Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Sindoori Muhunthan

Name: Sindoori Muhunthan 

Course: Bioengineering

Nationality: Sri Lanka

A little bit about myself first! I am Sindhoori Muhunthan, currently in my first year of Bioengineering at the University of Sheffield. I have lived my whole life in the tiny town of Kandy, in Sri Lanka where I attended an international school that follows the British education system.

Choosing the correct university for yourself, is one of the most important decisions of your life. I found it to be one of the toughest too. So how did I decide? Since our school followed the British curriculum, we had annual visits and education fairs from some of the best universities in the UK. This was one of the main things that helped me decide which university I want to go to.

Before this though, I had to decide which course was the best for me. I knew I wanted to be a part of the medical environment and contribute to healthcare, however, I did not see myself working in a clinical environment for the rest of my life. This led me to Bioengineering. Bioengineering is a diverse field, though relatively new, which attempts to solve biological problems that have persisted throughout history using engineering principles.

Once I knew which course of study I wanted to pursue, I had to find the best place for it. After a lot of research and tough decision making I decided on the University of Sheffield, and I am happy to say I have not had any second thoughts about my decision after arriving here. The most exciting thing about my course is the diversity of it. One minute you will be sitting in an electronics lecture, and the next you will be examining cadavers in the anatomy lab. We also have talks from guest lecturers who are a part of the bioengineering industry. This is one of the most valuable aspects of my course as it helps us stay in touch with the current trends and progress within the industry. Some of the main things prospective students should think about before picking their major would be to choose a subject they like and can see themselves working on for the rest of their professional career.

I must admit, leaving home and learning to live by myself for the first time scared me! I did not know what to expect since I am from a country with a completely different culture and different traditions. However, after coming here I realized that it wasn’t as scary as I expected and the transition was not too challenging. There is also an active Sri Lankan society here that helps me to stay in touch with my culture and makes me feel at home.

University work can be really challenging at times, but there is an abundance of things you can do here to relax when the work load gets a little bit too much! Joining societies and meeting new people is always a stress- reliever! You can make a trip to the Peak District and do a little bit of hiking and walk along with nature, or watch a movie at the Students’ Union (which is THE place to go to if you want to just grab a quick bite to eat or hang out with your friends) or maybe even engage in some sort of sports. However, you never need to worry too much about not being able to catch up with your studies. The Information Commons, which is a library, is open 24/7 and also, the lecturers here are always willing to help.

I am really happy I chose Sheffield and got accepted here! The city is lovely and safe and also an ideal place to do all your shopping. Living costs are also much lower when compared to other major cities in the UK. Overall, the experience I have had at the University of Sheffield have been amazing so far and I cannot believe I have already completed one semester here! Time sure flies by fast when you’re having fun! Honestly, I cannot think of a better place to live! 

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Vamesh Jajoo

Name: Vamesh Jajoo

Course: MEng Mechanical Engineering

Nationality: India

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I was born and brought up in Indore, India. It's a moderately-sized city not unlike Sheffield which is probably why I feel at home here. I did my IGCSEs and A Levels from The Emerald Heights International School, Indore and being at an international school and studying an international curriculum encouraged me to take a global perspective to things. My favourite subject at school was Mathematics with Physics and Chemistry really close second; this along with increasing interest in manufacturing persuaded me to study Mechanical Engineering.

Why did you choose the University of Sheffield?

I chose the University of Sheffield because it is one of the best places to study Mechanical Engineering (it is ranked 3rd in the UK according to the Times Good University Guide 2014 and ranked 69th overall by the QS World University Rankings) and it has an award winning students union. This ensured that I wouldn’t be compromised academically while also being able to get actively involved in student life giving me a well-rounded university experience.

What is the most enjoyable thing about studying your subject at the University of Sheffield?

The sheer excitement! You have to build a small self-powered car, produce a lab report, work on computer modelling assignments, complete the mathematics quiz online, coordinate with your group members - there's so much to do and it's all relevant and is helping you develop skills for you to solve an industry problem in the future! There are modules ranging from various engineering disciplines but also from project management and business practice which provide you with the skills to do well wherever you go after graduation.

How do you find the teaching and the study methods at the University of Sheffield?

