Step 1. Log in to SciVal and choose the Explore Module. Choose SDGs in the filter list. By default, you’ll see NU research outputs mapped to SDGs for 2020–2026.
Step 2. Select SDG 5 - Gender Equality. For example, we want to see NU’s performance towards this goal. Click on Analyze at Institution
Step 3. Explore the summary metrics. The new window shows detailed indicators for NU’s SDG 5 outputs: Scholarly outputs, FWCI, International collaborations, View and citation counts, Collaboration types
Step 4. Review Top Keyphrases.
See the most frequent research themes linked to SDG 5, such as Gender Equality, STEM Education, Entrepreneurship, Central Asia, and Women’s Status.
Want to learn more? For deeper guidance on benchmarking, exporting reports, or analyzing other SDGs, please contact lrso@nu.edu.kz
Step 1. Log in to SciVal and choose the Explore Module. Choose SDGs in the filter list. By default, you’ll see NU research outputs mapped to SDGs for 2020–2026.
Step 2. Select SDG 5 - Gender Equality. For example, we want to see NU’s performance towards this goal. Click on Analyze at Institution
Step 3. Explore the summary metrics. The new window shows detailed indicators for NU’s SDG 5 outputs: Scholarly outputs, FWCI, International collaborations, View and citation counts, Collaboration types
Step 4. Review Top Keyphrases.
See the most frequent research themes linked to SDG 5, such as Gender Equality, STEM Education, Entrepreneurship, Central Asia, and Women’s Status.
Want to learn more? For deeper guidance on benchmarking, exporting reports, or analyzing other SDGs, please contact lrso@nu.edu.kz
NU’s Open Access publishing agreements
We are pleased to announce important updates regarding our Open Access publishing agreementsю Please feel free to contact research support librarians if you have further questions through email lrso@nu.edu.kz
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
A new 2026 Open Access Transformative Agreement has been signed with CUP. This agreement ensures that NU authors can continue publishing their work in CUP journals with Open Access benefits, supporting wider dissemination and visibility of research outputs. Learn more in our libguide about OA Publishing Agreement with CUP: https://nu.kz.libguides.com/cup.
A new 2026 Open Access Transformative Agreement has been signed with CUP. This agreement ensures that NU authors can continue publishing their work in CUP journals with Open Access benefits, supporting wider dissemination and visibility of research outputs. Learn more in our libguide about OA Publishing Agreement with CUP: https://nu.kz.libguides.com/cup.
Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)
We are entering the final year of our current Transformative Agreement with ACM. Authors publishing in ACM journals and conference proceedings will continue to benefit from Open Access coverage under this agreement throughout 2026. Detailed instructions are available in our libguide about OA Publishing Agreement with ACM: https://nu.kz.libguides.com/acm
We are entering the final year of our current Transformative Agreement with ACM. Authors publishing in ACM journals and conference proceedings will continue to benefit from Open Access coverage under this agreement throughout 2026. Detailed instructions are available in our libguide about OA Publishing Agreement with ACM: https://nu.kz.libguides.com/acm
Service Update & Policy Reminder
Video Recording Room (5E.424)
We would like to remind the NU community that the Video Recording Room, located on the 4th floor (Library Extension), is available for booking.
The room features professional lighting, a 4×3 m green screen, a sound-treated space, and the option to use your own equipment, making it perfect for presentations, interviews, and class projects.
Capacity: 3-5 persons
Limit: Up to 3 hours per day
The room features professional lighting, a 4×3 m green screen, a sound-treated space, and the option to use your own equipment, making it perfect for presentations, interviews, and class projects.
Capacity: 3-5 persons
Limit: Up to 3 hours per day
- Booking can be made via the NU Library website, and confirmation will be sent by email.
- The key is issued at the Circulation Desk (3rd floor) upon presentation of your ID card.
Authors of this edition
Let's acknowledge the contributors who made this newsletter possible.
- Dina BaiseitManager,
Patron Services Office - Madina AbdykaimovaSenior Manager,
Patron Services Office - Diana BaidollinovaTeaching and Learning Librarian,
Teaching and Learning Support Office - Venera NiyazbayevaTeaching and Learning Librarian,
Teaching and Learning Support Office - Lazzat ArystanovaSenior Manager,
Research Support Office - Zhuldyz OrazymbetovaHead,
Patron Services Office - Darya ZvonarevaHead,
Teaching and Learning Support Office
Visual images are sourced from canva.com and freepik.com
Sustainable Development in Practice. Case Studies for Engineers and Scientists | Slobodan Perdan, Azapagic Adisa | Электронная книга - купить на OZON в Казахстане
Materials and Sustainable Development - 1st Edition | Elsevier Shop
Sustainable development research in the Asia-Pacific region : education, cities, infrastructure and buildings - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Water security, climate change and sustainable development - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Ex Libris Discovery - sustainable development
Ecological limits of development : living with the sustainable development goals - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
FinTech and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development : The Role of Smart Technologies in Achieving Development Goals - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
The Aral Sea basin : water for sustainable development in Central Asia - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Waste as a resourceharrison, r. m.: смотрите и скачивайте изображения — Яндекс Картинки
Biodegradable waste management in the circular economy - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Cradle to Cradle / Книга на Английском | Braungart Michael купить на OZON по низкой цене в Казахстане (1266635728)
Knitting Technology eBook by D J Spencer - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States
Kids' Fashion Design Guide: Draw, Color, and Create Turkey | Ubuy
Купить sandor ellix katz the art of fermentation (146690880609), Германия
Gender and Education in Central Asia (Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education): Kuzhabekova, Aliya, Durrani, Naureen, Kataeva, Zumrad: 9783031753039: Amazon.com: Books
Sustainable Development in Practice. Case Studies for Engineers and Scientists | Slobodan Perdan, Azapagic Adisa | Электронная книга - купить на OZON в Казахстане
Materials and Sustainable Development - 1st Edition | Elsevier Shop
Sustainable development research in the Asia-Pacific region : education, cities, infrastructure and buildings - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Water security, climate change and sustainable development - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Ex Libris Discovery - sustainable development
Ecological limits of development : living with the sustainable development goals - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
FinTech and Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development : The Role of Smart Technologies in Achieving Development Goals - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
The Aral Sea basin : water for sustainable development in Central Asia - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Waste as a resourceharrison, r. m.: смотрите и скачивайте изображения — Яндекс Картинки
Biodegradable waste management in the circular economy - Autonomous Organization of Education Nazarbayev University
Cradle to Cradle / Книга на Английском | Braungart Michael купить на OZON по низкой цене в Казахстане (1266635728)
Knitting Technology eBook by D J Spencer - EPUB | Rakuten Kobo United States
Kids' Fashion Design Guide: Draw, Color, and Create Turkey | Ubuy
Купить sandor ellix katz the art of fermentation (146690880609), Германия
Gender and Education in Central Asia (Palgrave Studies in Gender and Education): Kuzhabekova, Aliya, Durrani, Naureen, Kataeva, Zumrad: 9783031753039: Amazon.com: Books