Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
SOP SAMPLE 1
Wasiq Ameen
Applicant for M.S Program in Real Estate and Construction Management
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
The collapse of the commercial building Rana Plaza in Savar, Bangladesh in 2013 has been
regarded as the deadliest accidental structural failure in modern human history. As an
undergraduate student at the premier engineering institution of the country, it made me realize
the appalling level of inadequate construction management in Bangladesh. I became
determined to affect change in applied sectors of design and construction in a country that
desperately needs construction reform. While designing infrastructures, I created methods to
integrate our national building code into software. In my current position, I have worked with
internationally acclaimed engineers on site to implement efficient construction. In the pursuit
of my master’s degree, I wish to advance construction management by researching modern
methods to ensure site efficiency. I wish to investigate specialized technologies and strategies
for use in construction situations. I believe that the vast resources at KTH Royal Institute of
Technology will complement my academic training, my research experience, and my
leadership in pursuing community service projects in my journey to become an expert in
construction management.
My fascination in civil infrastructure began at a very early age thanks to my father. As the son
of an architect, ruminating over building designs and tinkering with models is something my
father and I have always shared. My desire to study infrastructures, associated with hard work
and discipline, enabled me to earn my Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). I exhibited strong
performance in core civil engineering courses like design of concrete structures and details of
construction. The classes on project planning and construction management inspired me
towards the latest on site operations. I was actively associated with clubs like Science club and
Civil Engineering club, earning special distinctions for presentation skills and mass
communication.
My quest for developing structural safety through modern technology drove me to choose my
undergraduate research topic “Finite element analysis of fire – protection layers on rectangular
hollow section.” Using ANSYS, I studied the effects of various protection layers on steel
hollow sections in route to understand the effects of fire on structures like oil and gas rigs.
Page 1 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
Under the supervision of Dr. Bashir Ahmed, a former research associate to Dr. David A.
Nethercot, I had the privilege of conducting my study along the path of my academic
predecessors.
During the finite element modeling process, I simulated the current fire
protection materials like intumescent paint, vermiculite, and refractory ceramic fiber (RCF) on
to steel hollow sections and studied their effects in a fire disaster scenario. At 1000°C, I found
RCF as the best insulator, protecting the structure longer than the other materials. Integration
of intumescent binders extend the time of structural integrity to more than 60 minutes. My
work contributed to the understanding of how fire protection materials impact infrastructures
and opened up a scope of non-destructive simulations for fire safety standards for the gas fields
of Bangladesh.
As soon as I graduated, I looked to devote myself to upholding proper Civil Engineering in my
country. I worked as a Structural Engineer in MARC Architects and Engineers Ltd., with
Abdullah Al Mamun (P.Eng). I obtained associate membership in Institute of Engineers
Bangladesh (IEB) and produced designs approved by the legal authorities. One of my greatest
accomplishments to date is the complete design of a 9-storied building in the capital of my
country. During my involvement in the project, I noticed that engineers consistently had to
over-design structures to account for inadequacies in construction management. I took it upon
myself to meet with suppliers, set schedules for site managers, and ensure labor efficiency for
coordination between design and on-site management.
My role at MARC Architects and Engineers Ltd. also gave me the opportunity to direct
management plans for the construction of an expansive multistoried complex of the Bangladesh
Army. The project is 4.6 hectares in area, where I had to consider crucial details such as cost
for cement and aggregates, amount and delivery time of reinforcements, plumbing and
electrical facilities, the amount of labor hours required for the completion of the project, and
others. Due to the vastness of the project, even minuscule over assumptions led to a huge
variation of cost and time for completion. The responsibility of cost estimation put me on the
forefront of construction management, and I was able to uphold the national building codes,
maximize profitability and minimize workforce duration by applying my knowledge as a civil
engineer as well as using computer simulations for accurate construction management.
With determination of creating risk-free industrial sector through on site regulations, I
undertook the opportunity of working as a Site Engineer in the construction site of a garments
Page 2 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
factory of Norp Knit Industries in Gazipur, Bangladesh. Under the guidance of I. A. Khan
(OBE, FICE), I had the unique privilege of learning from a master in the sector of construction
management. I ensured exact application of design on site, made sudden visits to verify
optimum temperature and consistency of ready-mix concrete, performed Schmidt Hammer
Test on the cured reinforced concrete, and stringently enforced installment of fire doors and
emergency escapes. I expressed each and every finding through reports, which was evaluated
to certify the project was perfectly constructed under Bangladesh National Building Codes
(BNBC) by Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, a milestone achievement in
civil engineering sector of our country where the majority of industrial infrastructures routinely
disobey such codes.
