M.Tech: What to do & What Not to do !!!!!

I completed my Bachelor in Engineering in 2009. By the time, I was in the 7^th semester, I appeared many placement drives. But, I lost interest in those placement drives. Each month, one company visited. Each had different criteria and a different evaluation process. I had to devote a lot of time in that preparation. It was taking a toll on my normal studies and the companies were not at all as per my expectation. Furthermore, I wanted to maintain an average performance throughout the course.

After detaching myself, I studied dedicating to the course matter. That helped me develop my concept of the fundaments of various subjects. I appeared for the entrance exam at Tezpur University. I did well and got a call from the University.

I did my M.Tech in Energy Technology. The Department of Energy of Tezpur University was a nice little department back in 2009 with a few outgoing batches. The M.Tech course had four semesters of 6 months long. The 1^st and 2^nd semester included subjects on conventional and non-conventional energy sources and technologies along with a few laboratories. The laboratories were well equipped. We, the students, devoted a lot of time in labs. This gave a lot of confidence in later years to handle different types of machinery. The last two semesters were kept for the final year project solely. In those days, one could go outside to some organization to do projects or stay in the department for doing the project. Initially, I went to do a project in DSL, Delhi but returned after a few days. It occurred to me that the project did not have many prospects.  

After returning to the department, I started my project on solid biomass fuels. I researched briquettes and developed a cheap technique to produce them without any heat as per the Indian context. The two semesters were very fruitful. I did not limit myself to my project and engaged with others too. This gave me valuable insights into other’s domains. We always need to extend our knowledge base.

Coming to research in the M.Tech project, one needs to make his mind by the end of the 2^nd semester. He should study enough literature to generate some ideas about the project. After 2^nd semester exams, we tried to find out gaps in the literature meaning something which had never been done. The follow-up studies would go on over and over to determine whether we could do the project in the current existing set up in the department with available resources. Sometimes resources were there but most of the time we had to purchase it. Purchasing took time and delayed the project.

At the starting of the project, we planned all things and showed the guide in a planned manner like an algorithm with time. We prepared a budget to purchase things. This was the first step towards research life. The things, I learned during those days stayed with me and helped me every single time.

M.Tech research is full of rivalry. Once you are in the project of certain a guide, you are in that camp. Some students were dedicated to the camps. They hated other camps and disregarded other guides. I did not do that. I remained neutral. I communicated everyone with respect. I saw people taking revenge on other camps. The key to success in these camps is to talk less and do your jobs. Lobbying and camping are useless in life. You are there for two years only.

At the end of the fourth semester, I appeared for the final viva of the project. The Director of SSS-NIRE came to take the final project viva. He observed presentations and gave valuable suggestions. The marks were awarded pretty much by the guide and external was mere formality.  

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