Graduate / PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR CHINAMANO ELWIN TINASHE- [4]

please reveiw before I submit. Will be happy if I get opinions of those who graduated with LUMES programme from Lund University

I would like to introduce my candidacy for the LUMES postgraduate studies. These studies will help me to further develop my knowledge, improve my skills and to help me continue with my environmental research activities. It will assist me in the design of novel solutions for curbing environmental degradation and promote sustainable use of our environment. This research is my passion and my life's work, because I am confident that it is a noble cause.

I took a degree of Bachelor of Environmental Science Honours Degree in 2006 from the Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Science at Bindura University of Science Education in Zimbabwe. During my studies and in high school I participated in many national competitions in problem solving, in mathematics, and chemistry and at one time represented my school in Harare Region Schools Olympiad competitions.

My undergraduate studies mainly focused on the basic and advanced knowledge of the principles of environmental management and sustainable development. I am particularly interested in the research related to the application of environmental management principles in attaining developmental goals at grassroots and national level. I have therefore endeavoured to upgrade my education this field.

In applying to this programme, I was fascinated by your country and its culture and way of life. I was very attracted to the research possibilities, pleasant working atmosphere and people's kindness. Encouraged by this, I decided to enter the LUMES programme at your university.

I am aware that my knowledge is still limited in many areas. I hope that through these MSc studies I will have the opportunity to increase my knowledge to a higher standard. My plan is to engage in full time research activities and experimental work, which will hopefully result in the solving of some well known environmental problems as well as introducing innovations that will lead toward the integration of environmental management in the planning of developmental activities.

I addition to my academic activities, I have experienced as an Environmental and Quality Officer and Regional Safety Health and Environmental Officer in a petrochemical and energy industries respectively. This helped me to develop a strong analytical mind and interpersonal skills. Moreover, I learned the value of teamwork and become more solution oriented, adapting to a constantly changing work environment while maintaining good working relationships with individuals of different cultural backgrounds. My good public relations is also my strong characteristic.

In regard to my extracurricular activities, I enjoy giving service to community, travelling and following sport in general. I also participated in different voluntary programmes for charity organisations i.e. 2003-2006 Peer HIV/AIDS Educator Shape Zimbabwe, Projects Officer Environmental Action Support Youth (EASY)

I understand that admission to LUMES programme is competitive, but I am confident that I am qualified, eager and prepared to meet all of its challenges.

I would be most grateful if you could give my application your most favourable consideration. I undertake to come back to Zimbabwe on completing the programme and work for the development of my country.

Yours truly,

CHINAMANO ELWIN TINASHE

Graduate / Could you assist me if these question are well answered (the programme) [3]

Q1: What are your main interests in the field of Environment and Sustainability.

Ans: I am particularly interested in research that aims to influence policy and lead to the integration of environmental sustainability in the overal decision making process.

Q2: What are your main reasons for applying to the programme?

Ans: In applying to the programme, I was fascinated by your country and its culture and way of life. I was attracted by the research possibilities, pleasant working artmosphere, your peoples' kindness and the multi-cultural approach of the programme. Further, I was excited by the prosepect of leaving and learning in a multicutural environment and truly experiencing the Swidish way of life.

Q3: How do you hope to benefit from studying programme.

Ans: I hope that through studying the programme, I will have the opportunity to increase my knowledge to a higher standard. I am confident that, the programme will help me to further develop my knowledge, improve my skills and help me to continue with my environmental research activities. It will also assist me in the design of novel solutions for curbing complex environmental issues and help promote environmental sustainability in my society. These reserch is my passion and my life's work because I am confident that it is a noble cause.

Being a mid career professional, I also believe that the programme will help me to develop more self confidence and leadership skills that will help me mentor other up-coming young professionals. I also look forwad to benefiting from interacting with other future visionary leaders from different cultures, which will help me broaden my view of the development world beyond Southern Africa. Interacting from participants from different cultural backgrounds will also give me some insights on how to facilitate and ensure development initiatives succeed, as well as ensuring equitable distribution of benefits from such developments initiatives.

Q4: What are your future plans after completion of the programme?

Ans: My future ambition is is to end up in top management either as a policy maker in government, which I will use as a platform to bridge the gap between policy, research and decision making.

If I do not succeed in this route, my ambition is to end up working in an influential position in one of the United Nations agencies such as UNEP, UNDP or FAO. When I was still doing my undergraduate studies, I always said to myself that when I complete my programme I want ot engage in full time research activities or join a UN agency. This is a dream that I still hold.