Perhaps others shared this overwhelming doubt. Maybe thousands of students like me from rural, isolated regions also believed — or still believe — that a place like UCA is not for us. I experienced self-doubt, but I didn’t let that stop me from embarking on an ambitious adventure.
Today, I can proudly say that dreams can come true if you chase after them and never give up. I owe this to the people who also believed in me — my family and teachers at school.
I was happy to receive my UCA admission letter but the life awaiting me was not meant to be smooth and easy. Having graduated from a high school where the medium of instruction was Tajik, it was difficult for me to fully understand my instructors speaking English at the beginning. I was even scared to share a room. Adjusting to campus life was clearly a challenge. But the love, kindness and care I received from teachers and staff made it easier to settle into university life and forget the early homesickness.
Although I had to work hard, I cannot forget that any success lies greatly with the generous support from the people around me. Therefore, I thank every person who has contributed to making this life-changing experience possible. I extend my special gratitude to Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Chancellor of UCA, and to the Board of Trustees for their remarkable vision and support for a university dedicated to mountain communities in Central Asia. It is due to their vision that we were blessed with a superior quality of higher education.
I believe each student has their own unique experience at UCA, a combination of euphoric and challenging times, coming together to help each other, enjoying trips among the beautiful landscapes around the campuses, or developing new and strong friendships which will last forever. My five years at university were years of transformation that changed my way of thinking in a positive way. UCA is not only my university, but it became my second home.
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When I was selected as the valedictorian of the Class of 2022, I felt extremely humbled. It was completely unexpected but dreams can come true if you believe in yourself. I was fortunate to not only succeed academically at UCA, but found an opportunity to realise my aspirations by growing and preparing for professional life.
I studied Communications and Media at the Naryn campus, and now I am a Communications and Reporting Officer for the Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, an international development organisation in the Dushanbe, Tajikistan office. I am responsible for raising awareness about the organisation, its functioning projects and project activities among the population through traditional and digital media. The skills and abilities I learned at university help me everyday in my current job and in the tasks I undertake. Demonstrating these skills and the knowledge gained will help each student to thrive in their workplace after graduating.
Many students graduating this year may feel anxious about life after university, the life out of “the yellow spaceship,” as we sometimes called the sprawling campus. I felt the same last year. But I strongly believe that every single student graduating from UCA has the potential and capability to become an inspiration for seeking change in oneself and the wider world through education.
To this year’s graduates I would say be proud of yourselves and your achievements, with hearts filled with hope, and look forward to a bright future. Don’t forget that learning doesn’t end after graduation — it’s a life-long journey on which UCA leaves an undeniably major mark.
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Sumaino Shakarbekova graduated from UCA last year with top honours and was selected as the valedictorian of UCA’s Class of 2022
