Dean, School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence (SCAI)

Position Summary

The founding Dean of the School of Computing and Artificial Intelligence will provide visionary academic and strategic leadership for the School. The Dean will guide the establishment of SCAI as a world-class academic unit, responsible for academic excellence, faculty recruitment, research development, innovation ecosystems, and global partnerships. Working closely with the Provost and University leadership, the Dean will oversee the School’s growth in faculty recruitment, research programs, innovation, education, and industry engagement. The University is launching a global campaign to recruit 10 full professors, several of which will be associated with SCAI.

The Dean will directly report to the Provost of Nazarbayev University.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the development and growth of the School.
• Establish SCAI as a globally competitive center of excellence in AI, computing, robotics data science and applied mathematics.
• Develop and implement a long-term academic and research strategy aligned with the University’s mission.

Academic Excellence

• Lead the development of innovative undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in computing and AI.
• Ensure the highest standards of teaching, curriculum design, and student learning outcomes.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and adoption of AI in program delivery across NU’s academic schools.

Faculty Recruitment and Development

• Recruit and retain world-class faculty.
• Foster a collaborative academic culture that promotes research excellence and innovation.
• Support faculty development (including fellowships of Advance HE), mentoring, and research productivity.

Research and Innovation

• Develop major research initiatives in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, intelligent systems and applied mathematics.
• Promote interdisciplinary research programs and global collaborations.
• Attract significant research funding from government, industry, and international partners.

Industry and Global Engagement

• Build partnerships with global technology companies and research institutes.
• Promote technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and startup development.
• Position NU as a regional hub for AI innovation and digital transformation.
• Independently and jointly with research, industry and governmental partners, engage in developing AI tools to address national and regional priorities.

Institutional Leadership

• Contribute to the broader strategic leadership of Nazarbayev University.
• Strengthen NU’s global reputation and academic standing.