Syed Karim is a Sustainable Energy scholar in his first semester in the Master of Sustainable Energy (MSE). He was searching for Master programs in renewable energy, and with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the University of Queensland, Australia was already close to his heart.
Syed was initially accepted in the MSE in semester 1, 2021 but had to defer his studies a semester due to the Covid-19 pandemic. A few weeks before leaving his job as Business Development and Product Solution Manager in Malaysia’s largest electricity utility company and packing up his family, he was notified that he had been awarded the scholarship.
We have asked Syed about his choice to study MSE, what he wishes to achieve with the Master’s, and his advice for prospective students.
Why did you choose the Master of Sustainable Energy at UQ?
“I like to challenge myself, and that is why I came to Australia in the first place. I became complacent after a while in my career, a situation faced by many. The pandemic gave me the opportunity to reflect on my worklife and deep inside, I feel the urge to learn and grow. This was the time I felt that I needed to make a move for my career.”
“I was searching for master programs in renewable energy on Google and was interested in studying in either my home country or Australia. I joined a couple of online info sessions at different Australian universities but kept coming back to UQ as the top University in Australia to offer such a program. When I found the Master of Sustainable Energy program, I was confident that the program is in line with my intended professional career path.”
What do you wish to achieve with a Master in Sustainable Energy?
“Looking forward, I know I need to equip myself with the best and latest knowledge within the renewable and sustainable energy landscape. I need the education, experience and exposure to contribute to the renewable and sustainable energy industry in the next chapter of my career and life. I would like to pursue a career in the financial sector evaluating sustainable energy investment projects, and I have no doubt that pursuing my Master in Sustainable Energy at my alma mater is the best choice I have made for my career progression”.
Your advice for prospective Sustainable Energy students?
“Climate change is real. It will not just affect a few countries but everyone in the world. As MSE students, we have to do our part to acquire a broad understanding of sustainable energy in order to help others understand and make changes. We need to get everyone on board the effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need passionate people to piece together the puzzles and help solve the climate challenges from the bottom up. As an MSE student, you need this mindset. The MSE program will give you the best interlink skills related to sustainable energy whether you are a journalist, from a business background, or an economist. Each one of us has a role to play. So, you should not be worried if you do not have an engineering background. The diversity of people with different backgrounds is super valuable and makes this program unique.”
The Sustainable Energy Scholarship is open to domestic and international students commencing the Master of Sustainable Energy/Master of Sustainable Energy (Management). The Scholarship is given as a subsidy for the course fees, and the amount is divided between the courses per semester.
Closing date: 28 November
Read more and apply here.
