Personal Statement

I am Sharjeel Akram, my date of birth is 16-November-2002. I will be illuminating briefly about myself
concerning my academic background, the reason for choosing Australia rather than other countries, why I
chose a particular education provider and course, and also my future plans. I have completed my
matriculation in 2017 from Elixir Boys High School, Multan. Then, I took admission in Intermediate at
Admire College of Science & Commerce for Boys, Multan and completed it in 2019.

After my Intermediate, I prepared my mind to study my bachelor’s degree from Australia. My father
appreciated my decision and assured me of every support required in this regard. Without wasting time, I
started searching for appropriate country, course, and university for my bachelor’s degree. In the
meantime, Covid-19 was declared pandemic due to which most of the countries sealed their borders for
international arrivals and universities were closed. Everything went into a lockdown due to Covid-19
pandemic, therefore, my parents advised me to postpone my studies until the situation comes in control.
After our government announcement for opening of commercial activity, I started preparation of IELTS
and appeared in IELTS exam in July 2021. Now, Australia borders are opened, universities are started
working and Covid-19 is in control. Therefore, I am applying my visa application.

Studying abroad will equip me with personal experience in social multiplicity. It will develop my personal
skills, strengths and abilities containing improved communication. As per my profound study and
understanding I came to recognize the fact that unfortunately, we have comparatively fewer opportunities
for quality education in Pakistan. I have searched many universities in Pakistan like National University of
Science & Technology, University of Lahore, Quaid-e- Azam University, University of Engineering &
Technology, and Lahore University of Management Sciences but unfortunately none of the universities of
Pakistan is included in top ranking universities of the world. These universities performed well in the field
of IT but there is lack of practical work. In these universities’, curriculum is only focused on theoretical
work; there is no research and technical work. Pakistan’s education system focuses on rote
memorization. Secondly, standard of deliverance of education and research depict that even top
institutions of my home country are not as highly ranked as of Australian institutes. According to QS
Pakistan has the weakest higher education system. Thirdly, the possibilities of landing a good job with
mere local bachelor’s degree are scarce in Pakistan due to the saturation of local graduates. Studying in
my home country will not provide me with such diverse chances and aids for establishment and security
of a better future. I consulted with my parents and decided to pursue my higher studies from Australia
because Pakistan being developing country is deprived of good quality education. It is reality that in
Pakistan foreign degree is always valuable and preferred rather than local education. Keeping in mind the
above situation and picture of education system of Pakistan, I have not selected for my higher studies.

I searched many other countries like Canada, Germany and USA. Tuition and living cost in USA stand
very high as compared to Australia. I didn’t choose Canada due to harsh weather condition.
Comparatively most economical was Germany, I searched universities such as Technical University
Munich, Technical University Berlin and Karlsruhe Institute of Technology but German language is big
trouble, you cannot attend seminars and workshops held in universities as most of them are conducted in
German. After thorough research and all gathered information from my research, I chose Australia for my
higher studies. I have paramount reasons to adopt Australia for improvement of my qualification, which
are regarded to globally recognized education standards, innovation in teaching, excellent education
system, secure and peaceful learning environment, supportive and constructive nature of natives,
pleasant weather much similar as in Pakistan and a diverse education experience in multicultural
community. Australia has become third most popular destination for international students. Interestingly
Australia has six universities in the top 100 universities of the world. Australia has highest standards of
living in the world. Australia is a handful of the world’s most liveable countries and various cities of
Australia ranked in term of factors like infrastructure, healthcare, environment and living lifestyle.
Additionally, Australia is famous not only for its education but multicultural and the lively energetic
environment. It offers an exclusive kind of education and a teaching style that motivates one to be
advanced, creative and think independently. Moreover, Australian Government invests more than 200
million dollars annually on international scholarships. Australian authority contributions towards education
to provide a secure and reliable system are highly appreciated. Australian educational experience will
make a real difference. After graduating from Australia, I will be successful in finding job and to hold
prominent position in my home country. Australian Universities are featured in top 50 ranked universities
in the world in study areas like engineering and technology. The quality of education provided in Australia
will surely help me groom myself in the field of information systems. I need to acquire higher education in
a dynamic environment to enhance my knowledge and to grow further in my life professionally.

I have also searched other Universities in Australia like La Trobe University, Curtin University and Deakin
University but they don’t have extensive course curriculum as per my requirement. I also realized that the
syllabus offered at UOW is designed to meet the demands of the present day industry. There are several
reasons to consider my decision to study in University of Wollongong because it is ranked among the
world’s top 1% of universities and is one of Australia’s best for employer satisfaction with graduates. The
federal government’s latest Quality Indicators for Teaching and Learning (QILT) Employer Satisfaction
Survey ranked employers’ overall satisfaction with UOW graduates at 89.6%, placing UOW first among
NSW universities and second nationally among public universities. UOW ranked among the top 250
universities in the world for Computer Science and Information Systems in the QS World University
Rankings by Subject 2021.

