Student of MEPhI Kurbaniyaz Kanyazov told us about distance learning and how he choose nuclear energy instead of diplomacy.

 I was born in Uzbekistan, in the town of Nukus. Until seventh grade, my favorite subjects were History and Geography. This affected the choice of  future specialty — international relations and diplomacy.  However, shortly before entering, I had a conversation with my father, who works as an energy engineer.

I heed his advice and decided to be an engineer. I should say I did not have to force myself. It was a conscious decision and I entered the Tashkent State Technical University named after. I. Karimov for study Thermal Power Engineering.

I was interested in nuclear energy. When I was studying in 3rd year, I realized that I wanted to work at a nuclear power plant and contribute to the development of Uzbekistan. That is why after the bachelor's degree, I decided to continue education and get a Master's degree.

MEPhI Admissions Committee organized preliminary tests, which took place at the Faculty of Physics of the National University of Uzbekistan named after M. Ulugbek. About two weeks before the test, we received a list of topics to prepare for exams in mathematics, physics and the undergraduate specialty. In my case, it was energy. I had to repeat a huge amount of material.

I received 113 out of 115 and it gives me the right to qualify for free tuition. My education is covered by the Russian Federation in the framework of the program to support foreign students-compatriots.

My first trip to Moscow in 2013 impressed me a lot.  So I ended up here again, as a student of one of the technical universities. Unfortunately, due to the situation with the coronavirus pandemic in March, my study went online. During the quarantine, I am studying at home.  I would like to return to Russia as soon as possible and start my face-to-face studies. It seems to me that the traditional teaching format cannot be replaced with anything, because personal contact with the teacher is very important.

Studying at Master’s program is significantly different Bachelor’s program. In the undergraduate program, we studied many basic theoretical courses, and now the program mainly includes special subjects and practical exercises, for example, on simulators. With their help, you can visually study the structure of a nuclear power plant, in particular, the reactor core, the protection control rod and other important elements. It allows preparing students for future work at the NPP as efficiently as possible.

About two thousand employees will be required to work at the first nuclear power plant in Uzbekistan, and I hope to be one of them. The NPP will begin to operate no earlier than 2028, perhaps, after graduation, I will work at the Uzatom Agency or directly at the facility in the Jizzakh region. I think that we will also take part in the construction of the nuclear power plant.

For me, studying in Russia is an opportunity to become a pioneer in a new and vital area to help my country make a big technological breakthrough.

Source: RIA Novosti (in Russian)