I, Silesh Neelshan Paul a citizen of Sri Lanka and holder of passport number N6814305 wish to matriculate

for MSc in Management and Business Analytics at Nottingham Trent University for the September 2021
intake.

Education Background
I successfully completed my G.C.E Ordinary level in 2003 at Royal College, Colombo-07. I pursued
Mathematics for G.C.E Advance level in 2006; at St. Michaels College Batticaloa. However, at that time, I
was not able to get through my advance level. Therefore, to improve myself and to find job opportunities
I completed several crash courses. I learnt Microsoft office package by completing the International
Computer Driving License certification at European Computer Driving License Foundation. To improve my
English language, I enrolled at the British Council, Sri Lanka, where I completed up to Upper Intermediate
Level 2 and scored an ‘A’ grade. I had an interest in the IT industry, to understand the full gamut I took
the initiative to study Diploma in ‘Computer Hardware Engineering with Networking’ at the Turnkey IT
Training Centre. I also learnt Diploma in ‘Graphic Designing’ at the American Institute of Information
Technology.
This led me to pursue my higher education in the IT and management field, I followed the BTEC Higher
National Diploma (HND) in ‘Computing (General)’ at the British College of Applied Studies in Sri Lanka,
which is affiliated with Pearson Education Ltd. At that time, technology had started to evolve, and I
expected that in the coming 10 to 20 years, new jobs would emerge and machines would be integrated in
all sectors/industries. Therefore, I felt that this HND would equip me with the skillset I required to
compete in the growing job demand. The program covered essential aspects of management such as
communication, project management, task management and problem solving. In addition, it include vital
areas of IT such as programming, data analysis and design, internet server management and system
analysis.
Tertiary Education
I graduated with Second class upper for my bachelors in Business Information System Management from
Cardiff Metropolitan University London (affiliated with ICBT, Colombo). This degree helped me advance
my knowledge in business intelligence. After completion of my bachelors, I decided to specialize in the
analytical field. That was my intention in swapping to a Supply Chain Analyst role, knowing that this
employment would give me valuable experience for my Masters. Within the last three years whilst on
employment, to improve my skill I followed professional courses in Advance Excel and Investment analyse.
During my current employment as Supply Chain Analyst, I have been learning various fields related to
analytics by attending workshops, seminars and crash courses such as Programme in Investing at
Securities & Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka, Certified Ethical Hacking Workshop at ATN Campus,
Participation of Fundamental Analysis at Colombo Stock Exchange and a certificate course in Treasury
Management by The Corporate Campus. Later I participated in Virtual Global Summit for Health
Sustainability & Resilience (An initiative to make sure health systems withstand future crises) founded by
the World Economic Forum, London School of Economics & AstraZeneca in March 2021. I am currently
learning new strategic insights by being a subscribed member of the World Economic Forum. They explore
and perceive the current issues and forces thriving for transformational change across the world in
industries, economics and global issues. These new aspects is helping me to gain understanding about the
future and how they are gathering big data to solve global issues.
Work Experience
In 2011, I started my career as a Customer Relation Officer with Janashakthi lnsurance PLC in Sri Lanka.
Later ln 2015, I moved to work as a Claims officer at Paramount Healthcare Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Sri Lanka.
Then I received an opportunity in Dubai to work as an Administrator for Wehbe lnsurance Services. This
gave me experience on day-to-day operations and allowed me to work with various departments. On my
return to Sri Lanka, I worked as an Administrative Manager for Wisdom Pre-School, Sri Lanka before
gaining a position as an acting Branch Manager for the Co-Op Life lnsurance Ltd Batticaloa in 2017. While
I was employed as an acting Branch manager, I developed sales forecast by analysing the data and was
able to set financial objectives along with solid business plans. Then I got an opportunity to work in the
capital city of Sri Lanka, Colombo as a Supply Chain Analyst at Maingate Pvt Ltd. I decided to join because
I wanted to work in an analytical environment to gain more insights therefore, I am currently working
there and utilizing the knowledge and skill that I gained through my bachelors to simplify data gathering
and implementing strategies to improve the operations of the company's supply chain. My interest in
analytics is growing continuously and I want to improve my management skills by following MSc in
Management and Business Analytics.

