STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

Since I was a young child, before I ever knew what a graduate degree was, I have always wanted
to pursue one. My parents encouraged me to pursue further education, and as I grew older, I
looked forward to studying overseas for a better degree. Now I am focusing on some particular
topics as my graduate research aims at the study of 1) Geographic Information System (GIS)
applications in Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2) Waste disposal and municipal waste
treatment, 3) Waste composition analysis of plastics and effective plastic waste management
practices, 4) impact of air pollutants on public health and developing effective ways to enhance
air quality, 5) pollution prevention and sustainable development.

I chose to pursue a career in environmental engineering because I admire my father, a civil

engineer who was a mentor to me as a youngster and made substantial contributions to the field
of environmental engineering, and because I have a strong desire to support sustainable
practices. Motivated by the pressing need to tackle worldwide environmental issues, I intend to
pursue a Ph.D. in environmental sustainability and management after completing my master's
program.
My solid background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry has been crucial to my
comprehension of the fundamentals of environmental engineering. During my bachelor's degree
in civil engineering, I was introduced to courses such as water resource management, pollution
control technologies, environmental impact assessment, geotechnical engineering, and structural
engineering. Through these courses, I was able to explore innovative tools and strategies to
address environmental concerns.
I developed an interest in environmental engineering while conducting undergrad research. I had
the opportunity to work on a project titled “Waste Composition Analysis of Plastic: A Case
Study on the downstream side of Mahesh Canal, Chittagong, Bangladesh.” I found that plastic
waste poses a serious threat to the environment, aquatic life, and human health. To address this
issue, a waste composition analysis of plastic at Mahesh Canal, Chittagong was conducted. This
analysis aims to understand the types and quantities of plastic waste present in the canal, which
helps in formulating effective waste management strategies. I have also published a journal as a
co-author titled “Land use land cover changes from 2003 to 2023 using Remote Sensing and GIS
techniques in Niamotpur Upazila with a predictive study for the next decade.” The study looks at
land use changes in Niamotpur Upazila over 30 years, using GIS and remote sensing to identify
five land cover types and their relationship with climate factors like temperature and rainfall.
From 2003 to 2023, bare soil decreased while deep vegetation increased, showing better land
health. Urban areas peaked in 2013 but fell by 2023, and drought-prone areas improved
significantly. Predictions for the next decade suggest a slight rise in maximum temperatures, but
the overall trend is positive for vegetation growth, leading to recommendations for better
environmental management by local authorities and communities. From these projects, one of
my primary interests has been sustainable environmental engineering. There is still a lot to
discover and learn about this topic because it is still relatively new in the environmental
engineering domain.
My undergraduate thesis expanded my understanding and gave me hands-on experience
conducting scientific research. I gained knowledge about creating questionnaires, choosing
populations, gathering and analyzing data, thinking critically, and, lastly, as the team leader,
improving my communication abilities and learning how to manage the activities of other team
members. During a one-month internship, I concentrated on developing and putting into practice
sustainable waste management solutions, which further expanded my understanding. Through
this practical experience, I was able to apply abstract ideas to real-world issues like waste
reduction and resource optimization. Additionally, it assisted me in honing critical abilities like
effective teamwork, and project management.
Here should be mentioned, that throughout my undergraduate studies, I had many difficulties. It
took me up to three semesters to keep my CGPA at a respectable level. But despite these
challenges, I persisted, exhibiting fortitude, and then had a tremendous change in my academic
performance, rising to the top 10% of my batch.
To pursue a graduate degree and become a professional in research and academia, I have chosen
the Civil and Environmental Engineering (Graduate) program at ABCD University due to the
scope of their research, academic facilities, and the culture of the laboratories. Additionally, it is
home to world-class research experts working in the field of civil engineering. Since it aligns
well with my interests, I was enticed to apply here!
After obtaining my graduate degree, I want to become a professor in academia by completing a
post-doctoral program to specialize in a particular field of study so that I would be able to mentor
aspiring engineers and carry out more research in academia. By giving students from developing
nations access to research opportunities, I hope to empower them to tackle urgent environmental
issues in their communities. To battle the negative consequences of climate change, mitigate
water scarcity, and construct sustainable urban infrastructure, I also hope to put the results of my
research into practice. My study would concentrate on workable solutions that are suited to local
requirements, taking into account variables like population density, resource availability, and
environmental limits to support ecological balance over the long run.
Lastly, if I am allowed to begin my graduate studies at the University of X in the fall of 2025, I
am convinced that I will overcome the challenges that will arise owing to my endurance,
resilience, critical thinking, quick learning skills, and experiences.