|
December 13, 2008 11:37 IST
The IIT Alumni 2008 Global Conference is being held at IIT Madras from December 19 to 21. The event is expected to see the participation of 3,000 IIT alumni annd a galaxy of eminent speakers. Among the speakers will be Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, Home Minister P Chidambaram, industrialist L N Mittal, Tat Steel MD B Muthuraman, and many others. Dr R Nagarajan, professor, department of chemical engineering, IIT Madras, hosted a chat on Friday, December 12 on what the Pan-IIT event is all about. Prior to taking up this academic position in 2004, Nagarajan was a world-renowned expert in the areas of chemical integration and contamination control during his 15-year tenure with IBM Storage Systems Division in San Jose, California. He obtained his PhD in chemical engineering from Yale University in 1986 and a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1981 from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He has also co-authored a book on Contamination and ESD Control in High-Technology Manufacturing, published by J Wiley & Sons in September 2006.
Here is the transcript: vaani asked, what is the agenda of Pan-IIT event?????
Nagarajan answers, at 2008-12-12 15:19:56Hi! This is Nagarajan. I'm a Professor in Chem Eng at IIT Madras, and co-Chair of the Program Committee for PanIIT 2008. I'll be trying to answer your questions in this session.
vaani asked, what is the agenda of Pan-IIT event?????
Nagarajan answers, The agenda of PanIIT Meets in India (every other year, alternating with U.S.) is Nation-Building, and PanIIT's role in it.
iit chennai says, How is it different from previous global conferences
Wonderful asked, The Pan-IIT alumni organisation favours affirmative action but is opposed to reservations for Other Backward Classes in the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology. Why?
Nagarajan answers, I don't really want to speak for the PanIIT organization, as my role is presently limited to the 2008 Meet.
RameshPandya asked, Does India have the proper R&D infrastructure? What should be done to promote it?
Nagarajan answers, We have two sessions in the "Research" track to address this: "Inputs & Outputs", "Research Ecosystem". Please see session outlines & abstracts on PanIIT 2008 website.
Debabrata asked, We (I am an IIT-ian myself) have long been accused of leaving India after we compelte our studies and not returning because of the 'good life' abroad. I, for one, don't exactly subscribe to this view. What are your thoughts on it, Sir?
Nagarajan answers, The recently-concluded IIT Impact Study lends credence to your view. A significant fraction of IIT alumni are in India, and of them, many have returned after being abroad. I personally returned after 23 years in the U.S.
Kusum asked, Sir, in spite of all the hype we see very little R&D work being done here. Yet these IITians go to the US and are known to contribute incredibly to that country's science and technology. Why is this happening
Nagarajan answers, Again, in the "Research Ecosystem" and Input/Output sessions, R&D quality will be examined in greater detail at the Meet. R&D flourishes when the process of R&D is optimized, to speak like a Chem Engr. You need high-quality input, and high-quality process resources (faculty, ecosystem) to make it succeed.
ManojS asked, What are your expectations from Pan-IIT meet?
Nagarajan answers, We expect solid action items to result from each of the 18 sessions to point the way forward for PanIIT to impact the nation in a positive way. In particular, Education, Research, Innovation, Rural Transformation, Enterpreneurship & Infrastructure will be the focus areas.
Sambhav asked, What is this Pan IIT meeting all about. Can I participate in it? I am not an IIT-ian though.
Nagarajan answers, Only IIT alumni & faculty can register as delegates & attend. However, we do have speakers & panelists who are neither...
AnilJ asked, WHAT EXACTLY THESE 3000 PEOPLE WILL DO AT PAN IIT MEET
Nagarajan answers, What people usually do at conferences-- mingle, network, have fun, do some serious work, learn some new things, carry something back....
Nikhil asked, Hello sir, i'm myself iitian i doesn't see much job opportunities ( Technical job) although there is much hype because of entry of many financial i banking and consultancy firm, is it right for students of prominent technological institute of India to take such jobs after learning so much technology
Nagarajan answers, Enginering & technology are transferable skills. For example, in Chem Eng, you would learn process analysis, control & optimization; these can be applied to any process, from coding to nuclear technology. I would like more IIT grads to stay in core engg areas, but it's their life, their choice...
Aparajit asked, What do you think are IITians' biggest contribution to India?
Nagarajan answers, Again, a formal IIT Impact Study has been completed, and the full report will be released by the PM at the Meet. A short write-up is on the website. It appears that for every paise spent by the Govt on an IIT students, they have received appr 5 paise value-- through job creation, value addition, leadership, etc.
