Statement of Purpose (SOP GTE Profile: 2021)

The information below has been supplied in support of the following applicant’s student visa application.
to assist them to demonstrate that they satisfy GTE compliance requirements.

(All sections must be completed by the applicant in full sentences and in upper and lower case only.
Once completed, any irrelevant questions should be deleted along with bracketed prompts like this one.)

Title & Name: Mr Ankit Sharma Date of Birth: 23/02/1999

Nationality & PP No: Indian ; R2609084 Marital Status: Single - Never Married
Education Provider 1: Ironwood Institute Campus Location:
Name of Course 1: Graduate Diploma of Agribusiness Intake: e.g. Month 2022
Education Provider 2: University of New England Campus Location: UNE Armidale
Name of Course 2: Master of Science in Agriculture Intake: e.g. Month 2023

Part A: Personal Details: You are required to complete this section, where applicable.

1. My English Language Proficiency Results.

English language proficiency test: IELTS

Test date: 12/03/2022
Test Results: Overall Score: 6.0 (Listening -6.5, Reading – 6.0, Writing -6.0, Speaking -5.5)

2. List your qualifications (even incomplete ones) from Year 10 (or equivalent) to your highest qualification.

Year 10 equivalent qualification:

Academic results: 75.6%
Course end date: March 2015
Name of school/college: Govt Model Sanskrjti Sr Sec School Sec-20, Panchkula
Campus location/address: Sector-20, Panchkula

Year 12 equivalent qualification:

Academic results: 71.2%
Course end date: March2017
Name of school/college: Govt Model Sanskriti Sr Sec School Sec Panchkula
Campus location/address: Panchkula

Technical and Vocational qualification:

Academic results:
Course length & course start and end date:
Name of college/university:
Campus location/address:

Higher Education qualification: Bachelor Of Science (Agriculture)

Academic results: 72.02%
Course length & course end date: 4 years & 04/2021
Name of college/university: Govt. Mahendra College, Patiala/ Punjabi University
Campus location/address: Patiala

(Cut & paste the same format if you hold additional qualifications.)
3. Provide a brief record of your employment history.

I do not have an employment history.

(If so, provide the details below & attach any supporting documentation.)

Full name of employer:

Employer’s address and mobile number:
Highest job designation held:
Joining and conclusion dates:
List your main employment responsibilities:

(Cut & paste the same format if you have more work experience.)

4. Give reasons for any gaps of one year or more in your academic and employment history.
After completing my graduation I started searching options for my higher studies. It took me time to decide from where to
pursue my Masters. Then I decided for my bright future I will go for education abroad. Then comparing all the countries I
decided to go for Australia. I did preparation for and appeared for it. After that I chose to apply for Ironwood Institute
pathway to University of New England for my Masters.
5. Provide details of your immigration history.

I do not have an immigration history.

6. Give reasons for any visa application withdrawals, visa refusals or cancellations received by you from any country,
including Australia.

I have not received any visa refusals or cancellations or withdrawn any visa applications before final assessment.

Part B: Further Education & Future Career Research Section: You are required to complete all questions in this section.

1. Evidence of research conducted into your further education in Australia.

a) Provide the salient features and benefits of your selected Australian academic program and education provider:

Name of your first education provider: Ironwood Institute

Campus location/address: Level 3/68 Grenfell street Adelaide South Australia 5000
Name of first course: Graduate Diploma of Agribusiness
Course duration in years: 1
Commencement date (month & year):
Annual tuition fees: AUD 20,00 per year
Education provider websites: www.ironwood.edu.au
Course entry requirements:
Academic: IELTS
English Language: 6.0 Overall not less than 5.5

(Here, after checking out the details of your course on your education provider’s website, you are required to describe the
course specific English language and academic entry requirements of your selected course.)

Name of your second education provider: University of New England

Campus location/address: UNE Armidale
Name of second course: Master of Science in Agriculture
Course Duration in years: 1
Commencement date (month & year):
Annual tuition fees: AUD 33,586 per year
Education provider website: www.une.edu.au/international
Course entry requirements:
Academic requirements: hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or Bachelor with Honours qualification
in a relevant discipline
English language requirements:

b) Provide a detailed description of the structure and contents of both courses in your package program:

Name of first course: Graduate Diploma of Agribusiness.

