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Your Once-in-a-Century Life

December 13, 2021/in Blog

By Leah Collmer

It’s been a once-in-a-century global pandemic. Almost two years running; plans put on hold, hopes dashed, and bright futures ground to a halt. We’ve been wearing masks, social distancing and holding our breath – literally. But the fog is lifting and we, at ComPro^SM, want you to know about the bright future that awaits you.

Within the last five years, ComPro has ranked as the 2nd largest Computer Science Master’s Program in the USA, at least once. Started a quarter of a century ago in 1996, ComPro is celebrating its silver anniversary this year, with an unprecedented record enrollment of 517 students for 2021.

Ricardo Macedo Ianelli, a former physics teacher from Brazil, shares, “My dream was always to study computer science. This year I decided to follow my intuition and go after my dream. That’s why I chose ComPro.”

ComPro’s approach to our students’ success is holistic from start to finish; academically, by developing high-demand technical skills; financially, with our low entry fee and repayment after placement in curricular practical training (CPT), a paid internship; personally, with an ideal routine that includes daily practice of the scientifically validated Transcendental Meditation® technique, and professionally, with our intensive, three-week, Career Strategies Workshop. ComPro is integrated, carefully crafted, and tailored for you in this century.

MBA student Edison Martinez and Ianelli enjoy a beautiful day in front of the Argiro Student Center.

“I felt I had more potential in me than I was using in my own country. There was this little fire inside of me, but I wanted to light a fire that would burn bright and strong for my future,” confides Ianelli. “I knew I needed to expand my creativity, maximize how my higher intelligence works and get help form the people who are professionals.”

Ianelli’s statement seems to resonate with MIU President John Hagelin’s address to ComPro, who welcomed new students in November. “I.Q. memory and executive function normally don’t increase while a student is enrolled in a university,” stated Hagelin. “But, at MIU it does.”

ComPro’s block system gives students the ability to fully immerse in one subject each month – no juggling act of multiple projects or competing subjects. Financially, students comfortably pay off the remaining tuition after landing their paid internship. With the average starting salary for CPT at $94,000 a year, this structure takes the financial pressure off students during their studies. Additionally, the initial, affordable low entry fee also makes the impossible possible for everyone.

“I thought that I wouldn’t have the money to come and study in an American master’s program, but ComPro’s tuition structure made it very affordable and possible,” shares Ianelli. “That was the light that said, ‘Go now.’ ComPro was everything I wanted and needed.”

Living through an era in history that has brought insurmountable obstacles and challenges, the ComPro team is here for you throughout your journey in our progressive master’s program. With four entries a year for international students and two entries for domestic students, our MS in Computer Science is very accessible and student-facing. ComPro’s most recent October 2021 entry brought in 132 new students from 40 nations. During this global pandemic, we rolled up our sleeves and dug in deep to ensure every qualified student from any country jockeying to join ComPro would make the cut. And we’ll do the same for you.

“The day before coming to the USA, I realized my life will be split in two chapters: my life before ComPro, and my life after coming to ComPro,” Ianelli shares. “When I wake up tomorrow, everything will change.”

We know how rare once-in-a-lifetime opportunities are. They are to be protected and cultivated. The ComPro program, as part of Maharishi International University, is fully committed to sustainable practices as one of America’s most green universities. Renewable energy, sustainable buildings, and organic food are at the forefront of campus life. Longevity is key, and we are establishing a precedent not just for your lifetime, but for generations to come. Future generations will follow in your footsteps, as our 4,000 students and alumni from over 100 countries have paved the way for you.

Ianelli studying in ComPro computer lab. Campus COVID policies keep students and faculty safe.

“If I had to describe this opportunity, I would choose the word ‘adventure’. An adventure with myself, in learning, meeting new people, and experiencing real emotions. With the profound method of self-knowledge, consciousness of self, good food and people from around the world, I knew I was needing this,” confided Ianelli.

So, if you’re looking for an adventure in your education and want to take advantage of the unmistakable opportunity this moment in time has to offer you, go ahead and exhale. We’ve got the solid foundation you’ve been looking for to build your unshakeable future on today.

“I’m just at the beginning” acknowledges Ianelli. “I’m excited to discover what lies ahead of me.” This is your once-in-a century life, and we want you to make the most of it. Won’t you join us?

