IKON
Padma Bhushan Dr. Raghunath Anant Mashelkar, is a proud son of Goa. A chemical engineer and a former Director General of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), a chain of 38 publicly funded industrial research and development with thirty-eight laboratories and about 20,000 employees
Dr. Mashelkar studied at the University of Bombay’s Department of Chemical Technology where he earned his PhD degree in 1969.
Dr. Mashelkar is presently the President of Global Research Alliance, a network of publicly funded research and development institutes from Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Europe and USA with over 60,000 scientists.
Dr. Mashelkar was invited to be a member of UK Institution of Chemical Engineers (2007–08). He is only the third Indian engineer to have been elected as fellow of Royal Society (FRS), London .
In the post-liberalized India, Dr. Mashelkar has played an important role in shaping India’s science and technology policies. He was a member of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister and also of the Scientific Advisory Committee to the Cabinet set up by successive governments.
Contributions to scientific and industrial research
Dr. Mashelkar has made contributions in transport phenomena, particularly in thermodynamics of swelling, super swelling and shrinking polymers, modelling of polymerisation reactors, and engineering analysis of Non-Newtonian flows.
The President of India honoured Dr.Mashelkar with Padma Shri (1991) and with Padma Bhushan (2000). In 2013, he was awarded Gomant Vibhushan Award, the highest civilian honour of the state of Goa.
Chemical engineering is the branch of engineering that applies the physical sciences (e.g., chemistry and physics) and/or life sciences (e.g. biology, microbiology and biochemistry) together with mathematics and economics to processes that convert raw materials or chemicals into more useful or valuable forms. In addition, modern chemical engineers are also concerned with pioneering valuable materials and related techniques – which are often essential to related fields such as nanotechnology, fuel cells and biomedical engineering. Within chemical engineering, two broad subgroups include
1. design, manufacture, and operation of plants and machinery in industrial chemical and related processes (“chemical process engineers”); and
2. development of new or adapted substances for products ranging from foods and beverages to cosmetics to cleaners to pharmaceutical ingredients, among many other products (“chemical product engineers”).
Is there a future in this field?
Tremendous opportunities await those who complete their BE / ME / B.Tech / M.Tech
Can I go for it?
If you have the following qualities you should make a good and strong chemical engineer:
- Analytical and Logical abilities
- Ability to operate or design complex equipment
- Technical competence
- Tendency to question the obvious
- Bright memory and learning power
- Theoretical stronghold with practical knowledge
Tasks that a chemical engineer performs include:
Designing methods and equipment to convert basic materials into useful products;
Ensuring the safe, efficient and environmentally sound operation of industrial processes;
designing and building pilot plants to provide data for the design of full-scale plants;
planning specifications for full-scale production, taking into account available technology, costs and size of equipment, market needs, transport costs, recycling and disposal of surplus substances;
diagnosing and correcting faults in the day to day operation of process plants;
preparing reports, feasibility studies and cost analyses of processes;
directing and co-ordinating the work of process plant operators, maintenance and construction trades people.
Where do I start?
In Goa
Complete 10+2 then try for an Engineering set in BITS Pilani Goa Division. You need to pass the BITST Entrance test
Outside Goa
B.E. / B.Tech: The basic eligibility criteria are 10+2 or equivalent examination, with 60% of marks in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. Selection to the graduate courses (BE / B.Tech.) is based on merit.
M.Sc. / M. Tech: Selection to the postgraduate courses in different universities is through an All India Combined Entrance exam conducted by JNU, New Delhi. Admission to IITs through GATE in Two year / 4 semesters for M. Tech. Courses through JEE in five year integrated M. Tech courses. BE / B. Tech Courses can be taken.
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani
PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore
Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal
Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore
VeermataJijabai Technological Institute,(VJTI) Mumbai
Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) Mumbai
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
Employment Avenues
Defence services as commissioned officers
Consultancy in research or scientific organisations
Automobile companies like Honda, Tata Motors, BMW
Software companies like Wipro, Patni Computers, Headstrong
Textile Industries
Chemical Companies
Pharmaceutical giants
Monies
Fresher’s earn starting salaries of Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month.
Lecturers in colleges get a starting salary of Rs. 22,000 – Rs 25,000 a month.
Senior engineers can earn anywhere in between Rs. 40,000 and Rs. 80,000 a month.
Engineers working in the management cadre would earn salaries of over Rs. 1 lac per month.
Peak salaries would range from Rs. 30 lacs per year to Rs. 60 lacs a year.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/