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I appreciate any constructive criticism,,,
I am a faculty member conducting engineering training courses at the Institute of Public Administration, and I have low knowledge about construction field and my contributions to it are not noteworthy. The validity of the previous statement depends on the comparison with a PhD holder. Either it is false when comparing my achievements with whom I share the same degree, or it is true if my contributions compared with the level of PhD researchers' contributions. Unfortunately, That statement is true. Because I believe that in order for someone to improve the quality of anything, then one should admit that the current state of something is not at the highest level of quality. Since I believe there is always a room for improvement in anything, then I am convinced that I can and must elevate my qualifications by obtaining PhD degree, in which it will repeatedly elevate me even more by conducting researches. For that reason, I need to pursue PhD degree in construction management field at your university.
Beside the fact that I want to challenge myself and stand out in my society, I have many reasons as a faculty member to pursue PhD degree in the field of construction management. One of my main reasons is to have less class-load. Thus, I will have more time to publish researches as well as to make consultation for other public sectors. In addition, when it comes to consulting the consultation department looks for PhD faculty members first with the consideration of their experiences. However, The most influential and motivating reason, in my case, to obtain a PhD degree is the fact that the researches department is funding researchers with priority to PhD members. In other words, I need to clear my path from anything that could hinder me to conduct valuable researches in my field, and obtaining PhD would be the first step for that path.
I have started my researching experience with IPA's researches department when they assigned me with my colleague (Dr. Abdulkarim Alotaiwi) in a research about (Construction Delays in Saudi Arabia: Causes and Solutions) and we are currently working on it. However, I found myself motivated while working in that research and decided to do more researches in the future in the field of construction. Moreover, I was surprised from the amount of the substantially revealed information by this research, which could not be noticed by regular practice of everyday construction project. For that reason, I need to have a concrete knowledge base in the construction field for future researches.
Since I wanted to have a full scholarship for both Master and PhD degrees as well as to gain academic and practical experience in the construction field, I went to apply for a faculty member position in the Engineering Programs department at IPA As soon as I graduated from the college of Architecture& Planning, with a bachelor degree of science in Architecture& Building Science. Subsequently, among the other applicants I was the only one accepted and that was a remarkable achievement for me at that time.
I became interested in construction when I took Project Management course in my undergraduate study with Dr. Abdulrahman Altassan. He was keen and enthusiastic in the construction field and especially in construction management area. Moreover, Dr. Altasan had motivated us by the technique he was delivering the subject in a clear and entertaining way. In addition, the more lectures I attended with him the more I became interested in the construction field and started to think in depth to pursue Master and PhD degrees in construction. However, there was one straightforward sentence Dr. Altassan said in one of his lectures that had the most impact which motivated me to continue my education in construction management. That was "Think about buildings projects in two phases: the first phase would be the designing phase which is carried out by the architect. While the second phase would be the construction phase which is carried out by construction managers", from that moment it was clear for me what area I should pursue in both Master and PhD programs. Therefore, I tried to plan ahead for my studies taking into account those phases. Since my background is in the architectural engineering, I decided to expand my knowledge in the second phase and applied for a master degree in construction.
I know that PhD study is going to be hard and challenging, but I do not have the word (Impossible) when it comes to my education. Also, I know there will be obstacles that will try to hinder me from continuing my PhD study, but I am confident, and I have an immunity to block these obstacles from stopping me to continue my studies. Furthermore, I need to continue my studies in construction management field, so I can make future researches in any topic related to my research interests such as Sustainable Construction& Performance Assessment, Productivity Management, Green design, TQM in Construction. Additionally, I am interested in that field because I need to fill in my knowledge gaps between the two main phases (Designing and Construction) and link them in my researches, so I could improve the outcomes that may be used in the booming construction projects.
I am considering PhD not only a high degree to be achieved but a path to an endless effort in researching. Since PhD is crucial and life-changing path I have decided to secure it by applying to the Civil and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Pittsburgh, and that decision came because of two reasons. The first reason is that the department has outstanding research topics in construction management and sustainability, which are related to my research interests. Moreover, I would like to work with Dr. Melissa Bilec during my PhD program. Because she has spectacular researches, which most of them are related to my research interests, specifically her research about "Preliminary Study of Green Design and Project Delivery Method in the Public Sector" is one of the best references in my current research. The second reason is that I am seeing in Dr. Abdulrahman Alshakawy, the general director of IPA, a remarkable outcome of your university and what an alumnus could achieve. I hope I will have the same opportunity that has been given to Dr. Alshakawy to achieve my research and career goals. Hopefully, I will take these goals to farther point as what the former General Director of IPA has done, when he started his own business in training, researching and consulting. That is a successful example of my long-run goals.
Finally, I appreciate taking part of your valuable time to read and review my documents with other stacked papers.
Sincerely,
Ibraheem Alothaimeen
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