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Why I chose Greenwich and how I won a global competition

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Hear from student Arad Soutehkeshan, who won the MathWorks 2024 Sustainability and Renewable Energy Challenge, a global competition open to anyone with a passion for renewable energy.

Thrive with excellent accommodation, societies and opportunities

I am an international student currently studying BSc Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) at the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé. I chose Greenwich because of its vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. The combination of high-quality teaching, strong industry connections, and excellent student support services made it the perfect choice. Additionally, the great sports facilities at Avery Hill (one of three campuses of the Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé) were a big attraction. I live in Avery Hill Accommodation, which has been a great experience due to the gym, and the convenience of having football pitches nearby, especially since I play for the university’s football team. The free shuttle buses running every 30 minutes also make traveling between campuses (Greenwich and Avery Hill) stress-free. The area itself is full of life, with its rich history, bustling markets, and scenic parks creating an inspiring environment in which to study and unwind. With Greenwich Market, Greenwich Park, the Cutty Sark, there’s always something to explore.

I play for the University’s football team and am actively involved in several societies, including the CompTech, Game Development, and Chess Societies. These have provided a great balance between studies and extracurricular activities.

I have gained valuable industry experience through my summer internship as a Software Engineering Intern at EnSilica. Additionally, I am excited to be starting my placement year at NBCUniversal as a Business Data (Film IT) Intern this summer. This role highlights the transferable skills I have gained from my degree, allowing me to explore business-related fields while applying my technical knowledge.

A course that prepares you for your future career

One of the aspects I appreciate most about my course, which is one pathway of many on offer in areas of computer science, is how it allows me to apply my research and knowledge in real-world scenarios. Often, I conduct research related to our coursework and approach module leaders to present my findings. The Faculty of Engineering and Science has been incredibly supportive, always providing me with opportunities to share and discuss my work.

A standout feature of the university is its mentoring programs as part of the Employability Service, including one-to-one mentoring, group mentoring, Oracle mentoring, and the Vygo platform. These have been instrumental in enhancing my career development and employability skills.

Get the confidence and support to dream big

I was interested in MathWorks and came across the MATLAB® Sustainability and Renewable Energy Challenge. Given my background in AI-driven systems, I saw this as a great opportunity to apply my skills in a meaningful way. The Å·ÃÀ¾ÞÈé provides eligible students with a MATLAB® license, which allowed me to fully explore the platform's capabilities for my project.

Winning the MATLAB® Sustainability and Renewable Energy Challenge was a major milestone in my journey. My project, the Smart Watering System with IoT and AI, focused on optimising water usage for plant care using real-time sensor monitoring and neural network-based predictive modelling. By leveraging ThingSpeak™ for data transmission and MATLAB® for analysis and automation, the system ensures efficient water management while maintaining plant health. This experience has further motivated me to participate in more challenges and competitions related to my field while I am still a student.

For more information about Arad’s winning project, check out the article here.

General public; Prospective students

Faculty of Engineering and Science