Scholarship / My Chevening Essay on why I want to study Biotechnology in UK and how to utilize it in future [2]

Outline why you have selected your chosen three university courses, and explain how this relates to your previous academic or professional experience and your plans for the future. Please do not duplicate the information you have entered on the work experience and education section of this form

My passion for biotechnology

While technology generally aims to create tools to empower man, biotechnology aims to change man himself, to better fit him to the world. Biotechnology can be defined as the controlled and deliberate manipulation of biological systems (whether living cells or cell components) for the efficient manufacture or processing of useful products. In my early days at College, I had keen interest in biotechnology as a course and science. My passion for biotechnology increased when I took modules in genetic engineering, molecular biology, biotechnology, and industrial biochemistry. I also learnt the process of using technology to modify the genetic makeup of an organism (animal, plant or a bacterium)

Universities in United Kingdom have an established reputation for excellence and this motivated and influenced the pursuit of my Masters in Biotechnology and Medical Biotechnology at University of Portsmouth due to their exceptional qualities ranging from their teaching quality, student experience, career services, increased post-graduate opportunities and also ability of the University to help put my skills to work in teaching and other related industries. I chose Coventry University as my third university due to the profile of their biotechnology course which offers the opportunity to gain a substantive professional experience and have the option of applying for an internship with a host of different organisations, their well-equipped suite of analytical and biological laboratories, research-inspired teaching and their strong track record of graduate employability. The services offered by these universities will provide the right opportunities to improve my research skills, and also provide the advanced theoretical and practical background necessary for competitive position in the Biotechnology industry.

My experience at the degree program of studying genetic engineering and molecular biology and Biotechnology as a course were we were taught manipulation of an organism's genes using biotechnology. The internship exposure at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital in 2016, where I carried out series of Pathological tests exposed, inspired, and encouraged me to pursue a career in Biotechnology. I am convinced that my knowledge of these two related fields of study would bring out a more resourceful Biotechnologist in me with vast knowledge about using living cells and cell materials to produce some pharmaceuticals products. I will be able to draw from my previous experience on genetic engineering to benefit the development of new diagnostics tests, therapeutic agents and bioenergy production systems that will assist in treating, early diagnosis and preventing human disease.

Following my exposure to the world of biotechnology, it became my dream to devote a part of my life to the development of Biotechnology in my country and beyond. I plan on becoming a research scientist using molecular tools to solve some of the lingering and debilitating human diseases in my country and globally. The use of biotechnology in disease diagnosis and also use living cells and materials produced by cells to create products that benefit society.

Finally, I plan to be an instructor in an academic field to inspire young scientists all over the world and most especially my country with the knowledge acquired in this field. I believe this will contribute positively to the development of biotechnology in my country.

Scholarship / Essay on my Leadership and influencing skills as part of requirements to win Chevening Scholarship [5]

MY LEADERSHIP ROLE

Essay Questions: Chevening is looking for individuals who will be future leaders or influencers in their home countries. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your own leadership and influencing skills to support your answer.

(minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

Answer :
As part of preparedness for leadership, I once was tasked with the burden of tutoring and bringing out the best in my younger siblings when there was the need to step up their school performance. During undergraduate study as a group leader in a group presentation, my group was ranked the second best among the 5 groups that helped the leadership skill in me. The group started on a low morale as the topic assigned to us was relatively a new topic without much information available. Members had just very little information presented from individual search and demoralized. As the leader, I strengthened members through motivation that the task was surmountable. I divided the group into two sub-teams each tasked on search for resources online and in the University Laboratory. I showed leadership by collating and harmonizing the resources sourced by me and the sub-teams into presentation form, which restored confidence in team members. My ability to facilitate communications and encourage feedbacks among in the group made our presentation a top notch. I presented the work to the admiration of everyone and the Course facilitator.

I was the leader of my undergraduate project teamwork. The research included experiments with animals (rats), which we were required to feed and administer drugs on for 8 weeks in a group of I as male with 3 females. Others were unwilling to help in the feeding of the animals and cleaning of their cages. I had to. I reached out colleagues at the Zoology department for the administration of drugs and feeding the animals. We required an instrument in the experiment on the animals from another department. It was arduous getting the instrument as an undertaking of replacing it with twice its type was required to which others were not ready to enter into. I did and my team could conclude our research. The study supervisor praised our efforts and promised to publish our impressive research reports.

My plan to study a medical/biotechnology related course at the United Kingdom was inspired by my realization that a deep and solid education is needed to have a critical understanding of the problems related to health issues in my country, Nigeria. It is my dream to devote of my life to the development of Clinical Health sector in my country and beyond. With the influences I have experienced through priority leadership, I am convinced Chevening scholarship will afford me greater opportunity to advance my budding potentials and be able to study to impact positively on the struggling Nigerian health system; the humanity as a whole; and inspire younger scientists globally. I am convinced of my readiness to satisfactorily live up to the offer of Chevening scholarship to the benefit of humanity.