Montana Tech graduate student from Bangladesh achieves goal of earning degree, pursuing opportunities in U.S.

Montana Tech graduate student from Bangladesh achieves goal of earning degree, pursuing opportunities in U.S.  

Umaer Abdullah Zaki’s journey to crossing Montana Technological University’s commencement stage to earn his M.S. in Petroleum Engineering starts thousands of miles away from the Mining City and highlights a steadfast determination to continue learning and excelling in the industry.  

Zaki hails from Dhaka, Bangladesh, one of the world’s most densely populated areas. He remembers seeing a newspaper article when he was a high school freshman, talking about the potential for oil and gas exploration. The author was an assistant professor in the Petroleum and Mining Engineering Department at Shahjalal University of Science & Technology in Sylhet, Bangladesh.  

“Public college admissions in Bangladesh are very competitive,” Zaki said. “However, by the grace of the Almighty, I got the chance to study in that very department—and be the direct student of the professor who wrote the article.”  

For years Zaki wanted to come to the U.S.  

“I knew it’s the best place for petroleum engineers to gain hands-on academic and industrial experience,” Zaki said. “However, I wasn’t sure if I’d get into a Petroleum Engineering program.”  

Zaki submitted an application to the Geological Engineering Department at Montana Tech, and received a rejection letter.  

“But the rejection letter also mentioned that the Petroleum Engineering Department had shown interest in my application,” Zaki said. “I was both surprised and thrilled.”  

Zaki reached out to Department Head Dr. Todd Hoffman and was not only offered a spot in the graduate program, but financial aid as well. Zaki shared the highlights of his Montana Tech experience, which he summed up as focusing on goals, growing as a professional, and having fun.  

“I usually walk from the University apartments to campus, and all I can see is the mesmerizing scenic view of the Highlands,” Zaki said. “I sometimes say that people in my country would pay a premium to experience this view, and I get it for free every day. The calm and tranquil nature of the Montana Tech campus and the surrounding town helped me stay focused on learning and growing.”  

Zaki integrated himself into Butte, which offered many novel experiences.  

“Beyond academics, I’ve had some truly unique experiences in Butte,” Zaki said. “I’d never experienced temperatures below 55°F before—and here, I’ve seen -40°F! I saw snow for the first time in my life. Skiing, hiking, Thanksgiving dinners, and trap shooting were all firsts for me. I also took some amazing trips to California and around Montana, sponsored by the Montana Tech Petroleum Engineering Department, which gave me the chance to experience the diverse culture of the U.S.” 

Being so far from his home country was challenging.  

“The weather is unpredictable in Butte, but people here are always ready with tips and reminders on how to deal with it,” Zaki said. “That was really helpful. And I successfully survived two winters in Butte—hats off to me!”  

Butte is also much smaller than Dhaka, which is home to more than 23 million people in its metro area.  

“Another personal challenge was adjusting to the lack of population density,” Zaki said. “I came from the most densely populated city in the world. So, seeing fewer people around was a bit of a shock at first. But I made an effort to attend campus events, connect with different student organizations, make friends, and explore the culture. Eventually, I had some amazing experiences with my colleagues, classmates, and new friends.” 

Zaki says he would recommend the program to other students.  

“The professors here are friendly, approachable, and genuinely helpful,” Zaki said. “Besides the academics, the Montana Tech Petroleum Engineering Department has a strong alumni network, which is great for building industry connections. The department-run organizations like Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and American Association of Drilling Engineers (AADE) frequently host events that keep things fresh and engaging. Plus, the department sponsors lots of trips to conferences—both national and international—which are related to the petroleum industry. The department also has high-end lab facilities, so anyone interested in research can undertake serious, high-quality projects.” 

Zaki is headed to North Carolina to live with family after graduation.  

“I’m truly grateful to have earned a degree in petroleum engineering—it aligns perfectly with my personal values,” Zaki said. “At several conferences, I’ve heard speakers say that energy independence leads to people’s prosperity. I plan to use my degree as a tool to make even a small contribution to that cause. I’m actively seeking opportunities to contribute to the petroleum industry.”