New avenues have opened up for engineering graduates but they need to arm themselves with additional skills beyond those acquired directly in their core area. Engineering concepts and practices from design and system engineering, ability to design experiments, model real life systems, optimize resource utilization and performance, have a long shelf life. Certain additional skills are now a part of every engineering profession, such as a) proficiency in analytical thinking, b) ability to collect, process mine data for information extraction - domain of data science, c) programming skills in a few languages such as java, python, MATLAB, d) acquire soft skills in verbal and written communication, and e) ability to function in the role of a solution provider. If the provision for learning these is not included in the curriculum, then you need to find alternate sources that impart quality training and certification, such as NPTEL, MOOCS, Coursera and acquire them. Those interested to move t...

This question is misplaced as it does not have a unique answer that satisfies all. With the exception of a few thousand top rank holders, the vast majority have limited options. The popularity of a branch in India is driven to a large extent by social beliefs, peer pressure, legacy issues, and perceived notions about the value of a graduate in that branch as compared to the native interest and competence of the prospective student. The value may be complex function of salary, perks, extra earnings, social respect, authority, etc. The popularity of the IAS examination among engineering and medical graduates, including those from IIT and AIIMS, is an evidence to this effect. We recommend the following process. While all institutes may not be at the same level, it is a fact that all branches of engineering are equally challenging and intellectually rewarding, just as “ beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder”. The parameters that are usually considered for arriving at a decision are a)...

Engineering consists of artful, skilled and sophisticated scientific ways of design, manufacture and use of engines, machines, structures, both in hardware and software forms. Prof. B. B Chowdhury, Machine INteligence Unit, Indian Statistical Institute (ISI Kolkata), IEEE Fellow, Pro Vice Chancelor, Techno India University, West Bengal

Various applications of philosophy leading to possible improvement of society and the world as a whole is technology. By the word philosophy one means science, arts, commerce etc. and even spirituality. Engineering is choosing appropriate available technology (one or more) and translating into products for beneficial usage by society and the world as a whole. Prof. Ajay Chakraborty Professor Department of Electronics & Telecommunication IIT Kharagpur Dean Of Research, Techno India University, West Bengal

The Annual Convocation of Techno India University, West Bengal was a historic and grand occasion that established new dimensions of success and inspiration for the students and the society. The ceremony was graced by Bharat Ratna Shri Pranab Mukherjee, former President of India, as the Chief Guest along with the Governor of West Bengal, Shri Kesari Nath Tripathi as Guest-of-Honour and Padma Shree Professor Bimal Roy on the same dais. The ceremony was inaugurated by lighting of the lamp and followed by our National Anthem in the august gathering of thousands of students and eminent personalities. The convocation speech was addressed by the honorable Chief Guest, Shri Pranab Mukherjee where he emphasized on the need for our education system to re-orient the students to become "risk-takers and innovation makers" and propel the nation towards glory. The ceremony was presided over by a host of dignitaries including the Directors of IIT-Kharagpur, ISI-Kolkata, NIT-D...

Ground-breaking claims have been made globally with respect to the influence of genetics on medicine. The greatest breakthrough in the history of genetics has been the Human Genome Project which has provided the world with the human genetic blueprint comprising of approximately 25000 genes. Scientists are using genetics to study single-cell diseases that are rare and thus find a cure using gene therapy which might be able to correct these rare diseases. Various diseases like cancer, obesity-related diseases, and diabetes are multifaceted for which the underlying genetic mechanisms and interactions are being constantly studied. Progressions in genetic science have made a huge impact on the study of how an individual’s reaction to a particular drug depends on the genetic makeup of that individual (pharmacogenomics).  The science behind genetic predisposition of an individual to a particular disorder will hold the future of medicine. Huge speculations suggest genetic science can act ...

Organic chemistry deals mainly with carbon and hydrogen containing non-polar molecules with few exceptions. The reactions of the molecules do not include any metals from the periodic tables. Movements of electron between the carbon-hydrogen bonds, and understanding of the bond breaking and the bond makings are an integral part of organic chemistry. It deals with few laws which will help us to understand the electronic distribution during a reaction. Whereas, Inorganic chemistry deals with molecules which doest not have carbon atom. The organic molecules are generally found from biological sources. for example, benzene is an organic compound and its reactions with other organic or inorganic molecules depend on the understanding of the electronic distribution throughout the reaction and how the bond breaking and bond making happening. Whereas, water is an inorganic molecule as it does not contain any carbon atoms and is polar. Dr. Arunabh Sengupta Research Coordinator, Te...