IKON
Padma Bhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar is a distinguished Goan and a leading figure in chemical engineering. He served as the Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), where he oversaw a network of 38 publicly funded industrial research and development laboratories with around 20,000 employees.
Dr. Mashelkar earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bombay’s Department of Chemical Technology in 1969. He currently serves as the President of the Global Research Alliance, a network of publicly funded research and development institutes across Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Europe, and the USA, encompassing over 60,000 scientists.
In recognition of his contributions to science and technology, Dr. Mashelkar was invited to join the UK Institution of Chemical Engineers (2007–08) and became only the third Indian engineer to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), London. He has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s science and technology policies, serving on the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet.
Dr. Mashelkar’s work in transport phenomena, particularly in the thermodynamics of swelling, super-swelling, and shrinking polymers, as well as in the modeling of polymerization reactors and the engineering analysis of Non-Newtonian flows, has been highly influential.
He has been honored with the Padma Shri (1991) and Padma Bhushan (2000) by the President of India. In 2013, he received the Gomant Vibhushan Award, the highest civilian honor of the state of Goa.
Chemical engineering is a branch of engineering that applies the physical sciences (e.g., chemistry and physics) and/or life sciences (e.g., biology, microbiology, and biochemistry) along with mathematics and economics to processes that convert raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. Modern chemical engineers also focus on developing innovative materials and techniques essential to fields such as nanotechnology, fuel cells, and biomedical engineering.
Within chemical engineering, there are two broad subgroups:
1. Chemical Process Engineers: They design, manufacture, and operate plants and machinery for industrial chemical and related processes.
2. Chemical Product Engineers: They develop new or adapted substances for a wide range of products, including foods, beverages, cosmetics, cleaners, and pharmaceuticals.
Biodegradable Cutlery from Agri Biomass: An Alternative to Single-Use Plastics
India, an agrarian country with nearly 60% of the population relying on agriculture, generates significant agricultural waste. Utilizing agro-residues such as rice bran, husk, straw, wheat waste, and fruit peels to produce biodegradable products can increase farmers’ income through value addition.
CSIR-NIIST has developed several biodegradable products from various agricultural residues and by-products to replace single-use plastics. These products are shelf-stable for 10-12 months, heat-resistant up to 100°C, and cost between ₹1-2 for plates ranging from 5 to 15 inches in diameter. The technology has been transferred to 17 industries, with 3 already in commercial production. Additionally, ITC and government-sponsored projects with a total financial outlay of ₹400 lakhs are underway in this area.
Is there a future in this field?
Tremendous opportunities await those who complete their BE/ME/B.Tech/M.Tech in Chemical Engineering.
Can I go for it?
To excel as a chemical engineer, you should possess the following qualities:
• Analytical and logical abilities
• Ability to operate or design complex equipment
• Technical competence
• A questioning mindset
• Strong memory and learning capability
• Theoretical knowledge with practical application
Tasks Performed by a Chemical Engineer:
• Designing methods and equipment to convert basic materials into useful products
• Ensuring safe, efficient, and environmentally sound industrial processes
• Designing and building pilot plants for data collection for full-scale production
• Planning specifications for full-scale production, considering technology, costs, market needs, and sustainability
• Diagnosing and correcting faults in process plants
• Preparing reports, feasibility studies, and cost analyses
• Directing and coordinating the work of process plant operators and other technical staff
• Developing biodegradable products from plastics
Where do I start?
In Goa
Complete 10+2 and aim for a seat in Chemical Engineering at IIT Goa or BITS Pilani Goa Division.
Outside Goa
Eligibility requires a 10+2 or equivalent examination with 60% marks in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics. Admission to undergraduate courses (BE/B.Tech) is based on merit.
For postgraduate courses (M.Sc./M.Tech), selection is through an All India Combined Entrance Exam conducted by JNU, New Delhi. Admission to IITs for M.Tech courses requires GATE, and JEE is needed for five-year integrated M.Tech courses.
• Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
• PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
• Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal
• Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
• Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai
• Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
Employment Avenues
• Defense services as commissioned officers
• Consultancy in research or scientific organizations
• Automobile companies like Honda, Tata Motors, BMW
• Software companies like Wipro, Patni Computers, Headstrong
• Textile industries
• Chemical companies
• Pharmaceutical giants
Salary:
• Lecturers in colleges start with a salary of ₹22,000-₹25,000 per month.
• Senior engineers can earn between ₹75,000 and ₹1,50,000 per month.
• Engineers in management positions can earn over ₹1 lakh per month.
• Peak salaries range from ₹30 lakhs to ₹60 lakhs per year.
Don’t settle for just a degree or diploma — enhance your CV by completing online learning programs with certification in areas relevant to your chosen career. This will significantly improve your employment prospects compared to holding only a basic qualification. Additionally, consider boosting your confidence by enrolling in public speaking courses, such as those offered by Toastmasters International.
For government job opportunities, please check: www.employment-newspaper.com
page updated: August 2024