Graduate / Post grad: Biotechnology Personal statement [2]

Please help me review this personal statement. Actually this is the first that I have ever made in my life. I would be glad for all your constructive criticisms. Thanks.

Question Prompt: Describe in not more than 1000words, your reasons for applying for the course(Biotechnology) you wish to follow and explain how it will help you with the work you expect to do on your return to your country.

You should include an outline of your intended profession, your ambitions and your career plan. Describe also, your most outstanding non-academic achievement involving other people where you demonstrated leadership potential(you may describe an extra curricular/sport/community/professional activity or an assignment).

PERSONAL STATEMENT

It was pitch-black on the horizon; the gloomy atmosphere left in the wake of man's blinded quest for 'the black gold'(crude oil). The documentary I watched some years ago couldn't have portrayed the horrific environmental degradation I saw on my visit to the Ogoni land oil spill in the Niger-delta area of Nigeria. This deplorable situation has greatly deprived these communities of arable land for agriculture, water for fishing and other domestic use; as crude oil has brought death to all life forms in its path.

Recently, the United Nations(UN) forecasted an estimate of $1billion and a time frame of 30years for a complete remediation of the Niger-delta oil spill; thus emphasizing the extent of this environmental degradation. Consequently, I have always pondered over these questions: are there alternative energy sources without devastating environmental impact?, are there posssible means of applying bio-friendly materials in the remediation of the oil spills? An introductory course in Biotechnology during my undergraduate study in Biochemistry subsequently answered these questions. Perhaps, I can contribute a lot in the amelioration of the plight of these distressed communities, thus my interest in Biotechnology blossomed.

In my early teens, I had my first encounter with biogas. Although at that time, I was yet to to grasp the significance of my observations in a poultry farm; I found it strange seeing hot fumes of gas originating from decaying poultry wastes. It was not untill several years later did I learn that the gas was a major component of biogas-methane. Ever since my discovery, I have sought out ways to harness this biogas for energy production. However,despite significant advances in biofuel production, Nigeria is yet to pay heed to this wonderful technological breakthrough; being solely dependent on hydro-elctricity and crude oil for her energy needs. The advent of biofuel production will go a long way to boost the overall energy generation in my country as evidenced in most developed societies of the world.

In this regard, undertaking an MSc.in Biotechnology will consolidate my intellectual capabilities in proposing a suitable energy generation plan via sewage management. I have come to appreciate the benefits derived from Biotechnolgy through articles describing the different products derived from sewage sludge. Imagine the implications of channelling the sewage sludge from all the houses in a residential estate into a bioreactor capable of generating bioproducts such as electricity,fertilizer,biogas and biodiesel as well as waste water treatment; this is my mega plan for Nigeria. Also, going down to the grass roots; I plan to design simple and affordable bioreactors for farmers to ease the economic burden posed by high energy cost and fertilizer acquisition.Moreover, there is a great challenge of food security all over the world. As a livestock farmer,I have witnessed the poor yields associated with poor breeds of animals and disease outbreaks in a farm. Again, Biotechnolgy offers me a solution to this menace with the prospects of vaccine production and genetically modified organisms.

Furthermore, the ubiquitous nature of micro-organisms have made them desirable as tools in biotechnology research. Since my research focus is on production efficiency of biofuels using micro-organisms; it will afford me with the opportunity of working extensively in the identification and isolation of micro-organisms capable of degrading hydro carbons. Hence, keeping me in line with my quest for the remidiation of oil spills in Nigeria.

Over the years, I have headed several group projects in my class as a result of my metuculous approach to research work. In response to the poor academic performance of my class, I organised my class into study groups. The successful outcome of this made our class to emerge as the best graduating class in my department. Besides my academic inclinations, I have served in different capacities as an executive officer in some pious societies in the church, especially in the Board of Lectors as a president in 2010.

Overall, Biotechnology is still in its infancy in Nigeria, hence the need for a solid foundation in Biotechnology which this Chevening scholarship will offer me. It will definitely prepare me for the great task ahead.

Undergraduate / my cousin was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery; Statement of Intent [5]

Hello, I have never heard of statement of intent nor statement of purpose until 2weeks ago. I was asked to write a statement of intent, explaining my reasons for applying for an Erasmus Mundus scholarship in forensic science. After a rigorous research, I came up with this draft. Will be pleased to have you assess and criticize it. Thanks.

STATEMENT OF INTENT

Over the years, many countries of the world have been mired in social injustice as a result of crude and inefficient crime scene investigations. The advent of Forensic science presents a viable means in averting this deplorable situation. However, the developing societies are yet to embrace this technique in criminal investigations, giving rise to innumerable wrongful convictions and unaccountable deaths.

A decade ago, my cousin was wrongfully convicted of armed robbery without substantive evidence. His arrest and conviction were made in response to perjured statements by the perpetrators of the crime. This incident created a vacuum in me as I watched helplessly as nothing was done to right this wrong. Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope manifested in a motion picture I watched shortly after this incident; of the crucial role played by the Forensic unit in exoneration of a man wrongfully charged with the murder of his wife. Perhaps, I can do same for my cousin and other people with such predicament. Such was my conviction that I accepted Forensic science as a career choice.

Consequently, I studied Biochemistry as a gateway to my life ambition, as Forensic science was not being taught at the undergraduate level. Notwithstanding, during my studies, I was privileged to garner background knowledge necessary in pursuing a career in Forensic science especially in basic DNA-based Information Technologies such as Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Southern blotting and DNA cloning. These research areas have been of a considerable interest to me, they include; application of microbial activities in forensic techniques, development of bio sensors/probes for forensic and environmental analysis, DNA fingerprinting and Forensic toxicology.

Hence, a course in forensic science will afford me the opportunity of an extensive exploration of these research areas. In addition, it is bound to nurture me for a doctorate degree as well as improve my prospects of making a significant breakthrough in forensic science. Not only will it booster my academic potentials but it will also have a considerable impact in my human rights activism. Thus, my membership in anti-crime organisations such as the Independent corrupt practices and other related offences commission(ICPC). As a member of Justice development and Peace commission(JPDC) in my church, I have contributed in a campaign against abuse of the rule of law and order.

Overall, crime has not only become sophisticated but also high-tech; hence the need for unrelenting concerted effort in check mating these crimes and their perpetrators. This Erasmus mundus scholarship in Forensic science will go a long way in equipping me with the state of the art skills in forensic science to match this trend in criminal investigation. Furthermore, the opportunity of working closely with reputable experts in this field can only produce a scholar who will be a good teacher, executioner of a quality research and possibly a nobel laurate. In all, it is a dream come true.