Kazakh researcher 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 earning advanced degrees abroad has shaped her career—and her perspective on balancing work and family life. Gafu completed both her master’s and PhD in the UK through the Bolashak scholarship programme. Now, she teaches and studies modern educational processes at one of Kazakhstan’s leading universities. She describes her role there as a privilege but also a heavy responsibility.

Motherhood changed how she views her professional work. Yet, like many women in Kazakhstan, she faces expectations to succeed as a researcher, homemaker, and mother all at once. Gafu admits she feels guilt when torn between attending an important conference or her children’s school events. She does not believe in achieving a perfect balance between her career and personal life. Instead, she relies on her family, who have been a constant source of inspiration and support throughout her academic and professional journey.

Gafu’s story reflects the challenges faced by many modern Kazakhstani women. Her career, built on scholarships and dedication, now involves navigating the demands of research, teaching, and family. For her, success comes not from balance but from the support of those closest to her.