From Naryn to Paris: A UCA Graduate’s Journey
From a quiet mountain village in At-Bashy, Naryn oblast, to the vibrant streets of Paris, Nurlan Nogoibaev’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education, resilience, and a deep passion for making a difference.
As a shy high school student with limited English but a strong love for math and growing curiosity about climate change, Nurlan’s life changed the moment he attended the University of Central Asia (UCA) Summer Camp. It was a two-week immersive experience where he studied English and math intensively, and, more importantly, discovered a new vision for his future. “That was the moment I saw where I wanted to be for the next five years,” he recalls.
Inspired by the teaching of UCA's Roza Kazakbaeva and Ian Canlas, Nurlan was introduced early to the concept of critical thinking—something he now reflects on often in his daily life and work. “I didn't fully understand it back then,” he admits with a smile during our video call, “but now I see how deeply it shaped the way I think and approach problems.”
Nurlan went on to become a member of UCA’s first graduating cohort, earning a degree in Computer Science. With a natural inclination toward mathematics and a parallel passion for climate change, he thrived both academically and socially. He founded a Music Club on campus, played the komuz—Kyrgyzstan’s national instrument—and helped establish a dedicated music room, supported by the university.
Today, Nurlan works as an Aerospace Data Scientist in Paris, using aviation data to develop climate-optimised flight paths that reduce both CO₂ emissions and non-CO₂ effects of aviation. His work is at the cutting edge of sustainable aviation technology.
Driven by a desire to influence change beyond technical solutions, Nurlan now plans to deepen his understanding of technology policy—how new technologies can be governed and implemented at scale. He has been accepted to Cambridge University and is currently exploring scholarship and funding opportunities to pursue this next chapter.
Despite his global path, Nurlan remains deeply connected to his roots. He regularly hosts online lectures and workshops for students and youth in At-Bashy, sharing the world-class knowledge and experience he has gained with those back home.
“UCA didn’t just teach me programming or math—it taught me how to think critically, how to dream bigger, and how to give back,” says Nurlan.
From a remote village to global impact, Nurlan’s story reflects the core mission of UCA—empowering youth to become leaders in their communities and beyond.
