STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

I am obliged that I got the opportunity to portrait myself in terms of educational background,
personal capabilities and long term future goals. My full name was Hafiza Zirwa Abdul Rauf
which has been changed to Zirwa Hamza after getting married. The word Zirwa arises from the
Arabic language which means “the very best”, so, I keep on trying to be the best in anything
which I desire to do. I wish to forward my application for the Master’s degree in INLAND
NORWAY UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES (INN) in the field of “Applied and
Commercial Biotechnology”. From early part of my life, nature inspires me a lot. I wanted to
explore the internal facts of the phenomena of life, genetic transfer of traits, causes of the illness
and many more related to the living beings. So, I selected biological sciences as a major subject
in my higher secondary education.
After completing my 12 years of education, I grabbed the opportunity to study Biotechnology in
my Bachelors from The Superior College (University Campus) which is a well-known institute.
Wherein, I studied a number of courses like microbiology, biochemical engineering, molecular
biology, immunology, microbial biotechnology, immunology, cell biology and many more. I
completed my Bachelors in 2018 and became the “Gold Medalist” of my department with a
CGPA of 3.94. For such academic record, my primary strengths were my dedication to the work,
my passion towards my field and my active participation in the lecture and in co-curricular
activities. I had been granted several times from my university for my academic excellence.
Besides maintaining my grades during my whole academic career I participated in numerous co-
curricular and extra-curricular activities. I, along with my group, presented a scientific poster on
the subject of “Cancer-Its Genetic Progression” in National Conference of Family Physicians
(FAMILYCON 2018) and did a project in “Superior Entrepreneurial Expo, 2017. Moreover, I
attended two to three hands-on training workshops arranged in the department of Microbiology
and Molecular Genetics (MMG) University of the Punjab where I learned the practicalities to run
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, ELISA, In-Silico tools of Restriction Mapping of and
RFLP etc. In addition, I also contributed as the organizer in some seminars and a conference. In
my final year I wrote a review on the theme of “Novel targets and entities that can induce
cellular apoptosis and anti-angiogenic activity in Retinoblastoma Patients”.
Furthermore, I carefully chosen to do internship in “BF Biosciences, Ferozsons Laboratories”
which is the first Biotechnology Plant of Pakistan and is linked to the Bago Group
Pharmaceuticals of Argentina. During my internship I worked practically in their Microbiology
Department that how could we maintain a clean room and how microbiological work should be
done using aseptic techniques. Additionally, I also practiced the culturing and sub-culturing of
microbial cells.
After completing my Bachelor’s degree, I wanted to continue my Master’s education under the
umbrella of Biotechnology. In 2019, I felt that my dream is going to be fulfilled because I have
successfully been selected for the Chinese Government Scholarship (CSC) for Master’s in
Biological Sciences and headed towards China in September 2019 to live my dreams of getting
international degree with tremendous exposure of research. Unfortunately, with regard to my
degree in China I was facing some major issues that posed a question mark to my future goals
and I came back to Pakistan in February 2020 and started my search about Master’s degree that
matches to my interest and aims in European countries. After searching about a list of countries
and getting a deep insight into their history, educational sector, lab facilities and culture I came
to the decision that Norway suits best to my choice. With reference to academics, the thing that
admired me the most is the fair grading system in Norway.
As I mentioned earlier related to my attention in the field of biotechnology, I have read
numerous biological sciences subjects but still there is a lot more to get in depth knowledge in
the fields like biomedicines, molecular biology and microbial biotechnology. I recall everything
to my knowledge and came to the conclusion that these unseen tiny particles which we call as
micro-organisms are the major role players in biology. In addition, to focus on the biomedical
engineering, we must need to have great insight about the Central Dogma of life and the
appropriate use of these DNA, RNA and protein molecular nature. Whether we want to improve
the crops, produce any antibiotic for immunization, clean up the environment, our food industry,
forensics and many more fields, we need microorganisms or their enzymes to reach the goal.
These are the reason that logically enforced me to choose this field. My core interest lies in
‘Biochemical engineering of recombinant products’ or Industrial Microbiology because I will be
able to contribute the society in different areas like disease management etc. I want to continue
my studies in such an environment where laboratory facility is well equipped and laboratory
personnel is of great knowledge and experience.
My basic expertise through different platforms include,
 I have learnt to perform ELISA, SDS-PAGE and gel electrophoresis. I have voluntarily
attended hands-on training workshops for these techniques.
 Further, during my internship in Quality control section and microbiological department
of Biopharmaceutical Company, I had been taught about how to maintain and work in a
microbiological clean room, laboratory safety measures to be adopted while work, media
preparation, culturing of microorganisms, testing of water for injectable (WFI), gram
staining technique and use of spectrophotometer.
 To elucidate my lab work experience in China, I am still engaged in an industry-oriented
research project to prepare feed using plant sources and for that I have the knowledge of
preparing solutions, and using multiple laboratory instruments like spectrophotometer,
centrifugation etc.
 I am also aware of handling chemicals, reagents and other lab instruments with great
care.
Biological research work especially the research in microbiology and molecular biology is done
in a clean room and by adopting aseptic techniques but there are a limited number of lab
facilities in Pakistan. During my Masters in INLAND NORWAY UNIVERSITY OF
APPLIED SCIENCES (INN), I would like to be engaged in a research group, whose research
will include the use of Hi-tech molecular techniques and instruments in order to get more and
more knowledge and expertise in this field. My main concern for applying to Norway is based on
my goals and I am certain that INN is the best choice in this regard. I have great charm of
acquiring my next degree from an internationally recognized institute in order to gather the
information that would assist me to plan such research facilities in Pakistan in the future.
I am highly motivated by great laboratory environment and the tuition free masters in Norwegian
Universities. To finish, I found studying in Norway as an economical place to continue my
education as well as worthy according to my field of attention. Such an environment can make
available for me the better learning and can refine my capabilities. In a nut shell, it can provide
me the chances in achieving my short term as well as long term goals. I am just hoping for my
application to be considered and kind response.

Thanks in Anticipation,
Regards,
Zirwa Hamza