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This bit of that's IITK š
- Authors
- Name
- Harshit Raj
- @1-Harshit
That's IITK is an outreach program of IIT Kanpur, my undergrad university, displaying its usual student life and accomplishments. This post is my bits to that's IITK.
In an interesting turn of events, between Jan'24 and Sep'24, my life took a turn, and I became an undergraduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. On Nov 18, 2024, I began this adventurous journey alongside some remarkable individuals.
My first year was amid COVID-19. I learned and tried to be kind and helpful to everyone. I treated the 24-hour clock like a joke and attended every class and event I wanted to. I was part of more than 5 projects at a time, against the advised limit of 2. I had mastered the quintessential juggle of an undergraduate between classes and club activities. I have also been a student representative since my first year, from a position in the students' Senate to the Directorate.
I worked on a broad spectrum of research projects in the second and third years, including machine learning, formal verification, and systems design. I have always been super curious, believed in building solutions, and answered on the go in examinations from core principles rather than iterative rote learning. This curiosity also led me to a research position with Prof. Debadatta Mishra. In a parallel timeline, I was also working on projects with impact and on improving students' technological prowess in the community. The student community had considerable wins, and I received the Ranjan Kumar Memorial Award at the convocation for the most impactful project.
In my final year, I mainly worked on systems research and projects. I was working in best systems labs of IIT Kanpur, under both Dr. Debadatta Mishra and Dr. Swarnendu Biswas. I have many memories with friends. I had also become a teaching assistant for the algorithms course for two consecutive years. I secured a pre-palcement offer from Quadeye Securities LLP to work as a full-time systems engineer.
This is a far from perfect attempt to cover my stories and relationship with IIT Kanpur. However, from a very cursory level, this should do. I am proud and happy that I was able to affect so many lives for good, most of whom I do not know and who do not know me.
VOX Populi šļø
I have written a parting note to my juniors on the Student Journalism Body of IIT Kanpur, VOX Populi - you can see that here: As We Leave #47: Build, Break, Rebuild, Improve ā Figure it out!, if this link does not work, try this. Fun fact is I made their webpage to improve reach.
Farewell Social Posts š·
From the post caption:
I cannot, in my right conscience, say that I have left MY campus behind. But there is a beauty in such endings; this, in all its entirety, will forever remain as is. As if it's sentenced to freeze in time, etched in my soul and heart. This is to all the amazing people I have met on this journey, and to all the memories, mischief, laughter, wisdom, tears, pain, trauma, and peace. š„ I only hope that one day, I will make all the characters and the very stage itself proud to be part of this play.ā„ļø
And I told you to be patient, I told you to be fine And I told you to be balanced, I told you to be kind
From the post caption:
I graduated with distinction in Computer Science & Engineering from IIT Kanpur last year. (Yay! š) Got to walk the stage at the 57th convocation and was beyond honored to receive the Most Impactful Project Award among all graduating students of any department ā handed over by Jayathi Murthy (Chief Guest), Manindra Agrawal (Director, IITK), and Radhakrishnan Koppillil (Chairman, BOG, IITK)
Also got this quirky little shoutout from the CSE department as "Jack of All Trades", recognizing a bit of everything ā from entire core CS work to student leadership.
Iām super grateful to all the professors and mentors who guided me over the years ā both technically and personally. Special shoutout to all professors I've worked closely with Debadatta Mishra, Swarnendu Biswas, Sruti Srinivasa Mainak Chaudhuri, Rajat Mittal, Surender Baswana, Amitangshu Pal, Sumit Ganguly, and Deepu Philip š (Thank you! what can I say but Thank you!) And to all my friends ā thanks for making campus life what it was. Full of chaos, laughter, and memories. š
