Joel came from Ghana to study our MSc Artificial Intelligence and Applications course. Here he tells us about his experience as a Strathclyder...
What lead you to study the MSc Artificial Intelligence and Applications at Strathclyde?
After working for over six years as a Senior Software Engineer in Ghana in the Agri-Tech industry, I began to see many small ways in which machine learning is able to infer business intelligence, from huge amounts of data being ingested on a daily basis. This intrigue along with my desire to empower myself with relevant skills for the latest technologies in my space led me to study the MSc Artificial Intelligence and Applications.
The University of Strathclyde had undoubtedly one of the most attractive packages for postgraduate study in the UK. The new course in Artificial Intelligence and Applications looked to be the best fit in terms of what would equip me with the right knowledge and skills for my career shift. I also loved the idea of studying right in the middle of the beautiful city of Glasgow.
What did you like about your course?
The MSc Artificial Intelligence and Applications was very well structured to empower students on both the theoretical and practical aspects of applying artificial intelligence in industry. The professors aided in lab sessions where we would use AI to solve real world challenges. I loved the campus experience, especially having access to the ultra-modern gym facility. There were many resources for research work and career guidance which I took advantage of and this helped greatly.
What specialist knowledge/professional skills did you develop whilst studying the course?
I was able to gain knowledge in many areas of Artificial Intelligence such as Deep Learning and Neural Networks, and AI for autonomous systems - including programming in Python and R which are used widely in the field of Machine Learning. Working on my dissertation project with the guidance of my supervisor provided the opportunity of developing an end-to-end solution practically through research and development over time which was a great steppingstone for the professional environment I find myself in now.
What did you do after graduating?
Shortly after graduating I had the opportunity of working with a robotics company in the UK called Wootzano which uses state of the art technologies for robotic fruit and vegetable packing as their Machine Learning Engineer. Many of the skills I learnt at Strathclyde were directly applicable on the job and I was able to integrate very quickly within the team.
How did you find living in Glasgow?
I loved living in Glasgow and Strathclyde being so close to the city centre was delightful. I loved to go to the parks to relax and Glasgow has some of the best restaurants too. Everything was in close proximity so I didn’t have to travel far to get what I needed.
What would you say to anyone thinking of coming to study in Glasgow at Strathclyde?
My experience at the University of Strathclyde was brilliant and I would strongly encourage anyone thinking of coming to study at Strathclyde to do so. There are many courses available that have been tailored perfectly to suit your studies and future ambitions. I’m quite certain you will love your time there and reap all the benefits.
