Exchange Diaries
Shobhit Mishra | Aerospace Engineering
University of Alberta, Canada
Research Area: Design a mechanism for a smart wheelchair
1. Describe your project briefly.
My project that I worked on was to design a controller and mechanism for a smart wheelchair. This chair would be able to detect the postural imbalance of the patient and whenever the patient is about to fall down it will reorient itself and prevent him from falling down.
2. From where did you get the motivation and how did you apply for FT?
I applied through MITACS and got selected by one of the professors. But later when the offer got cancelled due to covid-19, I mailed the same professor and asked for a remote project and then he offered me a project.
3. Did you do any similar projects here in KGP?
I had been working on a project called ‘AIRAVAT’ in the aerospace department. There we are designing controllers for different prototypes. But the wheel chair project was somewhat different though the end goal was to design a controller, in addition I had to design the mechanism and select what components to buy for the mechanism.
4. What was the role of CGPA for FT?
For programmes like MITACS CGPA does play an important role and when you are mailing the professors personally also high CGPA students have an edge.
5. Why do you think FT is important?
It is basically an opportunity to work in another university and get to know how the research culture is out there. You also get an experience of living by yourself in an unknown place if you go to a different country. Therefore FT helps you in expanding your horizon.
6. What were the difficulties you faced during the entire process? Did the current pandemic situation affect you in any way?
I got shortlisted for one interview through the MITACS programme.
I was worried that I would not get selected as I didn’t fulfill the professor’s requirements but everything went well and I got selected. Due to covid-19 the internship got cancelled and I had to work on a different project remotely as I mentioned earlier.
7. What was the communication mode for you to the university?
I was in touch with a Phd. scholar present there in the university who contacted me every week through video call. The communication was smooth and I didn’t face any difficulty.
8. What advice would you like to give to our fellow KGPians who aspire for FT?
I would say that there are many scholarship programmes available and you will definitely get an internship if you are committed. Sort the projects according to your skill and research interests instead of sorting it according to the university fame. Never get disheartened if you don’t get selected in a particular programme, just hold on you will definitely get an offer.