Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST) alumnus Mazharul Islam, a graduate in Chemistry, has defied conventional academic norms by earning a fully funded PhD offer from Florida International University (FIU), USA, despite holding a relatively modest academic record.
With a low CGPA during his Honours and a 3.29 in his Master’s degree, Mazharul’s remarkable success challenges the common perception that only top grades lead to global academic opportunities. Instead of focusing solely on academic scores, Mazharul took a strategic and research-driven approach to strengthen his profile.
His dedication to academic research is evident through eight publications in international journals and a presentation at a renowned international conference. These achievements played a pivotal role in distinguishing his application in the competitive field of graduate admissions.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Mazharul utilized strategic emailing, developed a personal website, and crafted an exceptional curriculum vitae to capture the attention of faculty members abroad. His well-planned efforts led to over ten interview invitations and five fully funded PhD offers. However, due to financial constraints, three of those offers were later withdrawn by the respective institutions.
Adding further value to his profile, Mazharul brings with him two years of corporate experience, demonstrating his versatile capabilities and adaptability across academic and professional settings.
Mazharul’s journey is a testament to the power of smart planning, robust research experience, and unwavering perseverance. It sends a strong message to aspiring scholars that global academic success is not limited to high CGPAs—with the right strategy and dedication, one can overcome traditional barriers and achieve excellence on the world stage.
Source: Publician
