05/02/2025
Aberdeen University Student Chooses Heriot-Watt Campus in Aktobe
Alisher Sabirov is a second-year student at Heriot-Watt University. Previously, he studied for three years at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, but this semester he decided to transfer to the Heriot-Watt campus in Aktobe.
“My hometown is Aktobe. I dreamed of receiving an international-level education and enrolled at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. Later, I learned that a campus of one of the leading foreign universities, Heriot-Watt, opened in my hometown. This is a great opportunity for young people who want to get an international education without leaving their country. Moreover, Heriot-Watt University has a high ranking in petroleum engineering, so I had no doubts about my decision to transfer,” says Alisher Sabirov.
Alisher believes that in the educational process, it’s important to combine theory with practice and establish connections with industry. Comparing Heriot-Watt University and the University of Aberdeen, Alisher noted that both institutions are at a high level. However, he emphasized that in the oil and gas sector, Heriot-Watt's ranking is significantly higher, and there is a particular focus on practical applications. Another important reason for transferring to Aktobe is the convenience of studying in his hometown, which allows him to fully concentrate on his studies.
Alisher shared that his adaptation to the new university was smooth. Although he initially noticed differences in teaching methods, the openness of the professors and the clear organization of the academic process helped him adjust quickly.
“The academic program at the Aktobe campus provides deeper immersion into industry technologies, such as reservoir development methods and process modeling. This is a great advantage for those pursuing an education in this field. The professors at the Aktobe campus are true professionals. There are highly qualified instructors from Kazakhstan and abroad, including graduates of the Bolashak program, Nazarbayev University, and leading international universities. They not only provide knowledge but also share their real-world experience, which is incredibly valuable to me,” says Alisher.
In the future, Alisher plans to work on the design and optimization of oil extraction. He is confident that the education and experience gained at Heriot-Watt University will help him achieve great career heights.