JOIN USAjmal Salam, who is pursuing MSc in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management at the University of Sheffield, shares his experience of academic and social life there.
The world is as small as we make it; after all, the greatest distance one ever has to face, is from one person to another. I consider myself as a citizen of the World. Born in the capital city of Kerala – Trivandrum, and holding an Indian passport, I was brought up in the Middle East, in Saudi Arabia to be precise, where I did my high school studies. Later on, I went to Chennai, India, to continue my studies, where I completed my under graduation from Hindustan University in Aeronautical Engineering. And right now, I am at the University of Sheffield, pursuing my Masters in Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management.
After finishing my under-graduation in Aeronautical Engineering from Hindustan University, choosing a university for doing my masters was a bit complicated task. UK was my best option because of its condensed course duration of one year for master’s degree and the outstanding diverse research areas available. I wanted to do a course, which had a perfect balance of both engineering as well as management aspects. Having been accepted by all the seven universities I applied for in the UK, it was a matter of choosing the best university, which had excellent academic rankings and the best student life and activities. And Voila! The University of Sheffield had all of them. In the present scenario, there is a lot of competition among the global workforce. Therefore, to keep pace with the demands and meet the requirements of the engineering sector, an upgrade academic standing in both the engineering and the management fields, is quite essential. Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management course has the perfect and well-maintained balance of engineering and management modules.
Being the student of a university that has a long reputed history, won the University of the Year title and many other recognitions across the world, gives me a lot of pride and recognition in public. Mechanical Engineering curriculum in this university is one of the best among the top five engineering universities across UK. The University, with its research facilities such as AMRC – Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre and LCCC – Low Carbon Combustion Centre, has state of the art, world class facilities, advanced machines and materials of research for mechanical and other engineering sectors. With world class research facilities, it has been recognized as the leading research group in the field of alternative fuel, carbon capture and energy. These facilities make this university, a dream come true for any engineering student. Graduating from the University of Sheffield will definitely give me an edge over the others and will help me in achieving the goals in my life.
The best thing about life at the University of Sheffield is the ‘academic’ aspect of social life among all the students studying here. It is certainly, one of the best experiences I have come across. Discussing about assignments and submissions over a cup of coffee or in the common room or while having dinner and coming up with fantastic ideas regarding them, is just amazing. My area of research while doing masters was in the field of micro combustors and smart materials in Automotive Industry. The developments in these two areas of research are constantly evolving and note-worthy. I got to learn and discover a lot of new things while studying in this university, and also the professors and lecturers are at your disposal all through offering their help.
UK is the place to do most of the adventurous sports – say it sky diving, wake boarding, horse riding etc. The amazing climate during summer and spring provides the youngsters and other people to do some adventure craziness. The Peak District and the Lake District is a must visit, if you are studying in Sheffield. Most of my free time I spend at the Sheffield’s Student’s Union with my friends, which is truly one of the best student unions in the country, filled with loads and loads of activities; give–It-a-go’s, involving societies from every corner of the world, sports clubs, etc.
Sheffield is one of the safest cities in UK, and this city is definitely my second home. It has perfect balance of both scenic nature and city life with nightclubs and social centers. One would definitely fall in love with the city as soon as they step into, with the warm welcome they are bound to receive from the people of Sheffield.
The University of Sheffield is as hard as you want to make it, every day might not be fun, but you come out a lot better than you go in.