Why Masters in Management and Business Analytics

After completing HND, which had crucial components for management skills, my desired grew even more
to improve myself for my career growth. My bachelor’s degree gave me the starting point to establish
myself in the field of analytics. One of the modules was Business and Data Analytics. It gave me vast
knowledge in the field, and I was able to elevate my awareness in business analytics. This MSc program is
designed to meet the current job landscape. Due to the increase of machine and deep learning methods
in the job environment, data analysing is vital for the forth industry revolution. This MSc program will not
only help me improve my analytical skills but also it will improve my management skills. Subsequently it
will boost my confidence in gaining valuable insights from complex big data and make clear data-driven
decisions in the managerial level to solve various business analytics solutions.
Leadership skills as a manager is required to accomplish practical challenges and at the same time having
the ability to contextualize any perspective from others point of view. I will be expanding my knowledge
in quantitative methods; business analytics process and predict uncertain events by identifying machine-
learning models. First Semester is focusing on the management side, which is very important aspect in my
career because learning about the financial management and the business strategy side will give me a
wide range of options to pursue in the booming industries. By learning these core subjects, I will be
receiving dual award status with the Chartered Management Institute. I will consider this as a stepping-
stone when I am selected to the program. The second module in the first semester is managing in
organisations will accelerate my organisational learning. Second semester is my favourite part where I will
improve my predictive and prescriptive analytics and learn to make proper decision-making in business
analytics projects. This MSc program will be essential in order to expand my knowledge and learn in depth
of the subjects that are vital for business analytics. By following this MSc, I will have a very good
understanding of how the organisations plan their strategies to increase competitiveness in a rapidly
changing environment.
My next milestone is to complete Masters in Management and Business Analytics, as I feel it is incredibly
important for my self-growth in this line of work and compete in the growing market. This master’s degree
will allow me to stand out among other candidates in Sri Lanka and the international exposure I receive
will be vital for a career growth in my home country, which will help me secure a job in a multinational
company.
Why have you decided to study in UK
From a young age, I have always wanted to complete my higher studies in a world-recognized university;
it is a lifetime opportunity. I picked United Kingdom for the renowned quality of its education system, its
cultural diversity and as it has become one of the fastest-growing destinations in the education sector.
Unlike other countries, UK has three Universities in the top 10 universities in the world. United Kingdom
is at the forefront when it comes to technology and research compared to Canada, Australia and New
Zealand. London was rated fifth by QS Rankings in 2016 for the best student friendly city in the world.
When I compare the cost for the master’s program with Canada, Australia & New Zealand it is evident
that United Kingdom is affordable to me. Because the Master’s course in Nottingham Trent University is
a one-year period which is a huge advantage for me in accommodation and tuition costs wise.
In Sri Lanka, graduates from British universities are considered highly sought after because of the
international reputation of the education system in the country. A British Degree will give me immense
value to my career due to the high standard of the education system in UK and it will give me the edge to
compete in the booming analytical industry. Comparing the climate of United Kingdom to other countries
such as Canada and New Zealand, I prefer Unite Kingdom because of the cool often-cloudy climate rather
than high temperature.
British Universities are highly recognised globally for having a competitive, challenging and creative
environment that help the students like me to have a solid foundation and increase the potential to have
a higher earning income along with the desired job that I want in my home country. Therefore, the value
of the UK degree will define my career choices and help me climb the employment ladder. Upon
evaluation and comparison, I have decided to go with United Kingdom for my higher studies.

Why Nottingham Trent University

After going through few of the Universities in UK, I come to conclusion that Nottingham Trent University
is ideal for me to conduct my studies there. Nottingham Trent University is proud of its focus on education
and its research infrastructure, and it is well known in the region. It offers innovative facilities, academic
staff with international experience, and an outstanding student service. This University has been rated by
the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework as Gold standard in terms of the quality of the
education and learning, which is the highest ranking available. To determine the best Universities in 2019,
the Global Student Satisfaction Awards conducted a survey and Nottingham Trent came on top in all major
six criteria. [On a scale from 1 to 5:- Overall Satisfaction - 4.3, Student-Teacher Interaction - 4.3, Admission
Process - 4.6, Career Development - 4.6, Student Diversity - 4.6 and Quality of Student Life - 4.5]. This
University is also recognized as one of the UK’s outstanding universities and on the top five for most
sustainable universities in the world because of their commitment to improve each aspects such as
student satisfaction, quality of teaching and graduate employment. They have also won the Giving Back
category in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Due to these achievements by the University, it gave me
the confidence to choose Nottingham Trent University. This kind of atmosphere will be ideal for me to
follow my postgraduate studies in Nottingham Trent University. Moreover, the course modules that are
available for MSc Management and Business Analytics are perfectly integrated in the management side
along with the analytical side. This will lay the foundation for me to develop my personal skills in the field
of data analysis.
Career Plans and Future Prospect
After I complete my MSc in Management and Business Analytics, I will come back to my home country
and seek employment. This foreign exposure will make me stand out with other candidates. There are
some very famous international companies such as McKinsey & Company, London Stock Exchange Group,
Virtusa and IFS etc. These companies when they recruit for job openings, they always look for foreign
exposure and the higher study qualification from any of the leading countries. Upon returning from UK, I
will have more chances to be recruited because I have completed my MSc in a well-reputed UK University.
My chances for being hired will be high, not only within the international companies but also with some
of the Sri Lanka’s own multinational companies such as John Keels Holdings, Hayleys, Mars Holdings and
Hirdaramani etc. Port city in Colombo will be an international financial hub, which will provide more job
opportunities to those who are highly qualified. I hope to pursue my career as a Business Consultant,
Market Research Analyst or a Data Analytics Manager leading a team with my expertise and knowledge
that I gain through this MSc program and my work experience in UK where I would have learnt to integrate
theory and practice. Despite the economy challenges that Sri Lanka faces, the scale of transformation that
currently happening in my home country is a positive sign that the country is growing in a rapid pace and
employers will be seeking highly qualified and experienced business analytical professionals as we
proceed to the future, which is the forth industrial revolution. Once I gain more experience I would like to
see myself as an aficionado of business analytics at a leading multinational company making business
strategic decisions, becoming a polymath by embracing technology and involving in various projects for
sustainability and become a resilient citizen by taking initiatives to make sure the business process
systems withstand future crises.