Walk & Talk with IEEE Fellow

Date: 4th August 2024

Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Venue: Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru

Organized by: Student Activities Committee, IEEE Bangalore Section

Event Overview

On the morning of 4th August 2024, the IEEE Bangalore Section’s Student Activities Committee (SAC) hosted an engaging and insightful event titled “Walk & Talk with an IEEE Fellow” at the esteemed Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The event offered students and young professionals a rare opportunity to interact with Dr. Chandra R. Murthy, a distinguished IEEE Fellow, in an informal and picturesque setting, fostering both intellectual stimulation and networking.

Event Highlights Felicitation and Kick-off:

The event began at 9:00 AM, with participants gathering near the Department of Electrical Communication Engineering (ECE) building. Dr. Parameshachari B D, SAC Chair of IEEE Bangalore Section, welcomed the attendees and honored the guest speaker, Dr. Chandra R. Murthy, with a token of appreciation on behalf of IEEE. Prof. Devendra Gowda, SAC Co-Chair, and Dr. Anandi Giridhar, Vice Chair of IEEE Bangalore Section, were also present to grace the occasion.

Walk through the IISc Campus:

At 9:15 AM, the walking tour commenced from the Department of ECE, leading participants along Gulmohar Marg, past the swimming pool area, and up to the iconic IISc Main Building. The walk provided

an excellent backdrop for informal conversations, allowing participants to engage with Dr. Murthy on a variety of topics.

Interaction Point at IISc Main Building:

Upon reaching the IISc Main Building, the group was joined by Dr. Srinivas T, Chair of IEEE Bangalore Section. Here, participants had the chance to interact with Dr. Murthy in a more focused setting, discussing both his personal experiences and technical expertise. A photo session followed, capturing the group in front of the iconic IISc main building.

Key Insights from Dr. Chandra R. Murthy:

During the walk, Dr. Murthy shared a wealth of insights from both his personal life and professional journey:

• Personal Anecdotes: Dr. Murthy shared that his favorite country is Greece, owing to its rich history, delicious cuisine, and friendly people. He also revealed that his favorite spot on the IISc campus is the Nursery, which houses 50,000 plants used for research, including studies on inducing diseases and finding solutions.

• Career Advice: Dr. Murthy emphasized the importance of deep knowledge over superficial understanding, especially for those aspiring to make significant contributions to a domain. He noted that people today often interact more on social media than in person, which can lead to a lack of meaningful connections. He advised participants to substitute superficial searches with in-depth textbook learning for lasting knowledge.

• Technical Expertise:

• Embedded Systems: Dr. Murthy reassured participants from computer science backgrounds that they could successfully learn and transition into embedded systems with dedication.

• Quantum Computing: He described quantum computing as a rapidly emerging field, though most current systems are still in the experimental “toy” stage.

• Signal Processing and Wireless Communications: Dr. Murthy explained the optimization challenges in wireless communication, highlighting the importance of minimizing energy input and the difficulties in achieving accurate model-reality matches.

• AI and ML in Communications: He discussed the potential of AI to bridge the gap between theoretical models and real-world channels, though he cautioned that guaranteeing the safety and reliability of AI/ML models remains a significant challenge.

• Research Methodology: Dr. Murthy provided practical advice on conducting research:

• Start by finding a mentor and reading journals.

• Narrow down your research topic and replicate results from 10-20 papers to understand the underlying thought process.

• Publish in reputable venues and always approach reading papers as a learning experience.

Networking Breakfast: After the walk, participants returned to the Department of ECE via Gulmohar Marg, where a networking breakfast was arranged. This session provided further opportunities to engage with Dr. Murthy, IEEE dignitaries, and fellow participants. Discussions continued over breakfast, delving into topics such as Moore’s Law, the future of 4G, and the use of signal processing in medical applications like EEG and brain mapping.

Conclusion

The “Walk & Talk with an IEEE Fellow” event was a tremendous success, blending intellectual engagement, professional networking, and a rejuvenating walk through the IISc campus. The unique format was highly appreciated by the attendees, and Dr. Chandra R. Murthy who enjoyed this invaluable experience