Letter of Motivation

“We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we face challenges”. This quote from an unknown
individual speaks to me and inspires me. My name is Muhammad Umer and I am in graduating semester
of bachelor’s degree at University of Management and Technology, majoring Software Engineering.
Having blessed with inquisitive nature which always urges me to explore new possibilities and accept hard
challenges. That’s how I was first introduced with computers by my seniors at high school. Actually it
happened when I curiously entered into their computer lab on way back to my classroom. After seeing what
this amazing machine is capable of doing of? I was in awe.
Fortunate to born in an educated and supportive family, my challenge loving nature was always appreciated.
My elder sister, who is also a computer scientist, was the first one to realize my potential towards this field
and motivated me to get Software Engineering education in my bachelors. I not only worked hard but
worked smartly in college in a rather challenging environment that I had to go through. My efforts bore
fruit when I made through entrance exam of a nationally esteemed engineering university. It was like a
dream come true when I first sat in the information processing lab of university.
From very beginning of bachelor’s degree, I experienced myself to be naturally inclined towards
programming courses because I always felt pleasure in producing innovative solutions of complex problems
and then creatively implementing them. So, In short period of time my interests got maturity which made
my way to systematically learn several new programming languages and interesting development
technologies. Gaining confidence every day, I started appearing in highly competitive programming
competitions and eventually my breakthrough came after two failed attempts when I claimed first prize for
National On spot programming competition. My effort was hugely appreciated by the Department of
Computer Science and I was appointed as a teaching assistant of programming courses.
Having obtained enough theoretical and applied knowledge of programming, mathematics, operating
systems, embedded systems, networking, databases and software construction in senior semesters, I
converged my efforts to provide complete system based solutions to real life problems. For instance in
course project of Computer Vision, we introduced a system consisting of cameras, raspberry-pi and
smartphones to alarm passengers in vehicle about drowsiness of driver while driving. Meanwhile as a
member of Image Processing and Computer Vision research group, I worked on other ideas of safety driving
and enhancing automated security systems. Through this I was introduced with world of embedded systems
and came across new dimensions of research. There I closely participated in many research projects that
ended in wonderful products. It also helped me in developing skills of critical analysis and enhanced my
scientific writing abilities. This learning experience enabled me for publication of a research article in the
highly reputable IET Image Processing Journal.
Similarly in my final year project we successfully developed and deployed a complex system by creating a
network of embedded systems, various sensors, cameras and smart devices to intelligently ensure safety
and security of inmates. It was due to my consistent struggle and passion towards learning that paved my
way to the Dean’s Honor Award (twice) and then to Rector’s Honor Award (twice). It is also a great
distinction for me that I among top 10 students of university who are receiving Elite Merit Based
Scholarship on directions of Rector.
I strongly believe that I am made for research and development and after a comprehensive reading of
Computer Science program and its faculties, I realize that modules being offered there are exclusively
diverse and simply of my interest. Most importantly this program is being offered by a department having
very unique close ties with world-renowned research institutes, where students have freedom to work on
real life problems. So, I ardently believe Computer Science master’s program to be a turning point in my
career which will provide me with huge opportunities to work on research problems with most experienced
people in this field like Dr. Derek Dreyer, Dr. Anja Feldmann and Dr. Bernt Schiele. Furthermore studying
in most technically advanced institute of Germany like Saarland University will help me in earning an
academic qualification respected and valued throughout the world. It will also give me the experience of
living in Saarbrücken delivering me with an energetic educational experience, whilst enabling me to enjoy
traditional European culture. That is why I am looking forward to CS program that can provide me with
such an amazing opportunity.
Lastly, I have firm believe that courses that I have studied at university, projects in which I have made
contributions and my little but significant previous research experience would help me to cope with such
rigorous and quality program. Also the research projects in this CS master program would give me a big
helping hand to successfully pursue my career as researcher and further to obtain Phd after master’s degree.