MOTIVATION LETTER FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

My name is John Doe, a 23-year-old student at London South Bank University. I am in my final year pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Chemical and Process Engineering. In Summer 2019, I completed my Diploma in Chemical Engineering at the same university. Chemical Engineering is a passion that burns deep within me and I would like to apply for a scholarship at TU Delft, to further my education, after I’m through with my Bachelor’s Degree. I have developed a great interest in interdisciplinary engineering ventures, technology, as well as data analytics. My long interest in science, particularly in physic and mathematics, laid the ground for my current impetus to pursue postgraduate studies in this field. Even as I studied calculus, algebra, and physics at A level, I kept wondering where the knowledge could apply in real-life situations.  I had no idea that I was to find answers in my current career path.

Equipped with my current knowledge acquired from my bachelor’s degree in chemical and processing engineering and professional experience, I look forward to an exciting study pursuit should I be given a chance.   After my graduation, I have developed an even greater interest, mainly fueled by realizing the wonderful applications of the knowledge in my professional line of duty and beyond. Chemical process engineering knowledge has proved to be complementary to each other in practical, real-life applications.  Industries, as well as ordinary consumers, are major beneficiaries of the design and development of several technical systems in use. Also, I went to the University of London in August 2016, where I was a Chemical Engineering Intern. In my A-levels, which I did from 2015-2017, I did mathematics, physics, and chemistry. I am a diligent student who works well under pressure.

Quality graduate education is never complete until highly motivated students meet with world-class professors in a highly stimulating environment. TU Delft provides just the right parameters for a high-quality postgraduate educational experience. It has a highly motivated staff, well-equipped laboratories, and an amazing library. The hostels, catering arena, and student support services are all world-class and academically stimulating. Although I have learned about TU Delft from many sources, the most memorable experience dates back to when exchange students came to conduct research at Panama Canal on hydraulics and meteorological operations. The professionalism and competency demonstrated by the staff and students made me develop an interest in the university. Since then, my interest has kept growing over the years, enabling me to learn many exciting realities about it.  

If given the opportunity, I expect to join this exciting community of motivated students who discuss ideas with an open mind and work really hard to achieve results. I also look forward to participating in sporting activities, particularly soccer, basketball, and tracking.  I’ve learned from the internet that the Netherlands is a great country with a rich culture and is taking a leading role in fighting climate change. The country has a current complex system intended for flood management and waterway transport with a coordinated station for pumping and canal to control the waters. It also has current projects to tackle emissions in the industry like E-Refinery led by TU Delft university. Besides, I am highly intrigued to learn about the culture and norms practiced by the Dutch people.

TU Delft has been my dream university ever since my passion for chemical engineering was sparked. I would like to pursue the Master’s Degree program at TU Delft since it would catapult my career to the next level. I would like to specialize in Chemical Product Engineering and there is no better place to do it. TU Delft is one of the best universities in the world offering Chemical engineering. Also, once I join the university, I am assured of a high school-to-job conversion rate. In addition to that Delft has a proven track record of over 125 years of excellent education. The icing on the cake? Delft has been rated by Alumni meaning their experience there was exceptional. When I join TU Delft, I look forward to high-quality standards in teaching and research.

Here I am assured of learning multidisciplinary problem-solving techniques. I look forward to understanding different analytical processes and how I will incorporate other dynamics into them. Moreover, I expect to be equipped with the requisite knowledge and insight to become a top-notch researcher and engineer in the field. My career prospects after I am done with the school include research work or furtherance of my education to get into academia. Also, I can opt and work at production plants. I am open to a wide range of opportunities. I am confident that once I join TU Delft I will be equipped to grow in knowledge and skills. TU Delft is definitely the place to be.

I am a qualified student with quite a bit of experience in this field. From November 2019 up to now, I have been a student at London South Bank University. Here, I was elected International Student Ambassador where I have acted in different capacities. Some of my responsibilities include coming up with creative strategies to improve student awareness of university services and supporting the Recruitment and Outreach Departments during student fairs. Also, I act as the university representative for prospective students and help them by answering all queries in relation to the university departments and facilities.

In addition to that, I worked at Munro Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Counter Assistant for a period of two years from November 2017. Here I was tasked with explaining to customers about a number of over-the-counter drugs. In addition to that, I provided information about order status, shop hours, and pharmacy procedures. From December 2016 up until April 2017, I was a tutor of further education at Kumon. Here, I used to plan and execute engaging lessons to motivate students to learn.

