An Aberdeen University student has confirmed she will marry her boyfriend despite a less-than enthusiastic reaction to his bold graduation day proposal.
Assel Nurmukhambetova, 22, who completed an MA in economics and finance, was left stunned after her partner Ibragim Tashim interrupted proceedings on Monday by leaping onto the stage with a bouquet of red roses.
Students and staff at Aberdeen’s Elphinstone Hall audibly gasped when he dropped down to one knee to ask for her hand in marriage but a source close to proceedings said the proposal may have backfired and had not been received well.
A Facebook post on the university’s official Facebook page congratulating the couple was also removed after word spread that things may not have gone to plan.
However Miss Nurmukhambetova said her reaction was just down to shock and says she now looks forward to spending her life with Ibragim, also 22, following the romantic gesture.
She said: “I was so shocked. I’m naturally a very shy person and was already quite stressed about getting my diploma on stage in front of all these people and then the proposal as well.
“My family is happy for us. Our relatives phoned us straight after the ceremony to congratulate us. I’m so happy. We’re happy to say everything is okay and we’re excited to get planning the wedding.”
The couple met while studying in their native Kazakhstan and both transferred to Scotland at the same time to stay together. With their studies now complete, they plan to travel home for the wedding.
Proud groom-to-be Mr Tashim said: “There’s a very genuine love between the two of us and I’m so happy right now.
“Assel stumbled and tripped a little when she was going on stage and I think she was in so much shock from my proposal.
“The song and the lines I quoted are very touching and from the heart. They say what I was feeling better than I could.”