There are three ways in which we are taught: lectures, tutorials and labs. I find the lectures engaging and interesting which is partly because of the brilliant lecturers who are experts in their own fields and partly because of the content which is so engrossing! Tutorials are sessions with a department professor who develops understanding on the course by stimulating discussions about the course material and guiding us through any problems that we might encounter. Labs are the spaces for practical work which complement what we have learnt in theory and this adds more to our learning of the topic. There are also workshops which is where we have machines for manufacturing. We just made a vice (a self-adjustable clamp) from scratch at the workshop!

What is your opinion on Sheffield as a city?

I find myself at home at Sheffield and this is something I was really worried about as an international student. It is one of the safest cities in the UK and the greenest in Europe! And the living costs are relatively cheaper than the rest of the UK which is a great advantage to have as a student! The people are also really friendly and helpful. One third of the city lies in the Peak District national park so it is quite hilly but if you don't fancy a walk the public transport is quite efficient.

What are the benefits of studying at the University of Sheffield?

Like I said before, the University of Sheffield offers me the best in academics and the best in student life. You have leading academics as your professors and well-equipped libraries and labs to assist you in studying. Then there's the career service for any help regarding placements or jobs and they are always ready to assist. There are quite a few places to go to if you need any help like the Student Advice Centre and the SSID (Student Support Information Desk). The Students Union organises events for like-minded people to meet up and there's also parties and bands to go to. It is a very well-rounded university experience.

Do you have any plans after the completion of your course?

I would like to work in the manufacturing industry to gain some industrial exposure and commercial awareness. If I then feel the need, I had return to academics and then pursue my dream of running my own business.

What advice would you give to prospective students coming to Sheffield?

I know you will miss home because I did but the best way to counter that is get busy! Work hard at your course, join societies and clubs, volunteer, get involved in the students union: there's loads of stuff to do! You will also meet like-minded people when you get involved and being with friends will also help you adapt to the new atmosphere. University life is a challenging time and it will push you out of your comfort zone but that's where the magic happens and you will find yourself stronger, more independent and a much more capable individual.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Oluchi Emenike

Name: Oluchi Emenike

Department: Chemical Engineering

Course: MEng Chemical Engineering

Nationality: Nigerian

I am Oluchi Emenike and I am from Nigeria. I am currently in my second year at the University of Sheffield studying for a MEng in Chemical Engineering. I took the NCUK International Foundation Year programme in Engineering at Oxbridge Tutorial College in 2013. This was after I had successfully completed the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and Cambridge GCE O’ level in 2012.

The University of Sheffield ranks 5^th in the country for Chemical Engineering in the Guardian University guide 2015 and the research facility in the Chemical and Biological department is one of the best in the country. A degree and technical knowledge from a university with such a wonderful reputation would be a step in achieving my plans of becoming a part of the team that will revolutionize my nation’s industry and also contribute to the success of the global chemical industry.

My subject provides the opportunity for a lot of group work as well as independent work. I enjoy this a lot as this helps prepare me for future work. With these, I can work effectively as an individual and also in a group to provide excellent results. It is also a platform for lots of interaction with different minds and learning different ways to tackle everyday engineering problems.

The teaching and study methods at Sheffield are one of a kind. For chemical engineering, we have normal lectures during which the lecturer teaches and provides certain information. We have to carry out a number of experiments whereby each one of them relates to topics taught by our lecturers. These experiments give a practical view of what has been taught to enhance understanding. There are also tutorial sessions which are one-to-one sessions with the lecturer during which you can obtain useful feedback. These diverse methods make learning and understanding easier.

Sheffield is a small, quiet and hilly city. In spite of this, there are a lot of activities to do in Sheffield: as a student, the Students' Union, being one of the best, provides a lot of activities, events and opportunities which make one want to remain at the University much longer. The cost of living in Sheffield is also very reasonable.

The Student Union, the Information Commons and the Diamond are why I would choose the University of Sheffield over any other university. They make a student’s life very bearable from social life, education, studying and even personal problems.

After my degree at Sheffield, I plan to get an MSc in Advanced Chemical Engineering or Food Safety Hygiene as I want to go into the food industry. I would also like to go on and work in the industry to become a Chartered Engineer.

To prospective students, procrastination is a student’s worst enemy and partner to failure. Avoid it! Study hard and also play as well. Enjoy every minute at the University, it is only one lifetime.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Au Hui Her

Name: Au Hui Her

Course: MEng Bioengineering

Background about myself

I am from Singapore, a really small tropical country in South East Asia, so small that it is practically a city itself. Consequently it was rather overwhelming when I first came to UK: the sheer size of this country was slightly daunting to me. However, I have always looked forward to studying overseas but my passion for travelling has been restricted due to the size of my home country, hence when the chance to study abroad presented itself to me, I immediately grabbed it.

