The definition of «wonderkid» that I put in the title, at least somehow characterizes Serdar Rahimov, who was awarded the high title of «Best Student of the CIS» this year, however, in relation to a fourth-year student at the Institute of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan, it seems to me, not quite accurately reflects its essence. According to the classical definition, a «wonderkid» is a child, a young person whose level of intellectual development is recognized as higher than that of other representatives of his age. In the case of Serdar Rahimov, his achievements and titles won are based, or rather based on slightly different concepts.
The correspondent of the editorial office of the electronic newspaper «Turkmenistan: Golden Age» met and talked with Serdar Habibullayevich Rahimov to try to understand what is the «secret» of the success of the student of the IIR of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan.
- Serdar Habibullayevich, it is well known that wonderkids, as a rule, show their abilities already in early childhood. Did something similar happen to you?
- I can't say that. At school I loved mathematics, even was fond of it, but to say that it was something special is hardly. In high classes, unlike my classmates, I was probably lucky - on my way I met a teacher who, so to speak, turned my mind around, from the category of «physicists-mathematicians» I gradually, under the influence of this person, «reformatted» in the humanities.
It was (and still is) my very respected geography teacher Maya Hydyrovna. Here I must explain why I was fascinated by geography. The thing is that my grandfather Yunus Rahimov and father Habibulla are oilmen. In Turkmenistan, and in Cheleken, where I come from, this profession is one of the main and especially revered. My relatives saw no other way for me than to also become an oilman and continue the family dynasty. Everything in the house was directed only to this. And my first extracurricular activities with Maya Hydyrovna, in principle, concerned precisely this oil aspect in the vast system of scientific geography.
Somehow, Maya Hydyrovna brought to the next lesson old maps of our region, obtained somewhere in the archives. It is this connection between the riches of the earth and their location on geographical maps, obviously, that gave impetus to my greater interest and passion for geography. Everything was in this subject - history in its various time periods, and physics with its unpredictable laws, and, of course, all those riches that were hidden in the bowels of the earth.
- How did it happen that the path of an oilman being prepared by his relatives unexpectedly turned into future diplomats entering the university?
- To be honest, after the final exams I sent documents to one of the oil universities in Belarus and waited for a response. And at the same time, classmates persuaded me to try their luck in Ashgabat. Together with them, he arrived in the capital and was heading to the Humanitarian Institute to submit documents. I walked with them past the institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country and thought, why not try my hand here. So chance brought me to IIR. After passing the entrance exams, a long wait for the results led to the fact that I already intended to take the documents back, when suddenly the phone rang, which made me happy and somewhat upset my relatives. They weren't aware.
- Have to understand, grandfather and father were more upset.
- Yes, in general, grandfather Yunus paid me a lot of attention. He is my grandfather and mentor at the same time. Always together for fishing and hunting. Conversations about life, profession, traditions and customs. He always repeated, «You, yourself must find your own way. Strive for perfection with your efforts».
- Were his hopes justified after entering the IIR?
- It wasn't easy at first. But it turns out that I got lucky again. And here, within the walls of the institute, I met wonderful teachers. In many respects, last year I was awarded the title of «Best Young Scientist», and now the title of «Best Student of the CIS», a great merit of my teachers, and especially the most experienced and oldest diplomat of Turkmenistan, Professor Amangeldi Rahmanovich Rahmanov. It is very important that during your studies, whether it is a school or a higher educational institution, that someone constantly leads and guides you along the path you have chosen. Their efforts and my desire to learn as much as possible led to the fact that as I studied this or that material, prepared this or that scientific work, I once again contacted those who supported my efforts. It happened this time as well. When preparing abstract material for submission to the highly qualified jury of the CIS, I was lucky to work with Professor of MSU (Moscow) Nadezhda Asatiani, she acted as an assistant. Another assistant was Associate Professor of the Department of BSU (Minsk) Anatoliy Sharapo.
Now I understand that once I was not mistaken in choosing my future profession. This understanding came with the experience of participating in many international conferences and summits as a volunteer.
- And the last question, Serdar Habibullayevich, has the attitude of relatives changed towards your choice of future profession?
- Parents and, especially, grandfather, are pleased that they congratulate him on my success. And this, in turn, obliges me to strive for more.
-Success to you, in your studies and in your aspirations.
P.S. The desire to find your own way in life on your own, perseverance and everyday work, the desire to achieve success - this is what makes Serdar Rahimov the best among the best.
