Alina came from Pakistan to study on our MSc in Sustainable Engineering: Chemical Processing programme, after being awarded a British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM. Here she tells us about her journey applying for the scholarship and coming to Strathclyde…
Why did you choose to study at Strathclyde?
A lot of universities offer masters in Chemical Engineering but what captivated my interest in the University of Strathclyde was the Sustainable Engineering masters in the Chemical Processing field. As I wanted to develop my expertise in design and process engineering to help the world deal with the water and energy crisis, I found that the modules offered by this programme were focused directly on my area of interest.
It is important in the times we live in to have programmes like this that guide process engineers towards the path of sustainability and equip them with the tools to tackle the world’s biggest problem of climate change.
How did you first hear about the British Council Scholarship for Women in STEM?
I was applying for a Commonwealth Shared Scholarship at the University of Strathclyde when I was emailed by Strathclyde to let me know that I was an eligible candidate for the British Council Women in STEM scholarship. It was the first time that I had heard about the scholarship and it made me feel more confident about my choice of studying at Strathclyde, as I felt encouraged to pursue my career in Process Engineering by this scholarship.
How has the scholarship helped you with your studies?
The scholarship has supported me to study at one of the best universities for Chemical & Process Engineering in the UK and it has enabled me to work towards my career goals. Not only does the scholarship cover my full tuition fees but it also provides me with a monthly stipend that covers all of my monthly expenditures. This allows me to focus on my studies completely without worrying about financial difficulties and having to spend time working part-time.
What do you like most about studying on your MSc programme?
My programme requires me to work on a renewable energy project and it has provided me with the resources and support to carry out this project with industry. Currently, I am working on a project of decarbonising process heating in the whisky industry through various renewable sources and I love how it connects me to real world issues. I enjoy using my knowledge and expertise to solve an important current problem in the world. Moreover, with modules in my programme such as sustainability, I get to engage in fruitful discussions in webinars with students around the world and learn from the different perspectives they have on sustainability and climate change.
What do you like about Glasgow and Scotland?
Glasgow is the prettiest and the friendliest city I have ever seen. Beautiful ancient style buildings, lovely weather and people playing musical instruments in the centre of the city contribute to Glasgow’s magical atmosphere that I can never get over. It is such a pleasurable experience to be here and it feels like living a dream in real life. I cannot wait to explore the breath-taking sceneries of the Scottish Highlands and castles this summer.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I volunteer for outreach events organised by Really Small Science, which is made up of staff and students in the Department of Chemical & Process Engineering. It allows me to engage with school kids and teach them the wonders of science and engineering. Since I am passionate about encouraging gender diversity in all aspects of life, I also volunteer for Girlguiding Glasgow, where I am able to make a positive difference by empowering strong, confident and resilient girls and women.
I am also a part of the Climate Emergency Group, where I get to attend workshops and take part in exciting discussions around this issue. Apart from that, I have joined a society Dance4Water where I enjoy learning salsa dance and meeting new people. Being an extrovert, l am also taking advantage of living in a multicultural city of Glasgow by engaging with the platform Glasgow Language Exchange, where I am loving to teach and learn new languages.
What are your ambitions for the future and how do you think your time at Strathclyde will help you achieve your goals?
Strathclyde has introduced me to several platforms to engage with industries and societies which will contribute into diversifying my knowledge and skills. My ambition is to develop and use the expertise to help drive the world towards sustainability and solve energy and water crisis in developing countries. I believe that the projects I am working on, will contribute towards shaping a better future.
I am a staunch advocate of STEM fields for women and I also intend to create a non-profit platform where I would mentor young girls in engineering and counsel them regarding their career. My time at the University of Strathclyde is giving me the confidence and exposure to work towards such a platform.
Would you recommend Strathclyde to other people and why?
I would recommend the University of Strathclyde to everyone.
The teaching system at Strathclyde is very supportive in building the professional skills required for a successful career. It gives you the opportunity to work in teams and helps to unlock your leadership potential. The staff are always available when you need them, they encourage your ideas and help you in every way possible. You also benefit from industrial experience of visiting lecturers and speakers, which helps you get a clearer picture of the professional challenges ahead.
The University careers service is extremely helpful in guiding you in the right direction for your career and building an outstanding profile.
Strathclyde also has great facilities for when you are not studying, Strathclyde Union and Strathclyde Sport both give you exposure to several opportunities for engaging in extracurricular activities like sports, games and exciting events.