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Ravi spoke about the different types of job opportunities in various sectors, available for Mechanical engineering graduates. The participants were also told about various opportunities in the new ‘Make in India’ program. The engineering students were asked to imbibe qualities of ethics and personal values and to follow the code of conduct as laid down by their Institution and the organisations where they would work after graduation. For getting a good job, the importance of soft skills and hard skills were elucidated in detail, as prospective employers look for these qualities while recruiting engineers.
The importance of undertaking several internships, both physically in person and virtually too, as well as the need for industry visits was explained to affiliate student members, in order to increase their breadth of experience. The need for participating in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities was highlighted, specifically presentation skills, debating, volunteering activities and active participation in field games. New job opportunities due to the impact of recent new technologies as a result of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 was discussed.
The requirement of Mechanical engineers for implementing new technologies in manufacturing was explained with examples of the use of Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Machine Learning, Cloud computing, block chain technology, data analytics, manufacturing of new technology medical equipment, manufacturing of prosthetic implants and 3D printing of bones and organs.
The social responsibilities of engineers for first ensuring public safety and protection of the environment was emphasised, with use of solutions that are sustainable and economical. The importance of continuing professional development, self-learning and life-long-learning was emphasised. Recent contributions by the engineering community in the manufacturing sector to support society in India during the pandemic was discussed.
Some personal contributions of the speaker were highlighted, with examples of railway rolling stock developed indigenously including development of ISO container flat wagon, 45 feet domestic container flat wagon, metre gauge container flat wagon, 6-axle special wagon for Defence equipment, and the design of a crashworthy air-conditioned double-decker coach. The use of virtual prototyping in all these developments was stressed. A recent successful program of implementation of bio-toilets in all Indian Railway coaches by the Mechanical engineering department of Indian Railways was discussed.
The contribution of the auto industry and Indian Railways in transporting roll-on and roll-off road-tankers containing oxygen supply for Covid patients in hospitals across the country was highlighted. Ravi thereafter spoke about the basket of benefits of IMechE membership, including the importance of obtaining Chartered Engineer status. He encouraged young engineers as well as engineering students to become members of IMechE.
The event received very good response with members and faculty members of MIT all attending the virtual event. Questions were asked by students regarding job placement opportunities, online internships and the required approach for preparation by Mechanical engineers for GATE entrance examination for jobs in India in Public Sector units and in the government. These were answered suitably by the speaker, with support from faculty members of MIT.
This talk has been recorded for posterity as it is of interest to all Mechanical engineering students and is being uploaded by MIT on their IMechE student chapter facebook page. The student chapter ALO, Dr Mohamad Talha Khan thanked the IMechE speaker Mr. Ravi Kochak, as well as the organisers of the event, the institution IT team and all the students and engineers who attended the event.