IIT gold medallist chooses research

Updated on: Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Unlike most of his batchmates who passed out of IIT Kharagpur on Saturday, 21-year-old Ayan Sengupta doesn’t dream of making it big in the corporate sector. Instead, he sees himself delving deep into research and training students in the near future.

The winner of this year’s President’s Gold Medal for best academic performance in BTech, Sengupta will be heading for EPFL, a university in Switzerland for a PhD in information and communication sciences in which he has chosen to specialize.

“It’s a pity that more IITians don’t go for research. They would have done very well had they done so. I guess the rigorous course leaves them too drained for further academic pursuit. Those who pass out crave for some relief,” said Sengupta.

A topper all the way, Sengupta passed out from DAV Model School in Kharagpur and got into electrical and electronics communication engineering in 2006. His father is a teacher at IIT-Kgp. “I have grown up on the campus, so the institute is like a home for me. It feels nice to win the medal,” smiled Ayan.

It will take him at least five years to complete his PhD. After that, Ayan plans to return to India for good. “My ambition is to join the IIT Mumbai as faculty. I have been there on study tours and found it to be a nice place. I long to be there,” said Ayan.

The gold medalist, however, differed with Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal, who would rather have the IITs focus more on research. “Undergraduate courses are just as important. They form the foundation of an institution like the IIT. If you take them out, the institute would perhaps not be the same. So, I think you need to strike a balance,” he said.

The aspiring researcher claims that he is not a bookworm. “I don’t believe in reading all the time. I passionately follow cricket and love to travel. Photography is my hobby,” said Ayan.

The best thing about studying in IIT is that it gives you a global perspective and keeps you abreast of the latest technology. “It acts as a window to the world,” the youngster signed off. (TNN)

IIT gold medallist chooses research

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