Also, I created detailed records of students’ progress attendance and learning activities. In August 2016, I was Chemical Engineering Intern at University College London where I learned about fundamental and applied concepts of heterogeneous catalysis, designed a catalyst, and came up with calculations based on 6 elementary events aimed at getting an efficient catalytic converter. Along the way, I have acquired skills in standard operating procedures, research and development, process simulation design calibrations, and many more. With the advancement of my education, I see myself as a chemical Product Engineer working at a big firm, helping to solve problems and improve already existing chemical products.

The thesis project I am undertaking in my final year is an Engineering Design Project with the aim of designing a plant for the production of sulfuric acid. The workload is divided into four appendices with each having five phases of execution. I have been grouped with my fellow student engineers with the aim of working on different sulfuric acid plant production units

The scope of work of the module includes Process technology appraisal and route selection. This involves reviewing established technology for the assigned processes and then finding out which alternatives exist. The next phase involves Process simulation and undertaking a review of safety, environmental concerns besides hazard identification. Here, I am supposed to report on the outlined concerns in the plant I am stationed at. After that, we are to take up a chemical engineering and mechanical design of a major unit. In this phase, I am to summarize the design data and on a data sheet.

Also, I am required to carry out stress analysis of the major unit and recommend materials for construction. The last phase includes a HAZOP Analysis of a major unit and the detailed costing of the proposed unit. Here we calculate the costing and assess commercial risk. This includes building a cost price for the plant, based on the costing of major units. Also, the has to be a consideration of the feasibility of the project. This summarizes my thesis project for my final year.

I look forward to joining TU Delft and honing my skills in chemical product engineering. I hope to go the Molecular Engineering route and hopefully I will be in some revolutionary designs and innovations in the pharmaceutical and the construction industry. In the construction industry, coming up with a more sustainable, cleaner, and more innovative ways to design and manufacture building materials has always been a passion of mine. When I get this scholarship, I will maximize the resources at TU Delft to acquire skills in this field of knowledge. I yearn to develop skills to work in multicultural environments.

I aim to learn how to help in improving sustainability, innovativeness, and safety of chemical products. Besides that, I hope to improve my technical skills in chemical processes and research and improve my proficiency in the field. I am majorly interested in human pharmaceuticals.  I have always had a desire to produce drugs and vaccines which will revolutionize how the medical field treats terminal diseases. It will enhance the healthcare sector and help treat terminal diseases. Later on, I hope to develop my career to a level of consultation on chemical product engineering. Some of the other fields I am majorly interested in are synthetic biology, and molecular characterization of different chemical products.

The design specifications for the sulfuric acid production plant include the feedstock, product, capacity, and design specifications of different plants. There are two suppliers for the feedstock. Supplier 1 acid gas; 90wt% hydrogen sulfide; 5wt% of carbon iv oxide; 3wt% methane; 1wt% ethane; and 1wt% propane. There are disparities between supplier 1 and supplier 2 but not really major ones. Supplier 2 acid gas; 80wt% hydrogen sulfide; 10wt% carbon iv oxide; 5wt% methane; 3wt% ethane and 2wt% propane. the product in this case is 98wt% sulfuric acid. Plant availability is 300 days per year.

The process used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, in this case, is the Claus process which involves the partial oxidation of hydrogen sulfide. Thereafter, the sulfur obtained from the Claus Process is combusted to obtain sulfur dioxide. Thereafter there is the catalytic conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfur vi oxides. In this reaction, all sulfur is converted using adiabatic fixed bed reactors with multiple catalytic beds. Thereafter the sulfur iv oxide is mixed with water to form oleum. Then sulfuric acid is then obtained from the oleum in the absorption column. This is the process that is used in sulfuric acid plants to achieve 98% concentrated sulfuric acid.

In conclusion, I aim to be an all-around student, with sound ethical values and professional skills. I also have interests in social spheres too. I am a native speaker of English and German, conversational in Tamil, and a beginner in Arabic. Either way, I would like to explore diverse ways of study and research so as to grow. I believe that at TU Delft, I will gain enough exposure to enable me to deal with different problems in this field.

Also, my educational background in chemical engineering is an added advantage, as I will be building on what I already know. This will enable me to reach higher cadres of professional development and help me be a revolutionary scientist who will leave a mark in this field.  I am excited to complete my undergraduate level and start off my master’s degree thereafter at TU Delft, hopefully. I look forward to positive feedback. Thank You.

Warmest Regards,

John Doe