Why The University of Sheffield?

When I was choosing which country to study in, UK was my top choice as Singapore’s education system closely mimics Britain’s, and The University of Sheffield is one of the few universities in Britain that offers bioengineering as a course. Part of the Russell Group, The University of Sheffield is known for its excellence in research, and since my course is mostly research-based, choosing The University of Sheffield was a no-brainer. Another reason why I chose The University of Sheffield is because of its cost. Sheffield is one of the cheapest city in Britain as the cost of living is 25% cheaper compared to London. Therefore the education I receive here is definitely value for money in my opinion.

Most enjoyable thing about your subject at The University of Sheffield

I find the most enjoyable thing about my course, bioengineering, at The University of Sheffield is that it is very broad. I learn a bit of everything, from control systems to electrical engineering to human anatomy, and eventually at the end I will be able to witness how all these different knowledge work together. In addition to this, we only have to decide on our specialization in the second year, which means that we get to learn more in depth about the different paths in bioengineering and make an informed choice the next year, which is very helpful for me.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Haider Ali Janjua

Name: Haider Ali Janjua

Department: Aerospace Engineering

Course: BEng Aerospace Engineering

• Background 
  My name is Haider Ali Janjua. I am currently in my 2^nd year of BEng Aerospace Engineering.  I am from Pakistan. I like travelling and I am very interested in learning about different cultures and languages. This is my 2^nd year taking French as an extra module and I plan on taking Arabic language during my 3^rd year. I also like to read and want to develop my writing skills. Photography is another thing that I have great interest in and I am a part of universities’ photography society. Recently I have started learning graphic and web design and I like it a lot.
  
• Why did I choose The University of Sheffield 
  
  Firstly, I chose Sheffield University because of its ranking for my course. It is one of the best universities in UK for Aerospace Engineering.  Another reason was that I wanted to live in a scenic place and Sheffield is not only the greenest city in UK but is also close to Peak District (a must go area for tourism). Also Sheffield has a perfect blend of a city with a small place community feel as well.
  
  
• Most enjoyable thing about my subject at The University of Sheffield
  Aerospace Engineering is a multidisciplinary course which means that we study all the different types of Engineering. For me this is the most enjoyable thing as at one moment we are studying Heat Transfer and at another we are having soldering/circuits labs and the next moment we are watching some really cool videos about composites, metals and processing of these.  In addition to that, we have classes with different engineering students.
  
  
• Teaching and study methods at Sheffield
  Teaching methods here are quite different from my home country. Here we are responsible for our own study and are required to study independently. There are two lectures and a tutorial (to work on the example sheets) for every module each week. Team working skills are hugely stressed upon. And I like working in groups to write reports for labs and giving presentations.
  We all have been allocated a personal tutor who is there to provide information and help us if we have any problems during the study.
  
  
• Opinion on Sheffield as a city
  Sheffield is the 3^rd largest district by population but it’s quite calm compared to my hometown which is a small place. But I like that as I have always liked peaceful places.  It is also known as the steel city of UK because of steel production. It has a very good bus, tram and rail network and cities like Manchester, Leeds are quite nearby (football lovers would be quite happy). Most of Sheffield is a green space and it has numerous parks and gardens. A strange thing is that most of the shops close at 6 pm even in summer. The best thing is the people of Sheffield; they are very friendly and helpful. Advantage for people from Pakistan is that there is a large community of Pakistanis in the city and it is easy to find Pakistani restaurants and halal food. The only thing that I haven’t gotten used to it the English weather. It rains a lot!
  
  
• Benefits of The University of Sheffield than any other University
  Sheffield University has a very good employer satisfaction rate and one of the best universities for engineering in UK. Another big benefit is its Student’s Union which has been voted the best student union in UK numerous times. There is some event or another going on at every time of the year. And you could easily find something of your interest.
  
