08.26.08
MSIT Placements
MSIT placements along with B.Tech and M.Tech students? A little birdie tells me that the final decision has been taken on this matter, and the answer is a Yes. Let us look a little closely at the issue.
IIIT has always had separate placements for the B.Tech/M.Tech students on one hand and the MS students on the other. The reason for the same is not difficult to seek- The aims of the two programs are quite different. Recruiters are looking for different attributes when it comes to the two sets of students. Can those attributes be found in the MSIT students? Have they been exposed to the same sort of training and teaching which others have undergone? Can they meet the standards which the other IIITians have set in the industry? Will the companies be satisfied with the quality of students?
The other issue, of course concerns the burden on the Placement committee. With the additional weight of MSIT students on them, they might find it a little difficult to cope. The logistics of placements for such a large number of students might not be the easiest of jobs. It’s bound to affect the placements of the non-MSIT students. This especially when the industry is facing a slowdown and companies are downgrading or rescinding offers made during placements.
A majority of the students do not seem too enthused by this idea. Grapevine also has it that some of the faculty members are not very happy with the decision (?) If this is true, it’ll be sad if the MSIT students finally sit for placements with the B.Tech/M.Tech students.
08.24.08
IIIT Bloggers day special
As you all must know by now 3oth August is IIIT bloggers day. On this occasion IIIT Post announces a “Best Post” competition. All posts written on the 29th and 3oth of August will be eligible. The winner and the post will receive a mention on the IIIT Post. There will also be a best post competition for UG3 and the winner has the opportunity to join IIIT Post as a junior contributor. Also on the occasion of Bloggers day we invite submissions to IIIT Post from the alumni. Submissions can be mailed to any of the authors of IIIT Post. Happy Blogging 
08.23.08
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08.22.08
Spurt in blogging activity
The blogroll suddenly seems to be teeming with activity. The last post is only 2 days old, compared to the 7 days which was the norm for the past few months! It looks like the reason for the same is the sudden propaganda launched by UG2K5 bloggers to spruce up the blogging activity in the college. Himank talks about a bloggers day and bloggers meet. Must say that it is an impressive initiative taken. How long will it last only time will tell. Till then, Blog On!
08.19.08
IIIT Premier League
The enthusiasm is unmistakable. The organizers seem well prepared. The tournament seems set to take off sometime soon, possibly as early as next week. Well, it’s the IPL, the desi form of the Indian Premier League.
Well, grapevine tells me that yesterday was when the much awaited ‘bidding’ for players took place. Players were bought and sold (like cattle in the market). The same source also tells me that the costliest players were Saladi Rahul and Ankit Rai. (Wonder why the organizers haven’t revealed the details of the bidding). Looks like the all-rounders are in demand for this 12 over-8 player-tennis ball cricket tournament.
Now let us look at the proposed tournament a little closely. There are obviously a lot of positives which are palpable. An opportunity being given to fringe players, more activity in the campus, bohemian among batches and houses (which by the way, has seen some real low standards). It also ensures that the cricket part remains the focus, unlike the Indian Premier League. However, a lot of issues can crop up. The first and the most important thing- How long can the tournament be continued and the enthusiasm maintained? The tournament will have at least 8*7/2 + 3= 31 matches. Each match will probably require a couple of hours. Where we have had so many issues regarding conduct of inter house and batch matches (they have never been held on time), this number looks like a tall order. The other issue, of course, is regarding the batch and house cricket matches. Will they be held as usual? Will the enthusiasm for cricket ball matches remain among the players? Will the football-biased PED support the initiative?
The success of the tournament will depend largely on the answers to these questions.
08.18.08
Kaun Banega TA?
The list of TA’s for this semester was recently finalized. Reactions ranged from disappointment to bewilderment as students did not find their names on the list or find themselves TA’s for courses they haven’t even applied for !
Student X was denied TA ship despite being a TA for the course last year, as students with higher CGPA’s had applied. Student Y was denied TAship because, despite being widely acknowledged as arguably the best candidate, he had a A-. Student Z was denied TAship despite the faculty member giving a written request for Z to be made a TA. Rumor has it that a MS-CSE student was made a TA for DSP. Apparently he had never done the course or ever heard of it. In fact he didn’t know whether DSP meant Digital SP or Discrete SP.
