IIT Mandi Alumnus delivers an inspiring lecture to the new batch of students at the ongoing 5-week induction programme
Mandi: Indian Institute of Technology Mandi is carrying out a unique and one-of-its kind programme called ‘5WIP’, designed to provide a comprehensive five-week long induction program to the new students joining this year.
The unique feature of this initiative is the participation of alumni and guest lecturers invited from across the country. The new batch of students are provided with a blend of guest lectures from seasoned academicians and young and inspiring alumni from the institute.
Mr. Mohit Kumar Malhotra is one such alumnus and a pass out from the first batch of the institute and is currently working as a Scientist with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) – an autonomous principal design agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The young scientist, all of 27 years old, hails from Meerut and works on the design and development of the flight control sytems and the monitoring of the test flights of the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. He beams with pride as he revealed that the lecture – ‘An Overview of Flight Control Systems for the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas’ – intended for the young students on campus coincided with his five-year anniversary at the ADA, where he got an opportunity to work through campus placement. While graduating in 2013, he was faced with the option of joining a large IT company or ADA. “It was an easy choice for me to make as I decided to go with the latter, due to my inherent patriotism and chance to serve the nation,” said Mr. Malhotra. At the ADA, he has had the opportunity to work on a research-oriented project of national importance and apply the knowledge gathered during the four years of the Electrical Engineering programme at IIT Mandi.
Welcoming the young entrants to the IIT Mandi campus life, Mr. Malhotra told the students, “Hardwork and dedication will help you (students) strive in professional and personal lives. You should give your best in studies and carry forward the legacy of this esteemed institute.”
Expressing his gratitude towards his alma mater, he added, “I owe tremendous gratitude to the IIT Mandi faculty and Prof Timothy A. Gonsalves, Director, IIT Mandi, as it is only because of them, that I have achieved what I have and continue to earn respect and admiration even today as an alumnus of this institute.”
He noted that the institute has come a long way since he graduated as the first batch, developing consistently and growing leaps and bounds as apparent from the state-of-the-art laboratories and expanding infrastructure.
About IIT Mandi’s Five-Week Induction Program (5WIP):
During the induction program, the students are mentored in small groups of 20 by faculty members to facilitate bonding between them. There is also great emphasis on the excitement of engineering leading into their regular curriculum, and considerable emphasis on the creative arts and sports as well as holistic development of the students. Further, the unique Himalayan location of IIT Mandi facilitates outreach activities directed towards the Himachali community. This year, a total of 196 students have joined the B.Tech. course at IIT Mandi, including 2 preparatory candidates, out of which 38 are girls and 158 are boys.