Letter by Shreejal Luitel Class of '24

Dear Berkeley IEOR Community, 

I’ve found in my undergraduate and graduate years in the Industrial Engineering & Operations Research (IEOR) department that there are very few places, if any, where true interdisciplinary collaborations flourishes so elegantly. Almost like the Piccaso’s of the world it is certainly rare to have students and faculty collectively come together to blend the brushstrokes of optimization and innovation to tackle many of the intricate issues of our time—spanning fields that’re often very diverse whether it’s business or healthcare, each stroke an indelible imprint that’ll certainly make a lasting change in the world for years to come. 

As alums who have ventured out into the real world, I’m certain that you’re very well aware and absolutely sure that change is uncertain – that’s what makes the world not only a beautiful place to live in, but, more importantly, ensures that we have a purpose-–needless to say, a job–-to keep driving progress forward. Professor Zheng’s Stochastic Processes class allowed me to quantitatively analyze this change, helping me think about uncertainty, and the evolution of the world, all through mathematics and markov processes. These same analytical tools that I honed over the years—through the guidance of professors like Zheng, Righter, Kerger, and many others—enabled me to apply these lessons to research, internship and life opportunities where I hoped to turn theoretical lessons into progressive, real-world solutions. 

I’ve little doubt, and in a more domain-friendly language, uncertainty, in understanding that this very department has created this long-lasting impact and change in my life, that I’m confident will endure beyond my years here at Berkeley. The world may be filled with uncertainty, however, for me it’s been unquestionably clear that there’s an inherent desire to innovate, optimize and embrace transformative ideas in pursuit of a better world. 

In the same spirit in which I received my education, I have always aspired to give back wherever possible, knowing that others will benefit just as I do so from the generosity of those who came before me. I’ll continue to believe that education is this cycle of learning and giving back. This very knowledge that we give will uplift many others for generations to come.  

I hope that you’ll continue to support students like me, and many others as we continue in our endeavors to paint a bright future beyond the walls of Etcheverry out into the real world. Much like Picasso once redefined art, and also the very notion of what it means to be an artist, by breaking conventions, we similarly aspire to challenge the status quo, and truly push the boundaries of what is possible, all through brushstrokes of optimization and innovation. 

 

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it.”  

 

Shreejal Luitel B.S. IEOR '24,  MEng '25 -