Exchange Diaries  

Tareeq Anwar | Mechanical Engineering

University of Waterloo, Canada

Research Area: medical diagnostics

Duration: 3 Months

1. What was the area of your research?

I worked on medical diagnostics project, specifically haemodialysis. At present, we have haemodialysis devices which are very expensive and not user-friendly. To eliminate these issues we are working on a portable and inexpensive device which would substitute those devices into a higher level portable device.

2. How did you apply for FT?

I applied through International Relations Cell’s Foreign Training Portal and got accepted in the above-mentioned project, and that's how I ended up in my internship.

3. Why do you think Foreign Training is important?

It's actually a very specific question as Foreign Training is not very important for everyone. Someone who is actually aiming to get into academics maybe Higher studies, masters or PhD, FT is definitely a plus point for them, because that makes you more reliable for masters, etc.

4. Did you note any differences while working there?

Firstly, the work culture was totally different over there, we were supposed to work at least five days a week and it wasn't necessary for any of us to work throughout the entire day like you had to have a certain time for yourself. Secondly, the people over there were quite friendly and we were engaged in meetings, group discussions and all and that actually increases our work efficiency. My supervisor really valued my work which pushes you to work more as you want more people to value your work!

5. How was your stay in Canada?

My stay was pretty good. To be honest, it was a little expensive but I didn't mind much as I was getting funded for my internship. Apart from the awesome academic culture and professors, as I was in Waterloo, I visited Niagara Falls, Hamilton and Toronto with my co-interns which were great!

6. How did you manage your finances?

Funding was done through the scholarship program MITACS. It was more than sufficient to spend three months in Canada.
7. What role do you think CG plays in getting an FT?

CG plays a very important role as the first thing someone would see if you are applying for higher studies or summer internship it's definitely your CGPA and everything else comes later because your CGPA is something which is very easy to grasp. If you have a very high CGPA one can conclude you are good in academics at least, and it's actually a necessary criterion but not sufficient I would say. So, the higher the CGPA, the better.

8. What suggestion would you give to any fellow KGPian who aspires to go on an FT?

If you have many projects and at least one internship, it's easy to convince the interviewer to believe that you are really interested in that particular internship. But if you don't have that much of prior experience, then it's not a problem because you got to start somewhere! Just try to build your own skills and your academic record is very important I would suggest.