Ianelli celebrating 50 years of higher education at Maharishi International University, 1971-2021

Hlina Beyene Loves Everything About MIU

May 6, 2020/in Blog

“I love everything about Maharishi International University (formerly Maharishi University of Management). There is a positive energy here, and people are welcoming. I love the diversity. I love how the faculty care about each student. They’re concerned about everyone and they guide us through everything, and I love TM (the Transcendental Meditation technique).” — Hlina Beyene (from Ethiopia)

In 2018, many of Hlina Beyene’s friends studying computer science were planning for a master’s degree in a research field, but she decided to pursue a master’s degree in a university that would prepare her to work in the IT industry. She found Maharishi International University on Google.

“I did not think MIU would help me catch up to be competent in industry. I thought I would need to do that on my own. Having completed the on-campus courses, however, I felt excited! I felt prepared. I felt competent.”

Transcendental Meditation® technique helps students

Before coming to MIU, “I didn’t know exactly about TM, but I knew I wanted to meditate. I knew through meditation I would gain some energy, some peace. I was looking for that.

“When I found MIU, I didn’t know that they would take Transcendental Meditation very seriously, but I knew I had that opportunity. When I found out that they take it seriously, and we had a chance to meditate twice a day, every day–that was a great experience for me. It is beautiful.

“MIU courses are on the block system. So, we study one subject at a time, full-time. We really have to learn each subject in a month. Sometimes it’s challenging, because we may have to finish projects within three days and do assignments every day.

“We manage the block system by doing the Transcendental Meditation technique every morning, before lunch, and at the end of classes in the afternoon. This is really helpful because it relaxes my body, and it helps me to relieve stress and focus on my work. I feel my brain is getting more and more energy every time I do TM. It is like exercising my body every day.”

See Hlina’s Video

Preparing to find a professional internship

“Studying advanced computer science courses was great. After 8-9 months of academic courses, we took a special course called Career Strategies. This was a 3-week workshop where Career Center staff helped us create our professional resume, prepare for internship/job interviews, and for adapting well to the US culture.

“They gave us all the necessary information we would need. In particular, we learned that when being interviewed it isn’t just them looking for special skills from me—it is also me looking at them to see if I would be happy there. I was well prepared to excel in my interviews. They give us all the necessary information we need.

“I got the internship really quickly—within a week I was hired as an Application Developer 5 at Bank of America in North Carolina. They found me through their contact with our Computer Science Career Center. The recruiters actually came to the University and they matched me to their need.”

Personal goal

“I have a special goal—to make a difference in our world. I want to encourage more women to become software developers. In developing countries, women want to take on more responsibilities, but often do not see opportunities to get ahead.

“Education such as what MIU offers will better prepare women for success in leadership positions. Educating a woman in developing countries means uplifting the whole family.

“In Ethiopia there are not enough opportunities for women to develop their careers. I want women in all developing countries to believe in themselves, and if they can get the opportunity, I highly recommend and advise them to come to MIU—a place where they can progress in their life and career.”

Learn More About the ComPro Program

ComPro students come from all over the world!

Since 1996, 3000 software developers from more than 93 nations have graduated with our Master of Science in Computer Science degree.

Five Ugandan Brothers Recommend MIU Programs

January 21, 2020/in Blog

Edwin Bwambale (2nd from the left in photo above) and his four brothers are members of the Bukonzo tribe in western Uganda–known for its well-educated people. He is the second born of five boys.

The five brothers are named (left to right above): Idine Membere, Edwin Bwambale, Godwin Tusime, Harrison Thembo, and Cleave Masereka. (Each son has a different surname, because in their culture, surnames are given based upon the order of birth within a family.)

In 2016 Edwin was looking for a low cost, high quality master’s degree program in software development:
“The first time I saw the MIU program, I doubted it. I couldn’t believe something like that existed. But, a friend of mine joined the course. That’s when I confirmed that the program is real!”

So, he applied and enrolled in the Computer Professionals Master’s Degree Program (“ComPro”) at Maharishi International University (in Fairfield, Iowa USA) in August 2016.
“I just love this course–it’s practical, it’s hands-on, which has helped me during my paid internship search.”

When Edwin raved about his MIU experiences, his parents were so impressed that they decided that all five of their sons should attend MIU!

Special Community

In the featured video at the top of our website homepage, Edwin remarks:
“The university is in the small town called Fairfield, in Iowa. The people in the town are great–people smile everywhere. It makes you feel at home–though you are so many miles away.” :)

Strong Family Support

Five Ugandan brothers with their remarkable parents

Harrison, Cleave and Edwin with their families

Edwin comes from a wonderful family:
“My parents were very loving and really inspired us to work hard and aim towards greater success. Even when they were not rich, they created an environment that made us cultivate bigger ambitions. They consistently talked to us and mentored us even after we were out of university. They set an example for us to love each other and our future families because they really loved each other selflessly and loved us too.”

