Kazakhstani academic Gulzhanat Gafu redefines success beyond work-life balance

Gulzhanat Gafu, a researcher and educator at Nazarbayev University, grew up in the Markakol District of East Kazakhstan. Her journey from a gifted students’ boarding school in Ust-Kamenogorsk to a leading academic role reflects both personal drive and strong family support. Like many modern Kazakhstani women, she balances demanding professional work with motherhood—though she admits there’s no perfect solution to the challenge. Gafu’s academic path began at a specialised boarding school for talented students. Later, she earned both her master’s and PhD in the UK through the Bolashak scholarship programme. Now, as a lecturer and researcher, she focuses on modern educational processes at one of Kazakhstan’s top universities.

Her family has remained a constant source of inspiration, even as her career demands grew. Yet, juggling work and parenting often forces tough choices. She has felt guilt when missing a child’s school event for an important conference. Motherhood also shifted her perspective, making her more aware of the society her children will inherit. At Nazarbayev University, Gafu sees her position as both a privilege and a heavy responsibility. She rejects the idea of a perfect work-life balance, acknowledging the pressures many Kazakhstani women face. The expectation to excel as a researcher, homemaker, and mother is common—but rarely achievable without compromise.

Gafu’s career highlights the realities faced by professional women in Kazakhstan today. Her research and teaching contribute to shaping future education in the country. Meanwhile, her experiences as a mother and academic underscore the ongoing struggle to meet society’s high expectations in multiple roles.