Emin Huseynov

Tell us a bit about yourself, your background and what made you choose the University of Leeds?

My name is Emin. I am from Azerbaijan. I have worked in the transport industry for almost 9 years, starting as a specialist and, in my later years, serving as a leading specialist in the International Relations Department at Azerbaijan Railways CJSC. Although my bachelor’s degree is not directly related to rail transport, my strong passion for the transport sector has driven me to dedicate my professional career to this industry. As I have grown professionally in this industry, my background has not always made me a strong specialist for career growth, so I was seeking to fill the gap in my educational background by studying a master’s in transport, particularly in the UK, which was the first country in the world to establish rail systems.

Why did you choose to study your particular course?

I chose the University of Leeds among other universities because the Institute for Transport Studies at the University of Leeds has a long-standing tradition of research and teaching in transport where Railway Operations, Management, and Policy is one of the few master's courses offering a multidisciplinary approach, covering various aspects of the rail industry. It will not only give me the chance to learn from world-leading researchers about the newest innovations, but also to experience the diverse student community and campus life in one of the UK’s most vibrant cities.

What aspects of the course did you enjoy the most?

Due to my professional experience involving rail projects, it is particularly interesting to be part of real-life examples of transport-related project as part of the Transport Integrated Project module, and to work with students from diverse backgrounds to find solutions to real case studies. This experience, along with exposure to Global Policy Transferability, has also improved my communication skills, and I have successfully delivered both individual and group presentations on different policy case projects.

What does Leeds as a city have to offer students?

As a person coming from the professional industry for a long time, away from university life, it gave me a valuable chance to explore the UK’s multicultural and diverse society, which I was happy to experience as a student and as part of the diverse student community of the University of Leeds.

What would you say about the learning and the career support facilities in your academic School or Faculty and at the University in general?

In terms of career opportunities, the Institute for Transport Studies organises meetings with transport industry experts, giving students the chance to discuss the latest issues in the sector and potential solutions for industry development. It also arranges sessions where experts from global transport companies speak about job opportunities.

What have you been doing since finishing your studies?

As a Chevening scholar, I am more than proud to be a student of the University of Leeds and my professional experience at Azerbaijan Railways, combined with a Master’s in Rail Transport, provides a strong foundation for creating new opportunities in Azerbaijan’s public transport sector which have already undergone major changes, shaping future transport systems.

What company have you working for, what was your role, and what did it involve?

In my professional experience at Azerbaijan Railways, I worked with several international rail organizations, including the International Union of Railways (UIC), the Organization for Cooperation of Railways (OSJD), and the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program. In these roles, I held various responsibilities, working closely with multidisciplinary teams, conducting daily research on the rail sector.

How do you think the skills and knowledge you developed at Leeds whilst studying your Masters helped with your career? Did you create any industry links or gain any experiences that were beneficial?

Regular guest lectures and networking events with experts from global transport companies, organised by the Institute for Transport Studies, gave me first-hand insight into the latest industry challenges and allowed me to start building contacts with professionals.

Now that you’ve graduated, what would you say to students thinking about studying your course, do you believe your investment into the course was worthwhile for your career?

I would say that this course give a unique chance to learn both practical and theoretical knowledge of the transport and rail industry where multidisciplinary approach, covering economics, operations, policy, and logistics, allows you to understand the sector from multiple perspectives. It not only filled gaps in my academic knowledge but also improve my communication and transferable skills such as project management, teamwork and critical thinking. I’m sure that future students who take full advantage of these opportunities will be well-prepared to build successful careers in the transport industry.