Are you X or Y or Z? Do you think that this is good for academics? Do you think that students selected as TA’s based on a grade-CGPA sort make the best TA’s? Certainly not. In defense of the institute, at least the faculty member responsible for TA allocation is trying to be consistent with the selection criterion. Also there is apparently some semblance of transparency.
Are TA’s paid enough? Is the Rs.2250 pay adequate compensation for the TA’s who definitely put in more then the recommended 5 hours a week? Or is it fair to argue that TA’s should not be concerned about the money as being a TA is primarily about the opportunity to learn and experience teaching?
Is IIIT selecting the best TA’s? Has the time come for IIIT to re-evaluate the way they appoint TA’s?
08.17.08
Culturally proud?
A furious discussion is on in Namrata’s blog on this topic. The authoress probably did not want the discussions to head the direction they have taken. However, some of the comments were very interesting to read. For example,
“Is there anything to learn from the spirit of unity of purpose that Chinese have shown in their pursuit of bringing a fabulous Olympics to the world? May be. Chinese have failed in defining a purpose that is culturally Chinese in nature.“
There is another discussion on whether technology is anyone’s property or not. One of the guys has gone into shikshas and samskaras. There’s one more observation by an amused observer. Some food for thought!
08.16.08
Freshers this year
The freshers party for this year is supposed to be held on 23rd of August, thats about 7 days from now, but the interaction level of seniors with the freshmen is almost negligible. The senior batches, that is 3rd and 4th year have had almost no interaction with the 1st years. 2nd years might have had some interaction but even they are frustrated with the lack of cooperation from the side of the freshers.
Ragging has been completely eradicated from this campus due to few harsh punishments handed out 2 years back, because of which seniors are afraid of talking to juniors. However, with that also disappears the chances of the juniors to interact with the seniors.
An incident which happened recently can give an idea of the harm being done as a result of these policies. Recently a very enthusiastic first year tried to approach a senior who plays in the cricket teams of his house, batch & college regarding cricket try outs and things like that, but the senior instead of helping him, just said, “I can’t talk to you now. I am more concerned about my future than cricket. I can’t risk being seen with a junior.”
The senior most batch who can have the most to share with these kids have been almost unconcerned about the freshers and even from the freshers side, none have been interested enough to come to seniors and seek their advice or talk to them.
I am pretty sure this is not the scenario which will help in building healthy relations between differenet batches of this college.
08.15.08
Independence Day
Independence day celebrations were held in the campus with the usual gaiety. There was your conventional flag hoisting and cultural program in the Kalakshetra ground in the morning, which people tell me was not attended by too many students of the senior batches. The usual apathy towards the National Holidays from the seniors, which saw a brief aberration last time around when Dr.Kalam visited the campus, continues. It is unfortunate that Independence day for most of the students is just another holiday to spend. Incidentally, this was also the first time the freshers got to display their talent. After the program, there was a talk by Shri Satyavirji and a blood donation camp.
Jai Hind!
Parliament Politics
People always used to say that IIIT is a small college as we dont have much politics for posts in our college unlike the IITs where we have quite a fight for posts but things are looking bright (or gloomy?) for IIIT. IIIT can call itself a big college now that politics is making quite a strong hold in IIIT too. This was quite evident in the election of the members of Parliament this time round.
Quite a few accusations were made. All man power available was used for this cause to impress the people concerned. Long lost friends were remembered while the 4th year ppl, the deciding people in this whole matter, enjoyed their new found celeb status for the time being. If this is happening while only a handful of people have the power to select, I wonder what would happen if elections are held for these posts!
Quite a lot of promises were made and broken with people going to others with promises of supporting them if they got the backing of other person. A little birdie told me that two people went to a person with proposal of supporting that person for a post in case he supported their candidate for another post!
Quite a few questions have been raised on the maturity and integrity of IIITians. Lets hope this trend doesn’t go on in future and it ends with the end of this year. Hoping for a politics free IIIT.
