THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM

Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom

Admission Office

Subject: Personal Statement for a Master of Education (Social Justice)

Being a woman in the countries embedded within strong patriarchal culture have never
been easy. It is even more vulnerable for those who live in poverty. Failures in
educational pursuits and how it relates strongly with poverty and many other social and
gender-based issues has always been a topic I am interested in ever since I started
college back in 2007.

My interest in education and women empowerment started when I had opportunity to

work as an English teacher in one of the poorest villages of Bontonyele in South
Sulawesi, Indonesia. While conducting the project, I saw the big gap in the education
system that led to inequality where girls were not encouraged to pursue their higher
education. Limited access of education often forces girls in a poor family leave school
early, get married and live in poverty. These experiences inspires me to build Ruang
Kolaborasi Perempuan (Women Collaboration Space) in 2015, a Non-Profit
Organization that aims to provide a learning space for women to learn and develop their
skills and potentials in entrepreneurship, technology, and education – three pillars of
development that I personally believe are most pivotal for women to learn. With the full
supports of members and local volunteers, Ruang Kolaborasi Perempuan received
Bung Tomo Award 2020 under category Impactful Action for society.
My long-term vision is to enable education and economic empowerment for women
from underprivileged family by 2025. In 2016, I was selected to join YSEALI (Young
Southeast Asian Leadership Initiative) to learn about U.S education system and
economic development in United States. This experience challenged me to make
several innovative and creative projects including Youth work Initiative, Talk& Lead,
Creative Teaching Hub and Women Community. These social communities focus more
on empowering young people and women from disadvantaged families to be more
empowered and independent through an educative, collaborative and creative program.
Since I am working to improve education and economic development for young people,
particularly women, it is really important to understand about strengthening community
development, education policy and encourage the community and other stakeholders to
deal with current situations. I have decided that this is the best time to pursue a
Master’s degree which encompasses education and social justice.
After searching potential study destinations in the UK, I am more than confident that
The University of Birmingham (UoB) under Master of Education (Social Justice) is the
best place for me to learn all that.
Building a Woman Lab, the first co-learning space and institution for women
development in my city is my future goals after finishing my study. In my opinion, UoB
offers the best courses for Master of Education program with primary focuses on
education-centered role in community and social justice work, from which I can benefit
to prepare my career in my organization. Its recognition as one of Top 100 Best
Universities in the world according to QS Ranking 2021 is a proof that Birmingham
University has international quality to guide me for an outstanding learning experience
and a better future career. Next thing I consider is that UoB is located in Birmingham,
one of the most livable cities in the world as well as destination to study abroad.
Excellent services and facilities will surely help me undertake all necessary learning
processes.

All in all, I am confident that studying at the University of Birmingham will open me many
opportunities I could ever imagine both personally and professionally.

Sincerely,

Muthmainnah Bahri