Along with my academic and professional experiences, I am also involved with fish farming.
I have been raising a stock of 3000 fish in my pond at my village home. I undertook pond
development stages, and routinely log the size and weight of the fishes. I have also been a
teacher of chemistry department for a facility providing educational programs to students. I
was in charge of pupils of grade 9, 10, 11 and 12, and I prepared them for entrance to top tiered
high schools and universities. These unique opportunities enable me to embrace the true
meaning of responsibility, and gives me motivation to pursue my master’s degree with the
hopes to help improve the lives of people in my immediate community and beyond.
I have been raised by the best engineering facilities of my country. My academic career has
imbued me with the top tier knowledge of Civil Engineering. My professional experience has
made me face the challenges and complexities of Construction Management in Bangladesh, a
developing country where buildings are constructed without proper supervision. My vision is
to employ latest science and technologies to the field of construction engineering, in order to
ensure safe, economic and perfectly environment friendly engineering sites. Under the
guidance of the premier faculty at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, I will aspire to reach
my goals of becoming an expert in the field of construction management.
Page 3 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
SOP SAMPLE 2
During his Nobel lecture in 1954, one of the most influential modern scientists, Linus Pauling
stated:
“…that the chemist of the future who is interested in the structure of proteins, nucleic acids,
polysaccharides, and other chemical substances with high molecular weight will come to rely
upon a new structural chemistry, involving precise geometrical relationships among the atoms
in the molecules and the rigorous application of the new structural principles, and that great
progress will be made, through this technique, in the attack, by chemical methods, on the
problems of biology and medicine.”
Over 50 years ago, Dr. Pauling remarkably anticipated modern scientists and engineers
applying chemical principles to solve today’s biological and medical challenges. Dr. Pauling’s
Nobel lecture has remained with me ever since I came across the speech as a sophomore
chemical engineer interested in controlled drug delivery.
My interest to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering builds on Dr. Pauling’s prediction
that applying chemical principles to medical challenges has great potential for scientific
advancements. These advancements are not only important for the growth of science, but also
have a great impact on people’s everyday lives. Current solutions to medical challenges such
as osteoarthritis or diabetic retinopathy, involve treating patients in an un-sustained manner. In
the pursuit of my degree, I wish to advance modern drug delivery by researching novel
approaches in controlled drug delivery. As a researcher, I wish to investigate physical and
chemical properties of various materials for their use as drug delivery vehicles. I believe that
my academic performance, my research experience, and my leadership in pursuing community
service projects have prepared me to take advantage of Northwestern University’s vast
resources. My academic background at the University of Texas at Austin involved rigorous
coursework in fundamental chemical engineering courses and in other interdisciplinary
courses. I believe that I have exhibited strong performance in core chemical engineering
courses like thermodynamics and transport processes, which helped build my engineering
intuition. My success in courses like materials and physical chemistry reiterates my strong
sense of scientific principles. Furthermore, I plan to continue my current undergraduate
research while taking graduate level materials courses during my last semester at the University
of Texas at Austin to help prepare me for the courses at the Northwestern.
Page 4 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
I was first introduced to scientific research as a freshman chemical engineer. I am fortunate to
have started undergraduate research early in my college career. My research with Dr. K.
Sathasivan in the Molecular Cell & Developmental Biology Department at the University of
Texas at Austin involves optimizing growth conditions for high-lipid producing algae for
biofuels and to develop methods to de-water algae. The DARPA-funded growth optimization
study required carefully designing experiments to test multiple input variables on multiple
output variables. The algae de-watering project involved developing novel harvesting methods,
constructing prototypes, and implementing the system to determine the effectiveness. What I
gained from my undergraduate research experience was the patience and ability to pursue a
long- term project. Because of my involvement in this research group, I was also able to hone
my skills in applying chemical engineering principles to biological systems.
