Masters in Data Science & AI (MDSAI)

Intake – September 2021

Idioms may vary, but even the non-believers cannot refute the paradigm shift that Data Intelligence and AI are causing in every sector; social and commercial. While the sceptics will debate on how long it will take for Artificial Intelligence to take over human intelligence, I, for one was very sure of the brilliant career opportunities that awaited professionals privy to the knowledge of AI and Data Science. In this direction, I first completed my BTech in Computer Science and then sincerely pursued a Post Graduate Diploma in Data Science. Since 2019, I am employed as a Data Analyst with Mahindra First Choice Wheel; a well-known Auto Tech company in India developing predictive visions and applications to detect the price outlier.

Winning the special mention award at the ETS BFS Unilever Datathon (2019) from the Chief Financial Officer, Unilever, Turkey further added credence to my ambitions. I developed a ‘Forecast Free Cash Flow’ application, through analysis of financial data of Unilever, Turkey, effectively interpreting regular time stamps using machine learning models.

My affliction to contribute in the field of finance is a direct result of my parental legacy. My father is a successful bank manager and ensured that his financial knowledge was aptly inherited by me; constantly teaching me the nuances of pure banking, equity markets and international currency flows.   

I am admittedly a pampered child yet I exercised my privileges whilst being mindful of excelling in academics with diligent aptitude. I worked hard to enrol at the West Bengal University of Technology and completed the rigorous curriculum of BTech (2011-2015) with a CGPA of 7.83 and a specialisation in Computer Science and Engineering. My academic interests during undergraduate included Physics, Advanced Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Calculus and Probability. I was able to effectively accrue good coding skills in quintessential programming languages and extended my adeptness to the milieu of Object-Oriented Programming, Computer Networking, Database Management, UX/UI and sundry other technicalities related to computational technologies and hardware.

In my third year of engineering education, I was introduced to the disciplines of ML & AI, Robotic Process Automation and Data Sciences. It was a brave, new, prototypical world that acutely interested me and I ventured beyond the scope of my syllabus to fathom the principles of Data Structures and Algorithms, Neural Networks and Power Search. In 2014, I completed certifications from the Indian Division of Microsoft Research in ‘Design and Analysis of Algorithm’ and ‘Web Component Development with Servlet and JSPs (JAVA EE6)’ from Oracle Corporation.

For my major academic project, I naturally chose to develop it on Data Science and published a research paper: ‘Implementation of Cryptographic Protocol applying Genetic Algorithm on Staircase Substitution Technique and Randomness Testing.’ The paper was published in the International Research Journal of Computer Science (IRJCS), Volume 2 Issue 7 of July 2015.   

Immediately after my bachelors, I started working as a Java Developer at Mark-Line Edutech Pvt Ltd, Kolkata (July 2016 – Mar 2018). My key result areas in my first professional outing included developing healthcare and education-based ERPs, connecting front-end interfaces with back end functionalities using PHP and designing databases. While it was imperative to test the applied scope of my computer science knowledge with a progressive company, I never lost focus on continuous learning in the field of Data Sciences and Finance.

To that academic imperative, I extended my learning with a PG Diploma in Data Science (2018 – 19) from Manipal Academy of Higher Education, an accredited university in India. During these two years, I toiled to gain resolute skills in Python and R Programming Languages, My SQL, Tableau and Advanced Excel through prototype building, predictive modelling and extensive theory and practicum work. My image mapping application, developed while studying here, worked seamlessly to detect lung cancer from CT Scans using Artificial Intelligence, attracting accolades from my peers and faculty at the Manipal campus.

In 2018, while pursuing the diploma, I was a proud finalist at the Global Datathon, hosted by data Science Society, Bulgaria, for my accurate work on Prediction and Identification of the network sites which are prone to data failure in future for client, Telenor Communications, Bulgaria.

I completed my PG Diploma amongst the top students in my batch with a CGPA of 7.95 and got successfully placed at the Mahindra First Wheel Pvt Ltd at the Campus Placement Drive. I am working here since May 2019 in the strategic pricing team, analysing the profitability of existing pricing models; constantly optimising the price outlier through simulative computer visions using large data sets. Very recently, in 2021, my performance was formally appreciated by the company management with the ‘Best Employee Journey’ award.

The rationale to pursue the MSc Data Science and AI study program reflects my keenness to delve deeper into the technologies and gain idiosyncratic knowledge through an international curriculum. I concur that studying and working in India has allowed me to build up my knowledge, yet I seek greater exposure to the latest research and innovation. The systematic syllabus at the University of Waterloo will facilitate scientific knowledge under the holistic purview of mathematics, statistics and technology. A well-planned study module spread over optimum time is critical to the realisation of such advanced skills and I am certain to produce brilliant results with my education at your campus.

With scholarly conviction and credence, I aspire to establish an illustrious skillset in the domain of Finance Tech. By pursuing the Master’s Degree in Data Science and AI at the University of Waterloo, Canada, I arduously seek to upgrade my academia with advanced education through a comprehensive and protean syllabus that your acclaimed university offers. While at work and through studies, I have been able to prepare a reasonable knowledge base in Data Science, yet I concur that an international degree will give me a definitive edge of knowledge in the context of skills, innovation and future-ready research. Therefore, I am soliciting my earnest application to acquire the coveted slot at your campus; aggrandising my body of knowledge and ensuring spectacular career opportunities as a Neo Modern Technology Professional in India.

I hope to have convincingly expressed my intent to study at your eminent campus; ergo, seeking your kind approval to my enrolment application.

Sincerely