Hi, I’m Jawad Bashir Mustafvi and this is the story of my Scholarship Journey.
Summary:
University: University of Engineering and Technology Lahore (Pakistan)
Degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Test Scores: CGPA (3.84/4.00) | IELTS (7.0) | HAT (70/100)
Scholarship: 15 Scholarships including Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (EMJM)
Social Media:
15 Scholarships Awarded:
The Erasmus Mundus Scholarship was my golden ticket, and after applying for various programs for over a year, I was blessed to be awarded multiple prestigious scholarships. “Congratulations, Jawad!” became the sweetest sound I could hear as my inbox flooded with acceptance letters. The culmination of my hard work and perseverance resulted in a remarkable 15 scholarships, including the prestigious Erasmus Mundus.
- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships:
- EMJM Full Scholarship – IMFSE (International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering)
- EMJM Full Scholarship – CoastHazar (Coastal Hazards, Risks, Climate Change and Adaptation)
- EMJM Full Scholarship – GroundwatCh (Groundwater and Global Change – Impacts and Adaptation)
- Consortium Scholarship – SMACCs (Smart Cities and Communities)
- EMJM Partial Scholarship – FloodRisk (Flood Risk Management)
- EMJM Reserve List – REM+ 🌱 (Master in Renewable Energy in the Marine Environment)
- Other Scholarships:
- Finland Govt. Scholarship + Aalto University Scholarship (M.Sc. Building Technology)
- South Asia Community Scholarship (University of Dundee, UK; M.Sc. Civil Engineering)
- AIT Scholarship (Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand; M.Sc. Geotechnical & Earth Resources Engineering)
- Tampere University Scholarship (Finland; M.Sc. Structural Engineering)
- Durham University Scholarship (UK; M.Sc. Civil Engineering)
- Deanship of Graduate Studies Scholarship (King AbdulAziz University, Saudi Arabia; M.Sc. Civil Engineering)
- Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship (Budapest University of Technology and Economics; M.Sc. Civil Engineering)
- Turkey Burslari Scholarship
- ATCOLD Scholarship (University of Technology Graz, Austria; M.Sc. Geotechnical and Hydraulic Engineering)
My Background:
Hi, I’m Jawad Bashir Mustafvi, an Erasmus Scholar currently pursuing an International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE). Since childhood, I’ve been captivated by the world of structures and how they shape the environments we live in. I earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering with honours from the University of Engineering and Technology Lahore in 2022, achieving the distinction of being on the Dean’s Honor Roll seven times and receiving multiple merit-based scholarships. Beyond academics, I have gained practical experience through various industry roles and as a research engineer at the University of Management and Technology Lahore. I have published several research articles in HEC-approved journals and had the honour of presenting my findings at international conferences. Notably, my presentation at the International Conference on Digital Tool Applications for Cultural Heritage Sites Sustainability (ICDTA-2023) showcased my bachelor’s research on preserving Lahore’s heritage and evaluating fire risks. Additionally, I served as Director of Management for the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE UET), an authorized chapter of ICE UK.
Also, check the Finland Government Scholarship | Application Process
My Journey:
After a lifelong effort, my dream has finally come true. Here’s a short story of my journey:
When I started my Master’s in Pakistan, I soon realized that this place is not for me, I deserve more than this. So, I decided to freeze my master’s and instead tried to hunt scholarship. I know the time when I applied for many scholarships for the whole year but rejected in almost every application. Some of my friends taunted me for leaving my master’s and some suggested me to spend millions to study abroad on self-finance instead of putting efforts for scholarship. The sense of depression was overwhelming as I found myself relying on my parents for financial help to pursue my masters. But I did not give up. My goal was to earn a master’s degree from one of the top 100 QS World Ranked Universities without spending a penny of my parents. Therefore, I continued even with my heart containing many wounds of rejections and peer pressure. Eventually with time, my hard work began to pay off. Receiving “Congratulations Jawad!” emails felt like the sweetest love letters to me. In the end, I was awarded an incredible 15 competitive scholarships, including the most prestigious Erasmus Mundus Scholarship that is taking me on a remarkable journey of learning and growth!
Technical Background:
I graduated with a 3.84/4.00 CGPA from UET Lahore, securing 5th position out of 211 students. Along the way, I presented at international conferences, published multiple research papers, and gained hands-on experience in fire safety, structural engineering, and disaster mitigation.
My Final Year Project on “Fire Risk Assessment for Heritage Structures in Lahore” was a pivotal research experience, focusing on the vulnerability of structures over a century old, many of which are globally recognized landmarks. This project not only strengthened my interest in fire safety engineering but also contributed to my success as a corresponding author in a journal.
Additionally, I taught at the University of Management and Technology (UMT) Lahore, while actively contributing to cutting-edge research projects on AI-driven construction site safety and BIM-based fire simulations.
Scholarship Preparation:
The key to my scholarship success was relentless consistency. After my initial rejections, I worked to improve my profile by doing online courses, publishing research papers, presenting in the conferences, and many more. I improved my CV, crafted personalized motivation letters, and fine-tuned my recommendation letters. Every setback strengthened me.
One of the most important things I did was to start preparing early. By staying proactive with my documents and refining my profile over time, I eventually found the perfect alignment between my academic background and the scholarship programs I applied for.
What I Learned:
If I were to go through this process again, I would have started building a stronger profile earlier in my undergraduate years. Additionally, after the rejections, I learned to focus on the quality of my applications rather than just the number of them.
Advice for Aspiring Scholars:
Never give up. I want to encourage all aspiring scholars, that rejections are part of the process, but every “No” is just a step closer to a “Yes.” Build your profile strategically, focus on your passion, and most importantly, believe in yourself. With persistence, the doors of opportunity will open.
If you’re serious about scholarships, keep refining your documents, gain experiences that align with your chosen field, and never be afraid to dream big. Miracles do happen to those who chase them! 🌟Bottom of Form
Also, check the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship | Application Process
