Corporate Foundation
AURORA - ALA
Корпоративный Фонд AURORA - ALA
The Aurora-Ala Corporate Foundation was established in Almaty by the European University at St. Petersburg in April 2023
Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
The Aurora-Ala Foundation brings together faculty members and researchers from the European University at St. Petersburg (EUSP), upholding the traditions of a research university and training a new generation of experts to address complex social processes and global challenges.
Academic and Research Cooperation
The European University’s academic community includes hundreds of researchers, scholars and faculty members working at universities and private companies around the world.
EXPERTISE
Key areas of research and educational programs:
introduction of new computer technologies in the social sciences;
applied data analysis;
interdisciplinary medical research;
energy policy and climate policy, ESG;
digital transformation;
empirical methods in legal studies;
sociology, education and the art;
science and technology studies (STS).
Established to ensure the sustainable development of the Foundation's initiatives, the Aurora-Ala endowment underscores the long-term commitment of the European University at St. Petersburg (EUSP) community to Kazakhstan and Central Asia.
The endowment is replenished through fundraising from Kazakhstan-based and international donors, adhering strictly to all applicable legal requirements.
The endowment is managed by the local asset management company.
How endowment works
What is an endowment?
Ranked 4th among Kazakhstan's endowments
“An endowment is formed by the Foundation through the accumulation of assets in the national currency of the Republic of Kazakhstan or in a foreign currency under one or more agreements for the management and/or lease of property received as charitable donations, gifts, or bequests, in accordance with the civil legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
- From the Foundation Charter
- From the Foundation Charter
Our team
Who are we?
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Mokhovikov EvgeniyExecutive Director -
Serebrennikov DmitriiScholar
Deputy Director for Academic Affairs
Shklyaruk Maria Sergeevna
She has worked in leadership positions in a number of analytical centers (Center for Strategic Research, Center for Training Leaders of Digital Transformation, Center for Advanced Management Solutions) and has extensive experience in creating and developing applied research and educational programs. Academic career is connected with empirical research in law at the European University in St. Petersburg.
- Since 2012 – research fellow at the Institute of Law Enforcement Problems at the European University in St. Petersburg.
- From 2018 to 2023 – General Director of the Center for Advanced Management Solutions. The center conducted research on public administration issues, advised organizations on development strategy, and assessing digital maturity.
- From 2019 to 2022 - Academic Director of the Center for Training Leaders of Digital Transformation at the Higher School of State University of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration. More than 50,000 government employees have been trained in unique digital transformation programs, and more than 500 thousand students have attended the Center’s open programs.
Chief Investment Advisor, Prosperity Capital Management
Branis Alexander Markovich
Lurie Mikhail Lazarevich
Associate Professor, Faculty of Anthropology, EUSP
Skugarevsky Dmitry Anatolyevich
Researcher, Research Center Institute for Law Enforcement Problems EUSP
Kharkhordin Oleg Valerievich
Professor, Faculty of Political Sciences, EUSP
Svetlana Nikolayevna Lavrova
Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Aurora-Ala Foundation
Board of Trustees
Our team
Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Aurora-Ala Foundation
Svetlana Nikolayevna Lavrova
Advisor to the Rector of EUSP
Executive Director of the EUSP Foundation
Chair of the Board of the National Endowment Association
Director of the University Management program
Biography:
She brings more than 20 years of experience in university and nonprofit-sector management.
In May 2007, she registered St. Petersburg’s first endowment fund, which was also the second of its kind in Russia—the EUSP Foundation. She has served as its Executive Director ever since, providing strategic leadership and overseeing its day-to-day operations.
As Advisor to the Rector of EUSP, she leads strategic and special projects and contributes actively to the University’s development and institutional life.
She is a well-known Russian expert in nonprofit-sector management, with an extensive professional network and strong working relationships with university management professionals in Russia and internationally. She advises and trains administrative staff at universities and NGOs and has authored numerous publications on related topics.
In 2019, she founded the University Management professional development program for university leaders and administrators.
She actively participates in and often coordinates initiatives and working groups focused on improving legislation and regulatory practices in the fields of NGOs and endowments. Her work has involved the Government of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, the State Duma, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Public Chamber, and other institutions.
In 2022, she coordinated an interagency working group under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education on the development of endowment funds at higher education institutions.
In 2019, she co-founded the National Endowment Association (NEA) to help accelerate the development of Russia’s endowment sector. She currently serves as Chair of its Board.
In 2022, she initiated the establishment of the Aurora-Ala Foundation, an endowment fund supporting the development of science and education, including in Kazakhstan.
Executive Director of the EUSP Foundation
Chair of the Board of the National Endowment Association
Director of the University Management program
Biography:
She brings more than 20 years of experience in university and nonprofit-sector management.
In May 2007, she registered St. Petersburg’s first endowment fund, which was also the second of its kind in Russia—the EUSP Foundation. She has served as its Executive Director ever since, providing strategic leadership and overseeing its day-to-day operations.
As Advisor to the Rector of EUSP, she leads strategic and special projects and contributes actively to the University’s development and institutional life.
She is a well-known Russian expert in nonprofit-sector management, with an extensive professional network and strong working relationships with university management professionals in Russia and internationally. She advises and trains administrative staff at universities and NGOs and has authored numerous publications on related topics.
In 2019, she founded the University Management professional development program for university leaders and administrators.
She actively participates in and often coordinates initiatives and working groups focused on improving legislation and regulatory practices in the fields of NGOs and endowments. Her work has involved the Government of the Russian Federation, the Federation Council, the State Duma, the Ministry of Economic Development, the Central Bank, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Public Chamber, and other institutions.
In 2022, she coordinated an interagency working group under the Ministry of Science and Higher Education on the development of endowment funds at higher education institutions.
In 2019, she co-founded the National Endowment Association (NEA) to help accelerate the development of Russia’s endowment sector. She currently serves as Chair of its Board.
In 2022, she initiated the establishment of the Aurora-Ala Foundation, an endowment fund supporting the development of science and education, including in Kazakhstan.
In Kazakhstan, the Aurora-Ala Foundation focuses on projects in university management and the social sector, particularly in the areas of alternative funding, endowment development and fundraising.
An effective management model is one of the key drivers of this success, and the University’s experience in this area is sought after by both higher education institutions and social-sector organizations. The European University is known for having the largest endowment among Russian universities on a faculty member/staff/student basis. It is also among the leaders in investment.
At the beginning of 2022, the EUSP’s endowment amounted to:
> 3,000,000,000 rub.
The European University at St. Petersburg has gained an international reputation for its work in the social sciences and humanities. It also serves as a successful model for building and running a modern university.
Management of Universities and Social Organizations
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The University was one of the first in Russia to launch the University Management educational program for managers working in universities and social-sector organizations, including schools, museums, charitable foundations, hospitals, theatres, archives and etc. The program focuses on developing institutional strategies, with particular emphasis on the practical tactics required to implement them. It is designed to strengthen managers’ professional competencies and help them achieve strategic objectives in their day-to-day work. The program is taught by management experts from Russia and several Western countries, who bring extensive hands-on experience as well as a strategic understanding of the development of higher education and the social sector.
Mansion O.V. Serebryakova
News
News and events
Registered address: 109 Tole Bi Street, Almaty 050012, Republic of Kazakhstan
Registered address: 109 Tole Bi Street, Almaty 050012, Republic of Kazakhstan
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