Edwin continues, “In my family, and among my friends, no one has a single doubt of what MIU can help us accomplish. Every one of my four brothers, and other friends have looked forward to studying for their master’s degrees at Maharishi International University.”

“Making the decision to join MIU is the best self-rewarding decision I have ever made in my life. It provided a conducive environment to pursue my education as well as prepare me to be able to deliver world class performance in my career. What you can achieve with the MIU opportunity is only limited by your imagination. I can confidently say that it is one of the best professional programs I have ever seen or heard of. Long live MIU!”

Learn More About the Computer Professionals Program

Comments from four brothers:
Cleave Masereka (MS in Computer Science graduate–working at Apple):
“The idea of Maharishi International University never seemed real until my brother Edwin got the visa and joined in August 2016. This drastically changed my thinking, and I joined in October 2016. A friend, Benjamin Wogisha (my former work mate from Uganda), joined us in February 2017.

“Currently, Edwin is at Microsoft, Benjamin (a Ugandan friend) is at Facebook and I’m at Apple. (Three of the best tech companies on the planet–all of us as software engineers). This explains the unsung potential that MIU imparts in its students, and I can certainly assert that ComPro is not just a master’s program, but a life-changing integrated course. All my friends we studied with at MIU got good jobs and are all living happily. Any decision to come to MIU by anyone will forever be the best.”

Godwin Tusime (Currently completing IT bachelor’s degree in Uganda, so he can enroll in MIU Computer Professionals Program afterwards.):
“I am passionate about programming because it’s fun, and helps one to be a good thinker, decision maker and innovator. For a long time now I have admired MIU and the Computer Professionals program for it has changed my brothers’ lives (Cleave and Edwin). (Harrison is doing the Accounting MBA.) I am working hard every day to develop my programming skills, and hope to join MIU soon. After that, my life will, no doubt, never ever be the same again.”

Harrison Thembo (Accounting MBA internship student–working as accountant at Silicon Valley Financial Group):
“I always had a dream to become the best version of myself and compete at the highest level possible. I knew that in order to achieve that I need the best education. I’m very glad for the platform Maharishi International University gave me to achieve my dream for an MBA in Accounting.

“I am now working with one of the best accounting firms in Silicon Valley as a staff accountant. I never imagined that choosing MIU would be this fruitful and I am forever grateful for the Consciousness-Based education that this school provides. For every dreamer out there, this is the place to go.”

Idine Membere (Planning to enroll in Accounting MBA in August 2020):
“I want to do my MBA from MIU because I want to attend my masters from some of the best brains in the world and MIU provides this platform and opportunity.

“Secondly, the professional training and experience I would get from US companies would be immensely important for my career and would prepare me to an “international standard.”

“Thirdly, the education loan program by MIU makes what would be a difficult task of attaining American education to people from developing countries like us become more affordable and achievable.

“Thank you MIU for this program. My three brothers, Edwin, Cleave and Harrison are already through this program. I can’t wait to join MIU and enhance my knowledge and contribute to the existing bank of knowledge. By the way, I am already qualified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accounts (ACCA) in the UK and also want to be a Certified Accountant in the U.S.”

Comments from Ugandan friend at MIU:

Benjamin Wogisha (friend of the brothers) (MS in Computer Science graduate–Software Engineer working at Facebook):
“I always wanted to go for further studies, but I had failed to find a suitable university. Compared to other universities, the process of applying to MIU was quick, and they were very responsive and helpful during the process. MIU offers the block system which I really liked, because it would allow me to focus fully on one course each month.

“The courses offered by Maharishi International University were in line with what I always wanted to do, e.g., enterprise architecture. I saw it as an opportunity to get to learn from first principles about enterprise software which are pretty much everywhere.

“Studying at MIU we had the chance to work on large scale systems in the USA during internships, which was something that I always looked toward. I knew working in the USA would unlock so many opportunities beyond which I could ever imagine, because America has the tech giants.”

The value of doing the Transcendental Meditation® technique while studying, and now while working:

Benjamin adds, “While studying at the University I always made sure to attend the group Transcendental Meditation sessions we had. There is something about doing it together in a group that is really good and unique. This kicked off my day to a great start feeling relaxed and more focused ready to tackle anything that came my way.

