Amity University Gurgaon: Amity University Gurgaon Organized INSPIRE Five Day Internship Programme

Amity University, Haryana

Inspire

(Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research)

Five Day Internship Programme : December 16 – 20, 2014

DAY 2 : A Report

The number and the interest level of the participants was even larger on the second day of the five day Internship Programme organized at Amity University, Haryana

The second day of the programme started with the Written Science Test for testing the current knowledge level of the students and encouraging them for further and wider pursuits in science. The meritorious students found the test easy and interesting that contained fifty multiple choice questions related to the various dimensions of science.

This was followed by a much appreciated panel discussion on ‘Career Prospects in the Field of Science & Technology’. The panelists included Dr. S.M.P. Khurana (Session Moderator), Director, Amity Institute of Biotechnology; Maj Gen V.K. Narang, Director, Amity School of Engineering & Technology; Dr. J.P. Judeja, Director Amity Institute of Laser Technology; Dr. Subhra Das, HOD, Renewable Energy Department, ASAS and Mr. Jatin Chawla, renowned Career Counsellor.

Dr. Khurana opened the discussion and welcomed the participants. He expressed his amazement to see that neither fog nor cold could stop the children from coming to this mega event and who turned up in bigger number proving their dauntless faith and the will for the pursuits in science. He later discussed the prospects and possibilities in the area of science. Citing the example of the recent Noble Prize winner Malala Yousafzai, he said that right pursuits in the right direction ultimately brings fame and laurels both.

The discussion became interesting with the ABCD game played between a participant from DPS, Alwar and Mr. Jatin Chawla, the renowned career counsellor. The game was a homely conversation in which both the participants had to reply with the sentences starting with the letters of English alphabet in sequence. The audience found it really interesting and could relate the game with the suggestions that were made later by Mr. Chawla regarding the courses, the careers and the myths.

Soon after the ABCD game, the Dr. Khurana invited Dr. J.P. Dudeja who highlighted the objectives of the discussion saying that the prime purpose of this five day programme is to attract the youth to science at an early age. He also shared how Swami Vivekananda had motivated Mr. Jamshed ji Tata for opening a science institute and assured that the budding scientists and engineers will get plenty of opportunities to satisfy their thirst for scientific research.

Maj. Gen. V.K. Narang was the next to speak in the discussion. He made the school children comfortable and raised their interest level by sharing his personal experiences and describing how he did his schooling at the Sainik School and then joined NDA. He shared that he too was in a fix when he was to decide the streams – science or something else. Later he gave reasons why he chose engineering. He interestingly described that science takes us to technology, technology takes us to innovations; and those who can make the things and the innovations happen are called engineers. He took the morale of the students to the sky by saying that if you really wish to choose engineering as your career, sky is the limit for the opportunities.

Dr. Shubhra Das discussed the opportunities in Applied Sciences and Mathematics and informed that more than 20 programmes are running in applied sciences at Amity University, Haryana including PhD. She said that there are vast opportunities in the field of Maths like big data analysis, operations research and supply chain management. She also made a mention that at the time of placements the interviewers not only look for marks in the subjects but also look for the conceptual and practical knowledge in the students.

Mr. Jatin Chawla stole the show with his brief but interesting address fully loaded with jokes, short-stories, couplets and deep insights about career planning. He talked about various myths that are carried in the mind by the students and the parents both. He strictly appealed not to become the part of the rat race and advised to find out one’s own interest areas before finalizing a course or a career to pursue. He also advised a proper research before choosing a career option. He made it clear that a very popular course or career may put you in trouble if you later do not find it close to your heart and and a not so popular career option may bring you fame and prosperity both if you really enjoy it. He mesmerized the audience with the ending couplet- ‘Seedhiyo ki zarurat unko hoti hai jinko chhat tak jana hota hai, lekin jinki manzil aasmaan ho unhe apna rasta khud banana hota hai.’

The last segment of the panel discussion was the query round during which the students quenched their curiosities by asking various questions frankly. The interesting episode was when one girl student asked Mr. Chawla – ‘Sir, don’t you think that parents are to be counseled even before the children?’ and Mr. Chawla appreciated the question with a smile. Another innocent question was ‘How to find out one’s real aptitude?’ and the panelist gave suitable and convincing answers to various such questions.

At the end of the panel discussion, Dr. Padmakali Benerjee, Pro – VC, Amity University, Haryana congratulated the participants for availing this wonderful opportunity of listening to this panel discussion and advised them to keep their minds open so that they can watch out the various avenues and options carefully. She also emphasized for ensuring that each student gets a good mentor, may be a neighbor, a relative, a teacher or a family member who can elaborate the pros and cons of the things and help in taking a right decision that would ensure success and prosperity in life.

The last session of the day was a workshop on ‘Astronomy and Space Science’. A team from Space, Janakpuri came to give the workshop on space and astronomy. The workshop had three activities: Air Rocketry, Weighing on different planets and Hydro Rocketry. Mrs. Manalee Peka, Sr. Educator, Space, Janakpuri with her team demonstrated how to make a working air rocket. With this the second day of the five day internship programme came to an end. Everyone present enjoyed the activity and found the workshop interactive. The students were happy to see their rockets flying.