Auckland University of Technology Internship Provides BITS Pilani Student with Unique Opportunity
The Auckland University of Technology internship program has provided the rare opportunity of working on a pioneering research project for a 20-year-old BITS Pilani student from the stream of electronics and electrical engineering, Preetham Reddy Kasarla. This collaboration of the prestigious institutions in India and New Zealand develops a bond between the institutions, helping Indian students have access to advanced research in special fields and strengthening global academic bonds.
An Esteemed Internship Opportunity at Auckland University of Technology
In May 2024, student Preetham Reddy Kasarla from BITS Pilani traveled to New Zealand to take up a unique research internship at the Auckland University of Technology (AUT). This was yet another exposure for him to one of the most specialized fields in electronics: designing terahertz antennas on a chip. Such antennas are critical to high-frequency applications and can be of microscopic proportions, making them even more complex and valuable research topics.
Working under the guidance of Professor Xuejun Li from the AUT School of Engineering, Computer, and Mathematical Sciences, Preetham conducted his internship. The topic involves the utilization of cutting-edge technology, such as the Ansys HFSS (high-frequency structure simulator) software, to overcome the challenges with the theory and design of the antenna. Basically, research is targeted at upgrading the efficiency and manufacturing process of nanoscale antennas that are of crucial applications in biomedical fields and high-speed communication technologies.
How BITS Pilani and AUT Come Together for This Internship
Preetham’s international internship journey to BITS Pilani started when Dr. Ashwin Polishetty, a senior lecturer at AUT, visited BITS Pilani in 2023. After seeing a LinkedIn post about Dr. Polishetty’s visit, Preetham reached him out for a connection with Professor Xuejun Li at AUT.
Such opportunities would come in handy, and, more importantly, “This was a unique opportunity to connect BITS Pilani and AUT through student internships and confirm AUT’s commitment to collaborate with the top-ranking universities in India for research and academic purposes.”
This collaboration reflects AUT’s commitment to fostering international research exchanges. Pro-Vice-Chancellor International Guy Littlefair comments on the significance of such research projects: “Preetham’s project highlights the value of international research collaborations and helps outline how advanced technology can benefit a range of subjects.” The university, rejuvenated by its renewed interest in developing student mobility, offered Preetham accommodation and expense help while undertaking this internship.
Learning Experience and Future Plans
This was not just an academically enriching experience at AUT but also a step towards future collaboration. Though the internship is not for academic credit, he looks forward to continuing research in New Zealand when he goes back to India, working closely with his mentor at BITS Pilani, Prof. Sourav Nandi.”
His internship filled out valuable knowledge to his already impressive background on robotics and allowed him to merge his passion for on-chip electronics with practical research. He said AUT labs were well equipped, especially for running complex simulations. In essence, he would strive to overcome the manufacturing challenges of nanoscale antenna design and eventually develop prototypes at the new antenna facility of BITS Pilani.
Conclusion
International academic partnerships like this New Zealand internship for Indian students show great promise. From a BITS Pilani campus to an Auckland University of Technology campus, the opportunities for Indian students are nowadays expanding to engage in research initiatives. With AUT taking the charge in arranging such an experience, Indian students are able to step onto the world stage and contribute towards innovations that can possibly build the future of technology.
Preetham’s internship symbolizes the way international research collaborations create impact and how students use global platforms to produce unprecedented outcomes. The connection between BITS Pilani and AUT further expands opportunities for such students searching for similar internship opportunities, bringing Indian talent within the international research ecosystem.
It describes the importance of the BITS Pilani abroad internship as well as stresses international research collaboration. The hopes and dreams of the Indian students are being fulfilled through the internship at Auckland University of Technology in Preetham.
