A team of young engineers – who spent a year at IIT-Madras learning about metro rail technology and management – are now part of the Metro Rail contingent that is executing the mega project in the city.
On completion of the postgraduate diploma course offered by IIT- Madras in association with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), the first batch of students who pursued the course has been placed across different departments of CMRL, including construction, electrical, underground, signalling and telecommunications and systems divisions.
According to K. Ramamurthy, dean (academic courses), IIT-Madras, the course is one of the institution’s user-oriented programmes. As many as nine students have been absorbed from the first batch, he said. Students looking to pursue the course are selected jointly by CMRL officials and IIT-M professors based on GATE scores and an interview. On successful completion of the programme, they are absorbed by CMRL, which also funds the programme.
“At a send-off party for the students in which officials of CMRL as well as professors from IIT participated, students said they were at an advantage because they have already spent time as a team. They are in a good position to appreciate the challenges faced in other departments as their friends would tell them. This will help cultivate synergy among different divisions,” he said.
K. Rajaraman, managing director, CMRL, said while the course provided a strong academic foundation for the candidates, it is only hands-on training that would strengthen their perspective and understanding of how the project is actually being carried out. “They spent about 15 days at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation and were trained in certain aspects of the project. Now, they are actually spending time on the sites,” he said. One year of academic training and another year of on-the-job training, Mr. Rajaraman said, would equip the students well for the complex project.
The current batch, the second group of engineers to pursue the diploma programme, has 13 candidates. During the course, CMRL pays students a stipend of Rs. 20,000 per month and later, increases their salary once they are recruited. The new CMRL recruits sound excited about their first job. E. Brigita, a civil engineer placed in the underground construction division, said: “I am fascinated by the enormous learning opportunity this project offers.”
Keywords: IIT-Madras, metro rail technology, CMRL, postgraduate diploma
Its really a great news, I am not sure whether the course is first of its kind by IIT Madras. Any ways nice to see the students get paid while doing their course post which the eligible candidate being absorbed for these kind of infra projects. These projects would anyways will exist for another 5 years and may take up more new projects also... kinda a government job guys.... the best part is we in India have such courses... students should do a detailed study on the opportunities available in India before looking abroad... Good chance to retain IIT brains for our own development
Well done. I hope those who are selected and working on this project would feel the sence of reponsibility. The ambition and hope of an entire city depends on your timely and safe execution. A day earlier the project is completed, the better. This is a modern engineering marvel we Indians are developing. Make this well so that the future generations of Indians can admire. Best wishes.
What a brilliant way to blend in the good minds of the current
generation into a critical projects like this! Kudos to CMRL and IITM.
Wake up other Indian Companies and follow CMRL's initiative. You can
generate more employment within the country. We have budding and talented
youngsters in tow.
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