USTHB English Speakers Magazine USTHB English Speakers Magazine 1st Edition | Page 8

Inter view
07
LyceeAbaneRamdane in El Harrach.
Three years later, I graduated
with
a
Baccalaureatedegree
in mathematics and joined the
with a scientist
University of Sciences and Technology
Noureddine MELIKECHI, D.Phil.
HouariBoumedienne(USTHB)
to
pursue
studies
towards
a
DES
Dean of Kennedy College of Sciences.
(diplomed’etudessuperieures)
in
Interviewed by
TAMZAIT Narimane and DERMOUCHI Sabrina Physics.
My four years as a student at the
1-How do you describe your journey
USTHB were tremendous, exciting
as a student, before and after
and very rich.I met wonderful
studying abroad?
people from all over the country
Thank you for reaching out to me. I
who became my friends for life,
am very honored and touched that
acquired a scientific base that
you, students from my Alma matter,
allowed me to pursue an advanced
are taking this initiative.
degree, and helped me develop a
Your question is about my journey as
stronger desire to learn. Despite the
a student and points to a “before”
numerous challenges, those years at
and an “after”. I do wish to state
the USTHB were pivotal in my growth
at the onset that I believe that my
as a physicist. As a member of the
journey is interesting only if it helps
third cohort (1976 freshmen class) to
others in their own progress towards
enroll at the USTHB, I experienced the
their future. My journey is part of
University’s first steps into the world
a continuum that spans through
of higher education. I remember
time of course but also through
listening to instructors delivering their
opportunities and challenges.It has
class while at the same time hearing
deep and healthy roots in Algeria.
the background noise of the heavy
Thisprovide me the energy necessary
machinery used to build the campus.
to aim for what I consider important
The campus was a dynamic one
in my lifeand the compass that I use
and growing at a fast pace. The
to navigate in the rich, diverse and
University was going through growing
complex world that we all belong
pains and we felt them but thanks to
to.It is important to remind ourselves
the dedication of the faculty, staff,
that my journey as a student, like
and leadership of the University, my
that of my generation, is linked to
journey, and I believe that of many
our country’s history. I amfortunate
other students,was rewarding and
to have greatly benefited from the
that it taught us a lot of useful lessons
many opportunities that our country’s
acquired inside and outside the
independence provided. I take this
classroom.
opportunity to thank those,women
Following my graduation with my
and men, who sacrificed their
Physics degree and thanks to a
lives so that my generation could
scholarship I received from the
enjoy,among others, the benefits ofa
Ministry of Higher Education, I was
quality education.
able to pursue my education and my
I grew up in the small town of
dream. I wantedto be a member of a
Thenia, mid way between Algiers
research group and eventually lead
and TiziOuzou. In Thenia, I did all my
my own. Many Algerian students at
primary education. Following this
that time benefited from scholarships
step and as at that time there was
to further our education abroad.
no high school in Thenia, I enrolled in
Leaving one’s country, one’s family,
9th grade (classe de seconde) at the
one’s friend and community is never