I am Lorena Serjanaj and I am a full-time postgraduate student studying MSc Applied Statistics in Health Sciences in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Strathclyde. I have a PhD in economics from the University of Tirana in Albania and hold a Master of Business Administration in International Finance from the Paris Graduate School of Management in collaboration with New York College in Athens. I currently work as Director of the Scientific Research Centre in the Faculty of Economy at the University of Vlora in Albania.
What were your reasons for taking on a postgraduate degree?
First of all, I would like to emphasise that my passion for research and desire to learn has led me to constantly work and seek out opportunities for professional growth. But what made me want to further my studies in the health field was the death of my father as a result of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). I think that this period has affected almost all of us, both socially and economically.
How did you make the decision to study at Strathclyde?
I decided to continue my studies at the University of Strathclyde after I had done some research about the opportunities offered by universities in the UK. I discovered that Strathclyde stands out for new teaching methods that are applicable in the field of mathematics and statistics. Also, the integration of the subject with the demands of the market makes this programme competitive and successful.
What do you like about your course and Strathclyde?
I really like the methodology that the academic staff have chosen to develop the course. This knowledge is combined with technological developments, which makes the course valuable, necessary, and extremely interesting and challenging for each of the students.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills have you developed whilst studying the course?
Because I come from the field of academia, and since I had done a previous masters and doctorate, I thought that I might not benefit much. But this programme focuses a lot on the way of conducting an experimental study, which is very important to a wide community of researchers as they can use this methodology to solve problems and practices that emerge during their research work.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
I want to open my own company in the future which will serve to connect the fields of statistics and health, producing health results with minimum cost. I think that I now have all the right managerial, economic and statistical knowledge and skills to operate in the health sector. To implement this idea, I have contacted the staff at Strathclyde Inspire and I hope that this initiative will be successful.
Has anything surprised you about living/studying here?
I was surprised by how amazing the technological and physical infrastructure of the University is. The university support all the students in all directions. In addition to teaching, there are opportunities and services such as: career advancement, the possibility to connect with the labour market (employers or employees), encouraging the spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, financial support, mental wellbeing support, and many, many others.