“The classes helped me develop a deeper understanding of TM and how I could gain even more from practicing it regularly, answering and clearing any doubts that I was practicing TM the right way. Currently even with my workload, getting to practice TM for only 20 minutes a day has helped me achieve more, because of the focus and calmness I feel after my meditation.”

Advice from Benjamin for other software developers:
“For anyone wanting to boost their careers, MIU is definitely the right choice. The courses are so well thought out and organized. I learned a lot from each course that I took on campus. Courses helped me bridge the gap between theory and practice. With the hands-on approach, so many concepts become clear, giving me a very strong foundation that I build on each day. The lecturers are always there to support the students and MIU has so many alumni that can support you as well. There is no doubt that MIU sets one up for success.”

“My brother (Denis Kisina) joined the University recently as well. After only one month he tells me that he feels more confident as a software developer. I can only imagine how he will be at the end of the program. Maharishi International University has provided the ideal environment he needed to concentrate and study.”

We thank all our Ugandan students for making the 13,000 km journey to join our MIU family in the U.S. It is a joy having you in our growing student body.

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Google Software Engineer Grew Up on a Rural China Farm

August 6, 2019/in Blog, Student Success Stories

MUM Graduate Student is an Inspiration!

Ling Sun (“Susie”) has a wonderful story to tell. She was born on a small farm in rural China. Today, she is a Google software engineer in New York City. How did she do it?

Early life in China

Girls in Ling’s community in Hunan Province, central China, never go to high school, and are expected to help farm and then have their own families. In fact, she had to leave school at age 13 to work in the family’s fields to help with family financial needs.

But farm work was hard and made Ling unhappy, so she kept asking her father, and he finally agreed to let her return to school. Among her 11 village friends, Ling Sun was the only one to finish high school.

But this education didn’t allow her to enter college, so she became a factory worker in Shenzhen. The work routine was boring, so she quit the factory after a few months and became a student in a computer training program, hoping this would give her the skills for a more professional life.

To pay for the training to become an entry-level software engineer, she worked three part-time jobs and lived on three credit cards.

Ling Sun with family members in rural Hunan Province village.

Learn more about our MS program

First professional job

In September 2011, Ling got her first software engineering job developing an online payroll system in Shenzhen. This was great for a while, but she still wanted to feel more accomplished in a big city where others had more advanced knowledge and credentials.

In a recent interview, Ling told the South China Morning Post that her basic motivation has always been to “Just keep learning new things step-by-step, day-by-day.” So, while continuing the job, she studied English and enrolled in a distance education degree program with Shenzhen University. Being athletic with lots of energy, she also began playing ultimate frisbee as a way to get exercise and learn English from others with more worldly international experience.

A great opportunity in America

The exposure to people with international backgrounds stimulated Ling with the desire to see more of the world. While viewing a Chinese job-hunting website in 2016, she noticed an ad for a U.S. computer science master’s degree program that looked perfect to her: low initial cost, with the ability to get a paid professional internship as part of an accredited academic degree program. During the internship in a U.S. company studies would continue via distance education.

Ling applied and was accepted into our Computer Professionals Master’s Program at Maharishi University of Management, located about 230 miles southwest of Chicago. After nine months studying on campus, including the valuable Career Strategies Workshop and numerous interviews, Sun was offered a position as a Software Engineer with a Google vendor, EPAM Systems.

Here’s Ling Sun after arriving at MUM in October 2017.

Paid professional internship at Google

As a contract software engineer at Google’s Manhattan headquarters, Ling feels fortunate to have colleagues from top American universities—some with Ph.D. degrees. “But none of them treat me like I don’t deserve all of this,”she said in a recent interview with the South China Morning Post. “That is the thing I like about America: they value what you are able to do more than where you come from.”

MUM experience

Regarding the time spent at MUM, she appreciates the special academic environment, the diversity of the student and faculty population, and the many friends made here. She adds, “I liked every moment spent (at MUM) in Fairfield.”

Her adviser, Professor Mei Li, says,”Susie was always very positive and enthusiastic about all her activities. She was a good student, a friend to everyone, and exceptionally talented in many areas, including sports.”

Ling Sun with ultimate frisbee friend.

Future plans

After completing her master’s degree in December 2019, Ling hopes her parents will come to visit America and see her graduate on our campus. This would be the first time for her mother to leave their hometown in China!

Ling Sun’s next professional goal is to become an in-house Google software engineer. She says that, “It won’t be easy, but your life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”

To read more about Ling Sun’s remarkable life, please read this article in the South China Morning Post.

