PERSONAL STATEMENT

The right standard of work is perfection & smartness,

One cannot attain it but strive to get its vicinity.

The desire to seek perfection, smartness & brilliant career has driven my attention to graduate studies in
Mechanical Engineering- my field of interest.

Intricate assemblies and mechanisms e.g. bulldozers, excavators, cranes, trucks helicopters and fighter aircrafts
like F-15, F-22 have always fascinated me very much since my adolescence, I would be very keen to know how
they work and how they are built. I used to search the literature and watch informative TV programs about these
extreme machines. I used to make working models of these machines with ‘Lego Technic’ and used to consider
structural strength and necessary features that those mechanisms possessed.

I had an engineering aptitude from very early age. I had intuitive knowledge of structure design, 3D views and
mechanisms. Physics has always been my favorite subject.

Mechanical Engineering was my field of interest, hence I opted for it at my undergraduate level and I took great
interest in all its major fields i.e. Applied Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, and Heat transfer; except
Manufacturing Processes and Production Management.

I have a strong aptitude for designing and research in the field of Mechanical Engineering so I joined SUPARCO
(Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission). Initially I was posted as Lecturer at IST
(Institute of Space Technology, Islamabad). I worked there as a Lecturer for a period of 13 months (2 semesters),
I assisted Dr Sarwar Naqvi (Head of Department Aeronautics and Astronautics IST Islamabad and had 30 years
professional experience in NASA, USA) in three Aerodynamics courses i.e.

Introduction to Aerospace
Aerodynamics 1
Flight Dynamics

As a Teaching assistant of Dr Naqvi I had to take the lecture; prepare notes; check Final exam, assignments,
quizzes and midterms; answer course questions and other queries of students; schedule lectures, arrange make
up classes if necessary and inform the students about assignments, quizzes, midterm’s dates, syllabus etc.

I established Aerodynamics laboratory with Dr Naqvi’s guidance, prepared Aerodynamics laboratory manual and
worked in Propulsion Laboratory on Ram Jet Apparatus - brought it into working condition and prepared
experiments for it.

At that time project of Prototype Communication Satellite was underway. On my request, I was transferred to
SRDC-L (Satellite Research and Development Center Lahore). I joined Communication Satellite Mechanisms
Group. As a group head and I have been working on design & development of deployment mechanisms of
Prototype Communication Satellite. My task involved the theoretical designing of the functional model of
Communication Satellite mechanisms using modeling software, Visualizing the static, dynamic parameters of
loading on its components using analysis software i.e. Nastran, performing functional and vibration analysis using
ADAMS software. I have also worked on feed-back control, programmed systems using Matlab and C++. My
present task involves programmed initiation of deployment, autonomous programmed mechanisms for
Communication Satellite based on feedback control system and Mathematical modeling of mechanisms. I am
very keen on developing mechanisms for flight model (Actual Communication Satellite).
My objective of Graduate Studies

At this stage of my career, I look to graduate study to refine my knowledge and skills and to broaden my
perspective in the field of Mechanical Engineering. I believe it will also serve to give direction to my goal of a
career as a design and research professional at government, multinational; Research or commercial organization.
Also the fact that in this modern era when so much development and advancement in all engineering fields have
already occurred - especially high-tech fields- that only the specialists can contribute to research & development
in a particular field.

Intended Area of Specialization

Keeping in view, my field of interest, my strong areas in Mechanical Engineering and job situation in advanced
and technologically strong countries, I want to do M.S. with core courses including, Applied Mechanics; Robotics;
Dynamic Systems, Control & Fluid Mechanics;

I feel that in order to materialize a design of an advance autonomous system one must have strong background of
Applied Mechanics, fluid Mechanics and controls as in most high-tech applications; factors like proper intended
functioning, weight, structural strength, durability, compactness of design, ease in manufacturing, cost and some
other factors depending upon use of that product; are of utmost importance.

A masters in engineering with above-mentioned core courses can be an excellent platform for launching career
not only in Mechanical Engineering but also in many other challenging engineering fields i.e. Engineering
Mechanics, Mechatronics and Aerospace; nowadays and in coming decade, as there is a lively and consistent
demand of Mechanical, Mechatronics and Aerospace Engineers from a broad spectrum of government and R &
D; multinational and commercial organizations.

Concentration areas

Choice 1: Automation and Mechatronics

Choice 2: Computer-Aided Engineering and Design
Choice 3: Mechanics of Materials

My career plans

I want to develop my career as a system engineer to research design and develop light weight, structurally,
aerodynamically and functionally efficient mechanical devices especially in a Research & Development
organization.

Reason for choosing Texas A&M University

The reasons that caused me to choose Texas A&M University, my destination for graduate studies being, that it is
highly reputed university, ‘Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dwight Look College of Engineering’ is very
highly ranked and the graduate program it offers. Its research facilities & faculty is relevant to my interests. It
offers courses of my interest. Compulsory courses, superb blend of optional courses and a good research
program constitute a superb graduate degree program, also the fact that it offers many ways of getting on campus
funding to bear graduate study expenses.
My Engineering background

I studied three courses of Mechanics of materials; one course of Mechanics, FEA, Matlab and Ansys; two courses
each of Mechanics of machines, Machine design, Fluid mechanics, Electronics; one course each of
instrumentation and control, Engineering management, Quality control, Manufacturing processes and Machine
tools; six courses consisting of Thermodynamics, Power plant, Heat transfer, IC engines and Refrigeration and
did a lot of lab work in these courses as each course had a lab; also studied three courses including two
Mathematics courses and one Numerical analysis course; in B.Sc Mechanical Engineering at University of
Engineering and Technology Lahore.

Final year project: Investigation of Heat recovery steam generators installed at Faisalabad power plant.
Project Advisor: Dr. Fiaz Hussain Shah

I have a good engineering and mathematical background that will help me get through this M.S. program.

In short, I want to say that M.S. Mechanical Engineering from ‘Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dwight
Look College of Engineering’, Texas A &M University will be an advanced learning and career strengthening
opportunity for me.

Ahmad Rafique
20 Sep 2006

Name of recommenders:

Prof. Dr. Sarwar Naqvi, Head of Department, Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Institute of Space Technology Islamabad - Pakistan

Dr. Fiaz Hussain Shah, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering

University of Engineering & Technology Lahore - Pakistan

Prof. Dr. Riaz Mirza, Chairman Department of Mechanical Engineering,

University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore - Pakistan