Biotech and beyond

With its state-of-the-art facilities for research, the University of Sheffield proved to be an ideal choice, writes Swatika Devhi Shunmuganathan.

Swatika Devhi Shunmuganathan, pursuing MSc (Eng) in Biological and BioProcess Engineering at the University of Sheffield (UK). Photo: Special Arrangement

My fondness for the field of biotechnology developed at an early age. I believe that biotechnologists can harness the benefit of nature for human purposes. Gradually, my belief led me to passionately choose biotechnology as my life pursuit. I opted for bachelor’s degree in biotechnology.

A surprise

Soon after my graduation, I hunted for a university for a specialisation in the subject. I did my fair share of research on the universities in the U.K. and shortlisted the University of Sheffield owing to its advanced research and analysis. I applied for M.Sc (Eng) in Biological and BioProcess Engineering course and was selected. However, the biggest surprise was yet to come. The day I was about to board my flight to Sheffield, I received the news of winning a merit scholarship of 33 per cent on the tuition fee, which is about $ 5,500 along with an additional automatic international scholarship of $ 2,000.

The facilities include modern social spaces, purpose-built labs, a research station for large-scale work, extensive computing facilities and a modern applied science library. I am currently working on a project regarding Glycoprotein analysis and am on the verge of starting a wet-lab.

Life at the university

At the university, I am an active member and President of “ASHA for Education” society, which is a charitable society for underprivileged students in India. We raise funds in Sheffield and send them to India for their education. I have honed skills such as how to lead a group, make decisions, tackle problems and organise events. I feel participating in such extracurricular activities have changed me as a person from within and developed my potential to serve humanity.

The student’s union actually helped me in knowing people from across the globe better through plenty of events, trips and activities. I am now contemplating pursuing my PhD at the University of Sheffield. I am grateful to my parents for allowing me to study in such a prestigious university and in such a safe cit

The writer is pursuing her M.Sc in biological and bioprocess engineering at the University of Sheffield.