Virtual Open Day

Ali Abdi

Programme

Environmental Science: Pollution and Monitoring

Background

I was born in North Somalia and lived in the UK in the last 22 years. At the time of studying my MSc at Brunel University, I was a mature student and thus, had a very big responsibility as I am a father of six children.

My Experience at IfE

Attaining further education was a long held dream and surely, obtaining MSc in Environmental Science: Pollution and Monitoring from Brunel University, I have not only fulfilled this dream, but I have learnt and attained advanced academic knowledge of a very complex subject. As a result, I am now equipped with the critical skills and knowledge in the environmental field, to compete with others, whether in search of employment or engaging discussions concerning fundamental principles that govern environmental science.

My only regret is that, I could not register sooner with Brunel University to do a PhD in Environmental Science. Although I will be migrating to Qatar, my future plans include possibility of returning to Brunel University to advance my knowledge, hence, obtain a PhD in this subject.

Current employment

Senior Energy Analyst, Qatar Petroleum.

Oyenike Okeowo

Programme

Environmental Science: Pollution and Monitoring

Background

Initially, I wanted to study archaeology and this was influenced by the Indiana Jones movie. I ended up getting a degree in Marine Biology from the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos Nigeria. The decision to study the environment came when the department took us on a field trip to Ghana to study the algae community flourishing on the natural rocky shores of Accra as part of the “littoral algae ecology” course work. It was a beautiful sight indeed and it awakened me to the need to preserve nature and the stress human activities imposed on the environment. 

My Experience at IfE

The teaching staffs are excellent and most importantly they always had time and PATIENCE for the barrage of questions we the students threw at them. I especially appreciated the way we were fully engaged in every aspect of the learning process. Questions were usually ambiguous, which meant our thinking and analytical skills were constantly being tested. The various field trips were also very helpful; I especially enjoyed the one to the landfill site at Wopseys wood and the Material Recovery Facility of Grundon; proper waste management is an issue yet to be properly dealt with in Nigeria but it is work in progress. Working and discussing in groups was part of the course work and this enabled me to see things from other people’s perspective and also learn the different environmental issues students from other parts of the world were facing in their country. We also had guest lecturers from other universities and environmental consulting firms give us lectures and real life scenarios of what to expect on the job. It was also very interesting to learn the very stringent EU laws and regulations with regards to the environment. It was indeed a wonderful learning experience at IFE and I have really good memories of the long hours at the library and the fun I had with my wonderful course mates who are my very good friends till date.

Dissertation title

The recovery and recycling of heavy metals (Co, Pb, Cd) from industrial effluent streams

Current employment

Head, Central Support for African Circle Pollution Management Ltd, Operators of MARPOL Port Reception Facilities in all the major ports in Nigeria.

Contact details

nykee77@hotmail.com, oyenike@african-circle.com

Anthony Okiemute

Programme

Environmental Science: Pollution and Monitoring

Background

I have a BSc degree in Microbiology from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. In my final undergraduate year, I became fascinated about the potentially vital role that micro-organisms can play in remediating contaminated soil and water as a result of industrial activities, with a particular interest in the environmental impact of the oil and gas industry in Nigeria. This inspired me to pursue a higher degree in this area with the aim of understanding how to manage the environmental and human health impact of such industrial activities.

My Experience at IfE

I was greatly impressed by how my course was comprehensively packaged and delivered, giving students a broad based knowledge of the concepts involved. The modules were thoroughly taught and supported by practical laboratory works, group discussions, seminar presentations, site visits, lectures by leading academics and environmental consultants. I particularly developed key presentation skills and team spirit as a result of the various seminar presentations, group task and discussions.

The institute parades a wonderful team of staff that provided students with the so much needed support and advice with both academic work and life on campus which I particularly benefited from as a foreign student. The institute also prides itself in its good contact with a wide range of public and private environmental organisations and agencies across the UK. This presented me with the opportunity of developing useful experience in the field by working part-time for some of the organisations during my study.

The main highlight of my programme is my participation in a major research project involving the assessment of dangerous chemical removal during wastewater treatment process. Besides enjoying the support and encouragement of my lecturer and other members of the research team, I was able to also develop key technical experience and insight into the water industry. For me, studying at the institute was not only academically rewarding but enjoyable.

Dissertation title

Occurrence and removal efficiency of Tributyltin in Municipal Wastewater: A Case Study

Current employment

Recycling Advisor, City of London Corporation, London, UK.

Contact details

anthony.okiemute@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Supriya Hajare

Programme

Environmental Science with Legislation and Management

Background

BTech in Chemical Engineering in India

My Experience at IfE

This MSc offered me a perfect blend of topics which would utilize my chemical engineering knowledge and gave me a great opportunity to learn its applications into environmental field. The course was very well structured and offered practical as well as theoretical skills development. All the lecturers and the office staff were very helpful and ready to guide and support the students. The research expertise of many of the lecturers was very helpful in guiding and shaping my career.

Current employment

I am currently studying for a PhD in Nanotechnology within the Wolfson Centre Research School at Brunel University.

