YOHANNES SEFANE MOLLA

Dessie, 6000, Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)

johnaldsefane@gmail.com | (+251) 921111483

Subject: Research Statement and Cover Letter

Dear PhD Candidate Selection Committees,

First, I want to introduce myself, my name is Yohannes Sefane, currently working as Instructor and junior
software engineering researcher, especially in software measurement and economics at Wollo University,
Kombolcha Technology Institute. I am writing this letter in order to demonstrate my interest in the PhD position
in Natural Language Processing. I am very passionate about NLP. My particular interest is designing and
analyzing new NLP techniques and algorithms for Software Engineering taks/problems.

I graduated with MSc Degree in Software Engineering from Bahir Dar University with a CGPA of 3.95 (on a
scale of 4.0) and Thesis result of "Very Good" on 3, November 2022. My thesis was entitled as COSMIC-based
Functional Size Measurement of Agile Software Development Using Deep Learning Approach. I have
developed my own pre-trained model using BERT with Requirement Engineering domain data (i.e.,
requirements, user stories, bug tracking and fixing issues, etc.) from which unique software engineering
vocabularies have been developed. Using this pre-trained model, I developed a deep-learning based COSMIC
functional size estimation models. So, most of my thesis work has incorporated basic NLP tasks.

During the course of my MSc study, I have taken some major courses such as ‘Machine Learning and NLP’,
‘Big Data Analytics’, ‘Empirical Software Engineering’, ‘Software Architecture’ and this helps me develop a
solid research background in Natural Language Processing and Data Analytics. I have developed different NLP
based projects for class-assignments and seminar presentations during the course of this MSc study.

My BSc degree was also in Software Engineering (from Bahir Dar University with a CGPA of 3.89 in five years
degree (on a scale of 4.0), graduated in July 2019). During the course of this BSc study, I have taken web
technologies and programming languages, software security, database systems, data structures, and algorithms,
object-oriented programming languages, system analysis and design, software architecture, multimedia systems
and computer graphics, mathematics and statistics. My career aspirations and affiliations to become a prominent
NLP researcher and further strengthen my analytical, research, and problem-solving skills are encouraged by this
Doctoral program. I can concentrate the whole study years to rigorous research because the program's research
goals perfectly match with my professional objectives.

I am highly interested and working hard to be an expert in developing new techniques and paradigms which can
be relevant to software engineering problems, especially Natural Language Processing and Data analytics. I
believe that this doctoral research program of good quality will help me get my dream true. In addition to my
personal skill improvement, studying abroad will help me react new environments and cultural settings that will
make me enthusiastic and acquire new knowledge, better experience, and depth understanding. It is an
opportunity to discover new strengths and abilities, conquer new challenges, and solve new problems. I am glad
to experience new languages and discover the beautiful natural landscapes and glorious cultural and historical
places in Luxembourg as well as nearby countries. I am really happy to get alerted for such Doctoral Research
Program and it will be a great success to join that ecosystem.
Working in your research lab is fascinating and make me energetic and this PhD position is an opportunity for
me to deepen my knowledge. Along with my academic background, warm interests and my experience in NLP
works, this PhD position is ideal for me and will fit the requirements of your research institution. For further
information, I attached my resume and take a closer look.

I value your time and consideration. Please don't hesitate to ask for more information if required. I am looking
for your kind and positive response.

Kind regards

Yohannes Sefane Molla