Monash Asia Equity Scholarship - Computer Science Advanced (Honours)

What positive impact do you want to have on the world?
In your answer describe your future goals and how studying at Monash University will help you achieve them. You may like to
talk about your past experiences, such as leadership roles or involvement in different communities, to explain your aspirations.

I believe that there is no one time solution for cybersecurity. Threats would constantly evolve, eroding what was once an impenetrable gate. As such, countermeasures would have to convergently evolve along with these threats.

When I read about Microsoft's Majorana 1 quantum chip, I realize that we are on the brink of a major shift in computer technology. Taking into account current trends of the industry, I foresee that in the next few years, there would be more and more breakthroughs of similar or greater magnitude in quantum computing, which will eventually lead to a major computational revolution. In addition to its auspicious aspects, there is an indubitable reality that this technology would be employed for malignance. Added to the optimization of polymorphic malware, forgery of digital signature, and unravelling of current day standard encryption algorithms, a widespread use of quantum computers will bring us to a new post-quantum era. My career goals align with this vision of an era, a future that is no longer a hypothetical scenario but something that has already been set in motion. While quantum computing technology is still in its infantile state, I plan to stay updated on the development of post-quantum cryptography as they mature and advise organizations and governments on migrating to quantum-resilient cybersecurity systems.

To lay the groundwork for these goals, I intend to pursue the Bachelor of Computer Science Advanced (Honours) program at Monash University, with a specialization in cybersecurity. I have only come to this decision after months of intensive research on which universities I think I would fit in best. In reviewing the handbook of my desired course, specifically the Cybersecurity specialization (CSCYBSEC01) under Part C: Specialist Discipline Knowledge, I was particularly interested in unit FIT3185 - Privacy Enhancing Technologies. The third point of this unit's learning outcome puts an emphasis on post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, which directly supports the kind of expertise I hope to develop.

To elaborate further, during my study, I intend to pursue a project on post-quantum secure communication protocols, particularly risk modelling for vulnerabilities, encryption methods, and their implementation in real-world systems. This will serve as the basis for more projects further down my career. Eventually, I will progress my career to an international level, where I can contribute to global standards for post-quantum era infrastructure as a cybersecurity analyst, architect, or advisor.

To thrive in the industry, I also aim to cultivate my experience by applying for the Industry-based Learning (IBL) placements as well as participate in clubs such as the Monash Cyber Security Club (MonSec). I am confident that my administrative, organizational, and leadership skill gained from my past experience as the secretary of my school's student council can be of great merit for my contribution to these programs. Beyond that, I am also confident that my secretarial, and by extension, technical experience as well as my general experience around computers can empower and reinforce my effort into achieving my goals.

The essay lacks a direct connection with the programs that Monash university offers under the program you will be studying. How do your plans align with the classes you will be taking? How about the internships or industry learning that is offered to the students? Describe how the learning process will blend and merge for you. The are only mentioning the university club, which does not show that you have a true familiarity with the program you will enroll in and how these classes will help build the foundation for your future career. You have to revise the essay to create the contact element for your vision as a student of the program. This is actually too vague for the most part and only begins to take shape in the last paragraph, where it no longer has a positive effect on your application.

@Holt thank you for your review! I have made a revision and would be glad if you'd review it too.

I believe that there is no one-time solution for cybersecurity. Threats constantly evolve, eroding what was once an impenetrable gate. As such, countermeasures must also convergently evolve along with these threats.

When I read about Microsoft's Majorana 1 quantum chip, I realized that we are on the brink of a major shift in computer technology. In the next few years, we will see more breakthroughs of similar or greater magnitude in quantum computing, and quantum computers will enter mainstream use. While this bears auspicious outcomes, there is no denying that this technology would be employed for malicious purposes. Simply put, optimization of polymorphic malware, forgery of digital signatures, and unravelling of current-day standard encryption algorithms only scratch the surface of its malicious potential, and it could turn the whole internet inside out. As the world has not yet fully adapted its cryptographic standards and systems to withstand quantum-era threats, I aim to advance this transition.

Focusing on the security implications of quantum computing, I have an ambition to pursue the Bachelor of Computer Science Advanced (Honours) program at Monash University with a specialization in cybersecurity. I have only come to this decision after months of intensive research on which universities would support my academic and professional aspirations. In reviewing the handbook of my desired course, specifically the Cybersecurity specialization (CSCYBSEC01) under Part C: Specialist Discipline Knowledge, I was particularly interested in unit FIT3185 - Privacy Enhancing Technologies. I see the third point of this unit's learning outcome, which places emphasis on post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, as a foundation for becoming a cryptographic engineer or cybersecurity architect. What I learn here will guide me towards my long-term objective, which is to lead the integration of quantum-safe protocols into critical sectors such as national infrastructure, healthcare, finance, and other places where security breaches could have profound societal impacts.

To thrive in the industry, I also aim to cultivate my experience by applying for the Industry-based Learning (IBL) placements. This will give me a chance to expand my insight and contribute to post-quantum cybersecurity either by engineering real-world quantum‑secure systems at telecommunications companies like Telstra or by advising clients on global quantum cyber readiness through consulting firms like Deloitte. An opportunity to be enrolled in the IBL placements, among other things, would allow me to get hands-on experience with the technology that I want to be working with as well as prepare me to adapt to an enterprise environment.

Additionally, I plan to participate in clubs such as the Monash Cyber Security Club (MonSec), where I can further develop my technical skills through competitions, workshops, and insights from industry partners. In conjunction with the IBL program, this will help me grow my practical skills and establish professional networks within the field. I am confident that my prior role as student council secretary has equipped me with administrative, organizational, and leadership skills. These will allow me to contribute meaningfully to these programs and prepare me to face the demands of cybersecurity work in industry settings.