Description of Course Structure:
This course provides a general vocational outcome in agribusiness. It reflects the role of individuals who apply substantial
specialised knowledge and skills to the senior managerial and leadership role in an organisation or business area. In these
roles, they are required to generate and evaluate complex ideas, and to initiate, design, and execute the major planning,
research, design, operational, compliance, and management functions within highly varied or specialised agribusiness
contexts. The course content includes:
• Manage financial performance
• Prepare for and implement change
• Develop and enhance collaborative partnerships and relationships
• Initiate and lead applied research
• Analyse data for business decision making
• Provide strategic leadership
• Lead innovative thinking and practice
• Lead strategic transformation
Name of second course: Master of Science in Agriculture
Course Duration in years: 1
Description of Course Structure:
This is a coursework and research-based program designed to equip agricultural scientists with specialist professional
knowledge in conceptual, scientific and technical competencies related to food and fibre production and land management.
Specialisation in a discipline is available through the completion of the research project.
Through this course I will learn to -
 demonstrate an advanced understanding of the problem solving and research methods and processes of agricultural
science and that current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry;
 exhibit depth and breadth of knowledge of agricultural science by demonstrating advanced knowledge in the
interdisciplinary field of agriculture;
 critically analyse, solve and implement advanced research topics, complex problems, and practical applications within
the disciplines of agricultural science, and develop the skills necessary to plan and execute an independent piece of
research, interpret, critically analyse and evaluate data generated through research activities in order to effectively
understand and apply solutions to diverse challenges facing agricultural systems, and communicate the impact of this
work;
 apply highly developed skills in written and oral scientific communication to demonstrate independence of thought
and to transmit complex knowledge and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
 demonstrate an advanced level of independence and accountability of professional practice or scholarship; interpret
and apply scientific principles to the management of agricultural problems, and where applicable, in line with the
regulatory frameworks;
 conduct a research investigation in a research or professional environment by critically analysing a challenging
complex or multi-faceted problem, identifying research questions, designing and planning a project; selecting and
applying practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools to address a research question; integrating their own
research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; and analysing, interpreting and critically
evaluating research findings.

c) How is this course relevant to your past education and employment history? If there is no link, carefully justify why you
are seeking a change of discipline and future career path?
This course is completely relevant to my past education qualification. ). I have completed my intermediate exams in 2017
with science stream and then completed my bachelor’s in science with a specialization in agriculture field and
continuing my education in the same field now, I have applied to pursue my master’s degree in science with a major
in Agriculture field only with the help of an international study program. Pursuing Master of Science in agriculture
seems to be the most preferred choice for me, wherein I will utilize my curiosity and previous academic knowledge
to gain a higher level of expertise in the same field of science. So after going through all these facts, I decided to
pursue my master’s in the field of Science only.

d) Explain why you have decided not to complete your selected course at another Australian education provider?
Australia shares nearly top 2% of the educational institutions in the world offering world class infrastructure,
cutting-edge technology along with proper research and training facilities. After visiting various university websites,
I shortlisted few universities. These were The University of Queensland ($AU 99,107), The University of Adelaide
($AU 97,000) and the University of New England ($AU 72,712). It was really great to know that The University of
Queensland and the University of Adelaide were amongst the top 110 global universities. Their course content was
beautifully arranged. But concern arises when I looked into fee requirements. The University of Queensland and the
University of Adelaide requires a higher course fee than the University of New England (UNE).
Also, while going through the course content at their websites, I found out that the University of New England
offers a much more categorized, specified and targeted course content. Entry requirement of overall 6.0 bands was
also in my favour. Also, I came to know that the University of New England was offering me a scholarship with
reductions of almost of 30% of my fee, which is really fantastic for me. My campus location with University of New
England is located in Armidale in northern central New South Wales. University of New England offers cutting edge
theory and a real world practice to impart the required knowledge and skills. Also, University of New England ranks
in top 1000 global universities as per the latest QS world university rankings.

e) Provide evidence of the research you have conducted into study in a similar course and education provider in Australia
by completing the following profile:

Comparable education provider in Australia: The University of Melbourne

Campus location (city & state): Parkville, Victoria
Name of course: Master in Agricultural Sciences
Course Duration in years: 2
Commencement date (month & year): Feb 2023
Annual tuition fees: AUD 46,051 per year
Education provider website: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/master-of-agricultural-sciences
Research Outcome (pros and cons of course and education provider):

Course advantages: Quality education, Integrated Professional Practice, Work With Industry-Leading Mentors

Course disadvantages: entry requirements I didn’t meet here, high fee structure, course content was not according to my
requirement.

(Here, you are required to provide at least three valid, plausible, and well-written advantages and disadvantages that have
ultimately impacted on your decision to select your specific Australian course and institution and not the above-mentioned
course and institution.)