  
• Advice to prospective studentsDon’t be afraid to talk to people and ask questions. Have fun, take part in different activities and there are loads of societies. But learn time management and study hard and you won’t have any problem.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Felix J Mundanmany

Name : Felix J Mundanmany

Course : Aerospace engineering

Nationality: Indian

Born in Kerala (South India), childhood based in Gujarat (North India), thereafter I grew up in Botswana (Africa). It’s a brew of cultures that moulded my character but it is safe to say: “I am what I am thanks to all of that which made me:- First-year Aerospace engineering student at the University of Sheffield.”

The University of Sheffield became my first choice after a great deal of research into all the options that were open to me. The availability of Aerospace engineering with a year in the industry had already given a good place for the University of Sheffield in my priority list. But the biggest factor that struck the deal for University of Sheffield was when I was awarded the India Merit Undergraduate Scholarship. It provided me with a great opportunity to build a rewarding career with a start at the university accompanied by a scholarship.   

Aerospace engineering was my dream course that came from my love for aircrafts and moreover everything that flies. The University of Sheffield has the best environment and facilities setup for Aerospace. Ranging from research facilities for international companies such as Rolls-Royce, Boeing to the most qualified lecturers in the advanced field of Aerospace engineering. The teaching methods adopted in the university involves a great deal of interactivity between lecturers and students as well as a great deal of hand-on experience, this creates a great combination in making a world-class engineer.

Apart from life as an academic student, my life revolves around football, digital art and friends. Sheffield is a student-oriented city and that on its own creates every students experience in Sheffield a story to be told more than twice. Sheffield has everything and anything that an International student would need, as over the years the Sheffield market has also adopted in providing for all the needs of International students.

Upon completion of my degree, I look ahead into three options: going ahead to a post-graduate degree or jumping into a business management course to complement my degree or take on the world as an engineer. But with all the surplus amount of opportunities for me at the university, these options are bound to change, all I know is that the future is bright.

For all the prospective students, my advice to you is to always know your own character ,know your goals and build up to them every day. The University of Sheffield holds all that you need to build your career.

        

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Anna Santagostino Barbone

Name: Anna Santagostino Barbone

Course: Meng Bioengineering

Nationality: Italian

My background

Although I was born and raised in Italy and I have always attended non-international schools near Milan, I can fairly say that I’ve been a cosmopolitan person all of my life. I have been travelling for many years with my parents, who had friends all around Europe and with my friends visiting people I met during my high school semester in Wales at Morriston Comprehensive School. All of this has taught me that being cosmopolitan is a mind-set, no matter if you have lived all of your life in the same country. I found that at the University of Sheffield this is considered as a value and how could this not be? There are more than 160 countries represented in this University!

Why I chose the University of Sheffield.

Before choosing the University I wanted to attend, I did a lot of browsing through websites and I found that UoS website was a really useful resource. I would advise you to have a look at it because it answers a lot of questions you may ask yourself. I read about all of the modules I would have to take if I enrolled on the Bioengineering course and I found it was ideal for someone like me who was always interested in both maths but also in more scientific subjects. I was really confused when I had to choose between Engineering and Medicine but here was the answer for me: Bioengineering. There are other universities offering a similar course but I found that their perspective was more focussed on engineering.

What convinced me to choose the UoS was not solely based on what I had read on the website or on its high ranking. At high school I attended an Open Day at the Polytechnic of Milan which has the best engineering facilities in Italy. I asked a lecturer and the Head of Department of Biomedical Engineering, which would be the best University to study Bioengineering in the UK and they both agreed that the University of Sheffield would have been my best choice.

What I enjoy about my subject at the University of Sheffield

As I said, I don’t think you can find another course like this one because it is split among so many other departments. This way, you get the best of everything that the University of Sheffield can offer you. It is hard to get bored of Bioengineering at the UoS because every module is quite different from the others but at the same time they were chosen in a way that makes them intertwine. I am becoming more aware of this as my first semester is coming to an end and I can see the links between the different subjects I have been taught in the previous months.

Why Sheffield – The Steel City?

I have to say that knowing I would be living in Sheffield helped me decide to attend UoS because Sheffield is a really nice city to live in. This is because you can get the best of both city and country since Sheffield is the third largest metropolitan district in England. It can offer you anything you may be looking for – a lot of international food for example, which I personally adore! It has a very active music scene with lots of gigs on, which makes Sheffield the perfect city to live in if you love music. At the same time, Sheffield lies partially within the Peak District and it is one of the greenest cities in Europe. Whenever you want to get out of the city you can do it very easily, enjoying the wonderful landscapes that the countryside of South Yorkshire has to offer. There is also the possibility of doing  many different outdoor sports that  bring you in close contact with nature, so don’t forget to take your training shoes with you!

