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letter of motivation
My family has experienced a fair share of the disastrous effects of flooding, a frequently occurring hydrogeologic hazard in Ghana. I was 8 when my father's computer wholesale outlet was completely immersed in a flood after a heavy downpour at Circle, a suburb in the Accra plains, a notable instance among several others. This event caused a significant economic downturn in my family with its effects lingering to this day. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), flooding has affected the largest number of people in the world accounting for 45% of natural disasters between 1997 and 2018 accounting for billions of dollars in economic losses and numerous losses of lives. In developing countries like Ghana, floods are often caused by urban growth and slum expansions; heavy precipitation, and insufficient surface runoff management during heavy downpours. Apart from rainfall, flooding is globally also caused by landslides, storms, seismic activities (notable hydrologic hazards), and dam failures. A worrying fact is that the (UNISDR) study further states that people in low-income countries who are exposed to flooding and other geohydrologic hazards are seven times more likely to die than people in high countries. Therefore, there is the need to research and devise cost-effective flood control methods to combat flooding, among other hazards, in low- and middle-income countries leveraging on geotechnical engineering principles. This is my goal and the reason for applying for a master's degree in Geoengineering.
To achieve my aspirations, I enrolled in the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) where I obtained a Bachelor's degree in Geological Engineering with First Class Honours. During the program, I was exposed to several courses such as geotechnical engineering 1, principles of hydrogeology, and statistics which I excelled in. These provided a helpful foundation for this master's program. In addition, I have cultivated significant research-related skills such as hypothesis formulation, literature review, experimental design, and execution as well as geotechnical data analysis. In my bachelor's research project, these skills are displayed when I led my team to evaluate the engineering properties of crushed rock aggregates. The findings of the study showed that the aggregates, obtained from a major quarry in Ghana, were suitable for durable concrete and road construction according to the British Standard, American Society for Testing Materials, and the Ministry of Transportation, Ghana specifications. The project ensured that high-quality aggregates were used in various constructions across the region and was accepted as a poster presentation at the 64th Annual Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists Conference, Texas 2021.
Aside from my research experience, I possess excellent teaching skills during my undergraduate studies. I took pleasure in helping my classmates and junior coursemates to understand difficult courses at organized tutorial sessions. These experiences enabled me to reinforce the academic and practical knowledge I had gained in my program of study as well as gain the skill of navigating challenges and managing individuals with diverse viewpoints and cultures. As a result, I will look forward to being engaged in teaching and mentoring students pursuing a first cycle degree in familiar fields during the master's program. Additionally, I had some experience in leadership and working in a collaborative environment when I served in key supportive roles as electoral commissioner of the Geological Engineering Students Society and the organizing secretary for the KNUST chapter of the West African Institute of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum. I anticipate learning and contributing to the Graduate Students in Civil Engineering and the International Students Society at your university.
Going forward, I undertook my one-year National Service at the Building and Road Research Institute (BRRI) after which I joined the Geotechnical division of Team Engineering S.p.A. These work experiences have exposed me to geotechnical site investigations characterization, laboratory testing, and analysis as well as significant presentation and writing skills. In my career, I have participated in the planning of a number of site investigation operations and supervised the drilling and logging of over 40 boreholes, 120 trial pits, and several dynamic cone penetration tests. I have learned the influence of seismicity, groundwater, soil or rock type, and bearing capacity on the stability of structures, slopes, and earthworks. Moreover, I took advantage of the biweekly presentations at the geotechnical division at BRRI where I worked with my teammates to present on innovative topics in geotechnical engineering as well as projects I had undertaken before a group of engineers. With the above experiences, I am more than enthused as I look forward to public speaking opportunities as I advance in my master's program at your university.
It will be a dream come true to be trained in a diverse academic setting that emphasizes practical learning. An institution with distinguished teaching and research faculty, ultra-modern laboratory facilities, and a supportive environment. The University of Florence, one of the oldest and most outstanding research institutions, fits this narrative. The interdisciplinary curriculum of the Geoengineering program is vital to adequately prepare a professional for the task of preventing or managing geo-hydrologic hazards. The prospect of being trained by professors in Hydrology, Geomatics, Engineering Geology, and Geotechnics to simulate geo-hydrological databases for integrated multiple hazards and risk evaluation based on these diverse fields to save lives and property is exhilarating. Getting admitted into this program will also give me the opportunity to meet, interact, and learn from diverse student communities, and set me up for a successful career with global connections. After completing this program, I intend to return to my home country to work for two years after which I will pursue a doctorate degree.
In conclusion, floods, among other geohydrologic hazards cause loss of lives and bestow a huge economic burden on humanity, especially in low-income countries. As a result, collective research is needed to devise cost-effective methods of combating these occurrences. Admission into the Geoengineering master's program will be a great opportunity to be nurtured at the University of Florence to contribute innovative methods of assessing risk, preventing, and or managing these hazards in a sustainable manner. I believe that my valuable experience and skills have adequately prepared me for this chapter of my academic journey. As a result, I look forward to the consideration of my application. Thank you.