Before I joined MCC, I was told that, “The Campus Experience in MCC is worth dying for!” ❤️

Today's VISA | With our alumna Ms. Priya Darshini, Ireland

7 pm | A Report

Ms. Priya Dharshini, currently doing her PhD in Ireland, gave a very highly engaging talk in such a clear and lucid manner with such enthusiasm and energy, on Google Meet, at 7 pm IST, today. Her talk appealed much to all our students who listened with rapt attention to Ms. Priya.

Excerpts from her Talk -

Before I joined MCC, I was told that, “The Campus Experience in MCC is worth dying for!”

This was the real impetus that made me join MCC. I went on to do my BSc & MSc in Chemistry in MCC.

In my five years in MCC I had attended 11 conferences, and participated in various other events like Speak for India programmes, a host of culturals and other competitions! 

My participation in events pertaining to other disciplines, helped me realise the breadth of knowledge in Chemistry and in other related disciplines, since I got to interact with people with niche in their particular fields of study. This interaction helped me realise the value of how much the world had to offer.

Volunteering experience helped me a lot! We used to teach tribal kids, as part of our Service Learning Programme, which gave me a great love for teaching.

I was interested in Chemistry, and I was more interested in the process of Chemistry. A different method of teaching Chemistry would be helpful to teach these tribal kids, I thought.

Most of my time, I did volunteering services, like scribing! etc.

By Masters, you would have definitely done a Research Internship.

But then, I also did an Industrial Internship.

Then I had a Micro Project.

I loved learning, and during my tenure in MCC I had the exposure to show my love for learning.

Like Astronomical Chemistry – wherein we learn about all the spectroscopic instruments through astronomy.

Seeing my syllabus in a different angle, and communicating it from a different angle, helped me showcase my talent in the Dept of Chemistry.

I have got ten certificate courses, from NPTEL, Course Era, etc.

Having a lot of certificates helps a lot in your academic life.

Even though I might have a skill, when I want to showcase it to someone abroad, I need certificates to authenticate my credentials.

When you apply, your professors will ask you if you have proof!

If you’re half good in a subject, go and get a certificate in it.

Whenever I come across a new term, or a new review, I used to read about it. There was a lot of time for me to read! And when I read deeply, I find out the patterns. That made me realise that, there was more to publications and research articles, than mere data. There’s a pattern to it. If you’re able to organize your ideas in a pattern, then you’ll be able to publish articles easily.

DO research in a field you’re passionate about, and quoting a highly inspiring Scripture passage, she said,

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work or device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going”,

signed off Priya Dharshini.

In his concluding remarks, Dr. Vijay Solomon, her Professor, complimenting her, had this to say –

“If you have a research publication at your UG or PG level, it speaks volumes about your character and gives you all the more weightage, which makes us so proud of Priya Dharshini”, said Dr. Vijay.

Minutes of the VISA Meet Today

[by Ms. Lakshmi Ramaswami, Global Student Ambassador]

Minutes of the Meeting

Virtual Interaction with Students Abroad (VISA) Episode 6

Speaker: Ms. Priya Darshini Augusthian

(BSc and MSc in Chemistry, Madras Christian College

Currently working on PhD in Dublin City University, Ireland)

College Prayer given by Sabarinathan

1. Introduction of speaker given by Dr. Vijay Solomon from the Department of Chemistry

2. Ms. Priya Darshini Augusthian’s talk

* Huge shift from BSc and MSc in MCC to being sponsored by the Irish Research Council’s Enterprise Partnership Scheme

* Most of the parts of an application are things one must have done prior to applying (work experience, previous research achievements, etc)

* Create a strong CV -> Find a Mentor -> Apply for scholarships - Gaining a lot of experiences result in a particular set of skills than further translate into an organised Resume.

* Ms. Priya’s most important parts of college experience (in MCC) includes attending conferences and intercollegiate events (11 certified), Volunteering and Internships (Ms. Priya worked through the service learning program at the Chemistry department and was able to teach Tribal children)

* Emphasis on the fact that she enjoys the process of learning chemistry than she enjoys Chemistry itself.

* Suggested having an internship (not only research oriented, but also industrial) by PG level

* Authorised and validated certificates from any internship or courses help in the application’s shortlisting process.

* Personally encouraged getting a certificate if you’re already “half good” in a subject. This way you become fully good in it, all the while procuring a certificate, which is a win-win

* To find a mentor - read, read and read different works, find one that you like. Mail them personally. Personalise the mail with details from their paper that you enjoyed. This makes it clear that you know what you are talking about.

* Apart from scientific writing skills, communication skills are also important when it comes to publishing papers. Laymen must understand your work at least a little before it goes to the professionals of your field 

* While in college, do these things - Gather Experiences, Grow Skills, and Expand Abilities

* College is a great place you can afford to make mistakes in, get back up, and learn from them.

* “Hindsight is easy, looking forward is not”

* “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might; for there is no work nor device or knowledge or wisdom in the grave where you are going” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NKJV)

3.  Question and Answer session

To clear further doubts please contact Ms. Priya Darshini through her email: revathipriya001@gmail.com

4. Vote of Thanks by Dr. Samuel Rufus

For the Past Episodes of VISA, you may CLICK HERE.