The perks of being part of the University of Sheffield

Apart from the academic point of view, UoS has so many opportunities to offer a student. The Students Union has been ranked first in the UK and it does deserve that place because it’s always organising so may events. What strikes me about the UoS is the variety that you can find here. The University organises nights our and clubbing for you and at the same time great sport and volunteering activities, so that if you can manage your own time you could be involved in something 24/7. The word boredom doesn’t exist in Sheffield’s vocabulary.

What I want to do after my degree

There are many things I would like to do after my degree but the main three are: working in the developing world maybe with some kind of organisation like ‘Engineers Without Borders’ or ‘Engineering World Health’; working in a hospital such as the big Royal Hallamshire Hospital here in Sheffield; going back to my home country and starting a bioengineering company in order to develop a field that is not yet represented in Italy. I am aware that these things are very different from one another but I am sure that studying at UoS will give me the inspiration to make the right choice, freely and lead me to the path I wish to follow.

My advice

I’d like to quote from Mark Twain with one of my favourite quotes first: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

I think the final three words clearly represent what you can find in Sheffield and as an international student one should never be afraid to leave home in fear of finding a storm because from what I am experiencing, Sheffield is a great harbour to dock.

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Eldar Rahimov

Name: Eldar Rahimov

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Course: MEng Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Technology























About me:
My name is Eldar Rahimov and before I came to the University of Sheffield to study MEng Mechanical Engineering with Nuclear Technology. I was studying in International Baccalaureate school in Azerbaijan. Although I have never studied abroad, I was studying in English for 2 years, so it was not that difficult to adapt here.

What was your favourite subject at school?

Physics. I always liked to learn the theory behind different processes and how things work. I was also good at maths at school so I wanted to study something that combines these subjects.

Why Mechanical engineering?

At school my favourite parts of physics were mechanics, thermodynamics and nuclear science and this course covers all of them. It also requires good knowledge of maths and covers Computer Aided Design and Matlab which are really useful in your future engineering career.

Why University of Sheffield?

The University of Sheffield is one of top universities in Mechanical engineering in UK, so I applied for it. My main choice was between Universities of Sheffield and Bristol. The main reason I chose the University of Sheffield is because I received a very warm welcome from staff and they helped me with all the queries I had.

Application process:

The application process through UCAS was very confusing at the beginning, so my advice is to do some research about applications and the steps before getting your unconditional offer. I felt quite stressed that I did something wrong before I got first offer. I received the offer from University of Sheffield 3 weeks after application date (applied 13th of January).

Studying here:

I’m currently in my first year of study and enjoy the course very much. The first year is not very difficult as it mainly covers material you probably already did at school, but at a higher level. As a mechanical engineer you have tutorial sessions twice a week with your personal tutor with a group of 3-4 people. It is very helpful in terms of understanding the materials you didn’t understand during the lecture. Along with theoretical modules, I had Design and Manufacturing where you had to design, test and build a final model with your teammates.

Free time:

During the first year you quite a lot of free time and the Students Union (rated number 1 in the UK) offers a great choice of societies (different sports, music, art and etc). You also have a lot of opportunities for volunteering. As I mentioned, there is a wide range of sport clubs but if you decide to not join one, you still have a lot of opportunities for commitment. For example, if you are interested in football, you can play with your departmental society, play in an intra-mural league or play as part of residence sport program if you live in university accommodation.

Sheffield.

Sheffield is not a very big city, so you can save a lot of money by not using public transport, as everything is not far away from you. Products in the shops are also quite cheap. The city is very green and beautiful with a lot of opportunities for night life.

Meet Our International Engineering Ambassador: Vimanyu Beedasy

Name: Vimanyu Beedasy

Department: Mechanical Engineering

Course: BEng Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry

Nationality: Mauritian

Year: Second

• What was your favourite subject at school?

My favourite subject was Design & Technology. I spent two years studying Design & Communications for my O-Levels and the next two years studying Design & Technology for my A-Levels. I loved every part of it as it was different from the standard writing and calculating in other classes. I had to draw technical drawings and spend time in the workshop to actually construct an artefact I had designed all by myself from scratch.

 My A Level project - wine barrel comprising of a glass hanger, wine bottle rack and cooling drawer.

