Student Spotlight: Saidazim Asadkhujaev

Name: Saidazim Asadkhujaev

Course: BEng Chemical Engineering

Department: Chemical Engineering

Can you tell us a bit about yourself

I am originally from Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and moved to the UK at 15 to complete my A-levels at the National Mathematics and Science College. I have always enjoyed chemistry, physics, and mathematics and took part in several national British Olympiads in these subjects, so pursuing chemical engineering felt like a natural progression.

What first sparked your interest in this subject, and why did you choose to pursue it at UCL? 

My interest in chemical engineering began after attending a UCL webinar where I discovered how broad and impactful the field is. It influences not only the products we create but also the environment, communities, and economies. I wanted a career with meaningful impact, and chemical engineering provided the ideal foundation.

I am also very social and enjoy international environments, so UCL was an obvious choice. Meeting people from different backgrounds and learning about their experiences energises me, and the central London location makes it even more exciting.

How would you describe your experience on the programme so far, both academically and as part of the UCL community? 

The programme has provided a perfect balance between academic challenge and social life. I have always enjoyed solving difficult problems, and UCL Chemical Engineering constantly pushes me intellectually. Facilities such as the 24/7 libraries also support academic development; some of my favourite memories are late nights in the Student Centre working on coursework with friends.

The community has been incredibly welcoming. Living in Garden Halls during my first year helped me meet many interesting people, and I never felt like an outsider. The international diversity at UCL truly stands out.

What has been the highlight of your time in your degree? 

Scenario weeks have been the highlight of my degree. During these weeks, groups of six students work together on a real engineering challenge. They significantly improved my teamwork, communication, and engineering thinking skills, while also helping me build friendships and gain insight into real-world engineering problems.

What opportunities—such as placements, research, or internships—have you been involved in during your degree? 

In my second year, I conducted research in the Department of Biochemical Engineering under Dr Wright. The project involved identifying therapeutic protein interactions related to Parkinson’s disease, where I programmed interaction networks and reported findings. It was rewarding knowing the work could contribute to future treatments.

In my third year, I developed an interest in finance and secured a Summer Analyst position in Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan. This experience highlights how transferable chemical engineering skills are across industries.

Have you taken part in any projects, societies, or extracurricular activities that have shaped your experience? 

Together with a few Uzbek friends, I founded the Uzbek Society at UCL. It was incredibly rewarding to see strong engagement despite our small community. One major highlight was organising one of the largest Central Asian spring festivals in Europe together with the Kazakh Society.

What is the student community like at UCL, especially for international students? 

The student community is extremely inclusive, especially for international students. Because UCL is so diverse, everyone feels like they belong — that is something truly unique about the university.

What are some of your favourite things about living in London? 

London is an amazing city with rich history and countless unique communities. There is always something to do, it is very walkable, and you never get bored. I genuinely believe it is one of the best cities in the world to live in.

What career goals are you working towards, and how is your degree helping you get there? 

In the short term, I want to explore finance and develop my understanding of the industry. Chemical engineering has strengthened my logical thinking, quantitative skills, and problem-solving ability, which are highly transferable to finance.

In the long term, I aim to start an engineering consulting company in Uzbekistan focused on improving manufacturing efficiency. My degree provides the technical knowledge, while scenario projects developed my entrepreneurial mindset.

What’s one thing you wish more applicants knew about this programme or your department? 

Expect a lot of group work — being collaborative and social is important for success. Engineering is not a solitary subject here; you will work closely with others throughout the programme.

What are your plans after you graduate?

After graduating, I plan to pursue Investment Banking at J.P. Morgan and further develop my financial and analytical skills.