Kulsoom Syed

Why Birmingham Dubai?

It stood out mostly due to the research impact of the University, which aligned with my future goals. I have always liked the UK-based curriculum and wanted to study at a UK university. The University of Birmingham had a high QS world ranking and offered the course I wanted to study. UoBD being based in Dubai, closer to home, made me keener to be part of the campus.

After meeting professors at Open Days and speaking to students, I knew I would enjoy being at this campus. Not to mention, the new campus was also quite beautiful and had some lovely study spots. I had already imagined myself studying in several places while enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

I attended both Online Open Days and in-person events in my home country, where I had conversations with representatives and professors. They were very welcoming and answered all my questions about campus life and studies. It was good to interact with someone directly from the University, and I made some friends at the events as well! Meeting like-minded individuals aiming to apply to study at the same university and interacting with the professors gave me a boost of confidence and made me all the more excited to join.

What made Birmingham Dubai the right place to study AI and Machine Learning?

The MSc Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning course met my expectations and interests. I felt that the assessment structure and exams set a great foundation to test my knowledge, so I can take it into the real world with me.

There was some really interesting research happening at the University, and the professors had extensive experience in several topics that I wanted to expand my knowledge in, and I wanted to be a part of it.

My Birmingham Dubai experience

My experience at UoBD was very positive. I made so many memories and met lots of fun and interesting people.

The festivals and events organised by the University and Students’ Association were always impressive and helped us interact with people from all over the world. Overall, the campus had a lively atmosphere, and I always looked forward to spending time there.

My absolute favourite hangout destination was the games room, where I have memories of break times, events, and exam preparations.

Birmingham Dubai’s impact

The professors were very approachable, and there was a friendly environment in the class. Students from all over the world were keen on knowledge sharing and improving together. I also made a lot of connections with people from different industries, which opened my eyes to new career pathways.

I received a 30% scholarship, including the Chancellor’s Award Merit Scholarship and an early application award, which supported my studies.

My journey from Birmingham Dubai

After graduation, I got employed in the area of automating and optimisation of laboratory operations, where I could implement everything I had learned during the course of my studies.

It's because of the course content and the interesting conversations I had with people that I was able to find new angles to solve traditional and modern problems in the lab. It also makes me feel fulfilled when I use what I studied to discuss solutions with clients.

During my time at University, there were always lots of career fairs and networking opportunities. These events helped me understand what interests me and to launch my career.

My achievements

There are lots of things I am proud of. My most important achievement was getting a Distinction in my masters degree, which helped me attain a 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

I presented my research at CS Expo 2024, where I won First Prize, and later presented it at PAARS 2024 on Medical AI, where I also won First Prize. These experiences really showed me what I was capable of and helped build my confidence in my research.

Advice for students

Make the most of what the University, the campus, and its students offer to you. Make sure to utilise the hours where you get to speak to professors one-on-one; there are some really fascinating things that you learn from that. Those may be the most productive few minutes of your day. The campus itself has lots of different areas where you can study, relax, play, read, and just walk around and ponder about new ideas.

Most importantly, be a part of as many networking events, festivals, panels, and guest lectures as you can. Make sure to talk to the people involved with companies, industries and expertise that you're aiming for, not just to get a job but also to improve your knowledge of the material so you can fill gaps in your skillset.