Exchange Diaries  

Virinchi Savanapelli | Mining Engineering

The Pennsylvania State University, USA

Research Area: Computer Vision and Deep Learning

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

I have chosen The Pennsylvania State University, United States, and I worked in Computer Vision and deep learning. The project is Monitoring Human-Wildlife Interactions in National Parks with Crowdsourced Data and Deep Learning.

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

Foreign training enlightens you about the applications of your field of interest at a global level. You get to know what kind of research is happening around the world, and you will be able to contribute to that research. Even Indian institutes like IISC and IITs do good research in different fields. Through foreign training, you will be exposed to different university cultures and learn many new things.

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

Corporate internships are a bit rigid. You are assigned some work, and you need to produce the expected results in the given time; it goes this way. When it comes to foreign training, you can have your paths to develop the project, and during the journey, you can add different attributes to the project to improve its functional efficiency.

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

Yes, definitely if you are planning to go abroad for higher studies, Foreign Training is like a booster where you get to know the culture of different universities and their research. Apart from that, having a decent research project with LOR from a reputed institute's professor could be one of the most potent weapons in your arsenal. It increases your chance of getting selected for the University to want to apply.

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

Prepare your CV, cover letter and get it reviewed by someone experienced(seniors or your friends who have applied before). You can start checking for the professors/researchers from reputed institutes by august and start mailing them. BE SPECIFIC DO NOT MASS MAIL(sending the identical mail to everyone without specifying your knowledge in that field doesn't fetch you anything.)However, the International Relations Cell provides a platform where you can apply directly. I would say it is better to prefer international relations cell instead of mailing directly. Also, check the international internship programs such as MITACS and UARE; here, you will have a well-defined and smooth program structure.

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

It depends on how and who you are applying. If you are applying through international programs, they release schedules on their websites. It is better to be ready with a cv by august for internships in the summer. I applied through the International Relations Cell, and the process took about a month.

What is the role of CGPA in the selection process?

CGPA plays a vital role while applying for an FT. It is one of the primary things that grabs a professor's attention in your application. There is often a minimum CGPA requirement for Foreign Training programs. Summing up, I think a student must put in reasonable efforts to maintain a decent CGPA.

How did the pandemic affect your application for the project? Did the pandemic have any positive impact on the project?

Pandemic might downside your application acceptance. In my case, I didn't face any big problem because my project is related to deep learning, and we can work online. At the same time, I was a bit depressed because I couldn't visit the institute campus.

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

International Relations cell IIT-Kharagpur provides a good platform for foreign training. They conduct meetings and talks where you can know about the application process in detail. Apart from that, you can get information about various globally funded research programs through online databases and their websites. If you are directly applying to the professor, you can visit their institute website, check their research culture and their previous acceptance rate. You can look at the professor's publication metrics on Google Scholar and prepare your CV and cover letter accordingly.

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

In my opinion, in the first year, one should explore different fields, learn basics, and know about the various research programs happening locally and globally, their dates, prerequisites(you can get this information from various online databases, seniors and professors). Having a basic idea, one can start working in his field of interest in the future semesters.

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

Yes, of course. Generally, some professors know that IITs are one of the best technology institutes in India. Belonging to the same boosts your chances of approval by a considerable margin. Apart from that, you can get LOR's and guidance from professors working in your field of interest. Hence coming from a renowned university is a plus point.