UOW is associated with multiple organizations like as Westpac, ASD and Tibra etc., so overall students
from UOW are able to secure good job all over the world. I have also been awarded bursary so this
makes an overall 25% deduction in my tuition fee. This makes my tuition fee more affordable and gives
me a valid reason to join this university other than many other valid grounds. To conclude, Diploma of
Information Technology leading to Bachelor of Business Information Systems offered by UOW is
excellently structured to match my requirements.

I opted for Diploma of Information Technology from UOW College, this 2 session diploma will lead me to
enter in 2nd year of bachelor degree at University of Wollongong. For successful completion of Diploma
of Information Technology, I will be required to study following modules: Programming Fundamentals,
Problem Solving, System Analysis, Human Centred Systems Design, Data Management & Security,
Object Oriented Design and Programming, Introduction to Web Technology, Networks and
Communications.

After completion of Diploma, I will progress to 2 nd year of Bachelor of Business Information Systems. To
complete Bachelor of Business Information Systems at University of Wollongong I will study subjects like:
Introduction to Management, IT Project Management, Mathematics for Information Technology, Human
Computer Interaction, Management Information Systems, Principles of e-Business plus electives.

After completion of my proposed degree, I will be able to demonstrate theoretical and technical
knowledge of business information systems and the ability to apply this knowledge in developing effective
information systems. I will also learn to perform analysis and design in developing computer applications
within business contexts. I will also be able to develop effective systems implementation within business
contexts. I can think creatively in identifying effective system solutions for business problems. I will learn
to function effectively as part of a team to accomplish a set of common goals and objectives and
communicate with project stake holders. I will also learn to apply informed professional judgments
regarding ethical and responsible decision making with consideration of related social responsibilities. I
will also learn to function and work collaboratively with others to solve information technology problems
achieving business common goal.

Pakistan has potential and growing in economic structure due to which there are number of opportunities
available in Pakistan in various multinational and Government sector. Additionally, projects like CPEC and
other developmental projects that are in progress in my home country will attract more national and
multinational business which will ultimately boost the need for highly qualified and experienced
professionals. Stats of salaries and other remunerations in this field shows an upward trend and the way
new and better opportunities are emerging in this field, the demand for qualified professionals is already
increasing and likewise the annual IT consultants, systems analysts, database administrators and
information systems specialists are showing great increase in the previous years.

After completing my bachelor’s degree from University of Wollongong, Australia I would have employment
and career options in private and government sector. I will work in top ranked organizations as a Systems
Analyst or an Information Systems Specialists. Business information specialists are trained to analyze
business problems and find possible IT solutions for these problems. This ranges from running an
efficiency audit on a company's information systems through to analysing the effectiveness of a file
management system and designing business software applications. As IT industry in Pakistan is a
growing and rising industry that has a lot of potential. The future of Systems Analysts/Information
Systems Specialists is very bright in Pakistan. The Industry of IT in my country is still in Advancement
mode and growing rapidly. Government and private firms prefer foreign qualification and offer handsome
salary packages to graduates having foreign degree. I will be able to get job one of the well reputed
organizations in my home country like Netsols, Teradata, Northbay Solutions, Techlogix and Systems,
Folio 3 and other high tech telecommunications (I2C Inc. Ovex Technologies) etc. After getting Bachelor
of Business Information Systems degree from Australia I can easily get six figure starting monthly salary
(PKR 140,000 to PKR 170,000). I would like to mention that a local graduate earns about 70,000 PKR
which is approximately AUD 500 per month whereas a foreign graduate has an edge and earns starting
monthly salary PKR 1700,000 which is approximately AUD1200.

I fully understand the study visa conditions and will abide by all conditions during my stay in Australia. I
will follow the Australian rules and will fulfil all student visa conditions like, I will have to maintain my
attendance and overseas health cover. I will have to inform my university regarding my accommodation in
Australia. I will have work limitations. I must not involve in activities that are disruptive to Australian
community.

My father is …………………….and very well settled in Pakistan…………………………. His annual income

s PKR ……….. Net worth of my father’s assets is PKR…………and I have handsome inherited share in it.
He will support me financially during my entire stay in Australia. I will be back after completing my
proposed degree. My family is financially very strong, enough strong to support me throughout my entire
education in Australia. After completion of bachelor’s degree, my objective is to hunt a respectable job in
Pakistan. I want to live and settle in Pakistan with my family. Moreover, I will have a bright career here in
Pakistan after completion of proposed course and I will definitely come back to Pakistan and will start my
career in Pakistan. These all facts clearly depict that I am a genuine student and my sole purpose is to
complete my bachelor’s degree from Australia and to settle in Pakistan.

Sharjeel Akram