My two internships at Abbott Laboratories enabled me to further apply my chemical
engineering knowledge for biomedical application. As part of the research-driven Innovation
Incubator department at Abbott Vascular in Santa Clara, CA, I was actively involved in
developing new applications of biomaterials. My first internship involved chemically and
physically characterizing biodegradable polymers used to manufacture stents. This research
offered me the unique opportunity to formulate and examine polymers with the intention to
implant the materials into a human body. As I returned to U. Texas to complete my junior year
of undergraduate study, my coursework meant more to me. Suddenly, the principles I learned
over the years had more depth in that I realized their applications.
The following summer, I returned to the Abbott with a greater sense of scientific development.
Though I worked in the same research group, I worked on a cutting-edge project involving the
development of protein-formulated, in-situ forming pH-responsive hydrogels. These polymeric
hydrogels have great potential for the medical devices industry. My main objective with this
project was to demonstrate the potential for injectable hydrogels to control drug delivery over
a long period of time, thereby improving the treatment of intravascular diseases. The progress
that I made in this project led to drafting intellectual property and is currently pending patent
approval. My exposure to this field of research has inspired me to learn more polymeric
hydrogels for my doctorate degree.
Outside of my research experience in an academic and industrial setting, my leadership
experience and community involvement has given me a great sense for applying technology in
a socially responsible manner. I have been an active member of the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers (AICHE), Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), and the Bengali
Page 5 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
Students Association (BSA) over my years at U. Texas. My involvement in these organizations
have enumerated in multiple community service projects. For example, in BSA I am helping
to organize an effort to set up a computer lab at a high school in a remote village in Bangladesh.
I also personally sponsor a child at an orphanage in Bangladesh with the hopes to provide the
basic necessities like food, water, shelter and most importantly, education. I frequently visit
Bangladesh to help with developmental projects in the village from which my grandfather
came. Being a leader in community service projects has given me a unique sense of applying
my scientific achievements for the benefit of others. This extra dimension of my personal life
gives me motivation to pursue my doctorate degree with the hopes to help improve the lives of
people in my immediate community and abroad.
I feel confident that my academic achievements, research experience, and leadership in
community service projects have prepared me for the upcoming challenges at the
Northwestern. The wide array of world-class resources at the Northwestern would dramatically
provide un- paralleled opportunities to become an expert as a chemical engineer. I am excited
to potentially work with accomplished faculty in biomaterials-related research. For instance
Dr. de la Cruz studies copolymer interface adsorption for potential drug delivery. Additionally,
Dr. Shea works on developing models to predict gene and drug delivery behavior from
biomaterials.
Much like Dr. Pauling’s vision of the interdisciplinary application of chemical principles, I
seek to apply my knowledge of chemical engineering to conduct innovative biomaterials
research. Under the guidance of the premier faculty at the Northwestern University, I will aspire
to reach my goals of becoming a proficient researcher.
Page 6 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
SOP SAMPLE 3
I am a Structural engineer from Nepal, a country in South Asia. I would like to present this
statement of purpose in support of my application for Ph.D. in civil engineering. My desire to
become a civil engineer was realized only after I stood out in Nepal's annual competitive
undergraduate entrance exam. I got admission into the most prestigious engineering college of
Nepal and was awarded tuition free-ship during my study. My undergraduate degree in civil
engineering laid the foundation of my civil engineering career and inspired me to pursue an
advanced program in structural engineering. I then graduated in Structural Engineering in 2015
from Andhra University, India, through a full-ride scholarship, awarded by the Government of
India.
During my under-graduate years, I was exposed to different subjects like Applied Mechanics,
Strength of Materials and Theory of structures which broadened my knowledge in the field of
Structural analysis. Most importantly, subjects such as Civil-Engineering Materials, Design of
timber and steel structures, Design of Reinforced concrete structure, Bridge Engineering
provided me a distinct vision in the field of Structure design. In my final year project, I with a
team of five other members carried out a project on “Analysis and Design of Multi-Storey
Earthquake Resistant Commercial Building”. During this project, I got acquainted with the
civil engineering design software and was able to apply my theoretical learning’s to practical
field. I was able to develop my leadership as well as the pressure handling capabilities.
My Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering provided me no less scope for upgrading the
skills and knowledge acquired during my undergraduate studies. Structural Dynamics,
Earthquake Engineering, Finite element method of Analysis, Structural Reliability,
Rehabilitation and Repair of Structure etc. have enriched me with erudition for functional and
research aspects of a Structural Engineer. As the final year thesis I accomplished “Seismic
Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Framed Building for Different Positioning of Shear Wall”
under supervision of Dr. Shaik Yaj Dani. On due course, I accumulated an expansive
knowledge on seismic analysis of reinforced concrete building and comprehensive
understanding of change in responses of structure that are caused by varying location of shear
wall with in the building. I was also able to publish a paper “Seismic Analysis of RC Framed
Building for Different Positioning of Shear Wall” in International Journal of Innovative
Research in science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET) Volume 4, issue 5 (2015).
Page 7 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
After graduation, I have worked for two humanitarian organizations (Nepal Red Cross and
CARE NEPAL) in districts severely damaged by the 7.8 Richter magnitude scale earthquake
that hit Nepal in April 2015. Initially, I worked with groups of engineers from different
countries to understand the construction and design deficiencies in the buildings that were
damaged during the earthquake. Many Reinforced Cement Concrete and masonry structures in
the country collapsed due to intensive ground shaking. Several design and construction
deficiencies were revealed by the earthquake, but it came at very high cost, with significant
loss of lives and property. I focused my work on the design and analysis of masonry, steel and
concrete structures .Working in the rural area of Nepal, I have led the team of 30 members to
train more than 2000 masons on seismic resistant construction techniques in three most
earthquake affected district of Nepal. During my time in those rural areas, I worked very closely
with the community. I have witnessed people losing their loved ones, living under tents for
years, shivering in cold and drenching in rain, as it took years for communities to build back
their houses after earthquake. The devastation that I experienced not only reinforced my desire
to pursue further studies in the field of structural engineering, but also educated me how
important structural engineering and its application can be to minimize the destruction caused
by any kind of natural disaster.
There had been huge need and demand for the retrofitting of civil engineering structures in
Nepal after the post-earthquake scenario. Working in retrofitting of masonry structures, many
times I have failed to come up with the proper analytical solution and had to stick to empirical
solutions to retrofit a structure. Appropriately analysing the structures and providing the
accurate solution for strengthening these structure stands as a major challenge for engineers in
my country. It is mainly because there is great scarcity of expert in this discipline and no
institution in the country provides higher education in this field. I have always felt a moral
obligation to contribute something to my society, and I hope that in-depth knowledge and
research in field of structural engineering to help mitigate the effect of natural hazards and
catastrophic events in civil engineering infrastructure will provide me with the expertise to do
so. I was very fortunate to come across the works and research at University of Texas, Arlington
in the field of retrofitting of vulnerable structures, fiber- reinforced polymer system for
strengthening of structures and hazard mitigation in civil infrastructure which give me a sense
that PhD program at this university is a great match for my interest.
With all my dedication and hard work, I want to pursue scholarly research in the field of
structural engineering, understand the science of ground motion and its effects on Steel and
Page 8 of 9
Shabash Fakibaj
SOP Samples – October 2019
Reinforced concrete structures, test different technologies that could improve the qualities of
construction materials and explore retrofitting measures that could efficiently increase the
strength of structures. Upon completion of my graduation, I would like to continue with my
research works and be involved as an academician to enhance the future scope of researches in
the field of retrofitting and natural hazard risk reduction in Nepal.
I have always believed that undergraduate study exposes to the different facets of the
profession. To acquire an in-depth knowledge in a chosen field, specialization becomes a
necessity. Choosing right country and university is a major challenge for most of the
international students like me. I found the PhD program in University of Texas, Arlington that
has stress on research studies on various nuances of Structural Engineering as the best choice
for me. Engineering program at this university looms large in my mind, largely because of its
outstanding faculty and interdisciplinary approach to engineering.
I am sure that my aptitude and drive will see me through the challenges and keep to your
expectations. As I look forward to satiate my evergreen forte and passions starting at University
of Texas, Arlington, I would like to express my desire to serve as a research or teaching
assistant in your department.
I would be looking forward to long and fruitful association with University of Texas, Arlington.
Page 9 of 9