Almas Saduakasov is a 2017 graduate of the Kazakhstan Maritime Academy KBTU. He specializes in navigation. After completing his studies at KBTU, he went to the United Kingdom where he did his master’s degree in Logistics from Glasgow, Scotland.

Almas now works as an analyst at one of the biggest energy companies in Kazakhstan, Tengizchevroil. A few days ago, we talked to Almas and asked about his study and training experience at the Kazakh-British Technical University (KBTU).

- Why did you choose KBTU?

- When I was in school representatives of various universities, including foreign universities, used to visit our school. They would brief us about their programs and study benefits. The quantity and quality of presentations varied from one university to another, I remember vividly the day when a delegation from the Kazakh-British Technical University had visited our school. The KBTU presentation was very interesting and impressive. Everyone present in the Hall was impressed and praised KBTU. Personally, I was struck by the fact that KBTU was created with the aim of preparing graduates who would be in high demand in the labor market. This university has established itself as a leader in the field of sciences and technological education.

The Kazakhstan Maritime Academy (KMA) is a very unique faculty where students receive grants to obtain the highest level of teaching and most valuable knowledge in the field of navigation in the English language----and for free. Moreover, a distinctive feature of the Faculty is the possibility of training, as well as practice in countries such as the Netherlands, the United States and Oman. I am glad that I had chosen KMA for higher studies.

I would also like to mention that, besides KBTU, I also received a grant to study at Nazarbayev University, but despite the fact that the University in Astana is no less prestigious educational institution, I have never regretted studying at the KBTU and always believed that the knowledge gained at the KBTU laid the foundation for my future achievements.

- How you characterize your studies at KBTU?

- I believe that whatever disciplines you study at a university, the learning process is always thorny and laborious. However, the teaching and learning conditions at KBTU are excellent, thanks to the profound academic environment and superb technical and scientific equipment, highly professional teaching staff and fully equipped reading rooms and libraries.  Every KBTU student feels comfortable and gets the most out of each class she or he attends.

Moreover, students, in addition to knowledge, skills and experience, also receive a lot of unforgettable emotions and pleasant impressions that accompany them during cultural events, nature trips and holidays, held under the auspices of various student organizations.

- How did the knowledge gained at KBTU affect your employment?

- Having successfully graduated from KBTU, I decided that my goal in life should be to achieve a master's degree. Therefore, following my ambitions, I decided to participate in the Bolashak program.

Today, holding a master’s degree from one of the best universities in the UK, I can confidently assert that during the competitive stages of the scholarship program, the knowledge gained at the Kazakh-British Technical University played an important role. Moreover, the skills and experience acquired during the education at the KBTU also allowed me to successfully pass an interview at Tengizchevroil and begin my career path here.

In the end, I would like to add that I am grateful to KBTU, its management, teachers and separately to the dean of the Kazakhstan Maritime Academy for the excessive work and contribution that they make day by day to the education and upbringing of future professionals of our country.