IFP School - Admissions Board Bucaramanga, Colombia

232 Avenue Napóleon Bonaparte December 19th, 2020

Rueil-Malmaison, France
Application for Processes and Polymers master's degree at IFP School
Dear IFP School Admissions Board,
France has set a benchmark for the Oil and Gas industry, emerging as one of the top countries in
this field. This leadership has been possible due to the contribution of pivotal centers such as the
IFP School, a prestigious and outstanding university with a remarkable impact on the European and
the worldwide energy sector. The close relationship between the IFP School and the industry has
led to creating impacting training programs that teach young engineers about emerging technologies
and equip them with modern tools for solving complex, dynamic, and real-life problems. It has
awakened a strong interest in me regarding continuing my academic and professional formation
through the prestigious programs offered by the institution. Specifically, I consider that POLY
master’s degree suits my plan to develop my skills as an engineer, and it will contribute to my
personal growth. I have chosen this master's program because of its structure and valuable content,
the opportunity of facing challenges, interchanging ideas with people from different cultures, and the
possibility of working within a top company in the Oil and Gas sector.
Besides, I am willing to contribute with the valuable experience I have gained as a young Chemical
Engineer, starting with the solid academic background I have built while coursing my undergraduate
program at the Universidad Industrial de Santander, which is considered one of the top universities
in Colombia. As a student, I was part of well-known academic teams, among which I highlight
the GIFTEX Research Group. There, I had the chance to apply and test many theoretical concepts
acquired through lectures. Besides, I synthesized bio nanocomposites and performed tests for
industrial wastewater decompounding to developing a technology to preserve water sources and
take advantage of feedstocks such as fique fibers. Likewise, in addition to the technical formation, I
learned the importance of methodical working, and I understood the value of my peers’ ideas. Also,
I had the chance to contribute to the sports field since I got into the competitive tennis team. Then,
I could proudly represent the university in a regional championship.
On the other hand, during the last year of my undergraduate program, I performed as a trainee in
Ecopetrol S.A. at the Barrancabermeja refinery, where I got my first contact with the industry. There,
I rapidly got involved in a project to preserve the equipment of a plant contributing to a reduction in
Fuel Oil production. Also, I gained knowledge about the development of conceptual and basic
engineering projects and the need to take advantage of heavier cuts of crude oil. As a result, I started
to understand the role and the impact of the Oil and Gas industry on the current society, as well as
its problems, limitations, and responsibilities; in consequence, considering these challenges as great
opportunities, I have decided to make my way through this branch. I aim to bring solutions by
participating in high-impact projects, working for worldwide companies, designing, and optimizing
processes, reducing wastes, and decreasing the impact of emissions to meet the requirements set
for fuels, products, and processes in the short and long future.
To sum up, I believe that with my experience, academic background, a true desire for learning, and
personal projection, I am a great candidate for the POLY master’s degree at IFP School.
Please feel free to contact me for additional information. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,

Andrés Felipe Valbuena Gelvis