• How did you decide which degree course to take?

Since I really enjoyed Design & Technology, I was sure to go in the engineering field. However, choosing which one specifically was hard as I want to work in so many different fields like aerospace, mechatronics or even biomedical. I spent a lot of time talking to friends studying different engineering courses, relatives and people in the engineering field besides doing my own research and reading on whatever pieces of information I gathered. Eventually, I chose Mechanical Engineering as I believe I can do almost any other degree afterwards to specialise in one specific field (which I hope to have already chosen before I complete my degree in mechanical engineering).

• What advice would you give to people about choosing a university course?

Gather as much information as possible: speak to students studying the course, have studied the course and also to people who work within their field of study. Moreover, read the module description to see if there is anything specific you’d like to do or not. And finally, look out for ‘year in industry’ courses.

• Who inspired you to follow this route?

My father. He is a highly qualified engineer and he inspired me to follow his way. As a kid I was always amazed by the way he fixed things and knew what was wrong with something which stopped working. He always finds something to work on during the weekend and I enjoyed helping him. I aim at becoming as good as he is, if not better.

• What do you particularly enjoy and why?

My course: It is very well-balanced with not only lectures and reading but also labs, group works, project works and workshop practice. I believe it is the best way for a student to learn and he both learns the theory as well as the practical work involved. Throughout the first year I met people from different cultures and backgrounds and I enjoy making friends, especially through group work and recognising a familiar face in extra-curricular activities. 

• How is studying your subject or methods of learning different at university than at school?

The fact that everything is available online and viewable on a laptop, tablet or even the mobile phone is easier to stay updated with the lecture notes and workload. In addition to this, the polling system during lectures definitely spices up the lecture theatres as we are able to interact with the lecturer himself and therefore prevent us from falling asleep!

• What are your plans for the future/dreams/goals?
  
  Get at least two degrees, secure an interesting job, tick off all the items in my bucket list, open a small business and finally get back home for the old days. And oh, watch Ronnie O’Sullivan play the World Snooker Championship Final live at The Crucible in Sheffield!
  
  
• What do you like to do when you are not working on your degree? Any pictures?
  
  I like to explore and adventure around, especially away from the city centre. Sheffield has some interesting places to visit away from town. I also like to volunteer: the University offers so many opportunities here at the volunteering office! Imagine spending a day among some of the cutest labradors for Guide Dogs in Sheffield. Another hobby of mine is paper-crafting (I ❤ Paperchase) and learning to cook new meals almost every weekend.
  
  
  

Meet our International Engineering Ambassadors: Yi Ci Tek

Name: Yi Ci Tek

Course: MEng Civil and Structural Engineering

Nationality: Malaysian

Hey! Since this is my first post on this blog, allow me to introduce myself a little. My name is Tek Yi Chyn and everyone can call me Tekky. Yeah, I’m an Asian as you all may expect earlier from my name. What doesn’t meet your expectation is that I am actually from Malaysia, a multiracial country consisting of mainly Malays, Chinese and Indians. The large diversity of ethnics in Malaysia enables me to understand people from different background and cultures, which is why I am proud to be a Malaysian. Before arriving in the UK, I studied A-levels in my home country. Fortunately, my result was good enough to be accepted into the University of Sheffield.

Alright, let us get back to our main topic! I am currently studying Civil and Structural Engineering in University of Sheffield which ranked as one of the top in the course’s ranking. Unlike other universities, the University of Sheffield provides an optional placement year for students before completing the undergraduate course. This motivates me to work hard in my studies as well as being active in extra-curricular activities in order to get a placement.  Getting a placement is not easy, however as you paid the price, what you will get in return is priceless.  By having the work experience from a placement year, it is said to be easier to secure a good job after graduating.

As the majority of people may have an impression that Engineering is basically all about science,  I would say this is only partially correct. In Civil Engineering, we study Mathematics, Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering and Materials Engineering. Other than that, what interests me the most is the design modules in civil engineering course.  During my first semester in first year, I learned how to draw structures using AutoCAD. Initially, it was really difficult, but as you practice more, it becomes much easier and that made me very proud of myself. XD Besides drawing, we got to design bridges in a group. We drew the plan on a paper, constructed the bridge with provided materials and designed a poster to advertise our bridge. The experience was totally worthy and FUN!

