Exchange Diaries  

Hrituraj Dutta | Electrical Engineering

University of Strathclyde, Scotland

Research Area: Power Systems

What was the University and topic of research that was taken up by you during the FT?

The university was the University of Strathclyde, Scotland, and the title of my project was “Detection of Forced Oscillation Location in Power Systems”.

Why is an FT important? How would one compare research in Indian universities and foreign universities?

When we do a research internship, we get to work on a real-life problem. You learn to apply the theoretical things which you have learnt till now. You also get a flavour of research. You get to know if you are actually interested in it or not, after completing the FT.
I had a couple of experiences in IIT Kharagpur itself where I worked under professors of my department. The professors outside India are a bit cordial and you get to meet with people from different backgrounds and countries and you get to exchange ideas with them. So, it is an enriching experience.

FT vs corporate internship, what are all the things we are missing out on and what are we gaining more?

I have not done any corporate internships till now. But what I have known from my friends who have done corporate interns, that you do things that have already been done and may not have an impact as such. In FT your research can have a very big impact as you work on stuff that has not been explored. If you want to quench your curiosity and delve deeper into a subject then FT is the right choice.

Should BTech students aspiring for higher studies from abroad opt for an FT?

Yes, they should because FTs give a flavour of higher studies. You get to know if you have that tenacity in yourself that if something does not work out you will persevere to solve the problem. The professor under whom I did the project told me that if I wanted to pursue higher studies at that University, I was more than welcome to apply.

What exactly is the application process for the FT? Are there any important documents one must keep?

I had applied through the IR Cell; there are also different programs such as MITACS and DAAD through which you can apply. IR Cell provides ample opportunities for projects in the data and the core domain.
Your resume should be a little strong. Before applying for FT you should have done at least one project under a professor. I had done a couple of projects before, so it really boosted my chances of getting FT.

How did the process get affected due to the online nature of the applications?

If not for COVID we would have met the team which was working on this project. Also, we could test out the thing which we came up with only on software, not on real hardware, which I missed.

Did you have to mail the professor personally for the project? For how much time did you wait for a reply?

No, I did not have to mail the professor.

When should one start applying for an FT? How long did the procedure last till you got the desired FT?

You must start applying early, around September, though there are a lot of opportunities. You should prepare your SOP properly, and you have to plan accordingly for that.
The procedure lasted for around 1 or 1.5 months.

What is the role of CGPA in the selection process?

CGPA plays an important role. I would advise people who are applying for FTs to keep their CGPA high. It reveals your conceptual clarity of the subject. The problems in an FT have never been worked upon so a high CGPA shows that you are willing to work hard upon it.

Did the pandemic have any positive impact on the project?

No, I do not feel that the pandemic had any positive impact on the project.

Where should a student, who is unaware of the entire application process, look up information about professors and their research work for opportunities?

IR Cell provides ample opportunities. First of all, you need to register on the FT portal and keep a track of their Facebook page, because otherwise many opportunities might pass and you might not be aware of it.

How should a first-year student prepare beforehand for his FT application in their subsequent year?

It is not that important to start preparing for an FT in the first year itself. You might be channeling your efforts in a field that you might not like in the future, so it is very important that you explore. Try to keep your CGPA above a decent level. You may take up a project at the start of the second year if you are passionate about it.

Does belonging to IITKGP provide any added benefits for getting your FT?

Yes, belonging to IIT Kharagpur provides you a head start in project applications in comparison to your peers from other universities who might also be applying. I have seen that professors appreciate you if you are from IIT.