Letter of Motivation

Dear Admissions Committee,

I am writing to express my interest in the Embedded Systems, Computing Sciences, and Electrical
Engineering master’s degree program starting in autumn 2024. I completed my intermediate in 2018
from Fauji Foundation College Talagang in Pre-Engineering. Here I developed an interest in
Mathematics and Physics that led to my bachelors. The educational journey culminated in a bachelor's
degree in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology Taxila in 2022
My academic experience covered a spectrum of subjects, including Microcontroller & Embedded
Systems, Robotics and Industrial Automation, Control Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Instrumentation
and Measurement, and Digital Signal Processing. These courses not only unveiled the limitless career
options in the field of Mechatronics but also deepened my interest in research for automizing several
industrial processes that are currently either being done manually or semi-automated.
Throughout my degree, I actively engaged in intensive lab work, developing both theoretical concepts
and practical skills. As a testament to my practical knowledge, I led multiple semester projects,
including my Final Year Project, "The Design and Development of a Haptic Steering Wheel for
Automobiles." This project allowed me to polish my embedded system skills and implement complex
interfacing of microcontrollers with a self-made mechanical steering prototype. Moreover, I authored
two research papers, one aimed at contributing to the development of autonomous mobility using
programmable digital devices and the other for human gait cycle investigation, reflecting my
commitment to advancing the field. Serving as the project leader, I orchestrated the successful
conception and execution of various notable initiatives. Specifically, I led the development of an
obstacle-avoiding robot and a cylindrical robotic arm, both driven by the ATMEL Atmega32
microcontroller, for pivotal semester projects. Additionally, I engineered a line-following robot
showcased in a distinguished competition at the esteemed National University of Science and
Technology (NUST).
A pivotal contribution to my portfolio is the "Development of Autonomous Robotic Waiter," a project
dedicated to automating restaurant operations in support of human staff. Leveraging Robot Operating
System (ROS) and implementing the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technique, the
initiative achieved autonomous navigation across diverse environments. This undertaking provided me
with profound insights into the intricacies of ROS architecture. The implementation of a master-slave
communication protocol underscored my adeptness in designing robust control systems.
Tampere University's outstanding academic standing, particularly in Applied Science perfectly aligns
with my career aspirations. I am particularly interested in the Embedded Systems, Computing Sciences,
and Electrical Engineering program due to the prospect of working on research projects of Embedded
Systems and Electronics & Energy with esteemed professors Jukka Vanhala, Karri Palovuori, Donald
Lupo, and Jari Keskinen has motivated me to apply for this course. I would also like to take my already
written research papers for publication under their guidance by making the necessary changes. My
second and third preference courses are Automation Engineering Master of Science and
Communication Systems and Networks, Computing Sciences, and Electrical Engineering Master of
Science respectively. These courses also align with my graduation studies so I am placing them on the
2nd and 3rd spot in case I am unable to secure admission in my 1st preference course.
After my master's I would like to do a field job for 2-3 years to get field experience and apply my
research ideas to practical applications. Most probably I would be pursuing a PhD after that. The
master's program at the prestigious Institute of Tampere University will contribute to my plans by
providing a quality educational and research environment.
In reinforcing my application for the Tampere University scholarship, I underscore the leadership,
communication, and team management skills honed throughout my undergraduate journey. As the
project leader, I successfully led multiple engineering projects, including an obstacle-avoiding robot, a
cylindrical Robotic arm, a Line-Following Robot, the development of an Autonomous Robotic Waiter,
Design and Development of a Haptic steering wheel along with a thesis on it. Additionally, I conducted
an EMG-based investigation of the human gait cycle with a research paper. This scholarship will not
only alleviate financial concerns but also enhance my focus on academics, giving a significant
improvement in my overall study experience.

Thank you for considering my application.

Sincerely,
Ihtisham Arif
Email: contactihtishamarif@gmail.com