Kohinoor asked, We are proud of IIT and the glory it has attracted abroad. But one does not hear much about what IIT-ians have done within India to help the poor. I am sure they must have... could you tell us something on this, please?
Nagarajan answers, Many IITians are individually involved in social work. All IIT's have rural-technology incubators and enablers that attempt to transfer high-tech to the poorer, nedier segements of population.Together, IITs can accomplish even more, and that is one reason behind the PanIIT movement.
Sparsh asked, I recently read that every IITian has created 100 jobs, says a survey conducted by the PanIIT group. How can anyone believe this? Your own survey praising yourself?
Nagarajan answers, I suggest that we all wait for the full report to become public, and then draw our own conclusions. There are many IIT-alumni entrepreneurs in India, and every major Corporate has many IITians in decision-making roles. I can see how that claim may be valid....
krishna asked, What is your take on relevance of PAN IIT Meets like these in India in the present global scenario?
Nagarajan answers, Whether this is in the context of the financia meltdown or terrorism, living our lives in a "normal" mode is our best response. We will take necessary precautions, make necessary adjustments, but "the show must go on".
Mannu asked, What is it about IITs that helps produce excellent professionals? Where do other educational institutes go wrong?
Nagarajan answers, You start with high-quality students, and accomplished faculty. You put the two together, and good things will happen. The IIT environment is free of political and other extraneous influences (to a large extent), which certainly helps all to focus on education & research.
Jeevan asked, Sir, don't you feel we need IITans to be more closely involved in the decision making process of India, so decision making does not get restrcited in the hands of politicians who at times have displayed complete lack of vision? Infra.development Banglore is a case point.
Nagarajan answers, Anyone who gets involved in politics becomes a politician; so will an IITian. That is the reality. Politics is a dirty game, and that's, unfortunately, the only way to play it. In other words, IITians in politics will face the same constraints and respond similarly, in my opinion.
LaluP asked, Will the Pan IIT meet also discuss ways to bring IT to the rural India? What do you think can IIT-ians do to help bridge the digital divide in Idnia? ANd what kind of help do you think should the goet provide for this?
Nagarajan answers, Yes, there is a track on "Rural Transformation" that will specifically address this. The "Education" track will address the digital divide. nThe govt's role is indispensable, and must be embraced (not fought).
Bhai asked, Should India have more IITs?...Or should we improve the infrastructure at other engg colleges to global standard...I mean what's in a name?...even though I agree IIT is a brand...
Nagarajan answers, More IITs-- physical, virtual, equivalent-- are needed to serve the demand of students and society. If other technical institutions can be raised to IIT level, possibly with IIT help, all the better....
IItian asked, Shouldn't you guys be talking about how to secure india from terror attacks by using technology, instead of only networking for your own benefit? Please sir let us know your thougths on this...
Nagarajan answers, Stephen Cohen, strategic thinker from Brookings Inst, has offered to conduct a special session on this subject, on Dec 20th morning.
ffff asked, Hello sir, it is often said that a pan IIT meet is full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Is it true?
Nagarajan answers, In any such activity, you get out of it what you put nto it. You take it seriously, I'm sure you'll find plenty of serious stuff happening.
sujit asked, I am working as a director with an Intellectual Property services company. I have seen the change in perception to Ip and partcularly patents in my last 7 years in IP. When I was in IIT, there were not much activities in Ip. How has the scenario changed now?
Nagarajan answers, Yes, IP rights are a key focus area in all IITs.
Thomas asked, Dr Nagarajan, greetings. Sir, you say PanIIY's agenda is 'nation building'. Good words, but can you elaborate? Without an explanation or supporting material it sounds unreliable. Will be grateful if you explain, sir.
Nagarajan answers, A nation is built one brick at a time. PanIIT is basically a brick-laying outfit in that sense.
venkatram asked, Hey Sir,I want to ask to ask you a question as to why IIT's are given subsidy?As it is found 80% of person move abroad.
Nagarajan answers, Sorry, you have your stats wrong. 20% is more like it.
mache asked, Sir I am going to appear for PHD ad interview. Please guide how to prepare for the interview
Nagarajan answers, Study your subject well. Brush up on the fundas...
srikrishnachaitanya asked, How is pan-iit useful for young entrepreneurs?
Nagarajan answers, It provides a wonderful networking/ mentoring opportunity. Many IIT alumni are highly successful entrepreneurs. There is a track on "Enterpreneurship" which will delve more deeply into the subject.
shakti asked, sir i want to know that how i approach towards any problem for solving??? what is the main diffenrence between an IITian and any other engineer graduate in handling a problem???
