Dr. Ifeoluwapo journey at TUS from MSc to PhD

My name is Dr. Ifeoluwapo, and I hold a PhD in Software Engineering with a specialization in Cybersecurity using Deep Learning.

I've always aspired to become an engineer. Though my academic journey began with a degree in Computer Science at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria, I discovered along the way that Software Engineering—an integral part of Computer Science—aligned perfectly with my passion. To gain real-world experience, I began working as a Software Developer, equipping myself with the skills needed to thrive in the field.

In 2018, I took a bold step by moving to Ireland to pursue a Master’s degree in Software Engineering at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS), Athlone Campus. Adapting to a new environment was initially challenging, but the support from the International Office—especially Eoin, the TUS Global Student Experience Officer—made the transition smooth. I was even picked up at Dublin Airport and brought directly to Athlone, which made me feel immediately welcomed.

Upon completing my MSc, I had achieved my dream of becoming an engineer. During this time, I became aware of several PhD scholarship opportunities within the Software Engineering department. Out of curiosity and a desire to better understand the application process, I applied for one of the positions. My MSc supervisor noticed my application and asked, “Do you really want to pursue a PhD?”

As a Nigerian, my initial goal was to gain industry experience, so I decided to delay my academic pursuits and accepted a position as a Graduate Software Developer with Enterprise Ireland (EI). The role offered a competitive salary and valuable professional exposure.

However, four months into the job, my MSc supervisor reached out again. She believed my MSc project had strong research potential and encouraged me to reconsider the PhD path. I was torn—on one hand, I had job security and financial stability; on the other, the PhD stipend was significantly less than my monthly earnings. After much reflection, I chose to pursue my PhD at TUS. I realized that the long-term benefits, professional growth, and opportunities a PhD could offer outweighed the short-term comforts of my current job. Nine months after joining EI, I resigned and officially began my PhD journey.

My thesis, titled “Threat Modelling for Privacy-Protected Surveillance Videos using Machine Learning,” explored emerging areas in cybersecurity. The path was demanding—I often worked from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.—but with determination and faith, I successfully completed my PhD in exactly four years (2020–2024). The experience was tough but transformative, opening doors to new career prospects and elevating my professional profile.

Today, I work as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Galway. One of the greatest outcomes of this journey is the flexibility it has given me—I can now seamlessly navigate between academia and industry. As the only African person in my lab, I want to encourage more Nigerians and Africans to consider PhD opportunities at TUS. These programs are usually fully funded and require no tuition fees. While the journey demands hard work and perseverance, the rewards are truly immeasurable.

If you have been inspired by Dr. Ifeoluwapo’s story and looking to also start your study Software Engineering at TUS, Apply now for next intake at https://internationalapplication.tus.ie/ or email us at Global@tus.ie  for more information.