STATEMENT OF INTENT TO STUDY MA ECONOMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA

Answers to 3 SOP questions.

1. Why do you want to pursue Masters in Economics?
2. Why should they choose you among all other applicants?
3. Why you choose this university?
My name is Rodrick Wilbroad Mugishagwe, I am writing to express my interests in applying for
Master of Arts (Economic) at the University of Manitoba. I developed interests in economics
when I was in high school at St. Marys Kitende in Uganda where I studied Economics,
Mathematics and Geography. I was curious about the way businesses affect peoples lives. For
example, the economic downturn has been a critical issue in many countries and almost
everyone felt the impact of the 2008 financial crisis in one-way or the other.
My love of Economics started in high school when I was at St. Marys Secondary. The school had
one of the best economics teachers who inspired me to take economics. I love learning and am
very passionate about economic approaches to development and in particular the role of
finance and financial institutions in development and am driven by a desire to make a real
difference to the world around me. This desire has motivated me to carry on to further
education to gain the qualifications, knowledge and additional understanding that will help me
to achieve my goal.
In July 2012 I graduated from the University of Nottingham and hold Bachelor degree in
Business Economics and Management. The three-year undergraduate course in Business
Economics and Management formed the foundation towards achieving an in-depth knowledge
in the field of Business and Economics. As a part of my degree program I studied various
subjects relating to diverse aspects of business economics in which major economic decisions
faced by businesses and their managers are taken. Some the subjects were Economics of
Regulation, financial economics and Macroeconomic policy and analysis plus many other
subjects which draw my further interest in economics concerned with the allocation and
deployment of economic resources and the concentration on monetary activities.

Statement of intent

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I have always been curious about how the way money, businesses and the economy affect
peoples lives. I feel that studying MA Economics will help me to satisfy that curiosity. As
dynamic subjects in a constantly growing field, they are continuously expanding its scope. To
me it is an exciting and intellectually stimulating course that deals with the important issues of
the day. I attended many business and management-related courses, including Marketing
strategy, strategic management, Economics of Business Decisions, Designing and Managing
Organizations, Business Ethics, Economics of Pricing and Decision Making etc as shown on my
transcripts.
I completed my assignments on time with minimal supervision. I learnt about, money, income,
wealth and discovered just how important mathematics and statistics were to the subject. I
became familiar with tables and graphs and learnt how economic affairs impact on politics,
education, the environment, health care and everyday living costs. Classes introduced me to
the core areas of microeconomics, macroeconomics and the economic application of basic
mathematical and statistical techniques to the solution of economic problems. I completed the
course with a clear understanding of economic theory, concepts and principles, and how to
apply quantitative methods and computing techniques across a range of scenarios or problems.
During the three years of studying, I had a positive attitude and developed good relationships
with both classmates and teachers. I have great inter-personal skills, and strive to help others
and am striving to build strong relationships and rapport with my fellow students from the
outset. Having last year successfully completed my course at undergraduate level; I am now
very enthusiastic about continuing my education at masters level.
In addition to my experience at the University of Nottingham, I further developed my skills as
an Intern in 2011 at the Tanzania Ministry of Industry and Trade in in the budget and policy and
planning departments. I engaged in administrative work such as; Preparation of quarter budget
progress reports, Budget analysis and reporting, assisting the preparation of policy papers and
the drafting of other related documentation. Participated in policy development and learned
how formats are developed for the different documents required in the policy and planning
department as well as Budget department.

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These were incredibly valuable opportunities to learn about economics and obtain experience
and knowledge that cannot be learned through books and classroom study alone.
Besides academics I was actively involved in social and extracurricular activities within and
outside the University of Nottingham. I was member and committee organizer of the
Nottingham Green Week 2011, Charity carnival 2012, Inter-University Business Tycoon
Simulation Game 2010, Careers Fair 2011 and 2012 etc. as indicated on page two of my CV I
have attached. The driving force behind all this was my aim to develop my personality and learn
more about working in teams.
My purpose for applying to the faculty of graduate studies at the University of Manitoba to
both expand on my existing knowledge and to create additional opportunities for myself in the
future. I believe that the University of Manitoba will prepare me for a successful and
challenging career in the economic sector. I am attracted to the University of Manitoba because
it has a reputation in the country for teaching and research excellence that few other
economics departments can match.
I have noted that the University of Manitoba offers a degree program which includes some core
components that will provide me with the knowledge, techniques and principles of modern
economic analysis. I am looking for a course that will teach me transferable skills in critical
analysis, problem-solving, group working, written and oral presentations. I feel and believe that
the opportunity to study at the University of Manitoba will provide me with theoretical and
practical skills to tackle global complex economic challenges of the 21 century.
I would therefore, feel obliged to be able to secure admission in your prestigious university to
pursue Master of Arts in Economic.

I look forward to your positive response.

Yours faithfully,
Rodrick Wilbroad Mugishagwe

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