Why I Deserve a Full Funded Scholarship at the University of Twente

I am Hasan Shahriyer. I have received my B.Sc. Degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Sylhet, Bangladesh. Now I am a full-time faculty member at Fareast International University (FIU). I am writing to convey my interest and eagerness in applying for the M.Sc. program of Civil Engineering and Management at the University of Twente starting from September 2019. Attending this master’s program is a natural step for me, one I am prepared to take and work tirelessly for, with both diligence  and alacrity. But I cannot take this step alone, I have no capacity to provide tuition fees for these courses. Therefore, my higher studies depend solely on getting tuition waivers and scholarships. Without it, my studies will have to be halted despite my academic achievements. A full funded scholarship will also motivate me to pursue my dreams with full determination.

The Foundation of My Interest in the Field of Management

One hot afternoon, when I was around six and half years old I was walking alone in the open street near to my house and saw the children were enjoying eating ice-cream, at that moment I feel like I need a vanilla flavor ice-cream in that hot weather which can give me immense pleasure. So, I went to my house and asked mom if she could buy me an ice-cream. My father was always busy with his works and our large family was going through financial crises at that moment. So my mother made me ice-cream with her own recipe by using different fruit slices with sugar syrup and put it on the refrigerator. She told me to bring all of my brothers and sisters to her after ten minutes.  When we returned to our mother, she gave us her special ice-cream and when I tested, it was amazing. All of my brothers and sisters were very happy. Steel now I feel like it was the best ice-cream that I have ever tested. This beautiful memory remains with me till now. I always wonder how my mother still manages her eight children and raise them in a beautiful environment, although we had small resources for living. Being raised in a large family and being the youngest child, I had to learn how to manage my own things all by myself and as well as to help my elder brother from my early childhood. In this case, my mother is  still now my inspiration. As my father and older brother worked in a construction company near we live, I frequently accompanied them and visits their construction sites. In my childhood days whenever I visited the sits, I was spending hours watching the high-rise skeleton of buildings, the machines and related processes with a child's curiosity and excitement. I always thought those people who made huge building must have some superpower, and they are always a Super Hero to me. Growing up in this environment has let me know what I enjoy most and what I want to become.

With that in mind, I chose Civil & Environmental Engineering as my undergraduate major, despite procuring the 318th position (nationally) on the merit list of admission test. Going against the topmost subjects like Computer Science and Engineering, Electronic and Electronic Engineering, Chemical Engineering & Polymer Science, Industrial and Production Engineering which were widely acclaimed across the country in that time, I started my undergraduate years as a Civil & Environmental Engineering student and secured the eighth position of my class after the final year examination. During my university education, I was surprised by the course subject and lab works. I thought that construct high-rise building, bridges, and roads are the main thing that a civil engineer can do but I proved to be wrong. I feel like by choosing to study this subject I can now explore a vast area of knowledge that is still unknown to me. I had learned that not only civil engineers do construction works, but also consider the environment that is also important for a better living experience, and they always try to improvise it. For this, they also have to consider the social and economic condition of the people. At university, I was the class representative. I had performed several voluntary works at many conferences and seminars. I had also performed as a survey assistant under a project at my university.

In my undergraduate thesis, I made a time-saving, user-friendly, interactive Microsoft Excels spreadsheet program where user can use standard penetration test (SPT) value to find out the bearing capacity, settlement and also some detailing of foundation components like isolated footing, combined footing, etc. We named it “FoundationGuide”. On the process of making this thing on my own, I also master myself in Microsoft Excel.

After graduation, I went to The Housing and Building Research Institute (HBRI) as a Research Fellow under several projects. HBRI provides me an opportunity to gather hands-on experience about the alternative building material which is widely used nowadays in my country. I also worked under a project where Japanese alternative brick technology is being introduced to promote sustainable and environmental-friendly brick in my country. Through this renowned institution, I also had gain experience about preparing necessary documents which are part and parcel to run a project smoothly. Now I am performing my duty as a lecturer at a popular university in my country. I enjoy teaching and always try my best to make it interesting.

I believe, bookish knowledge is vain unless you apply it in the real world. Now I want to further my vision in the field of Civil Engineering and Management by obtaining a degree from the University of Twente and also want to experience modern management system that is existed in 1st world country like Netherland. Bangladesh is a developing country and is going for mega infrastructure projects worth billions of dollars, so management is becoming ever more important for ensuring the maximum benefit for my country. The construction sector passed two good years in 2018-19 and looks to perform even better this year on the back of speeding up of implementation of major infrastructure projects. As we are witnessing a continued GDP growth rate of 8.13% per annum, such sustained growth is necessary to keep up the identity of a middle-income country. Refining the country’s infrastructural system will thus be essential for achieving high economic growth. Prominent civil engineer in my country, Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury sir already mentioned several times that better management is necessary for faster progress, he believes that many who have become project directors do not have the relevant educational qualifications. It is worth mentioning many infrastructure projects remain ineffective because of poor planning and lack of feasibility studies.

I chose University of Twente, Netherland to accomplish Civil Engineering and Management degree. The reason is, Netherland is a leading country in the field of research and only this renowned university provided this premier programme which focuses extensively on both the technical and non-technical aspects of planning, design, realization, and maintenance of civil engineering  projects and systems. I believe through this master’s course I can equip myself with both technical and non-technical knowledge of major infrastructure and construction projects. I am highly interested in Digital Technologies which are used by Construction Markets & Organizations of Construction. Modeling and forecasting are always fascinating to me. This master’s study will also help me to gain practically oriented information about how projects are set up and carried out. I believe this is the perfect time for me to take this amazing master’s program and University of Twente is the only university who can offer this course at its best. By acquiring this knowledge I want to be self-sufficient before returning to my motherland. And upon returning, I want to join as a management body in a mega project in my country and will work delightedly for its progress. I believe, the University of Twente’s Master’s program in Civil Engineering and Management will not only improve my engineering skills but also provide me with the tools, support, and foundation necessary for ultimately become successful in this field. Truly, I am committed to this intellectual journey, and to University of Twente itself.

Enrolling in this master's program represents a logical progression in my academic journey, one that I am fully committed to pursuing with unwavering dedication and enthusiasm. However, I acknowledge that I cannot embark on this path alone, as the financial burden of tuition fees poses a significant obstacle. Consequently, my pursuit of advanced education relies entirely on securing tuition waivers and scholarships. Without such support, despite my academic accomplishments, I would be forced to halt my studies. A fully-funded scholarship would serve as a powerful catalyst, fueling my drive to realize my aspirations with unwavering determination. I have made my decision. Now, I look forward to you. I really don’t want to miss this perfect opportunity to acquire M.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering and Management from University of Twente.