Scholarship / "Ph.D degree in a related subdiscipline in civil engineering" - Chevening: post-study career plan. [2]

Nigeria,among other African countries, boasts of vast resources and enormous manpower. Unfortunately, it has failed to effectively utilize its resources and manpower for the attainment of a sound and a highly developed nation of its dream, as far as the construction sector is concerned. The terrible state of the construction sector questions the authority and competence of her construction professionals (particularly the civil engineers, since they work at the highest level of design and are responsible for planning of large infrastructural projects which involve solutions to complex problems). Poor designs, use of adulterated construction materials, preference for quacks over construction professionals, little recognition for the civil engineering profession and inferiority complex among civil engineers are many a problem and challenges militating against effective civil engineering practices. I believe that my post graduate studies in the UK will serve to better sharpen my team working ability, problem-solving and creative skills to be able to make significant contributions to the problems afflicting the construction sector in my country.

I aspire to, immediately after my postgraduate study, join the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Nigerian Institute of Civil Engineers where I can put my analytical and problem-solving skills, by synergizing and seeking professional consultations from contemporary as well as more experienced engineers, to efficient use in investigating and preferring solutions to construction problems frustrating economical development in the country. By increasing in rank from a member to a fellow in NSE, I can be well assured of gaining more power and authority to address construction problems and positively influence both engineering and civil engineering practices. In fact, by becoming a fellow , I intend to work towards the improvement of the engineering education in polytechnics and universities. In addition, it is my utmost desire to help ameliorate the popular difficulty faced by Nigerian graduate engineers in securing a place in engineering environments for their one-year youth service to their country.

Five years after my postgraduate study, I intend to further earn a Ph.D degree in a related subdiscipline in civil engineering. Being a student of knowledge who derives much fulfillment and satisfaction from helping others grow academically, I desire to, as part of my longer term career goals, to establish a guidance and counselling organisation whose major aims will be to help final-year undergraduate civil engineering students locate their areas of interest in the vast field of civil engineering and to sensitize them about the career prospects within their field.

Scholarship / Statement of Purpose for Erasmus Mundus masters program in Materials Science [2]

my drive for engineering

More than anything else, the deep feeling of satisfaction and fulfillment of being part of key stakeholders in the development of built environment has always stimulated my drive for engineering. While on a field trip to the federal capital territory of my country, my inner cravings to know more about civil engineering became more profound when I visited the site of an underground pedestrian passageway of an express road. The configuration of the passageway which allowed easy utilization by pedestrians, as opposed to an overhead pedestrian bridge, inspired awed enthusiasm. This single experience, and many others, underscored the invaluable importance of engineering in making life more comfortable for the society, and thus the passion for Civil Engineering was ignited in me. However, my choice of an MSc program in Material Science was inspired by my desire to develop sustainable solutions to the incessant collapse and poor functional performance of buildings, which has resulted in the loss of productive lives and properties, as well as retarded the sustainable development of the construction industry in my home country- Nigeria.

As an undergraduate in a leading university of technology in my country, I participated in various industrial training programs and research projects. One highly rewarding industrial training experience, which helped the development of my supervisory skills and problem-solving ability, was a six-month internship at Osun state Ministry of Works, where I worked as a site supervisor of a road dualisation project. For my major undergraduate research project, I performed a questionnaire-based study on the issues concerning motorcycle ownership in a local government area, using seven representative communities selected purposively, and developed a model expressing the ownership behavior. The results from analysis showed that monthly income, household size, purchase price, number of working family members, years of riding experience and number of dependants are factors that significantly affected ownership. The major significance of this study is its importance in formulation and management of traffic policies and development of effective and feasible motorcycle-related policies for effective vehicular traffic management.

My choice of Erasmus Mundus program for postgraduate degree was informed by the program's renown for helping admitted students gain transferable skills, the fascinating experience of learning alongside students from diverse cultural backgrounds, and the promising opportunity of building a scholarly network across different study destinations abroad. I plan to carry out research in sustainable construction materials, and I wish to publish at least two highly-rated journals in the field of materials science with the support of my lecturers. Moreover, studying through the Erasmus Mundus programme will avail me the opportunity to learn and understand the rich cultural backgrounds of any of my preferred study locations, whilst expanding my network.

