English
中文From early childhood, I nurtured a desire to become a computer professional. My father, who happens to be an Engineer, provided me necessary encouragement. The research skills were acquired by me during my stay in senior school when I became interested in computer applications and underwent some computer taught programmes. At the time of leaving school I opted for Computer Science for my Graduation degree. I was offered a place by a very prestigious University of Technology called Valley View University, Ghana.
During my stay at the university, the major areas of my interest were Database Management System and software engineering. I have experience in various projects, which involved networking and management skills, such as Dynamic Computing and other software engineering during my tenure as a student of VVU.
The dissertation that I did at the university helped me in gaining experience on various aspects of the field. The software was to be built for the inventory control. The major responsibilities and duties of the project were to:
- Be able to generate summary reports to management reflecting current transactions.
- Be able to generate invoices, purchase requisitions and delivery dates.
- Provide a more friendly way of updating and searching transaction records.
- Strengthen security with the use of user names and passwords.
- Design a user-friendly interactive interface to improve job satisfaction on the part of the user.
- Create a database for storing all data involved in transactions and also develop software to keep track of all transactions.
The Dynamic Computing project carried out at the Osu-Accra, Ghana was a part of a requirement for the BSc in Computer Science. The project was with a networking company for five months and the role required monitoring and reviewing the performance and quality of service provided for client’s network and its constituent hardware, and software. It took responsibility for the investigation, diagnosis and resolution of problems which was carried out very immensely and effectively by me. The technologies used in the project were C++ and Java.
Although my present job helped me develop a thorough insight into project handling, but is not able to support my desire for research. I possess industry-hardened skills in computers, but I must build on these to achieve my goal of undertaking cutting-edge research in advanced computing, with specific reference to Computer Systems. I therefore believe that I must return to the academic world for further growth.
I wish to earn an MS degree in System Engineering. I intend to follow this up with a Ph.D., and later, a career in research and teaching. I have spoken to my professors, seniors and colleagues about my choice of University, and have applied to George University because it is reputable for its research facilities and computing resources. The department web site revealed a very strong faculty involved in extensive research in the area of computer systems. This has strengthened my resolve to study at George University.
The prime reason for choosing this course is that there are large businesses being set up in Ghana (Two new banks-Standard Trusts with its parent bank in Nigeria and have other branches in other parts of Africa. Eco-Bank set up by ECOWAS, the stock exchange was recently computerised managed by foreigners which I think is an opportunity to get involved, we also have large software firms like Soft-Tribe which is affiliated with Microsoft and allowed to use its modules, The Government is pushing ahead for the computerisation of the Judiciary System and the Police Departments) and are in need for system developers. Ghanaians are now buying into the technology and this is the right time. I’m really good in Java and want to go into system development to make an impact back at home. And hope to set my own business.
I bring along a strong grasp of fundamentals in Computers and information systems, an aptitude for teaching and team work, a zest for challenges and an enthusiastic desire to learn all I can. I would like to take with me, in addition to knowledge of Computer Networks, a network of strong and lasting relationships with my teachers and fellow-students. I hope that my background and qualifications are found suitable for an MS in System Engineering at George Mason University, USA.