Amit Patel

Programme

Environmental Science with Legislation and Management

Background

Environmental Engineer with five years experience in Environmental Engineering and Consultancy in Vadodara city, Gujarat, India

My Experience at IfE

It was a very well compiled course covering all present day issues in field of Environmental Science and alongside academic lectures this course has much more to offer in terms of site visits, practical training, and conducting seminars, making presentations, personal development and dissertation. Many modules offer you training to work in a group with other students for mini projects. Academic staff at Institute for the Environment is having in depth knowledge of the subject and teaching quality is one of the best I have ever came across. Institute of Environment at Brunel University enjoys very good contacts with various Public and Private sector agencies all across UK. I got an opportunity to work part time for a renowned Environmental consulting firm as soon as I started my MSc course. An experience which I admired most at Brunel University is that it gives you an opportunity to study in multi cultural Environment. Finally, I can say that studying at Institute for the Environment, Brunel Univeristy was a wonderful experience and has helped me immense in shaping my career.

Current employment

Cundall, a multidisciplinary engineering consultancy firm based at Newcastle upon Tyne.

Ben Larby

Programme

Environmental Science: Legislation Management

Background

My first degree was in Geography at Swansea University followed by a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE). I then spent a year teaching English in a language school in Spain before coming back to become a geography teacher. I always dreamed of completing a Masters and when I decided that I wanted to change my career in order to work in the environmental field I decided that this was the perfect opportunity and would definitely enhance my career prospects. My previous employment experience plus my Masters from Brunel were an ideal combination when applying for my current job.

My Experience at IfE

I was struck by the variety of tasks we were asked to undertake, emphasis being paid equally to working in a team and individually. The course went beyond purely academic study requiring a range of transferable skills to be developed. In particular I feel my presentation skills and ability to communicate increased dramatically as a result of being required to regularly feedback our research to our peers. This has helped me enormously in my current job where I have to speak to a wide range of stakeholders about a range of subjects. The course also brought me into contact with subjects I had no previous experience of such as International & EU environmental law and water toxicology. These took me out of my comfort zone and really pushed me to fulfil my potential. I was often surprised at how engrossing and challenging some of these ‘heavier’ subjects proved to be. Now that I often work on European-funded projects the law module has proven invaluable and given me a real head start. In general my course was a small and very close-knit group. The frequent trips off campus and the emphasis on group work helped glue us together and made studying this great course a real pleasure equipping me with skills and memories that will stay with me a very long time.

Dissertation title

Exploring the potential of micro-generation technologies within the UK energy market

Current employment

Schools Coordinator and European Projects Manager for Energy Solutions NW London, a sustainability charity based in Brent.

Ratri Sutarto

Programme

Climate Change Impacts and Sustainability

Background

BEng in Environmental Engineering BSc. from Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia 

My Experience at IfE

Since the very beginning I am planning to work in environmental field, therefore the choice to learn climate change has always been an option for me. Within the course I get to learn several different subjects which I have never learn before, such as politics and business. This is a very interesting experience for me as I could get lots of new information and push myself to work harder in order to get good grades for all these new subjects. One thing that interest me the most is the procedure of policy making in Europe, I get to understand how the green policy was made in Europe and until before I never know that there are lots of pro and cons of it. Overall, it is very interesting to study in IfE, climate change programme especially. You could applied the knowledge you have got, which I did in my current job, and learn so many things that is considered as the ‘hot topic’ in this era. In my opinion there will be tons of jobs waiting for climate scientist. 

As an environmental engineer, I used to do research on technology based. Therefore for my dissertation I decided to assess the used of technology in reducing methane for municipal solid waste in Thailand. This experience has given me valuable assets such as a depth understanding about solid waste treatment technology that had been applied in several countries in the world. It also provides me with experience on how to calculate the emission from different technology. This is a great experience to write and contribute to academic world. 

Dissertation title

Assessment of clean development mechanism to reduce methane from municipal solid waste in Thailand

Carya Maharja

Programme

MSc Pollution and Monitoring

Background

Environmental engineer with a one year working experience in Indonesia, including a several month stint as an expert assistant in a reconstruction project in post-tsunami Aceh.

My Experience at IfE

The course was highly unique, in the way it combined classroom tuitions (from both Brunel lecturers and professional experts) with vigorous laboratory works and site visits. I found it to be highly engaging, with lecturers always available to help with assignments and any inquiries.

Besides these, the financial supports I received in the forms of the Brunel International Scholarship and the Water Conservatory Bursary not only helped me immensely but also provided me with precious networking opportunities from participation at pertinent events.

Overall, I can say that the course has provided me with extensive technical and legislative knowledge with valuable insight on real-life applications of such knowledge.

Dissertation title

Assessment of the potential of rooftop rainwater harvesting to mitigate peak combined sewer overflow emissions as a support to the Thames Tideway Tunnel in London, UK

Current employment

I am currently working as a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) Associate with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, undertaking a project on development of polymers for remediation of oily wastewater and sludge, which will also lead to a PhD degree. As a part of the associateship, I am also responsible for managing the day-to-day running of a waste treatment and transfer station of a waste management company, called Sureclean which is based in Scottish Highland.