I am currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Intelligent Radio Resource Management of Network Slices in Railway Networks through a CIFRE agreement with SNCF (French National Railway Company) and Université Gustave Eiffel. My research involves resource orchestration and optimization, AI, mobile networks (5G and beyond) with a particular emphasis on radio access networks, and railway communications. My work is to ensure seamless communication between trains and onboard systems by leveraging network slicing for critical and operational communications on high-speed trains. The Network and IoT Master degree provided me with the essential skills for my current work, especially through courses in AI/ML, operations research, and network evolution. These courses not only equipped me with technical expertise but also deepened my interest in research. Now, these skills are useful to me in the opportunities I have of contributing to European-level initiative projects, where SNCF is involved as a key stakeholder.
My Story: From Congo to France – How I Joined the Master Program in Network and IoT
After earning my bachelor’s degree in computer science from Bangalore University in India and gaining three years of work experience in Congo, I sought a Master program taught in English in France to advance my career in research. When I discovered the CNAM website, I was excited to find that the Master’s program in Network and IoT [insert link:https://master.roc.cnam.fr/index.php/master-program/] offered exactly the courses and projects I needed. The registration process was efficient and responsive, providing the necessary support for my visa application. I was particularly pleased to receive a CROUS accommodation upon admission by the CNAM , which alleviated the stress of finding housing while being in Congo. The administrative team at CNAM was immensely helpful, guiding me through the essential details for my arrival and integration into French administrative procedures.
How Was My Experience in This Master’s Program?
What set this master’s program apart for me was that the course content was highly practical, incorporating case studies and networking problem scenarios that prepared me for real-world challenges. After the first year, I was accepted as an intern at CNAM’s research lab (CEDRIC) [insert link: https://cedric.cnam.fr/lab/welcome/ ] , where I gained hands-on experience with 5G networks. The Master’s advanced project, further helps to work on cutting-edge technology research projects. We had the chance to participate in international conferences and report scientific papers. We could participate in CEDRIC lab seminars and presentations of recent research conducted in the lab. In the second year, I secured an internship at Nokia Bell Labs, further enhancing my skills and professional network. This journey resulted in my first two scientific papers, marking a significant step in my introduction to academic and professional development. (read articles).
Although my colleagues pursued various specialized domains based on their career interests—such as Zifeng’s focus on AI in embedded systems (Read Zifeng’s Testimonial) while mine was on networking and AI—the master’s program is both specialized and diverse. This structure allowed each student to maximize their unique strengths while gaining transversal competencies in related subjects within the Network and IoT context. I highly recommend this master’s program to anyone interested in a research or engineering career in Network and IoT.
