Yoven Cunjamalay studied at Middlesex University’s School of Engineering and Information Sciences. He talks to Hotcourses about his MSc in Computer Networks and the challenges of postgraduate study.
 
What led you to take a postgraduate qualification?
When I finished by first degree in Electronic and Communication Engineering, telecommunications and computing were already converging and there was a high demand for telecom engineers with computer networking skills. I decided to improve my skills in computer networking through postgraduate study.


How did you find your first year?
I really enjoyed the way the course was structured. It was divided into four parts, lectures, seminars, laboratory sessions and a dissertation. The lectures focused on theoretical knowledge and the seminars gave me the opportunity to investigate how the theory is applied.


Tell us about your Computer Systems and Networking course
In the labs, I did practical work and experiments using the most up-to-date technology and systems currently used in industry.

The postgraduate dissertation prompted me to research into a particular subject and eventually propose new solutions to specific problems, which helped me extend my knowledge.

The Computer Networking course components definitely complemented each other and the course covered a great range of topics in computer networking, in lots of detail.  


What did you find challenging about it?
The volume of work was definitely the most challenging thing. In each semester, I had four assignments and three presentations to prepare, in addition to completing tutorials and lab reports, and preparing for class tests.

At first I found it difficult to manage the workload. Each assignment required a lot of documentation work. However, I think it really improved my organisational skills.  


What do you intend to do now?
Since competition in ICT is very high nowadays, employers prefer recruits who have the best qualifications. I was lucky enough to gain a distinction in my MSc and this has helped me secure a job in ICT in my home country, Mauritius.

In my current job, I still build up on the contents covered in my course, especially where I need to remind myself how a particular network operates. The skills I gained in writing reports and doing presentations at university are essential to me now. Studying in a cosmopolitan city like London has enhanced my interpersonal skills.


What advice can you give to students considering postgraduate study?
In most British universities, an MSc Computing programme lasts for one year, including a 3-month dissertation project.

I don’t think it’s enough to conduct a good research-based project and prepare a good dissertation, so I’m glad I chose a 15-month programme. I’d recommend this to others. My postgraduate studies have definitely put me in a better position and given me more options



Related courses:
Postgraduate courses
Postgraduate Computer Science courses
Postgraduate Computer Communications And Networking courses
Postgraduate Network Systems Management courses
Postgraduate Telecommunications courses