On 13th June 2023, we at Aryaans were honoured to have interacted with one of the most intellectual personalities in the field of engineering, Prof. Ashok Misra who has also been the Director of IIT Bombay for two terms.
In his engaging and insightful talk, he took us on a journey through his experiences at IIT Kanpur and shed light on various aspects of engineering education and college life. Beginning with a glimpse into his own background, he shared anecdotes from his days as a student preparing for the highly competitive JEE Advanced Examination, highlighting the rigorous standards and challenges associated with gaining admission to an IIT. He emphasised the quality of engineering education at the IITs, stressing that it is not solely focused on academics. He described the vibrant college life at IIT, where students engage in a wide range of activities and clubs beyond their coursework. These extracurricular pursuits help foster a holistic development of students, honing their skills in areas such as teamwork, emotional intelligence, and effective communication. Moreover, he discussed the extensive sports facilities available at IIT, including but not limited to sports like cricket, football, and badminton. He also said that these sports not only promote physical well-being but also cultivate a sense of healthy competition and camaraderie among students.
While engineering was the main focus of the speaker’s talk, he acknowledged the significance of humanities and social science courses offered by the IITs. He emphasised the importance of a well-rounded education that incorporates diverse disciplines, enabling students to develop a broader perspective and critical thinking skills. He delved into the realm of research, highlighting its multidisciplinary nature. He emphasised the potential for further collaboration between different disciplines to drive innovation and solve complex problems. By fostering an environment that encourages interdisciplinary research, IITs can contribute significantly to advancements in various fields and address real-world challenges more effectively.
Addressing the topic of international university rankings, the speaker acknowledged that the teaching methods and course structures in Indian universities differ from those in the US and UK. He said that the need for a comprehensive understanding of these differences to avoid superficial comparisons. Rather than solely relying on rankings, the speaker advocated for a better evaluation of universities, considering their unique strengths, research contributions, and
industry collaborations. Furthermore, the speaker observed a growing trend among students favoring computer science over other branches of engineering due to perceived better job opportunities. He cautioned against overlooking the importance of maintaining a balance across all fields of engineering. Highlighting the interdependence of different disciplines, he explained that a scarcity of engineers in certain fields, such as mining engineering, can disrupt the equilibrium of the entire industry. Therefore, the speaker suggested that the ranking system could serve as a valuable tool to address such issues, ensuring the allocation of resources and talent in a balanced manner.
In conclusion, the talk provided valuable insights into engineering education at IITs, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary research, and maintaining a balance among different fields of engineering. By expanding the focus beyond academic excellence, fostering collaboration, and leveraging rankings effectively, IITs can continue to produce well-rounded engineers capable of addressing the complex challenges of the modern world.
The interactive session was truly enlightening and provided us with a unique opportunity to engage and learn from such eminent personalities due to the efforts of Sir VPD, thank you sir it was a wonderful session.
-Soham Pawar