Uganda Higher Education

Uganda provides a perfect example of an energy poverty country and therefore, I recognize its need for talent in form of planners and experts in fields that are critical to economic development. My greatest challenge is in helping Uganda cope with the paucity of personnel with requisite skills in the field of power systems in her ambitions of democratizing energy to its poorest communities. The electrification process is likely to accelerate in future, giving rise to a qualitative leap into the third industrial revolution for third world countries like Uganda. Therefore, the need for trained engineers capable of employing multiple-criteria analysis and cross- disciplinary strategies to solve complex energy demand challenges cannot be under-emphasized; hence my application to this scholarship program.

Throughout my tenure at Aster Integral Private Limited, I have worked as a junior electrical engineer, but my ultimate goal is to be a reputable power systems engineer. Despite the fact that I have embarked on several projects, I lack both basic knowledge of computer aided design and systems analysis techniques appropriate to electrical power and sufficient exposure to power systems operation and protection; thus, I believe Newcastle University’s Electrical Power MSc program will improve my skill set. Additionally, my current fields of interest in power systems design, operation and protection require a deeper understanding of the analysis and design of transmission and distribution networks, power flow, fault and stability calculations, power system control including load frequency control and economic dispatch, generation technology implications on power system design and operation which I lack at the moment.

As a Master’s student at Newcastle University, I intend to participate in the research being undertaken by the school of engineering in virtual power plants and energy storage for low carbon grids because I find them intriguing. I will bring a unique and much-needed perspective to my graduate program, and I will take the technical and theoretical knowledge from my graduate program back with me to Africa to further my career goals as a power systems engineer.

Upon acquiring my master’s degree, I am strategizing on getting employed at a managerial level in Uganda Electricity Transmission Company or Rural Electrification Agency. Working with erudite professionals in the field of power systems is crucial as I feel I’m at my best when working with other high quality people. This particular prospect is appealing to me because of the complex nature of Uganda’s power transmission and distribution network as well as the diverse responsibilities, which will enable me to broaden my skill set.

Newcastle University has a history of awarding scholarships to promising young students from the developing world in order to bring knowledge, skills and leadership abilities to their home communities. I have stellar recommendations which show that I am talented; I have gained professional experience in my proposed field of study but I wish to broaden my expertise, and with your assistance, I can. I thank you for your time and consideration for this prestigious award.