Thank you

Sharmistha

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am Sharmistha Chowdhury from Bangladesh. I have completed my B.Sc in Civil Engineering from Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET) of Bangladesh in 2007. I am the first woman in Civil Engineering Department of CUET who has been the 1^st class 1^st (CGPA 3.52 out of 4) since it established (in 1969). Due to my excellent academic results I received honorable national “Engr. Khurshid Alom Memorial Award”. Currently I am working at KDC Consultants, a renowned engineering consultancy firm in Bangladesh, as a structural designer.

I am very much enthusiastic in structural engineering thus I choose my degree focuses on structural design, planning & its related topics in the last year of my undergraduation courses. Through my studies I became fascinated with issues earthquake that hinders the development of the structures. Providentially the only one “Earthquake Research Centre” of Bangladesh is situated in CUET directed by Professor Dr. Md. Jahangir Alom. For his collaboration I got the opportunity to participate in several workshops on earthquake with the participation of German professors. I realized then it is a challenge for the civil engineers to design buildings that can withstand against strong earthquake with few damages.

In Bangladesh, we are used to design RC structures with G40 & G60 steel that are available in the local markets. To sustain any structure of my country against earthquake, it is required to upgrade the performance of locally used steel. My undergraduation thesis topic was "Determination of Chemical Composition of Reinforcement used in RC Construction". The focus of the project was to outline the deviation of mechanical properties (ultimate strength, ductility, toughness……..) in relation to chemical composition of G40 & G60 reinforcement. The one-year thesis was divided into two parts: an orientation phase that concentrates more on theory and analysis and a project phase that focuses on the development of methods and strategies in the laboratory.

I am really promoted while visiting your website as your research works are constituted of my interest & am strongly willing to be your student. Therefore, I sincerely and earnestly would like to request your kind consideration to find ways of getting full scholarship assistance for me under your supervision in the next winter session so that I will be able to pursue my M.A.Sc study on Earthquake Engineering or on a combination of Earthquake Engineering topics and Structural Engineering as I have a sound scientific background in the combination of these fields. I am looking forward to hear your kind response soon.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

With best regards

Sharmistha