Additionally, on completing my Master degree, I intend to earn a Ph.D in innovative civil engineering materials to further equip me with the research skills and intellectual sagacity in addressing key issues in sustainable construction. This knowledge will be invaluable in providing a deep understanding of the characteristics and behavior of local construction materials, as well as the exploration of viable ways of utilizing these materials in the sustainable development of the built environment in Nigeria. In the long run, I plan to use the knowledge garnered during my postgraduate programmes to design indigenous, innovative building technologies that guarantee the production of low-cost, sustainable, and environmentally friendly construction materials for greener homes in Nigeria; synergize with both governmental and non-governmental agencies to formulate policies that will regulate the severity of building collapse, and promote the use of cheap, recycled waste as green alternatives in construction materials; set up a consultancy firm that will offer consultancy roles to international and local organizations on pressing construction and environmental matters, and to finally take a career in the academia where I can use my knowledge to impart human capacity development.

Conclusively, I have a strong desire to create a conducive and comfortable environment for people to live in, and to improve the everyday lives of people. I believe that I have the zeal in material science that makes me a suitable candidate for this program. My hardworking nature, interpersonal skills, knack for coordination, and insatiable thirst for academic excellence consistently ranked me among the top 5% of my class throughout my undergraduate study, the best student in water resources engineering, course representative for various course works, and the project leader of several research works during the course of my undergraduate degree. I am confident that I have the necessary research, technical and software skills needed to thrive on the academic rigor of the MSc program. I appreciate you for taking your time to look into my application and attached documents

Scholarship / Explain how your proposed study relates to a development need in your sector and country [2]

Commonwealth Home Benefit Essay

Improper waste treatment and indiscriminate waste disposal into the environment are major constraining factors frustrating sustainable development of the Nigerian environmental sector. The discharge of petroleum wastes into water bodies in the Niger Delta region, release of industrial effluents into river Kaduna in the north and the lack of central waste treatment plants are few examples of these issues. Consequently, these result in environmental pollution which threatens the health and wellbeing of the Nigerian populace. In an attempt to address her environmental problems, the Nigerian government established several waste management agencies, and made huge investments in the development of conventional but unsustainable waste treatment technologies (i.e. incineration and land filling) which have failed to yield much anticipated results. However, without the adoption of indigenous, sustainable waste treatment technologies, such as reuse and recycle, for waste management, Nigeria risks failing in her achievement of the sustainable development goals of ensuring and promoting a healthy live for its citizens, as well as the conservation and sustainable use of environmental resources for sustainable development by 2030.

An MSc in Environmental Management (Conservation) at the University of Stirling will consolidate my understanding on prior knowledge in waste treatment, equip me with the research knowledge and environmental skill sets in sustainable waste treatment technologies, which are required to address highlighted national environmental issues.

Upon returning to Nigeria, I will utilize my postgraduate skills and knowledge in a Federal Waste Management Agency by working as an environmental consultant, to investigate low-cost waste treatment methods for materials and energy production while checking domestic and industrial wastes released into the environment. The study will result in reductions in waste treatment costs and environmental contaminations, and material and energy conservation; the implementation of these results will span a five-year period. The potential benefits of the assessment for the Nigerian government will be increased wealth (for infrastructural development, poverty reduction, and employment creation), and solution to national energy needs. Nigerian citizens will benefit from living in a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment, which is in accordance with the Department for International Development (DFID) objective of creating a favorable world for people in developing countries.

Furthermore, I will offer consultancy roles to government regulatory bodies on pressing environmental problems. Specifically, I will work with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (FEPA) in devising effective ways of curbing improper waste disposal into the environment in rural and urban communities, and planning strategies for impactful environmental awareness. I am confident that acquiring the Commonwealth Shared Scholarship will avail me the opportunity to champion this course of environmental sustainability.

An Increase in nationally-generated revenue, less environmental contamination, and significant reduction in the carbon footprints of domestic and industrial operations, are ways in which the impact of my works might be measured. In addition, I shall send quarterly progress reports, detailing the implementation level of my work to the Commonwealth Scholarship Council.

Scholarship / How your personal background has encouraged you to contribute to development in your country? [2]

Commonwealth Personal Statement

Please supply a personal statement, of no more than 500 words, that summarizes the ways in which your personal background has encouraged you to make a contribution to development in your country. You should indicate areas in which you have already contributed, such as in overcoming any personal or community barriers to higher education.

