To Whom It May Concern,

I am writing to express my interest in the doctoral program in the BME Department of

Structural Engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

I am particularly keen to apply for this doctoral program as its research interests are an
excellent match for my academic background. While studying for my Master degree in
Engineering at Huazhong University in China I developed a particular interest in the Bridge and
Tunnel Engineering. My Msc thesis which was on the topic of the seismic analysis of composite
bridges has engendered my interest in this complex topic. I now wish to continue my academic
career with a PhD in this field, and I cannot imagine a better place to study this than the BME
Department of Structural Engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics.
With the department's expertise, it would be the ideal location for PhD project on the Bridge
Engineering. Further, I wish to work with Professor Laszlo Dunai in particular, as he is a world-
leading expert in this field. The research topic proposed by Professor Dunai has the potential to
contribute to the academic understanding of the old steel bridges I am interested in. In
addition, this kind of research topics will develop our understanding to the problems of old
infrastructure, particularly old steel bridges in my country (Iraq), which suffer from significant
problems because of the ageing and the destruction due to the war against ISIS.

I am confident that I can complete the research project which Professor Dunai has proposed, as
I already have experience in this topic of research, and I believe that the skills and experience I
have gained will allow me to complete a larger-scale project like a PhD effectively. After
completing the PhD, I plan to pursue a postdoc placement within academic Engineering, likely
in the area of Bridge Engineering. Driven by a lifelong interest in the Bridge Engineering, I am
keen to continue my education in this subject and to perform my own research which can
contribute to the knowledge of the field.

Many thanks for your consideration.

Ghassan