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Erasmus Mundus Scholarship Recipient, Motunrayo Ibiyo, Shares the Story of How She Applied for the Fully Funded Award to Pursue Her Master’s in Data-Intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS) in Finland and Italy

University: University of L’Aquila (Italy), Åbo Akademi University (Finland)
Degree: MSc in Engineering of Data-intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS)
Previous Education: BSc in Computer Science – Federal University of Technology, Minna
Scholarship: Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree (EMJMD) – Fully funded (tuition, stipend, living costs, travel, insurance)
Other Offered Scholarships: Carnegie Mellon University Africa (partial funding), EIT MSc in Data Science and AI for Competitive Manufacturing (partial funding)

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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/motunrayoibiyo/

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The Journey


My name is Motunrayo Ibiyo, and I am from Kwara State, Nigeria. I am a recipient of the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Programme in the Engineering of Data-intensive Intelligent Software Systems (EDISS) program. I graduated in July from my second year of university in Italy.

I earned a degree in Computer Science from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Nigeria, graduating with a CGPA of 4.54 out of 5.0 in 2018. Following my national service, I began a master’s program in Computer Science at the Nigerian Defence Academy, but left after the first year due to personal reasons.

My IELTS score was 8.0. Before joining the EDISS program, I worked in various IT roles, including website support and data engineering.

How My Past Experience Prepared Me for the EDISS Program

My journey in Computer Science has been diverse, starting as a jack-of-all-trades in web development, graphic design, data analytics, IT support, and data science. This wide range of experiences helped me refine my interests and gave me clarity when applying for the Erasmus Mundus program. My educational and professional experiences provided a solid foundation and solidified my motivation, which strengthened my application for EDISS and other programs in the same cohort.

Prior to finding the EDISS program, I was set to attend the University of Leeds, but had to defer my admission due to immigration delays. During this time, I explored alternative programs with full scholarships and discovered EDISS. The program’s content aligned with my aspirations, making it my ideal choice.

In the same year I received the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship for the EDISS program, I was also offered partial funding from Carnegie Mellon University Africa and EIT for the MSc in Data Science and AI for Competitive Manufacturing. However, I chose EDISS as it was my top choice, and I was fortunate to be awarded the full scholarship.

How I Prepared to Apply for the Scholarship

To prepare for the application, I began following the EDISS Erasmus Mundus program on Instagram and thoroughly reviewed the information on their website months before the application period opened. This helped me gain a deep understanding of the program’s goals and objectives. I also created a detailed checklist based on the scholarship requirements and ensured I met every criterion before submitting my application.

My Experience at the Institution

Overall, my experience at the institution has been very positive. The professors are approachable and supportive, which has significantly contributed to my learning. The program coordinators also provide exceptional support and hold regular sessions to assist international students in navigating the system.

Support for International Students

The program provides excellent support for international students, particularly in helping with administrative processes and cultural adaptation.

Classes and Language

All my classes are conducted in English, except for language courses. I have had no communication difficulties in Finland, as a large portion of the population speaks English. In Italy, where I spent my second year, the primary language is Italian, but the people are friendly and patient, and we took an A1 Italian course, which was very helpful.

What Made My Application Stand Out

Looking back, I believe my application stood out because I started my preparations well in advance and gave it my best effort. While I cannot pinpoint a single factor, I know that my motivation was strong and compelling. At the time of writing my application, I was certain that I wanted to specialize in building intelligent systems. I made sure to express this passion clearly, showcasing my strengths and drawing from the valuable lessons I learned from my previous work experiences.

What Would I Have Done Differently?

If I were to go through the process again, I do not think I would change anything. I felt well-prepared and confident in my application.

Advice for Those Applying for Similar Scholarships

Start preparing early. When crafting your motivation statement, think about the organization’s investment in you. Constantly ask yourself, “Is my motivation enough for the organization to invest this amount of money in me?” Tailor your application to highlight the value you will bring to the program and how you can contribute to solving problems if awarded the scholarship.

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