Having being born into a family of six with limited resources, I had to live in a waste-damaged semi-urban area, where there was no awareness about the destructive effects of improper waste disposal on the environment as well as the human health. As a strong inquisitive mind, who craved for change, i was constantly bothered by a baffling question ; how do I address the unconscious threat to the environment? At college, taking environment-related subjects did not only give directions to my inquisitiveness but also provided enlightenment on suitable undergraduate program options for a successful environmental career.

My undergraduate program in Civil Engineering was a richly rewarding experience; I acquired a wealth of theoretical and practical knowledge in core topics of the environmental engineering which include; solid waste management, Air and land pollution control, water and wastewater treatment methods which formed the foundation for an advanced study in the environmental field. Studying alongside the brightest students from across the country was fascinating; it offered a profound advantage of sharing knowledge, which helped learning at a faster pace.

During my internship at a state ministry of works and transport, I gained a lot of hands-on experience in road construction and maintenance, and waste management. My involvement as the site supervisor of a road dualisation project saw the completion of the 1500 metres long road median in record time( 3 days ahead of schedule) which eventually led to the overall completion of the road construction within stipulated time.

As a way of developing the environmental skills set required to deal with trending nationwide environmental issues, I volunteered for the "My Environment is Mine Initiative (ME.MI) - an initiative created with the motive of championing a clean, healthy and sustainable environment through a synergy of environmental enthusiasts across the globe. I worked with the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) group of the initiative to propagate, in communities, through organized seminars and lectures, the need for an eco-friendly environment in facilitating a healthy human lifestyle. As the leader of the ECO group in my locality, I was able to coordinate, through close interaction with team members, five environmental awareness campaigns to surrounding communities in a space of four weeks of my assumption of leadership. It was the highest number of environmental awareness campaign that had been made, and that had sensitized the largest population, within such a short period, since the start of the initiative.

Conclusively, I have a strong desire to create a conducive and comfortable environment for people to live in, and to improve the everyday lives of people. However, given my humble background, my plans to make purposeful impact on the environment will only be a "pipe dream" without a financial aid.

Scholarship / Commonwealth scholarship short essay on objectives during award, and career plan after award. [2]

Commonwealth scholarship essay

Objectives during award.

During the period of the award, I shall seek knowledge on effective measures for curbing improper waste disposal into the environment, and strive to develop environmental skills set and knowledge in waste recycling technology.Moreover, I shall conduct a deep research in sustainable low-cost waste treatment methods, and go on numerous visits to waste management sites in the UK to gain practical acquaintance with the waste management system in a developed world, and how this can be adapted in Nigeria.

Finally, if availed the opportunity, I shall attend conferences and seminars on pressing waste treatment issues, as well as garner knowledge on strategies for impactful environmental awareness creation.

Career Plans five years following award

Upon the successful completion of the award, I intend to seek the job of an environmental consultant in a federal government waste management agency in Nigeria. Furthermore, during the period of working at the agency, I shall investigate indigenous low-cost waste treatment practices whilst offering consultancy roles to both international and local organisations on pressing environmental issues.

Long-term Career Field.

In the long run, I plan to earn a doctorate degree in sustainable waste treatment, and to lecture and conduct more researches in the environmental sustainability field at a research-intensive university. In addition , I shall become a professor who will make continuous contributions to solving national environmental issues through groundbreaking researches. Subsequently, I shall establish a waste management firm which will ensure a proper waste treatment and disposal system in municipalities.

Graduate / Civil Engineering Statement of Purpose (King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals) [2]

academic career at KFUPM - sop

Below is the statement of purpose for my application into the master's program in civil engineering (transportation engineering option) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. Constructive comments will be greatly appreciated.

As a young college student who grew up in a semi urban settlement in South-Western Nigeria, my firsthand witness of a motorcycle-car collision at a road intersection ignited a novel drive in me - the need to address the prevalent incidences of motorcycle-related accidents on the highway. However, the desire to proffer solutions to the parlous state of motorcycle traffic management in my home country was not the only factor which influenced my decision for an MSc. in civil engineering (with specialization in transportation engineering) but also the aspiration to be at the frontiers of excellence in the civil engineering field.

My undergraduate program in Civil Engineering was a richly rewarding experience; I acquired a wealth of research and industrial experience. For my industrial experience, I underwent an industrial training as an engineering intern on a road dualization project at the Ministry of Works and Transport in Osun state. Furthermore, in the ultimate year of my undergraduate program, I investigated into the factors affecting motorcycle ownership, and developed a mathematical model expressing the ownership behavior. The core significance of this study is that it is useful in the development of effective motorcycle-related policies for motorcycle traffic management.

