Engineering made easy, the IIT way

In a first of its kind effort, IIT Delhi has invited Class XI and XII students from Delhi schools to interact with senior IIT students, reports Swaha Sahoo.

So you thought Information Technology is the subject to study and only inferior students opt for civil engineering? Think again. The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi is all set to change this preconceived notion.

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In a first of its kind effort, IIT Delhi has invited Class XI and XII students from Delhi schools to interact with senior IIT students. Called ‘Meet the Student’, the initiative will give aspiring engineers a peek into the life of an IIT student during the Tech Open House 2008 on April 19. School students can visit IIT laboratories, talk to senior students and also discuss career options.

“Most students think engineering begins and ends with computer science. The truth is, there is equal opportunity is civil, electrical and mechanical engineering,” said Prof Subrat Kar, chairman, Tech Open House 2008. “If they see the kind of projects IIT students are working on and get first hand knowledge on what a subject involves, it will help them decide wisely. They can make informed choices and opt for their interest rather than the common trend,” Kar said.

IIT faculty will also interact with teachers from technical and engineering colleges. “We are looking at potential collaborations in research and attracting PhD students,” said Kar.

But its not all tech talk that will happen during Open House. Keen on showcasing its ‘softer side’, the Humanities department at IIT Delhi will be holding a book reading and discussion session.

Called ‘Campus Musings’, the session will bring together budding and established authors (both among students and teachers), who will read bits from their books and also discuss literary issues.