Nagarajan answers, Problem-solving is easy once you have the know-how. You cannot solve an engineering problem without having a strong background (or an intuitive grasp) in engineering. IITs do put a premium on proper grouding in fundamentals.
harjinder asked, Sir, Which Engg.-trade is best today as per market demand ?
Nagarajan answers, The hierarchy hasn't changed much-- EE/CS, Mech, Chem, Bio (new entrant), Civil (may be higher)...
venu asked, how quickly can we increase innovative research in India that has immediate commercial value albeit in a small way why cant we do that in a focussed manner
Nagarajan answers, Industry must play a major role and demand innovative research in academic institutions. At the moment, industry is content to license technology from abroad. Only govt agencies sponsor long-term research in India, for the most part.
Joy asked, Sir, sometimes there is a debate on why any IITian need to do MBA and sort of waste IIT degree. Do you support it?
Nagarajan answers, I do think IITians can be successful without an MBA. It's a career choice-- if you want to get into middle-management right away, an MBA certainly helps. But top-level management positions in technological companies are invariably occupied by engineers & technologists.
jeyakumar asked, What is the effective way to do networking at Pan-iit?
Nagarajan answers, Best way is to attend, of course. Then, try to talk to as many as possible (but outside session hours! Do listen to the speakers & panelists while tracks are in session). We are also offering virtual networking via the website this time.
rakesh asked, What u think would be the impact of opening new IITs on the existing IITs? Will it not lead to the dilution of IIT brand?
Nagarajan answers, More than brand dilution, we should worry about faculty-quality dilution. I'm sure we'll find enough good students to take, but can we find enough good faculty to teach?
mozambique asked, Lot many Companies here are using over qualified people as mandatory qualifications for low quality jobs....how to check that?
Nagarajan answers, As a job-seeker, only accept jobs that match your level of qualification. Otherwise, you are demeaning the value of your education. As a job-provider, why would you want to hire an over-qualified person? He/she will jump as soon as a better job comes along.
Bibs asked, What will be your advice to entrepreneurs -- IIians and non-IITians alike -- if they are thinking of starting a business at this time? Do downturns offer good opportunities for entrepreneurs? Thanks.
Nagarajan answers, I've never been an entrepreneur, so cannot answer your query. Do attend the Meet, and I'm sure you'll get your answer from many sources (each may give a different one, though!)
satmax asked, hello sir ..it is said that IITians are the best in the country but sadly till date none of the iitians have been nominated for noble prize...most of the iitians end up doing mba and other managerial jobs and taxpayers money is wasted..what is ur take on this
Nagarajan answers, The Nobel Prize is awarded in the sciences (& peace efforts). IITians are primarily technologists-- people who put ideas to work for betterment of society. As long as IITians are making India's economy go around, and are playing other socially-relevant toles, that's reward enough....
mache asked, what is your opinion about newly started Eight IIT's. Will it mantain Standards as previous? Do we have that many PHD holders as a faculties?
Nagarajan answers, As I answered earlier, faculty recruitment is greatest challenge. Other option may be to use distance-education technology, such as NPTEL, to propogate high-quality learning with limited resources.
ash asked, how is placements in IIT after recession
Nagarajan answers, Slow, but happening...
Oyer asked, How do IIT-ians plan to give back to their country and to transform it? In what way are IIT-ians involving themselves with the nation's progress?
Nagarajan answers, Any human being contributes to society by playing his or her role in it to the best of his/her ability. If we accept that IITians have greater ability, their service must be correspondingly greater. All they need to do is live a decent, moral, ethical, balanced life.
Pradeep asked, Can you give 5 tips to succeed for young IIT-ians
Nagarajan answers, Figure out what you want & go for it. Balance work & life. Spend quality time with family. Digest life-lessons learnt at IIT, apply them well. Make enough money, no more. 90% of what we earn in our lifetime never gets used. Help others in need.
Archana asked, Has there been any change in the training method of the IITs over time? Is yes, what?
Nagarajan answers, The faculty composition has evolved over time to a younger mean age, and with it, teaching & training methods have evolved as well. As the nature of incoming students changes, good teachers will reset their techniques accordingly.
amitroy asked, Sir, why is that we INDIANS even with the best brains technically lagging w.r.t. the western hemisphere ? Were are we actually lagging ? Although, it is interesting to know that it is we (INDIAN Technocrats) who are making organisations / intituitions in the western hemisphere do best business in their respective trades ?????