When presented with the choice on where to have a postgraduate study, a few criteria came to my mind such as high-quality learning, world-leading, cutting-edge research, renowned expertise, and most importantly a sound curricula. Since King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) meet all these criteria, it is among the best places for me to further my study. Also, with its highly qualified faculty members and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, which are requisites for purposeful research in the civil engineering field, I believe my goals are achievable. A chance at the much-coveted position for graduate studies will no doubt provide me with boundless opportunities towards my quest - personal development and a better world.

During my master's program at KFUPM, I intend to conduct research in the area of advanced computational methods in modelling. I am highly interested in developing an advanced model with more accuracy in predicting future motorcycle ownerships. This model will be invaluable in the management of existing motorcycle traffic policies, thus mitigating motorcycle accidents on the highway. I have perused the publication of Dr. Nedal Taisir Al-Ratrout of the department of civil engineering at KFUPM on " A Review of Mode Choice Modelling Techniques for Intra City and Border Transport" I am fascinated by his research and I will like to work under his supervision when granted admission.

Conclusively, I have a strong desire to create a conducive and comfortable environment for people to live in, and to improve the everyday lives of people. I believe that I have the zeal in civil engineering that makes me a suitable candidate, and I look forward to commencing an exciting academic career at KFUPM.

Scholarship / Environmental Engineering - PTDF Scholarship Statement of Purpose [2]

Statement of Purpose

In 500 words, state the reason for the proposed study, its relevance to the oil and gas industry, and its expected impact on the oil and gas industry.

Oil spillage, gas flaring, and the discharge of hazardous waste from oil production processes in the Niger Delta continue to endanger aquatic lives, and the lives of the inhabitants of host communities in the region. In addition to poor implementation of established environmental protection laws, lack of technical expertise and inadequate research in technologies for the treatment of these hazardous waste are also of great concern. My goal is to develop the research competence and hands-on skills required in the design of waste-to-energy technologies, and the strategies for strict implementation of the Nigerian environmental policies on waste from crude oil processing, hence, my application for the PTDF scholarship for the MSc. Program in Environmental Engineering at Newcastle University.

The MSc. program in Environmental Engineering at Newcastle University contains course modules that I find invaluable to my career development in the oil and gas industry. For example, the "environmental engineering for developing countries" course module shall impart me with the knowledge on the identification of appropriate technology for the treatment of the waste generated from oil production processes in developing countries. Through the wastewater engineering course, I shall gain in-depth knowledge and skills in the design of the identified technology. Moreover, the "solid waste management" course will help me to understand implementation strategies for domestic and international solid waste policies as well as suitable methods of storage, collection, transfer, treatment, and disposal of waste produced from crude oil processing in both industrialized and developing countries.

On completion of my master's degree, I shall return to Nigeria to seek employment at the Federal Ministry of Environment where I shall apply the knowledge from my postgraduate program to help in the design of indigenous technology for converting oil processing waste to biofuels for domestic use. In addition, I shall synergize with environmental policymakers and contribute my knowledge on implementation strategies for solid waste policies to ensure strict compliance of oil companies to related policies on oil waste management. The overall impact of this is the provision of employment to Nigerians in waste-to-energy conversion, and the preservation of the aquatic ecosystem, and the health of residents in oil processing regions of the Niger Delta. In the long run, I plan to establish a small-scale consulting firm that will provide research services on emerging environmental problems to both local and international organizations in the environmental sector. The research knowledge from my postgraduate education will help me perform the research consulting roles efficiently.

Overall, I believe I am highly qualified for the PTDF scholarship because I am enthusiastic about devising solutions to environmental issues, which will facilitate a healthy environment for the Nigerian people to live in. Thanks for taking the time to go through my application and I look forward to commencing an exciting academic career at Newcastle University as a PTDF scholar.

Graduate / Statement of Purpose (University of Arizona). Interested in research on industrial waste recycling [2]

I am applying for admission to the University of Arizona. The essay prompt and statement of purpose can be found below. I will appreciate honest feedbacks to improve my statement of purpose. Thanks

Statement of Purpose

As a young college student who lived in a semi-urban settlement where there was no awareness about the damaging effects of improper solid waste disposal on the environment as well as the human health, I was consistently troubled by a baffling question (which would stimulate my drive for environmental issues) - how do I address the unconscious threat to the environment? - how can solid waste be used to the benefit of humans without harm to the environment? It is against this backdrop that I am applying for the MSc. program at the University of Arizona. I am interested in research on the processes for generation of biofuel from industrial waste. Over the years, I have acquired theoretical and practical knowledge; and I have participated in internship and volunteer programs which have contributed to my personal and professional development in the environmental engineering field.

