Outlook

The characteristic of a CSE student is that of a person who has a solid knowledge of numerical and mathematical tools as well as a good skill in using these to tackle problems as they arise in engineering or industry at large: i.e. modelling, analysis simulation and feed back of the results for assessing the quality of the solution. There is a high need for such people in all sorts of industrial sectors, not just high tech industries. Typical jobs include working in a research and development environment in companies or in governmental advisory organisations. For talented students TU/e has a limited number of possibilities to continue to work as a PhD, which normally takes 4 years.

Some comments and views from students:

Patricio Ivan Rosen Esquivel, National University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City
I did my first Bachelors in Actuarial sciences at the National University of Mexico (UNAM) in Mexico city. After that I wanted to broaden my knowledge in mathematics so I undertook a second bachelors degree in mathematics. These courses equipped me very well with theoretical and computer skills but a lacked the link to industrial problems. So I became more thirsty for applied mathematics.

Searching abroad was an option and since I already could speak some German, I started searching in Germany. I did not hesitate applying for this IAM-CSE because it has a good content, you graduate with a double masters and has a scholarship as well. The application process for me was clear, smooth and fast.

I like the curriculum in Eindhoven because it is more industry oriented and the teachers are very friendly. I now feel even more confident and equipped for the jobs am interested in.

My life in Eindhoven city started slowly but now am enjoying it after discovering the important corners and the many international students living here. The Eindhoven student sports centre is a place not to miss. Lots of sports there and extra activities like salsa dancing which is one of my favorites.

Charles Barth Iheadindueme, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria
I did my Bachelor's degree in Mathematics at Abia State University, Uturu, Abia State and an M.Sc in Applied Mathematics at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, both in Nigeria. I wanted to undertake a Ph.D research program. But, looking at the requirements of such a Ph.D program, I new I needed to brush up my mathematics background and take a high quality applied masters in mathematics. That is how I ended up choosing the Erasmus Mundus IAM-CSE.

I was tipped off about the program by a friend of mine who was an Erasmus Mundus student at Hamburg. I had to choose Germany-The Netherlands because of my love for these countries. As a Nigerian, I love football and Dutch footballers like Marco van Basten, Frank Rijkaard, Rudd Gullit, Patrick Kluivert, and Edwin van der Saar had always excited me. The application process was quite rigorous but everything was done in order and I was always updated on my application's progress.

The course itself is challenging but the environment is very conducive. Besides I find the curriculum of the program very interesting. I like it because it is very relevant and applicable in diverse industrial areas. I am sure I will be very marketable in Nigeria when I graduate, in teaching and in other areas like the financial industry. Teachers here are always helpful and available for consultation. Moreover, everyone in the department at TU/e is very friendly.

Apart from academics, there is fun too in the mathematics department at TU/e. I do not miss the borrel on Thursdays for a drink with friends where I also meet lots of new people. Eindhoven is very international. I was happy the priest at the catholic church I go to in Eindhoven is from Nigeria. After, some eucharistic celebration, we always sit back and talk in our local language, Ibo. I have a family life too. My wife, Alice and our little boy, Uriel Chiedozielam are happily here with me. Their being around is also a source of encouragement and support. I must say, that I am enjoying every bit of my stay in this prestigious University, TU/e.

Sanaa Moussa Salman Moussa, BSc Alexandria University, Egypt
"The teaching methods here are very good, the teachers are very helpful and always available for consultation"

Fang Chen, BSct Wuhan University, China.
Hello, I am Fang Chen. Before I came to Eindhoven in 2006 to pursue the MSc.CSE at the TU/e, I had completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mathematics at Wuhan University in China. I came to know about TU/e and the masters program via the internet. I was interested in continuing my studies in what I had acquired with the bachelors degree and build a strong career in applied mathematics. The MSc.CSE at TU/e offered exactly that. The scholarships available for the program were also a motivating factor and I decided to apply for it immediately.

The application process was quick and easy because the secretary of the TU/e mathematics department and the international office of the students service centre were kind, patient and very helpful.

The study program here is more applied than I would get back at home. I like the coherence of the courses taught where preceding courses help to understand succeeding ones. There is enough contact with the teachers making consultations easy. The applicability of the course gives me confidence I will have no problem finding a job.

The courses are taught in English. My English is good and the Dutch speak very good English so language of instruction is not a problem at all.

At the TU/e I have enough contact and socialization with other international students. The master introduction week helped us know each other and the usual parties and dinners together have kept us very much in touch. I have also noticed that, if asked for help, the Dutch students are kind and helpful.

Traveling is easy here and I like traveling. I have visited several cities in Holland and other countries like the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Belgium and Luxembourg.

Sarya Abubakr Hassan BSc from University Omdurman, Sudan.
"I find the course very applicable. Due to increased industrialisation at home, I will be very marketable after the course"

Temesgen Markos Kindo, Bsc from Araminch University (formerly Arbaminch Water Technology Institute), Arbaminch, Ethiopia.

I learned about TU/e and the CSE program from the internet after an extensive web search .

My background is in civil engineering and I was very interested in engineering simulations.

I chose to study abroad primarily because the subject I wanted to study (CSE) was not offered in any university in my home country, Ethiopia. In addition, I wanted the experience of studying abroad, meeting people from all over the world and learned from them. My mother had studied in the Netherlands and she always mentioned the country fondly. I was a fan of the Dutch football team as a kid (mom's influence!) Later I also learned that the quality of education is very good and people are very friendly.

The application process was very easy, all I needed to do was written on the application website. I sent some emails for clarification and got prompt responses from the TU/e.

Initially I found the curriculum to be very mathematical than I expected. I used to wonder why I had to learn all those partial differential equations and analysis. I used to say to my self "All I wanted to do was simulate engineering phenomena and what I am getting is theorems and proofs!" That was at the beginning. But later I realized how important the mathematics is and how thinking mathematically can make a person versatile. Several engineering problems that I used to think as unrelated shared the same mathematical form. In the later courses, there were several opportunities to apply the techniques we learned to problems from biology, traffic flow, earth science, engineering mechanics and what not. Now I know that mathematics is the back bone of simulations.

All of the core courses and several electives were taught in English. So personally I had no major problem with respect to language. The teachers were easy to approach and always ready to help. It took me some time to shake off the influence from my home country where professors were not so easy to talk to. And calling your professors by their first names, that really took me some time to get used to!

All of my classmates who graduated got either further education offers (PhD, Post Masters training) or jobs. I have been employed in a mathematical consultancy with in the department since graduating from the program. Almost all my friends from other programs who were seriously interested in working in the Netherlands landed decent jobs.

In Eindhoven city there are too many activities going on for one to get involved in all. Find out what you enjoy (you will definitely get a group or more) and indulge in it while it lasts! But don't forget that the primary objective of being here is the education. It is very easy to get immersed in the extracurricular activities and neglect your studies.

The Dutch are very friendly people and Eindhoven is a nice city to live in. The presence of a lot of high-tech companies in the city makes it some how look like a geek town though.

Most of my classmates were actually foreign students. I made lasting friendships with both home and foreign students. The education also makes making friendships easy. With all the group work you get, it is actually difficult not to make friends.