2. Evidence of research conducted into your further education at home and in other western countries.
a) Explain why you have decided not to complete your selected course at this education provider in your home country?
Admissions in Indian institutions are very difficult in itself, because of the tough competitive exams and the higher
cut-offs/merits, which demands high investment of time and the money. Also, the method of teaching here is an out-dated
one. Also, as I have already completed my schooling and graduate here in India only, I am aware of the out dated and
theoretical based teaching and learning methodology used in Indian educational institutions. Indian education is not globally
recognised.
So I decided to pursue my masters from abroad.

b) Provide evidence of the research you have conducted into undertaking your preferred course and education provider in
your home country by completing the following profile:
Comparable education provider in your home country: Panjab Agricultural University
Campus location (city & state): Ludhiana/ Punjab
Name of course: Master of Agriculture
Course Duration in years: 2
Commencement date (month & year): July 2022
Annual tuition fees in AUD: Approx. AUD 1627 per year
Education provider website: https://www.pau.edu
Research Outcome (pros and cons of course and education provider):
Course advantages: A Huge Amount of High-Tech Innovation Is Driving the Sector, Potential For Overseas Travel Within
Agricultural Development, High Demand For New Farmers, High Demand For New Farmers, Potential For Overseas Travel
Within Agricultural Development, Population Growth Drives Demand For Improved Innovation And Efficiency
Course disadvantages:
Focuses more on theoretical part, focuses less on practical education, Technologies are less advanced and old here, course is
not globally recognised.

(Here, you are required to provide at least three valid, plausible, and well-written advantages and disadvantages that have
ultimately impacted on your decision to select your specific Australian course and institution and not the above-mentioned
course and institution.)

c) Explain why you have decided not to complete your selected course at this education provider in another western
country other than Australia, such as the UK, USA, Canada or New Zealand?

I also looked at other countries like U.S., U.K., and Canada before deciding on Australia. I found that in the U.S. the
admission process is very complex and the tuition fee and cost of living is also extremely high. The problem with
U.K. is that its cost of accommodation is extremely high. In Canada as well, the admission process is very rigid and
the climate is also quite harsh.Canadian Universities are famous for graduate diplomas and graduate certificates
whereas I am keener towards securing master’s degree. The entry requirements of Australian Universities are little on
higher side. On Moreover, I felt that comparatively the cost of living and the tuition fee in Australia is affordable to
me

d) Provide evidence of the research you have conducted into study in your preferred course and education provider in
another western country other than Australia, such as the UK, USA, Canada or New Zealand, by completing the following
profile:

Comparable education provider in another western country: University Of Alberta

Campus location (city, state & country): Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Name of course: Master of Agriculture in Agricultural Food and Nutritional Science
Course Duration in years: 2
Commencement date (month & year): September 2022
Annual tuition fees in AUD: Approx. AUD 22,473 per year
Education provider website: https://www.ualberta.ca/agricultural-food-nutritional-science/index.html
Research Outcome (pros and cons of course and provider):
Course advantages: less fee structure, quick admission process, globally recognised degree
Course disadvantages: they just have one intake, extremely cold weather conditions I can’t adjust in, course contents not
according to my requirement

(Here, you are required to provide at least three valid, plausible, and well-written advantages and disadvantages that have
ultimately impacted on your decision to select your specific Australian course and institution and not the above-mentioned
course and institution.)

3. Here you need to show how you expect your career prospects to improve and ensure a return on your family’s
investment upon successful completion of your Australian qualification and after obtaining two years’ relevant post study
work experience.
a) Is your selected course accredited or recognised by an industry related professional association or other employment
related organisation? If so, please provide the details.
Yes, selected course accredited or recognised by an industry related professional association or other employment related
organisation.
(To identify if any professional bodies or other organisations have accredited or recognise your academic program, you are
required to access the course description on your selected education provider’s website. Here you should also describe the
overall benefits of professional body membership when seeking international level employment after you graduate and gain
relevant work experience in your preferred job designation.)

b) Which major international skilled occupations or job designations that meet your personal future career aspirations does
your selected course lead to?
My selected course will lead me too job designation in these areas:
 agricultural extension and consulting
 agricultural research
 banking and finance
 agronomist
 farm management
 animal health, welfare and nutrition
 agricultural and veterinary sales and marketing
 government departments of primary industry
 precision agriculture
 education and training
 soil conservation.

