Statement of Purpose(MS, Computer Engineering, Syracuse University)

I, Praveen Kumar Yadav, am a final year student of Computer Engineering at

the Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology, Allahabad, and I aspire to
pursue MS in Computer Science and Engineering.

Inspiration

At high school, Elementary Computer Science was a part of the curriculum. The
course showed the significance of the computer and programming in daily life
and how it could become an absolute necessity in every field in the future.

I was impressed to such an extent that I decided to major in Computer Science

in my graduate studies. Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology is a
pioneer institute in our region which has several stalwart features in computer
curriculum it has on offer. The institute has an excellent infrastructure, state-of-
art Computer and IT labs and a reputed faculty in the region.

The curriculum is also designed in such a manner that it lays emphasis on

fundamental concepts with practical applications of what all is taught in the
curriculum. The syllabi of all the subjects are full of practical tests after each
chapter. Rather than learning by rote, students are encouraged to ask questions
and take on each assignment in an interactive manner. Group effort is also a
must, since there is a necessity for simulation of an environment which
replicates a realistic workspace.

All this was conducive for fulfilling my dreams at the moment. But the best part
of this institute was having software giants like IBM, Oracle, Motorola, Cisco,
SignalTree, Satyam Computers and other Indian IT biggies being a part of the
college’s placement pool. After joining the institute, my interest in computer
science has skyrocketed and I am like a kid on an advetnure.

Motivation for Graduate Studies

During graduation, I came across many facets of computer science and their
applications in the industrial context. Once a strong foundation was laid, I was
able to careen my course by whatever caught my attention. I was able to dig
deeper and reach the depth of all sorts of software intricacies and contemporary
IT developments. My major advent has been mainly into Graphics, animation
and web development. These technologies have evoked my technical
knowledge and brought out my creative side as well. I have undergone multiple
challenges as a programmer and a designer.
Why I am Ready to Undertake the Rigorous Course?
Thanks to the exhaustive curriculum and rigorous practical regimen of our
institute, I have completed several projects over the course of study. During the
four-year span, I have been part of several stellar software building exercises.
One of the outstanding projects was developing an OMR Data Extractor that
extracts data from scanned images finds application in correction of multiple-
choice examinations. This project is currently being employed by our institute
for feedback evaluation and is a cross-platform application.

Another noteworthy project included a Shape-from-Shading (SFS) system

which involves estimation of the light source and recovery of 3D information
about a scene using the shading information in the image.

I have also completed a Video Segmentation and Processing project in

collaboration with an in-house software team which develops patented software
on behalf of the college. This software will be marketed and will be targeted
towards startups and SMEs which need low-cost but quality software which
adheres to global standards.

Under the able guidance of our department head, Dr. PJ Narayanan, who is a
professor of international acclaim, my co-students and I have learnt how to
approach problem solving in a bold and unique way. I have also developed the
strong mindset to exist and outlast in a competent environment which is
prevalent in the software industry.

Goals
With Computer Science and Engineering developing quickly at a blistering
pace, its frontiers are stretching at every instant. Several budding techies and
adventurous students are providing a novel approach towards solving problems
in exceptionally challenging vistas in the fields galore. I am certainly not the
best judge of how to take my qualifications forward; I am certainly motivated
by a strong desire towards enhancing my technical knowledge by exploring this
domain even further.

The opportunity to pursue graduate studies at the Syracuse University will

enable me to achieve my objective. I will certainly have an opportunity to work
independently and in collaboration, both, with people from diverse cultural
backgrounds who would also imbibe newer perspectives in me. By the end of
the program I expect to enter an area of specialized research and contributed
significantly towards it. I am surely confident of performing well at Syracuse
University.
My interests are mainly in the fields of AI-enabled multimedia and graphics
which are becoming popular with each passing day. I am keen to take up more
advanced courses in this area. I feel that your university, with distinguished
faculty and excellent facilities, is an ideal solution to all my academic quests.