Mohammed Mustafa Cengiz: From Kano to Russia, this fine Nigerian clinches the best award at Russian Medical School

Speaking with Pulse about his achievement, Mustafa attributed his awesome academic feat to hard work and God's grace

Every now and then, there is always a Nigerian in the news who is breaking a new ground, setting a record or achieving some handsome academic feats in foreign lands.

Mohammed Mustafa Cengiz belongs to the class of the young, brilliant Nigerians who have established themselves as academic gurus in foreign universities.

Recently, precisely in June, the Kazan Medical University in Russia held a graduation ceremony for its students. And like Nigerian universities, the medical school has a culture of rewarding best graduating students.

 

To present the award, the Russian Minister of Health came forward and those who had known the recipient of the award could not but the name amongst themselves.

The minister called the name and a young, handsome Nigerian from Kano state, Mohammed Mustafa Cengiz walked to the podium amidst thunderous ovation and cheers to receive the best graduating student award as he completed his first degree in the school with a perfect CGPA of 5.0.

Speaking with Pulse about his achievement, Mustafa attributed his awesome academic feat to hard work and God's grace. However, the best graduating award according to him is nothing compared to the goals he intends to achieve.

"I wouldn't consider myself making a name yet because the ultimate goal  (to become a practising Cardiothoracic surgeon) is still on the horizon."

 

Everyone knows what it takes to finish a medical school with a perfect CGPA. The dumbest student knows hard work and determination are part of the ingredients but for Muhammad there is also a natural factor that propelled him to stay indoor remain indoor and study.

"To be honest the harsh Russian climate played an important role; when it's too cold to go out, especially for those who came from the Southern Hemisphere, and one gets bored of being inside for too long, it eventually pushes you to grab a textbook or practise some procedures. "

This does not mean he spent the whole of the winter reading, Muhammad knows how to catch some fun too; and if he had done better than all his classmates, it is probably because he has a studying formula.

 

"Like the Hausa saying goes "taba kida, taba karatu" a little bit of fun, a little bit of play, was always the motto. It's all about studying smart not studying too much. I mean when you know what is needed from you, you eventually connect the dots and concentrate on the relevant information.

"I was actually an indoor person during my study, mostly because of the climate as I mentioned. So during my free time, I usually love to cook, catch up with family and friends back home, or play chess.  When I do go out, I like to visit historical places; museums, theatres and some architectural buildings around the city. I also love to read, not novels mostly textbooks and current affairs"

Mustafa left Nigeria in 2009 after he finished his secondary education at Bennie College in Kano, and having spent eight years in Russia, he seems to have a faint knowledge of the Nigerian educational system, Nevertheless, from peoples complaints,  he knows the country that offers the better education between Nigeria and Russia

 

"I actually complete both my primary and secondary education in Kano, Rakad international and Bennie College respectively, I completed my WAEC before I eventually left Nigeria in 2009. Afterwards, I took an academic leave for about two years and did some part-time work and courses

"The Russian educational system is quite impressive when it comes to practical education, they implement several methods to approach learning and understanding. Unfortunately, I don't have enough experience with the Nigerian higher education system to be able to compare, but amongst what friends and colleagues have complained of "more theoretical than practical" was the area of concern"

Mustafa has a plan to become a practising Cardiothoracic surgeon. He wishes to achieve hois dream as a professional with lots of experience to enable him give to his country- Nigeria.

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"That path to becoming a well qualified Cardiothoracic surgeon is still far, in order for me to become the specialist I need to be and be able to give Nigerians the best medical and therapeutic interventions they need, I would have to first practise in a well equipped environment.

"I am half Turkish half Nigerian and I am currently in Turkey to start my medical residency, to ensure I have got the optimum knowledge needed. Don't get me wrong Nigeria has the potential as quality to gain such experience, however the quantity is limited. Meaning it would be more hectic there than here."

Nigerians celebrate you as continue to pursue your dream, again we say congratulations to one of our academic finest.

SOURCE - PULSE.NG posted by Campus94