c) After completing your selected course and gaining work experience in your selected field, describe your future labour
market (job) prospects in your chosen skilled occupation in your home Country:
As per my research, the potential field of employment includes agricultural extension and consulting, agricultural
research, banking and finance, agronomist, farm management, animal health, welfare and nutrition, agricultural
and veterinary sales and marketing, government departments of primary industry, precision agriculture, education
and training, soil conservation and many more. With the Australian degree, I would be able to get employed in
much reputed big organization of my country like JK Agri Genetics Ltd., JK Agri Genetics Ltd., HPC Biosciences
Ltd., Nath Bio-Genes (India) Ltd., Dhunseri Tea & Industries Ltd., Raghuvansh Agrofarms Ltd., Goodricke Group
Ltd., Kaveri Seed Company Ltd., Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd. and many more and that too at higher
pay packages. I have got all the information regarding job through online job portals like www.naukri.com,
www.linkedin.com, www.shine.com. I am sure with this international degree in hand; I will have more number of
opportunities in my hand. Also, Indian companies prefer to hire more number of international graduates, therefore
this international degree will give me the upper hand in terms of employability and in competition with domestic
candidates.

d) After completing your selected course and gaining work experience in your selected field, describe your future labour
market (job) prospects in your chosen skilled occupation in Australia or another western country where your skilled
occupation is in demand:

As per my research, the potential field of employment includes agricultural extension and consulting, agricultural
research, banking and finance, agronomist, farm management, animal health, welfare and nutrition, agricultural
and veterinary sales and marketing, government departments of primary industry, precision agriculture, education
and training, soil conservation and many more.

e) Describe your personal ties to your home country and the return on investment you expect to benefit from after
successfully completing your Australian course and gaining relevant post study work experience:
My parents are everything for me as they have stood by my side in every situation. Although no one can take their
place, my overseas study plans are possible today, just because of the support, inspiration, and motivation from my
parents only. My family has sufficient financials to support my international stay and studies. Although going to
Australia is a necessity because I wish to enhance my knowledge and skills as the same can’t be done in India, and
after this coming back is the only option, I have as my parents are getting old and require assistance from me. They
have spent a major portion of their savings to provide me with such a brilliant education and are ready to sponsor my
bachelors program as well. So, it is my duty that once I finish my degree in Australia, I come back and take care of
them. And moreover, I feel you can earn a lot but if you don’t have support, care and existence of your family, you
can’t enjoy it.

4. Who will fund your Australian studies, living expenses and other costs?

Full name of financial sponsor: Ramesh Chand

Relationship to applicant: Father
Date of birth, citizenship & country of residence: 6-10-1976, Indian & India
Employer’s name & contact details: Commissioner of police, Inspector general of pol, inspector general of pol,
inspector general of pal, panchkula - 134109 Haryana
Current job designation: Inspector

Full name of financial sponsor: Santosh Sharma

Relationship to applicant: Paternal Aunt
Date of birth, citizenship & country of residence: 14-11-1968, Indian & India
Employer’s name & contact details: Railway Protection force , Welfare Office, P.K. Road New Delhi
Current job designation: Assistant Sub Inspector

(Cut & paste the same format if you have more than one financial sponsor.)

5. Where do you plan to live in Australia and what are your expected weekly accommodation costs?
The prospects of finding accommodation in a city like Armidale are very high as statistics show that it’s a pretty
student dominated city demographically with a variety of services that help with accommodation for students that
enroll at the regional universities. Even the university itself offers a range of accommodation options and that too
at reasonable prices. There are also dedicated real estate agents out there that exclusively serve students and
help with community accommodation for students through websites like Unilodgers.com, Flatmates.au, etc.
There’s a whole number of alternatives that ensure finding accommodation in Armidale for an outsider isn’t really
challenging. My weekly accommodation cost will be around $300 per week.
6. Explain any exceptional circumstances and/or add any additional information applicable to you and/or your spouse, if
relevant.

I do not have any exceptional circumstances in my background.

(If so, provide all details and attach any supporting documentation, if appropriate.)

Personal Declaration

 I have studied details on the following Dept. of Home Affairs website: Australian Student Visa Conditions and I
understand that I am required to satisfy all student visa requirements relevant to my case, whilst I am in Australia,
including the following:

8202 – Meet course requirements

8303 – Not be disruptive to the Australian community or a group within the Australian community
8501 – Maintain health insurance for visa duration
8516 – Must continue to satisfy the criteria for the grant of the visa
8518 – Must maintain adequate arrangement for education
8533 – Inform provider of address within 7 days of arriving in Australia

 I hereby certify that the information above, which I have supplied in support of my student visa application to assist
me to demonstrate that I am a genuine student, is a true and correct account.
  I understand that if any misleading or non-genuine information is found in this document, my student visa
application will be refused.

Applicant’s Signature:

Full Name as per Passport: Mr/Ms Full Name (as per passport) Date: dd/mm/yyyy