Nagarajan answers, I'm not so sure anymore that we are lagging anybody, except China. We'll be one of the top 3 economies soon, and could be # 1 if we leverage our strengths & weed out ur weaknesses.
Chemviz asked, Sir is it better to shift to specialized areas of interest or continue chemical engineering in M.S?
Nagarajan answers, Parochially speaking, Chem Eng is the most versatile of engng disciplines. You can go virtually anywhere with a ChE degree. Do continue...
Arun asked, Sir, Is it not shame for IITans to see still IIIT's are running with Government funding, where as there are 50% people not getting formal eduacation lack of simple infrastructure?
Nagarajan answers, Govt funding is necessary to maintain a certain level of independence; othr funding sources are likely to be even more demanding re how the funds are utilized, and that is not always a good thing. If Govt did not spend on IITs, there is no guarantee they will spend it where it can do more good.
Archana asked, Sir, is Stephen Cohen's special session on the subject of technology against terrorsim on Dec 20th morning is in Chennai? Please do tell sir.. . or is it in the US?
Nagarajan answers, He'll be here, physically, in Chennai.
nmurali asked, Tell me Sir, what exactly has an IITian done for his country?
Nagarajan answers, More or less, what any other engng grad hs done-- probably more...
mache asked, why it takes too much time for completing PHD in IIT than in foreign Universities?
Nagarajan answers, Average time for Ph.D. in engng in IITM is now 4 years, about same as overseas.
satyabrat asked, hello Nagarajan . There is somuch hype about IIT.......why none of the IIT is in the list of worlds 100best universitylist.
Nagarajan answers, IITians are too modest.
amitroy asked, Sir, don't you think in a forum / platform like Pan-IIT, should be used to bring the INDIAN / NRI technocrats together something in nature of "Pravasi Bhartiya Sammelan" to realise much cherised dreams of a INDIA as a technically superior from the rest ?????
Nagarajan answers, Technical superiority is only part of it. Our aim is to leverage PanIIT as a force fr social good in a larger context.
Arun asked, Sir please see that IIITians who are earning more than 10 million dollars contribute back to sustain IIIT's on their own, and the Govt funding can be diverted to developed infrastructure in Schools in rural areas.
Nagarajan answers, Problem with alumni contributions is that they are typically directed to specific projects, unlike Govt funds which can be more equitably distributed.
ShaktiIITB asked, Hello Sir, I am an alumunus from IITBombay. I want to know if any special plans are underway for improving infrastructure of existing IITs. What about steps to shift more focus towards Research?
Nagarajan answers, Please register & attend the "Research" track sessions in PanIIT 2008.
sumit asked, Sir, what make studies at IIT different from other institutes in India
Nagarajan answers, It's the whole package-- students, faculty, curriculum, governance,peer influencs...
pm asked, I am also an IIT graduate and have done my MBA after that . Sometimes I feel that I have wasted the money spent on me by the government by not sticking to technical line. Do you subscribe the view
Nagarajan answers, No. I assume you're a contributing member of public who supports the economic infrastructure. Then, you're doing your part. I'd have preferred that you stayed true to your technical line, but that's your choice.
shanmuga asked, Sir, what do you think in store for IITs in new few years with politicians invading with quota and the inherent econonmic slowdown?
Nagarajan answers, IITs as an institution will survive all calamities, just like India.
Aniket asked, What you exactly expecting from this year conference...any special attraction?
Nagarajan answers, Check out the website.
yaniv asked, Dear Sir,What is your opinion about IITians?
Nagarajan answers, As an alumnus, I'm somewhat biased, but I think they're all right.
yaniv asked, Do you think IIT is still a place worth for you to teach?
Nagarajan answers, Absolutely... great students, total academic freedom... This combination is hard to find anywhere else.
yaniv asked, What do you think about student average age being 23 in first year B.Tech?
Nagarajan answers, Now that JEE hs ben modified to limit # of attempts, average incoming age is dropping.
Joy asked, Sir, during my days in IIT, we could see the dilution in faculty quality ourselves. Can anything be really done or its imminent?
Nagarajan answers, Some introspection is already underway at IITM. I'm sure this is happening elsewhere as well.
R Nagarajan asked, good evening
Nagarajan answers, This has been fun, but I must take leave. IIT alumni, hope to see you at PanIIT 2008. Registration for the conference is open at http://www.paniit2008.org
| |