Is NIT Infallible?
Many of my NIT friends asked me to keep the title as “Dark secrets of NIT”. True, that would definitely garner views. But what I say aren’t secrets, They are known by everyone and no one talks about it or dares to talk about.
Last year, when I wrote on Quora that NITK chemical department isn’t good, I received a call from my favourite professor that “He wants to punch me on my face if I don’t change the Quora answer”. But once the call conversation continued and I started mentioning a few incidents which happened at NIT, the conversation turned healthy and we had a great talk. Though in the above context, If I can raise a point that, in a democratic country, am I not allowed to express my own views, about a department? then the main concept would have been sidelined.
In India, Rs.10/- Adhesive stamp is sold at Rs.30, Rs.100/- bond paper is sold at Rs.1000/-. Even an NIT professor would have bought them in the same way, which means even he is part of the larger system and may not raise his voice on such things, as it is time-consuming or may get threats. Whenever you question or comment something about deep-rooted conventions or systems, you will definitely face undesired situations or conversations or may become enemy for many people.
Is NIT the best college. Yes, definitely the best. But is NIT infallible? Nope, definitely not. Then what makes NIT great? It’s past achievements, Media, Government which shows these institutes as the face of all technological advancements that happens in this nation. Then what are the few things which should be changed?
Political appointments. I was a placement co-ordinator at an NIT and I have seen a person who makes lame comments on women, appointed in a key position at the placement department during our term. Frightened by his way of talking we headed to our administration building to complain about him. But the answer, we received was simple, he is a politically appointed person with a strong connection to a big leader and nothing can happen. I do agree, we live in a society where we definitely bow to people with money and power. But don’t you think in an institute like NIT, it shouldn’t happen? at least at the placement department!
Corruption. No, No, I am not talking about that corruption, where we do Rs.100 worth of work and raise Rs.1000 worth of bill, this is a common practice everywhere, not only at NIT. So, it’s not specific to NIT. Then what are those things which are specific to these research or institutes of eminence is, “ Adding co-authors in research papers forcefully”. Is it malpractice or fraud or a sign of goodwill, that only the NIT directors should know! Whoever is in- charge of valuable equipment like Electron microscope will demand research students to include his name in the paper as Co-author. Sometimes guides ask students to include their spouse or best friends name as Co-author. Which may benefit them. Is it corruption? maybe or may not be a right word, but it’s definitely not a right practise and should be curbed.
Bragging about placements. Out of 100 parents, 99 parents send their kids to IIT/NIT because of the marketing they do in newspapers, bragging about a kid who got placed at 50 lakhs or one crore. The sad reality is except for IT, no other department cares about the placements or does give a minimum effort regarding their students. During our placement season, when we asked about placements in our chemical engineering department there was just a blame game between department, T&P and Deans, but nothing happened, which left 20 worthy students unemployed. The placements of Doctoral and Masters students of core branches are worse and no one cares about them. I always wished there should be a special placement cell dedicated to Doctoral and Masters students which can understand their skills and connect to the opportunities.
Research method. With the advent of the internet, Don’t you think staying under a person for research, doesn’t even make sense?. I heard this from a friend at IIT, That an over cruel guide has ruined an entire career of a doctoral student, as he denied to do his personal work. Which was to pick up his guide’s Flipkart delivery from the campus main gate. Many existing professors were also PhD students at a point in their life and they would have faced such situations too. As there was no other way than sticking to a knowledgeable person for our research requirements they would have faced such harassments. Is it still required in this current technological era, where everything is available on finger tap? Shouldn’t we change this whole system and come up with new models which can enhance and give freedom to research?.
Awards. Not to say much about it. But as it happens at film industry even IIT/NIT will give awards only to few people who are close to directors or persons who donated funds to the college, they are least bothered about encouraging budding talents.
Alumni associations. These are filled with the 70’s,80’s decade pupils who are stomach filled, life-filled. Who conduct the association meetings at places where they can enjoy their holidays. With Rs.1000/- as registration fee! I would urge these people to interact with the students especially the core branches, show them the path of earning employment or creating ventures or funding them, which can give a better life for your junior’s.
NITK is top college. With different clubs, diverse students, great labs, beautiful campuses there are many good things to talk about. But at the same time, saying NITK is a great college, where their students are struggling at various locations even after post-graduation from 2014 batch with no proper jobs or guidance doesn’t depict the greatness of NITK.
12PCXXF is struck at Kuwait during the corona pandemic, he wasn't allowed board flight under “Vande Bharath Abhiyan” as he took a loan with the Kuwaiti bank. With a CGPA above 8, All he said was “ Dude, if our department was good enough, I would have been at the pollution control board at my homeland staying with family, Now I don't know what will happen to me. This is the last time I am talking to all my friends, As all the rooms surrounding me filled with Covid-19 infected patients”.
12IBXXF couldn't win a job after post graduating from NITK and tried his luck as a primary school teacher and now during COVID times, he lost that too. Just imagine a guy who cleared GATE, has a distinction in B.tech is suffering as his post-graduation degree was just a mere waste, on which he has spent 23 years of age to attain it.
If NIT’s are meant for Human Resource development which makes them great, divine and Institutes of eminence. Does seeing their own developed human resources struggling for life makes these institutes eminent?