Admissions committee
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Daniyar Seitkali

Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering

Kazakhstan · A-Levels, AAB · IELTS 6.0

Interviewed 15 October 2026 at 18:00 · 7 min

Summary

Daniyar is motivated by a family connection to the oil fields and has pursued reservoir learning independently. Daniyar gave concrete examples of initiative and clear reasons for choosing Khalifa University, though English fluency was limited.

Check before deciding

  • Verify English proficiency with a further spoken or written check, since answers were short and hesitant.
  • Confirm the leadership example's scope and outcome, because the applicant described the project only as sort of done.

Khalifa University interview criteria

  1. Proficiency in English communication

    3/5

    Daniyar communicates understandably but with frequent grammar errors and hesitation, so English proficiency is adequate but not strong.

    “Is like a sponge, I think. Sponge with small holes inside.”

    Daniyar, in the interview

  2. Familiarity with the relevant profession

    4/5

    Daniyar explains pressure decline, water injection, and porosity in relevant terms, drawing on a self-taken reservoir course and family exposure to oil fields.

    “I finish one online course about reservoir basics. Is free, three weeks.”

    Daniyar, in the interview

  3. Commitment to pursue a professional degree program

    4/5

    Daniyar has pursued self-directed study beyond school and states a clear goal of becoming an engineer who contributes to Kazakhstan.

    “I finish one online course about reservoir basics. Is free, three weeks. And I read some articles, in Russian and English”

    Daniyar, in the interview

  4. Reasons for choosing Khalifa University

    4/5

    Daniyar gives specific reasons tied to Abu Dhabi's oil industry, English-medium instruction, and research labs.

    “I want learn in real lab, not only from book.”

    Daniyar, in the interview

  5. Evaluation of potential leadership capabilities

    4/5

    Daniyar gives a concrete example of starting and organizing a group project, including planning, booking a room, and covering a missing member's work, though reflection is limited.

    “Last year, in physics class, nobody want to do the project for the science fair. So I said, okay, I will start.”

    Daniyar, in the interview

Full transcript

21 turns
  1. Nura

    Hi Daniyar, I'm Nura, and I'll be doing your Khalifa University admissions interview today. It takes about six minutes and there are no trick questions. To start, what first got you interested in Petroleum Engineering?

  2. Daniyar

    Hi, Nura. Um, my father, he works in oil fields in Atyrau. Since I was small I see the equipment, the trucks, and I am... interested how it works.

  3. Nura

    That sounds like a strong start. What does a petroleum engineer actually do day to day?

  4. Daniyar

    Um, I think they plan how to get oil from the ground. Calculate, and make decisions with the team?

  5. Nura

    Good. Can you give me one specific example of a problem they might solve?

  6. Daniyar

    Maybe... pressure. When pressure in the well goes down, the oil doesn't come up. My father talk about water injection, to push it. I think that is the solution.

  7. Nura

    Thank you. What have you done outside class toward this field?

  8. Daniyar

    I finish one online course about reservoir basics. Is free, three weeks. And I read some articles, in Russian and English, but English is hard for me, so slow.

  9. Nura

    What was one idea from that course that stayed with you?

  10. Daniyar

    Um, how rock holds oil. Porosity. Is like a sponge, I think. Sponge with small holes inside.

  11. Nura

    That's a clear way to explain it. Why Khalifa University, and not another university?

  12. Daniyar

    Khalifa is in Abu Dhabi, where many oil companies are. Classes are in English. My teacher say it has good labs for research. I want learn in real lab, not only from book.

  13. Nura

    Can you tell me about a time you led others or took the first step on something?

  14. Daniyar

    Last year, in physics class, nobody want to do the project for the science fair. So I said, okay, I will start. I make a group, and we do it. Sort of.

  15. Nura

    What did you do first, when you started?

  16. Daniyar

    First I make a list. What we need, who does what. Then I ask teacher for a room. One student didn't come, so I do his part also.

  17. Nura

    That shows initiative. Is there anything you want the committee to know about you?

  18. Daniyar

    I am not the best speaker, but I work hard. My family doesn't have big money, but I want to be engineer and help our country. Maybe bring knowledge back to Kazakhstan.

  19. Nura

    Thank you, Daniyar. That's all for today, and you'll hear from the admissions office soon.

  20. Daniyar

    Thank you, Nura. Thank you for the time.

  21. Nura

    You're welcome. Good luck.