To be honest, University of Sheffield wasn’t my first choice. However, I am still grateful that I am able to study in one of the greenest and happiest city in United Kingdom. As University of Sheffield is a city campus, it is rather convenient for students to practice their daily routine, not only attending classes but also getting groceries for survival! The Moor Market, Sainsbury, Iceland and Poundland are just a stone throw away from my current accommodation. Besides that, the Mappin Building (main building for the Faculty of Engineering ) is located near the West Street. For your information, West Street is one of the busiest street in Sheffield because you basically can get everything from there. Everyone loves it!

It is indeed a great opportunity to be able to study in one of the top university and happiest city in UK. I have nothing to conclude but to ask, “Who doesn’t like Sheffield? “

Engineering You're Hired Week 2014 - 2015

By Vimanyu Beedasy

Engineering You're Hired is similar to the Global Engineering Challenge, except that second year engineering students take part in it while GEC is only for the first year students. It is an intensive week where students from every engineering discipline get together to work on a project which they have to choose beforehand. Our project title was 'Scavenging Energy from Sewers', one which I chose since it is related to another project I am currently involved in with Enactus Sheffield.

During the week, we had to get up early to reach the university at 09:00 from Monday to Friday. EYH differs from GEC in a way that we are left very much on our own during the day as we work in a team of 6 people towards finding an optimum solution to our project. We were placed in a hub where there were a total of 6 groups, all working on the same project individually.





Our hub room, one large enclosure which lacks oxygen flow, but still one where many laughs were heard across the walls...

The first day, we engaged in some activities to get to know the other members in our hub. I recognised a few faces from the Mechanical Engineering department as well as some other people who I met during other extra-curricular activities, so I knew that I was on track for a pleasant week. I was glad to learn that in our group of 6 people, 3 of us were mechanical engineers and the other 3 were from either the Chemical Engineering or the Civil Engineering department. All of them were very friendly and quite enthusiastic for the project.

Brainstorming - the only limit is your imagination and creativity.

We started our project and had some crazy ideas at first but at the same time we were having a good time talking and getting to know each other. The first day was spent mostly talking about ourselves and our course, and deciding how we wanted this week to go and what we aimed at. After every day we had hub boardroom meetings to discuss about the progress of our project. Our board directors were quite strict and harsh with us the first day, but we were told it was for a good cause – not often do interviews go pleasantly.

Our storyboard - Summary of our project plan for the whole week.

In addition to boardroom meetings, as a group we were given a question to answer every afternoon. These questions came directly from the website of some companies who are recruiting students or people to work as part of their application process. One of them was: “Describe a situation where you had to negotiate with and convince an individual/a team of people to see a different point of view or develop an idea they were not initially in favour of. How did you communicate your point of view and go about convincing them?” As someone who is still currently applying to some companies for internships, I believe that it will be very helpful to those who will be applying in the future.

Our hub director, going through the questions we answered in the afternoon and spotting what could be improved. And the much needed coffee for the 09:00 every day.

As the days went by, it got tiring to wake up early and stay at the University until 17:00, but in the end I believe that it was worth it as it was a new experience where you meet people from different backgrounds and departments. Additionally, it helps build up your team working skills as well as your communication and presentation skills.

Towards the end, on Thursday we had to submit our final report of the whole project. It was a task which put some pressure on the other members of the team but altogether using online software such as Google Docs, we managed to work efficiently to finalise the report. On Friday, we had to present our final solution to some industrial experts as if we were to sell our idea in the real world. It was a different way of presenting a solution as this time we needed to be even more convincing and be ready to fight-off every drawbacks.

Snapshot of the presentation and the industrial mentors paying attention to the group presenting - they were harsh.

Even though some of us thought that this week would not be so useful, we were quite pleased with the outcome in the end. In some way or the other, we had learnt something which will be helpful to each one of us in the future and, best of all, we broadened our network of friends. I asked a couple of my team members about their experiences and they said:

“I was initially sceptical about the whole week, especially after finishing exams a couple of days back, but I actually enjoyed it.” – Kyle Farrell

“It offers people with a chance to improve their application to placements and also improve their group working skills.” – Alexander Hesketh

“Awesome." – Lik Hang Hugo Tse

Applying for a Year in Industry

By Usman Sami Khan

One of the misconceptions I had before coming to university, and I’m sure a lot of you will have too, is the very basic question of: What is a Year in Industry?

