Huddersfield University has its first ever student from Tajikistan.
Fozil Radzhabov, 25, 25 is a PHD business management exchange student is on a mission to change public attitudes about his country which is undergoing a steady road to economic recovery after suffering for over 60 years.
Tajikistan is part of the former Soviet Union and is a landlocked block of land in Central Asia, bordered by Afghanistan and Uzbekistan
Fozil, who is living in Aspley House while he completes his year long studies to try resolve the problems of developing foreign direct investment in Tajikistan, said: “I would just like more people to find out about my country.
“I would describe it now as a new country with an ancient history.
“Tajikistan has had a troubled past but is seeing large changes in the two decades since it gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
“Life is now getting better for our people and the government is encouraging more students to come study abroad to get qualifications to help rebuild out country.
“Sadly they don’t give us much help to do this but fortunately we can now find scholarships from institutions such as Erasmus Mundus, who helped me travel here.”
He said it was one of the many changes to have taken place there following a ceasefire between warring tribes that caused civil war in the 88,918 mile square country with an 8.2m population, for several years following independence.
“Our country was pushed back 50 years by it but things are improving– more people are able to stay at school until they are 18 and more jobs are becoming available.
“However, everyone who can who has a regular job has a business on top because wages are still so low.”
One aspect Fozil is especially proud of is the importance of keeping positive, community traditions alive.
He said: “There is nothing more important to us than our traditions.
“We love dancing, singing, arts and there’s a big focus on community celebrations.
“Our most famous is our New Year celebration, called Nawruz, which we celebrate on March 21.
“Every city and community creates large art exhibitions, organises dances and of course, there’s a lot of food.
“But the most unusual part is the sport that we play on that day, Buzkashi.
“Basically, you have two teams, of any size, of players on horseback.
“The head of a goat or sheep is cut off and its body is then used as the ball.
“It weighs about 50kg and the aim is to drop it into a hole, which acts as the goal.
“Players throw it to each other and it can be snatched at any time – it’s incredibly hard and only the strongest in the country, usually shepherds and wrestlers, have the strength to take part.”
He also extolled Tajikistan as a good, if little considered, tourist destination.
“Our country is 93% mountainous so it’s great for back packers who like the outdoors.
“And it’s also a lot safer than people may think, considering that it borders Afghanistan.”
Fozil is also as keen to encourage more Tajiks to come to Huddersfield.
“It’s wonderful to be here and to find out about the town, which hardly any Tajiks have heard of.
“The only downside is the weather, which is pretty depressing, especially as back home it can reach around 45c but it’s a great place and a good location to travel from.
“I hope to be an ambassador so more people will choose to follow me here.”
