HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS
Ibrokhim Aliyev
The Spark of Curiosity
How I became a Finance Course student
My name is Ibrokhim Aliyev and I am WIUT Alumnus. I earned my BSc in Finance with First class honours in 2022.
It may seem trivial, but it started as a casual interest in the way money works. Therefore, when I was given the choice to change my course to BSc Finance after Foundation year, I chose it immediately. Although, I was hesitating between BIS and Commercial Law prior to that. I was always fascinated by the idea that something as abstract as market movements could affect real-world outcomes. Besides, I found out that course curriculum was structured based on the most recent research and I had an opportunity to study unique modules, which you could not find in other universities in Uzbekistan at time, and several other universities in Central Asia. Early vision of my path was to equip myself with necessary knowledge and expertise to become professional specialists in the finance industry. As I was always fascinated by solving mathematical problems, the synergy between math and its application in analyzing markets became even clearer.
Why study finance?
You can build your career in finance in any organization you can imagine. No matter what your interests are, a background in finance can secure you a place in your dream company. In a world of numbers, strategy, and decision-making a background in finance holds the power to unlock countless opportunities.
Even in fields that might seem unrelated, such as sports management or entertainment, financial expertise is invaluable. From managing contracts to optimizing budgets, your ability to navigate the complexities of money ensures that you’ll bring tangible value to any endeavor.
A background in finance doesn’t just prepare you for one specific career; it gives you a universal toolkit. It helps you understand how organizations thrive, how decisions are made, and how success is measured. No matter where your interests lie, finance serves as the key that can open the door to your aspirations.
In essence, studying finance is more than learning about money—it’s about empowering yourself to turn ambitions into achievements.
Bloomberg Terminal at WIUT
First of its kind
My first encounter with the world of financial markets and trading happened with the launch of Bloomberg Terminal at university. Bloomberg Terminal created an exclusive opportunity to tap into the ocean of valuable financial, economic, business-related information and up-to-date news and generally, access to it is not open for everyone. A subscription to it costs a decent amount of money. From 2019 WIUT is home to the very first Bloomberg Terminal in Uzbekistan, which is free of charge to all staff and students. Integration of Bloomberg Terminal into syllabus is aimed to redefine what education here in Uzbekistan can offer for tomorrow’s game changers.
Bloomberg Market Concepts
Introduction to financial markets while studying
While doing my degree at WIUT, I was encouraged to take the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) course. This was the starting point for my participation in the Global Bloomberg Trading Challenge. I was among the team of 4 students representing WIUT at this challenge in 2021. WIUT was the first university from Uzbekistan to participate in investment competition of this scale. We were the so called ‘trailblazers’ and it was a whole new experience for all of us. In this competition we had to trade stocks and make as high returns as possible within 7-week period. When I was participating in this competition, I was exploring the financial market in every free minute I had, from early morning and late evenings. I was finding some new companies to buy their shares and sharing company information with my groupmates we were discussing with them and eventually making decisions. I would say we made a lot of mistakes during the competition but after each mistake we improved our performance. We were doing better every next day. At this time, I understood that this is what excites me the most and this is what I want to do in my life. Eventually our team ranked 14th globally and 4th in Asia. To date, Finance and Economics students rank among the top 1% globally.
Where change makers come from
Contribution of my alma mater to my success in life is huge. First, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to every tutor I had at WIUT. I would like to especially mention Qobiljon Yunusov, Feruza Yodgorova, Saidgozi Saidumarov, Omonjon Ganiev, Temur Mahkamov, and many others. I firmly believe that each of them made significant contributions to the success of countless students.
Currently I am doing my master’s degree at University of Strathclyde, one of the top 5 Universities in the UK. I will be honest - education level at WIUT is at the same level as in top universities across the world. Even during my master’s studies here in the UK, I could clearly feel the advantage of having received such a solid foundation at WIUT. I can say that it might be challenging to study at WIUT but later it will facilitate you in your career and studies.
Advice to My Younger Self
In my opinion, consistency and the ability to focus on what you truly want to achieve are the most important factors for success. Even if someone isn’t the best in their field, consistent effort and dedication to their work will eventually lead to success.
I’ve faced failures and made mistakes in many areas, but what made the difference was my willingness to try again and again. Persistence, even in the face of setbacks, has been the key to achieving my goals. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about never giving up.
I am still on this journey of learning from every experience life has to offer. With my humble experience, I’ve come to understand that the most important thing is not giving up and learning from your mistakes. I truly believe that no one can succeed without facing setbacks or making mistakes along the way. That’s why it’s essential to keep striving to improve after every failure or misstep.
Another lesson I’ve learned is that everyone we meet in life has something to teach us. I’ve gained invaluable insights from people at university and my colleagues at work. Many of them have generously shared their experiences, offering advice shaped by their own mistakes and successes. These lessons have been instrumental in shaping my growth, both personally and professionally.
WIUT Global Alumni
Wherever I’ve applied to work or been employed, I’ve always encountered someone who studied at WIUT. They’ve consistently been supportive, readily answering any questions I had and often serving as mentors to guide me.
This sense of connection and mutual support highlights one of WIUT’s greatest strengths—its community. The WIUT network is a valuable advantage for every graduate, offering opportunities to learn, grow, and collaborate. It’s something we should cherish and leverage to continue developing as professionals in our respective fields.
The Best Investment You Can Make Is in Yourself
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." – William Shakespeare
I encourage students to develop in themselves the desire to explore opportunities beyond the classroom. Do not hesitate to challenge your abilities. When you come to think of it, you are the creator of that very opportunity, that can change your path.
The journey of a finance graduate is a proof to this timeless truth. From the very first accounting class to the triumphant walk across the stage at graduation, every step is a calculated decision, a deliberate choice to shape a future driven by data, strategy, and ambition.
As you step into the world of finance, whether as an analyst in a bustling corporate office, a trader on the fast-paced exchange floor, or a visionary launching the next fintech innovation, you will realise that it is a whole new world. I believe, with what WIUT Finance course can offer, you will not find yourself thinking: ‘Looks like, we are not in Kansas anymore’.
A major in finance isn’t just a degree- it’s your ticket to a world of opportunities, from mastering to shaping the future of business.
