Aspiring engineers interact with experts in Bangalore

Unlike in other fields, lectures in engineering remained unrecognised, said H Maheshappa, vice-chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Belgaum.

He was addressing students at Young Tech India 2011, organised jointly by VTU and Shruth and Smith Foundation on Monday. About 25,000 engineering lecturers took place in 187 engineering colleges in the state.

“We should use our district centres in Hubli, Dharwad etc to spread awareness about the engineering field,” he said.

The day-long convention held at Koramangala Indoor Stadium aimed at encouraging youth to become leaders in their field.

To facilitate this, they were given an opportunity to interact with experts who have excelled in a particular field.

About 4,800 students took part in the session. Students should look beyond grades and placements. Platforms like this would orient students to become innovative and know their social responsibility, said Ananda Sidappa, professor of Acharya Institute of Technology.

“It is important that each one pursues what he or she is passionate about. You should dream big, and be determined in whatever you do,” said UR Rao, space scientist.

He recalled how the Aryabhatta satellite programme was started in Bangalore in a few industrial sheds in Peenya.

MN Venkatachaliah, former chief justice of the Supreme Court and Swami Veereshananda Saraswathi of Ramakrishna Vivekananda Ashram, Tumkur, were also present.

The panelists in the first session on ‘Inspiring young minds’ were Maj Gen DN Khurana of Asian Association of Management
Organisations, Sanjay Singh of Tata Sons and Shakti Singh, IAS.

Gururaj Karajagi, academician, and Rajnish Prasad of SAP Labs addressed the afternoon gathering.

Three more orientation sessions will be held in Mysore, Gulbarga and Belgaum.