BCoE Student Hall of Fame 2025: Abdur Rahman

What is your name, age, classification and major?
My name is Abdur Rahman. I am 29 years old. I am a Ph.D. candidate at the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering.

What year did you begin studying at MSU and when is your expected graduation date?
I started my journey at MSU in the Fall of 2021, and I expect to graduate by the Summer of 2025.

Why did you choose to attend MSU, and why did you choose an engineering field of study?
I chose to attend MSU because the MSU ISE program is renowned in the field of industrial engineering, and I find my advisor's research very fascinating. I have always loved problem-solving and mathematical reasoning; this is why I chose the engineering field.

What are your favorite campus organizations you have become a part of?
I have been part of the INFORMS MSU chapter and the Bangladesh Association of Mississippi State University.

What has been your favorite course you have taken at MSU and why?
At MSU, my favorite course was Machine Learning with IE Applications because I learned a lot that is currently helping me with my research and will continue to help me in my future career.

Which course has been your most challenging at MSU and why? What was something you learned about yourself after taking that course?
Algorithms was the most challenging course for me at MSU because I took it outside the ISE department, and the course material was tailored for computer science students. I learned that I have a greater adaptability to new challenges because I performed well in this course.

What is one thing you have learned, related to engineering, during your time in the Bagley College of Engineering?
Engineering involves strategically solving problems. We identify several alternative solutions and evaluate each one sequentially until we determine the best option.

How has MSU and specifically the Bagley College of Engineering prepared you for professional life after college?
MSU, particularly Bagley College of Engineering, has helped me grow as a person through research and learning. My advisor and co-advisor have been instrumental in shaping my research and teaching portfolio, as well as my future career. I truly appreciate their support and guidance.

What are your plans after graduation?
I plan to become a faculty member in the industrial engineering field at a research-focused university and continue to develop as a researcher and a teacher.

What will you miss most about MSU after you graduate?
I will miss my lab mates and my advisor, with whom I spent most of my time on campus. Additionally, I will also miss the various events that MSU organizes throughout the year.