Shukurullo Nurmatov

Fathers often give wise life advice, but Shukurullo Nurmatov credits his dad, the person he always looked up to, with giving some of the bravest:
“Study in a city where you won’t find anyone else from your country. Keep your values, but open your mind to learn from, and become part of, the local community.”
Shukurullo Nurmatov and his dad
Coming from double landlocked Uzbekistan in Central Asia, the shy teenager wanted to study International Business in a historical city by the sea and was fascinated by UK culture.
While nervous, he took his father’s advice and threw himself into life at the University of Plymouth. Now a graduate aged 24, he is representing his beloved University at major European fairs and supporting global agents to help our prospective international students.

It’s an incredible community here, both within and outside the University

It’s near the ocean, busy without being overcrowded, affordable, diverse, and tolerant. 
It was first mentioned to me by an agent at school back home and I decided to take my father’s advice to go somewhere with no other Uzbeks to have no choice but to network and overcome my shyness. The opportunities I’ve had have been incredible.
Shukurullo Nurmatov by the sea
Relaxing by the sea
Shukurullo Nurmatov on placement in the Netherlands
On placement year in the Netherlands
Shukurullo first came to University of Plymouth International College (UPIC) in 2019, before starting his BA (Hons) International Business in 2020. Like most people during the COVID-19 pandemic, he found his travel and social opportunities were limited in his first year, so he became determined to do a placement year

I got to know the Careers Service well, and they suggested a couple of different routes.

I ended up securing a position in the Netherlands as a commercial assistant and learned so much ranging from marketing and data analysis. Moreover, I am grateful for my manager, Martina Costa, who taught me the importance of work/life balance.
Coming back to the UK, he promised himself that his final year will be ‘the best year so far’. After exploring Europe for a year and managing global projects, networking became a strong theme in Shukurullo’s own journey.
Recognising the value of helping others to build genuine connections, he joined the Careers Service team as an Information Assistant, where he established a strong presence through sharing career advice on LinkedIn and connecting with University departments.
It was there he met the University’s Plymouth Global Office Manager, Alana Hunter – who enabled his scholarship.

In my culture, when someone helps you, you help them in return, so I wanted to support Alana and the team.

The roles I ended up doing also enabled me to support the university with international relations through hosting campus tours for foreign delegations and applicants’ families. I also interviewed ten inspirational students, sharing their stories to attract global applicants. 
Shukurullo Nurmatov with the Plymouth Global team
With Alana and the Plymouth Global team
Shukurullo Nurmatov as a student ambassador
Working as a Student Ambassador
Shukurullo Nurmatov with international applicants on campus
Welcoming international applicants to campus
Shukurullo joined the HELLO project as a student ambassador, helping international students settle in and adapt to life and studies in the UK – all within the 20-hour limit set by the government for international students to take up paid employment.
He also continued in his academic studies, graduating with First Class honours.

The beauty of university is that it helps you figure out what you don’t want to do, as well as what you do.

The course was varied and interesting, and I gained information about lots of different sectors.
Following graduation in 2023, he applied for and took up the role of International Assistant and is supporting students and applicants every day. Currently, he has a personal mentoring programme for 100 scholarship awardees, where he offers 1:1 consultancy to help his students to stay connected with both the city and the prospects within it.

In any job, there are things you must do and there are things you can do. I envision a world where we focus on our commonalities rather than differences to come together to tackle shared challenges.

To contribute to this vision, I have created a community of high-achieving international students, where I mentor them on their academic and career journey. Plymouth is a fantastic place – you can keep your values, but be open minded and you can learn from everyone you meet.
Shukurullo Nurmatov with his parents at graduation

What’s more, my father came to visit and loves the fact that you can just ‘breathe’ here.

It really is a place where you have so many opportunities that can be your gateway to the world and I’m so grateful to my parents in supporting me and sacrificing for me all those years on my way to finding mine.
Colours for Scholars