My undergraduate program in civil engineering was a richly rewarding experience. It exposed me to a variety of fundamental topics in the environmental engineering field such as basic concepts and theory, and design of solid waste collection and disposal systems, filed and laboratory sampling and monitoring of solid wastes etc. Besides, the course on water and wastewater engineering imbued me with the basic knowledge in planning water source development programs, treatment process for surface and groundwater(from screening to disinfection) etc. All these knowledge are necessary prerequisites for some major and elective subjects in environmental engineering masters program. These include bioremediation of inorganic contaminants, advanced water and wastewater treatment, advanced chemical reaction engineering, water and wastewater treatment systems design, environmental engineering laboratory etc.

For my internship experience, I had a six-month industrial training at Osun state Ministry of Environment and Sanitation. During this period, I was nourished with a gamut of hands-on experience in waste management. My assignment as the assistant environmental sanitation officer across two districts helped the development of supervisory skills as well as the mastery of my problem-solving techniques. By preparing a roster based on the number of houses in my assigned districts, I was able to effectively coordinate the weekly environmental sanitation activities, which included cleaning of drainage ways, bush clearing, and packing of waste on road paths.

As a way of developing the environmental skills set required to deal with environmental issues, I worked as a volunteer for the "My Environment is Mine Initiative (memyAfrica) - an initiative created with the motive of championing a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment through a synergy of environmental enthusiasts across the globe. Moreover, I worked with the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) group of the initiative to sensitize communities about the need for an eco-friendly environment in facilitating a healthy human lifestyle. As the moderator of the group's chapter in my area of residence, I coordinated more than fifty education programs to primary and secondary schools, and parastatals on environmental topics ranging from proper waste disposal to developing environmental sustainability ideals. Moreover, through the Gofundme project, I was able to raise funds to purchase brooms and waste baskets for use in over 10 communities where obtaining these items was difficult due to the poor financial status of residents.

During my stay at the University of Arizona, I intend to join Arizona's chapter for "Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW)" group. I shall utilize my knowledge and skills on sensitization, gained during my service in the Me.Mi Environmental Community Outreach group, to actively participate in awareness programs on sustainability best practices for students and engineers. Besides, I would like to be involved in the design and implementation of sustainability projects geared towards tackling sustainability challenges across the globe. My participation in ESW will serve to improve my problem-solving skills through the design of projects, and to hone my interpersonal skills as I expand my professional network in Arizona and beyond.

I want to study at the University of Arizona because the Institute meets my criteria for a first-class institution. It has state-of-the-art facilities and professional instructors; a major attraction for me is the cutting-edge environmental researches ongoing in the school. The various modules offered in the master's program for environmental engineering cuts across a diverse number of sub disciplines. A thorough knowledge and understanding of these sub disciplines, I believe will assist towards achieving my career goal of becoming a balanced environmental engineer who can make valuable, meritorious contributions to the field of knowledge in an academic, commercial, or industrial environment. Prof. Greg Ogden, Prof. Kim Ogden and Prof. Reyes Sierra have research interest in biofuels which aligns with mine. I would like to be considered for available graduate research assistantship positions at the university so that I can work under any of them upon gaining admission.

Additionally, on the successful completion of my master's program, I intend to earn a Ph.D. in a subject related to my master's research. In the long run, I plan to establish a small-scale consultancy firm that will provide consultancy roles on pressing environmental problems to both local and international organizations in the environmental sector. The research knowledge from my postgraduate education will help me perform the consultancy roles efficiently.

Overall, I have a strong desire to create a conducive and comfortable environment for people to live in, and to improve the everyday lives of people. . I believe that I have the zeal in environmental engineering that makes me a suitable candidate for this master's course. My hardworking nature, interpersonal skills, knack for coordination and insatiable thirst for academic excellence consistently ranked me among the top 5% in my class throughout my bachelor's degree, course representative for various course works, and the project leader of several group research work. I am confident that I have the necessary prerequisites to thrive on the academic rigor of the MSc program, and look forward to commencing an exciting academic career at the University of Arizona.