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View from the top: Dr Krishna AchutaRao, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi
But one thing that is common to Indian and international students, according to Dr AchutaRao, is that point at which realisation occurs. “All students react to the ‘eureka’ moment in exactly the same way - with increased interest in what they are doing. Getting students to this moment (in whatever framework they receive best) has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my teaching.”
In common with systems of higher education all over the world, Indian institutions like IIT Delhi are now recognising the need to equip graduates with the necessary skills to translate their educational experience to the labour market. The Centre for Atmospheric Sciences sees both their teaching and research programs as being the preparation their students demand for future employment opportunities. Dr AchutaRao explains: “We have a strong thrust for identifying the needs of not just the job market within private industry but also in the government sector. The employment opportunities in the atmospheric and oceanic sciences have historically been in the research and operational agencies tasked by the government and its various departments but more recently, private industry such as the actuarial business, alternative energy producers, construction, offshore oil and gas industries and farming related conglomerates have expressed a need for people with training in this field.”
The result of such changes in demand for skilled graduates? Again, IIT Delhi has led the way. “The external environment has led us to start a new masters degree program – the MTech in Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology - with the specific goal of meeting the manpower needs of industry and government sectors, supported by extensive funding from the Ministry of Earth Sciences in the government of India,” Dr AchutaRao says.
For the time being, Dr AchutaRao’s journey has led him back to India, richer for his international experiences. But he has some essential advice for all those students who are considering an education overseas. “Keep the focus on your longer term goal and not the short-term difficulties. Personally, I have felt the most happiness from the small accomplishments that come from creating something - be it a scientific paper or kindling a student's interest in something.”