A Year in Industry can be undertaken as part of both your BEng and MEng degree, in the penultimate year of both the respective degrees. This involves taking a year out of your academics to pursue a 12 month paid internship in a company, which gives you the right amount of exposure to applying all the theoretical aspect of engineering to practicality. This also gives you a chance to impress prospective employers, who may offer you a graduate role in the company upon completion of your placement year.

Actively intending to pursue a placement year as part of my BEng Mechanical Engineering degree, much of my time in the first semester of second year has been spent applying to various companies in the UK. The University of Sheffield’s Career Service offers the myVacancies service which actively shows any work placement postings and deadlines, which help you find posts to apply for. Apart from the university’s resources, there are various other job boards such as TargetJobs and Gradcracker, all of which post placement positions according to their deadlines.

These applications are very hectic and time consuming, as each application presents different questions to be answered. After successfully passing the first stage, companies usually send links to online tests which usually involve a combination of numerical, verbal, situational, and personality based questionnaires, which helps the employer to screen applicants according to their capabilities to proceed them onto the next stage. The next stage involves a telephone or video interview, which involves basic competency based questions, including motivations for applying to the specific company and the role. After successfully passing this stage, applicants are screened onto the last stage, which is an assessment centre at the location you have applied for a placement. The day involves a chance to learn more about the company and the role, including the working environment and how employees feel about working in the company. It gives a chance to network with senior officials in the company over lunch, which helps to get to know officials in a lighter environment.  Apart from networking and building contacts, the day also involves a technical and competency based interview, which tests your basic knowledge for the role you have applied to. The day will also involve a combination of a presentation, group work, or an aptitude test, amongst other things.

Having applied to numerous companies for a placement year, I have started hearing back from quite a few and have currently got eight assessment centres lined up for February, which will take up quite a bit of time in my schedule for academics. Here’s to hoping that this information helps all of you in making an informed decision about which degree course to choose and how to go about applying for placements! 

Why choose UK

By Usman Sami Khan

The UK is home to a wide array of multicultural individuals, all living together in a nutshell. This diversification leads to people from different communities interacting with one another to live in an environment of peace and harmony. Pakistanis, in particular, are welcomed with great warmth. There are Pakistani societies in many universities across UK, including the Pakistan Society at The University of Sheffield. This makes it particularly easy for Pakistani students to adjust with the new surroundings, away from home. This is one of the major reasons why students, in particular Pakistanis, tend to be more inclined towards the UK as a destination for pursuing higher studies, where they can experience multiculturalism as well as practice their religion in a liberal environment.

The UK is home to the most renowned universities of the world. Such rankings are testament of the fact that UK education standards have been consistently high and universities such as The University of Sheffield are seen as being one of the most prestigious universities in the world – both in terms of education as well as student satisfaction. UK, and in particular The University of Sheffield, is a world leader in terms of research and this success is reflected in the world rankings. All in all, this makes it an ideal place for Pakistani students to pursue higher education as they are exposed to ideas and discoveries in a very open and welcoming environment where they can express their thoughts freely.

The UK also offers a wide range of scholarships to international students. These scholarships are available at both the Undergraduate, as well as at the Postgraduate level. At the Undergraduate level, some of the highly prestigious scholarships being offered include the Pakistan Undergraduate Merit Scholarships at the University of Sheffield. These scholarships tend to be a source of great affinity for students on the lookout for saving some money off from the highly burdensome tuition and living fee all across universities in UK. Some of these scholarships directed towards Pakistani students serve as an incentive for many capable and deserving students to be able to afford world class education abroad at their dream universities. Having personally received the Pakistan Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, it is safe to say that such scholarships can actually change around the finances involved in studying abroad drastically, which is the sole purpose that I have been able to study at The University of Sheffield. (Find more about them here).

UK degrees at the Undergraduate level are also confined to a 3 year programme as opposed to a 4 year programme in other countries, having the benefit of being cost-effective and time efficient. UK degrees are internationally recognized and students have the advantage of being able to work anywhere in the world with a degree from a university in the UK.

The influx of Pakistanis to the UK for higher education is definitely due to an amalgamation of factors which together constitute the various reasons why Pakistanis choose to prefer UK over other countries.  

"Whatever the reason may be, the crux lies in the fact that those students have secured a brighter future for themselves, as well as for the nation that gave them their identity – Pakistan."