Hi,
I'm Zein from Syria
I'm applying for chevening scholarship, would like some feedback please
1.Leadership & Influence Question :
To be a leading figure successful and important means to make an effort and take time to connect to people's hearts and minds and get them to show the best of their abilities
My experiences of leadership may not be of that much importance in the primary and secondary school stage but it was certainly of significant impact that played a highly important role in the formulation of my character and refining it for the subsequent phases, especially at the university level, where I had the first real leadership experience by joining the National Union of Syrian Students organization that was responsible for student representation and the solution of their problems and even organizing their affairs throughout their university life. I have started as a volunteer in the second year at my faculty (Civil Engineering) and advanced until I reached the position of the presidency of the governing body in the fourth year through democratic elections at the college, where I was the one responsible of leading the governing body that was composed of a team of 14 people, which in turn was holding the responsibility and was in charge of members of 70 th Committees to provide all the vital needs and requirements of the students and my colleagues in addition to defending their rights and also organizing recreational , musical and academic activities
After graduation I have worked in the Ministry of Social Affairs in Latakia city branch and over a short time I took over the presidency of the planning department, where we formed a team of 4 engineers under my leadership, and the most important work we have undertaken was the management of the Refugees affaires (UNHCR) who have been displaced to the city of Latakia in collaboration with the Red Crescent and Red Cross organization ,and I focused on the development of my professional abilities and worked in a project on the seashore as a Project Engineer and naturally , as the work of an engineer demands, I have led the workshop based on my experiences in my previous leadership and gained new skills in the engineering field. Luckily these are the best leadership experiences a young Engineer could have hoped for, because of the managerial and scientific nature of my job. Moreover; I have gained the communication skills needed to run any post throughout managing too many projects and being engaged with all sorts of people of all professions made me a more cooperative, subject oriented and a highly dependable personality who has a quite elevated sense of responsibility.
2.Networking Question
Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community ...
I am highly convinced that the capability of a person of having a leadership character is closely linked to being well socially associated... A leader can deal with the different personalities in the community to form ideas and principles that help to influence and lead any group in various fields in a smooth and easy way.
That was the main reason behind my arrival to the leadership of the student activity at the Faculty of Civil Engineering , as a result of my perfect relationships and interaction with a lot of my colleagues in the college .. and in order to complete and accomplish my duties to the best , I was closely engaged in students' problems and always did my best to help them to find solutions ... and worked to improve my relationship with the teachers at the college to be able to transfer the academic interaction to students as well.
As an active young man in the community who is keen on working on its development ..the Syrian ongoing war highly enforced and motivated me to increase my activities where I took part along with a group of young people of 12-person in social events in organizing cleanup workshops in Latakia city and been involved in organizing a painting exhibition for gifted children as we formed the group in collaboration with the National Union of Syrian Students and through my position as a leader and as the head of the administrative body I worked hard to help new students to choose the right branch that suits their talents to the best and goes in line with scientific abilities.
More than that; My activities and my good results in college led to my candidacy for student exchange mission (IAESTE) to Serbia in 2011 through which I had the opportunity to make friendly relations and to build solid interaction with different nationalities (Spain, England, Brazil ...) and I believe that Syria has reached and touched their hearts .. Now, and after four years, many of them still follow the news in Syria and still communicate with me.
Furthermore; my work experience in the Directorate of Social Affairs led to my candidacy for the post of Head of Planning Division, where our main job was to help those affected by the war in Syria, whether psychologically or in terms of poor service. ..
Not to forget the reality that at the age of technology where our social activities are closely reflected on the social networking sites , the number of my friends on Facebook has reached to about 1,300 friends where I try to communicate with a large number of them as much as possible.
As a Syrian young man; I will constantly seek to develop my social and professional skills for the sake of the development of my country.
3.Studying in the UK Question
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.
Studying in a developed and such an advanced country has always been a dream of mine .. previously , I have been accepted by the Technical University of Berlin to study master's and got my visa from the German Embassy in Beirut too, yet and due to majeure circumstances related to the situation in Syria, I was forced to cancel the visa and turn towards work.
But as a person who deeply believes in the importance of science and the necessity of education for the progress of peoples, I have decided to apply for the Chevening, especially since study will be in Britain , the country worldwide known and-famous for the progress of its universities and for its civilized culture.
I think that the scientific qualifications and communication skills that I own along with my previous experiences in work will allow me to complete any of the master's programs that I have chosen where I have already corresponded with several universities and received conditional acceptance for the language requirements ,namely
1. International Development: Poverty, Conflict and Reconstruction
University of Manchester
2.Development and Project Planning
University of Bradford
3.Development Administration and Planning
University College London
I have chosen these three programs due to their good composition ... one year ... which are closely linked with the comprehensive process of development in any country .. Which will definitely help to use it all in the post-war phase and in the reconstruction process in my homeland Syria .. in addition to that, to study in the UK and recognize the culture of this Advanced country will enable me to play a very active role in Syria for the development of society and at the same time to rebuild the social fabric which was damaged by the war ..
4.Career Plan Question
Chevening is looking for individuals who have a clear post-study career plan. Outline your immediate plans upon returning home and your longer term career goals, considering how these relate to UK priorities in your country.
My main aim behind applying for the MSc in my own field of profession, is to get the knowledge, skills, and training I need from a developed country and a reputable university to help me rebuild and develop my skills further . Syria is in dire need of owning strong scientific capabilities and experiences . The process of reconstruction and development will be a very important stage in the future of the region and in the realization and achieve of the aspirations of people
My Future long term goals and plans definitely include the return to Syria .. where I would like to put the results of the experience that I would congregate for the welfare of my native homeland and I'm absolutely a believer that what I am going to achieve through my studies in Britain of experience and knowledge as an enthusiastic and forward-looking young man who aims to become of the leaders in the next phase .. especially in the engineering field and I will try to obtain a doctorate degree that will further fortify my professional passion .
I am a person who usually puts a goal and does everything possible to realize it. I strongly believe that research is necessary to acquire data and formulate theories, but it is just as important to know how to apply those theories and use that data in the real world. To be competent and competitive I will require a Master's degree in one of the available majors that will bring help and prosperity to the process of improving my capabilities as well as that will give me the up-to-date tools and knowledge that is the need of the hour and especially in my case will indeed be the arm that will help me to help myself and the whole community to the best.