Research Assistant
Mohammad Habib Abdullah is a Research Assistant and Project Manager at Nazarbayev University's Research Centre for Entrepreneurship (NURCE). Before joining NURCE, he worked as a Research Associate at the Nazarbayev University Center for Leadership (NU Lead). A graduate of the Master of Public Administration (MPA) program at Nazarbayev University's Graduate School of Public Policy, Mohammad is from Afghanistan and also holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Beijing Normal University in China.
Throughout his academic journey at Nazarbayev University, Mohammad demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and took leading roles in various high- impact initiatives. He served as the Vice President of the Student Government (SG), becoming the first international and graduate student to assume such a pivotal role. Additionally, Mohammad co-founded and presided over the Association of International Students (NUAIS) and was the president-elect of the Graduate School of Public Policy Student Council (NU GSPP SC)—a first among international students. Post-graduation, Mohammad has continued to make a positive impact. Along with his role as a research associate at the Nazarbayev University Center for Leadership (NU Lead), he spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the Nazarbayev University Global Network Club (NUGNC), the Nazarbayev University Adventure Club (NUAC), and the Nazarbayev University International Alumni Chapter. Moreover, at Nazarbayev University, Mohammad founded numerous groundbreaking projects.
These include cultural exchange programs like Inside Cultures, Culture Day, and free Kazakh and Russian language courses for the university's international community, as well as the Kazakhstan Tour. He also initiated philanthropic endeavors such as the "Give Back To Kazakhstan" charity project, which raised the largest amount in the university's history, aiding 83 families and 26 orphans in rural areas. Additionally, Mohammad founded the Exceptional Graduating International Student Award and the Citizenship Award for outstanding graduates of the GSPP at Nazarbayev University. Mohammad's efforts extend beyond Nazarbayev University. He has led high-impact initiatives in his home country, Afghanistan, and has won several local, national, and international awards in recognition of his services. He is the first Afghan recipient of the Princess Diana Award and is the founder and director of Youth for Youth, Afghanistan's largest youth-led online platform for capacity-building and networking. He is also the founder and CEO of the Yuz Yigit Charity Foundation, a network of one hundred local youths focused on reducing poverty and illiteracy in Afghanistan through philanthropic activities.