Data Science MS specialization named the top master’s program of its kind in Iowa, 2018

May 26, 2018/in Blog, News

The MS in Computer Science-Data Science specialization at Maharishi University of Management recently received the unique distinction of being named the best master’s program of its kind in Iowa.

In its first annual review of all 290 accredited schools in the U.S. offering similar grad degrees, DataScienceGraduatePrograms.com found MUM to be among the very best, giving us the #1 spot for Iowa on its list of Top Data Science Graduate Programs for 2018.

Selection Criteria
To come up with these recommendations, reviewers sifted through a list of 290 data science master’s and graduate certificate programs by hand.

As much as possible, they looked for programs that included multiple required courses covering core subjects such as:

Inferential and Descriptive Statistics
Linear and Logistic Regression
Time Series and Forecasting
Probability Theory
Stochastic Analysis
Statistical Modeling
Multidisciplinary Approaches

A multi-disciplinary program including courses and instructors from computer science and applied mathematics or statistics departments ranked more highly than single department programs.

Because data science blends together essential elements from at least those fields (and often from others, including biostatistics, which draws on heath and medical education) they judged that programs built by professors from both houses were more likely to cover all the bases.

Database and Data Theory Education

The secret sauce that makes data science, data science, is the use of automated data processing elements in statistical analysis. So they searched for programs that included an education in data structures and database theory.

Hands-on work with relational and non-relational data stores were a big plus, in their view, to build on that theoretical education. Dedicated data modeling courses and capstone projects that required genuine database creation or manipulation were also excellent signs of a useful education.

Coding Courses With Teeth

The other aspect of data processing is coding. Data scientists apply their analytical training to information stored in data structures through expressions and algorithms crafted in programming languages heavily used in the profession, like R, Python and Java.

They selected programs that included genuine, hands-on programming work. Although most data science programs require some coding experience as a condition of entry, they looked for those gems that also continued the education in the more specialized aspects of languages and coding specific to data science.

This also extended to coverage of the latest techniques used in data analysis. Data mining, machine learning, and advanced visualization were important courses they looked for.

Instructors With The Right Stuff

Data science is a new field and it’s one that is largely being defined in practice rather than theory. That means that the big players are active in government, industry, and academia alike. On-the-ground experience working with the systems that are collecting, processing, and analyzing big data is invaluable when it comes to training others how to do the work.

So reviewers looked for programs that included faculty with current or recent experience in real-world projects outside academia, where the practical considerations of employers and users come into play. Adjunct professors with day jobs working with big data were a big plus.

Other Factors

Since data science is so new, they had to look at some proxy elements to judge programs. They always like to consider reputation in the industry, and in many cases they had to look at the parent department or college generally instead of the individual program. However, they did try to account for graduate placement as an indicator of reputation and preparation.

If the school had a dedicated data lab where professors and students partnered with outside businesses and agencies, they also counted that highly.

To a much lesser extent, website and the availability of information played a factor. Data science draws people who like data and have an interest in technology. It’s 2018, and if an academic department dealing in a computational science puts together a website that looks like a 12-year-old built it in 2001, or can’t provide easy online access to course descriptions and offerings, it’s time to run the other way.

The Very Best Data Science Grad Programs by State

Iowa

Maharishi University of Management
Although the Maharishi program is focused first on a traditional computer science education, with all the emphasis on core networking and programming skills that entails, it’s also a unique world center for the integration of traditional self-development with this most modern area of technical study. The inclusion of proven meditation techniques here only reinforces how serious this program is about preparing students for real-world work in data science. The optional 8-month internship for full credit provides genuine on-the-job experience, building your resume and putting you into direct contact with real data scientists doing real work, all before you graduate.

The base program specializes in training on software systems and development and the data science option piggybacks on this strength with concrete training in hot data analysis technologies like R, Hadoop, Spark, Flume, and HBase. Overviews of other NoSQL approaches and cloud-based tools like AWS and Cloudera are also taught. Finally, you’ll work with IBM’s SPSS modeler application, diving into text analytics and data mining to learn predictive modeling skills.

Learn more.

New: Computer Professionals Program Website

April 18, 2018/in Blog, News

After nearly a year in development, our new responsive website for the Computer Professionals Program ^SM is ready.

Please click on the images shown below to experience the unique excitement and attraction that draws more than 300 students per year from every continent and every cultural background to our Computer Science MS program.

We are especially proud of the website videos, which give an inviting taste of student life at MUM, and will inspire you to apply to our “ComPro^SM” degree program!

See for yourself why campus visitors, students, and graduates consider MUM their home-away-from-home!