Study Plan

 
I , .............., am an ambitious and highly motivated construction management
professional from Congo and intends to pursue Bachelors (BSc) in Civil Engineering
from Lakehead University, a non-profit higher education institution in Canada.
Academically, I am a graduate of Vaal University of Technology, South Africa, one of
the largest residential universities in South Africa, from where I completed the
National Diploma in Civil Technology in 2014. Currently, I hold membership of
Professional South African Institution of Civil Engineers, and I am also a Registered
Engineering Technician as ECSA. Professionally, I possess over four years of work
experience of managing construction sites of diverse nature including residential
buildings, public facilities such as youth development center and community library,
and infrastructure facilities such as roads, embankments, bridges, and hydropower
projects. After practically applying the academic training and testing the knowledge
gained from my home country, Congo, and South Africa, I am passionate to enhance
my outlook in the field of Civil Engineering. Hence, I am applying to study in Canada,
which is much ahead in the field of Civil Engineering, Research, and Technology as
compared to my home country. 
 
A. Study in Canada 
It is no brainer that the quality and standard of education in Canada is much higher
than that of in Congo or South Africa. Within Canada, I have applied to Lakehead
University mainly because firstly, it is a not-for-profit institution, and secondly,
according to Maclean’s 2019 University Rankings, it has been included in Canada's
top ten undergraduate universities (https://www.lakeheadu.ca/about/news-and-
events/news/archive/2018/node/49103). The courses being offered by the university
for undergraduate studies in Civil Engineering are outstanding. I am particularly
interested in pursuing the following modules:
 
Civil Engineering 4056 - Environmental Control
In today’s world, the conservation of the environment is extremely important to
ensure sustainable development. Efficient utilization and management of natural
resources such as watershed management, waster water treatment, surface water
quality assessment, disposal of solid waste, and possible reuse of the waste have
been covered in this module. Based on my experience of working on construction
sites, disposal of construction waste, and ensuring the safeguard of the environment
is a serious issue and often neglected. 
 
Engineering 3336 - Engineering Economics and Project Management
How to efficiently and effectively manage a construction project with a limited budget
and in minimum time without delays is a common challenge in every construction
project I have been part of. The fluctuating socio-economic and political conditions of
my country hugely impact the construction industry, and there is an undeniable
requirement to develop optimum risk management mechanisms for successful
completion of the projects, which has been focused in this module of Engineering
Economic and Project Management.
 
Civil Engineering 3452 - Finite Element Methods
For all complex construction projects, computer modeling is a must nowadays. To be
able to model a structure by using softwares and assess the stability and safety
against the imposed seismic and hydraulic loads is a necessary skill that I intend to
acquire by pursuing the course of Finite Element Methods.
 
Civil Engineering 0235 - Water Resources and Hydropower Development
Hydropower is a renewable energy source, which is low cost and naturally
replenished. With the increasing fuel prices and detrimental impacts of fossil fuels on
climate change, this module shall enable me to understand the innovation analytical
methods to analyze water supply and develop water storage alternatives. I already
have the experience to work on hydropower generation project and earnestly looking
forward to deepening my expertise in this field.
 
Engineering 4539 - Professional Practice and Law
One of the biggest challenges I have encountered while working in the construction
industry of a developing country like Congo is the lack of understanding of
professional practice and law. Engineers in general, and site staff and contractors, in
particular, are not much acquainted with the code of ethics and social responsibility in
engineering practice. The module shall be hugely beneficial in introducing me to
professional engineers legislation functional in Canada, and I hope to gain insight of
internationally acceptable engineering practices, intellectual property rights, and to
become more aware of my responsibilities as well as rights.
 
B. Overall Goal
 My overall goal is to polish my skills and equipped myself with innovation in the field
of Civil Engineering. This is the only way I could be able to better serve the
community by delivering sustainable, environmentally friendly, and safe construction.
I am already a working professional, have worked on several construction projects,
and indeed have learned a lot in each and every project. I believe that now is the
time to uplift my capabilities further and prepare myself to keep pace with the
competitive demands of the changing world. To excel in my profession, to better
perform my job, and to serve the community with robust and long-lasting construction
is my overall goal.
 
C. Not Pursuing Similar Program in Home Country
 I believe that by pursuing Bachelors in Civil Engineering from Canada shall enrich
my critical thinking and problem-solving skills. I intend to gain a different perspective
of approaching civil engineering problem than my prior studies. Previously, though I
was admitted to purse National Diploma in Civil Technology from Congo, the
education ranking of Yaal University of Technology in South Africa was much better
comparatively. Hence I withdrew the course in Congo after studying for one year and
had to start at Yaal University South Africa. Also, the curriculum of variety of courses
in which I am interested, such as, Water Resources and Hydropower Development,
Professional Practice and Law, Finite Element Methods, Environmental Control, and
Engineering Economics and Project Management, are much more elaborated and
advance in Lakehead University Canada. Time is one of the most precious
commodities in this world, and I want to invest my time and effort at one of the best
places in my range.
 
D. Work / Employment Opportunities after Completion of Degree 
 After completing my degree in Civil Engineering from Canada, I intend to return to
my home country, Congo. Since my father is also a civil engineer and deals in real
estate, I plan to be part of my family business and further elevate it through state-of-
the-art knowledge and skills gained through studying in Canada. Also, the
construction industry in Africa is booming and expected to grow further. The other
option I have is to seek employment in the construction sector of another African
country, such as South Africa. I already possess experience of working in South
Africa. Recently, during earlier 2019, the South African government has planned to
invest into infrastructure development of the country, and the research firm Fitch
Solutions has published positive reviewed about the construction industry of South
Africa (https://m.engineeringnews.co.za/article/growth-in-s-african-construction-
sector-expected-2019-05-24). Moreover, some of the top-notch construction
companies have offices in South Africa. For example, WBHO Construction (Pvt) Ltd
(https://www.wbho.co.za/) deals with building construction and infrastructure
development. They also offer bursaries, in-service training as well as vacation work
to undergraduate Civil Engineering students.
Similarly, Murray and Roberts Construction (http://www.murrob.com), a recognized
multinational engineering and construction group, has their head office in
Johannesburg. Hence, there are plenty of opportunities to pursue construction
management, project management, quality control, and construction supervision, etc.
in South Africa. So developing and strengthening my own family business in Congo,
and exploring the African construction industry, particularly in South Africa, are my
top of the list plans.
 
E. Ties with Home Country:
All my family properties and investments are in Congo. As mentioned above, my
father is a Civil Engineer having his own real estate business in Congo. However,
now he is old, spending retired life, and manages the business with the help of my
mother. My family gets a good rental income from the investment in properties. My
family business is undoubtedly a baseline for me, and to further enhance it by
applying the latest knowledge and state-of-the-art-skills is my ambition. Also, I have
the responsibly to take care of my old parents. I am coming to Canada for pursuing a
degree; however, I shall be missing my family a great deal during the course of this
study program. After completion of my degree, I want to remain close to his family in
Congo or opt to work in a closeby African Country such as South Africa where there
are considerable construction-related opportunities.