An Interview with Nilansh Khurana, Alumnus of B.Tech CSE at Manav Rachna University, Class of 2021

Manav Rachna University Faridabad is a state-private university that was established in the year 2004. MRU Faridabad has been approved by the AICTE and UGC. The institute is also accredited by the NAAC with an A++ grade. MRU Faridabad courses include BTech, BBA LLB (Hons), LLM, MTech, BBA, BCA, MBA, and others.

In an exclusive interview with Careers360, MRU Fairdabad alumnus Nilansh Khurana tells us about the reasons for choosing the University as his alma mater. He shares how studying at Manav Rachna University Faridabad, shaped his future. Read below to know more about his experience.

Careers360:Please introduce yourself and share reasons why you chose this college as your preferred institution for higher education.
Nilansh Khurana: I currently serve as the Co-founder and Chief Data Science Officer at LexVerify, leading with a vision shaped by curiosity, innovation, and a relentless passion for technology. My journey began in 2017, when I stepped into Manav Rachna as a Computer Science student, eager to explore the ever-evolving world of technology and innovation.

Although I did not score exceptionally high marks in JEE, I chose the institution because of several factors. I was deeply impressed by the infrastructure and the academic environment provided by the university. What stood out to me even more was the humility, warmth, and supportive nature of the faculty members, which made the institution feel welcoming from the very beginning.

Additionally, during my orientation, I visited the Manav Rachna Innovation and Incubation Center (MRIIC), an experience that became one of the earliest sparks in my journey of innovation. Seeing students actively engaged in robotics, technology-driven projects, and competitions opened up an entirely new world of possibilities for me. It gave me a glimpse of how ideas could move beyond classrooms and take shape through hands-on experimentation and practical learning.

Careers360: How would you describe your overall experience at the institution?
Nilansh Khurana: I would describe my overall journey at the institution as nothing short of “amazing.” For me, university life was far more than just academics, it was a phase filled with learning, experimentation, friendships, personal growth, and experiences that left a lasting impact on my life.

If I were ever given an opportunity to relive any chapter of my life, I would undoubtedly choose my university years. It was during this period that I not only evolved technically and professionally, but also discovered new perspectives and built meaningful connections.

Careers360: How well did the curriculum prepare you for your career or higher studies?

Nilansh Khurana: I believe the curriculum offers students a meaningful academic foundation, helping us build clarity, confidence, and a strong base in our chosen field. At the same time, in a discipline as dynamic as technology, I feel that learning frameworks naturally benefit from continuous refinement and timely evolution.

Given the rapidly changing nature of technology and industry, there is always value in updating academic structures to make them even more future-ready and aligned with emerging trends. In my view, this is a natural part of educational growth, where institutions, students, and industries continue to evolve together. My perspective comes from a constructive space. While I deeply value the foundation and exposure provided by the institution, I also believe that continuous innovation in education is essential to keep pace with the ever-evolving professional world.

Also Read: MRU Faridabad Admissions

Careers360: Were there sufficient opportunities for internships, projects, or industry exposure during your time here?
Nilansh Khurana: I believe the institution provided students with ample opportunities to engage in internships, projects, and industry-oriented exposure throughout the academic journey. For me, these experiences added meaningful value to the overall learning process, as they allowed us to move beyond theoretical concepts and understand their practical application in real-world environments.

This exposure played an important role in shaping a more practical, industry-aware outlook during my formative years and helped me develop greater confidence in navigating professional spaces.
Careers360: How did extracurricular activities, clubs, or cultural events contribute to your personal development?

Nilansh Khurana: Although I was not particularly inclined toward cultural activities in the beginning, I consciously chose to participate in them as a way of stepping beyond my comfort zone. For me, these platforms became an opportunity to overcome my hesitation around public interaction and gradually work through my stage fear.

Over time, what initially began as an effort to deal with discomfort turned into an important part of my personal growth journey. The exposure helped me build confidence, improve my interpersonal skills, and become more comfortable engaging with people openly, qualities that later added immense value to both my professional and entrepreneurial journey.

Careers360: What were the key strengths of the campus environment (infrastructure, resources, student life)?

Nilansh Khurana: One of the institution’s greatest strengths, in my opinion, was the close-knit relationship shared between students and professors. I deeply appreciated the warmth, humility, and genuine care shown by the faculty members, especially my Head of Department, along with several other mentors who guided me throughout my journey.

The warmth and humility of the teachers stood out to me in a truly special way. I genuinely felt that they cared for me like their own child, always guiding and supporting me with sincerity and compassion. That sense of care and belonging is something I consider one of the most valuable aspects of my journey at the institution.

Careers360: Did the placement cell or career services meet your expectations? Why or why not?

Nilansh Khurana: I believe the institution provided meaningful support in preparing students for placement-related examinations and recruitment processes. I also observed that a considerable number of companies visited the campus, enabling many students to secure promising career opportunities across different sectors.

At the same time, I feel that every student’s aspirations and expectations are naturally different. Experiences and outcomes may vary depending on individual goals, ambitions, and career paths. However, in my view, the institution created a supportive platform that offered students valuable exposure, guidance, and opportunities to begin their professional journeys with confidence.
Careers360: How has your degree contributed to your professional growth and career trajectory?

Nilansh Khurana: My degree and overall university journey played a defining role in shaping the person and professional I am today. Looking back, I genuinely feel that without going through those formative experiences, I would not have evolved into the individual I have become.

For me, the institution was never merely a place of academic learning, it was a space that shaped my mindset, built my confidence, strengthened my work ethic, and laid the foundation for my future journey. The experiences, exposure, mentorship, and lessons I received during those years continue to influence the way I think, work, and approach life even today.

Careers360: What skills gained at the institution do you find most valuable in your current role?
Nilansh Khurana: I believe hard work and dedication are two of the most valuable qualities I developed during my time at the institution. I vividly remember spending countless hours working relentlessly, often day and night, while balancing academics, projects, learning, and other commitments.

The journey was not always easy, but those experiences taught me the importance of consistency and discipline. The long hours, continuous effort, and willingness to keep learning helped me build a strong work ethic from an early stage, one that continues to guide me in my professional and entrepreneurial journey even today.

Careers360: What challenges did you face during your academic journey, and how did you overcome them?

Nilansh Khurana: Balancing academics alongside multiple engagements and activities was one of the more demanding aspects of my university journey. Since I was actively involved in various initiatives beyond the classroom, managing my time effectively while meeting the mandatory 75% attendance requirement required consistent effort, discipline, and planning.

At the same time, I see that phase as an important learning experience that taught me the value of responsibility, prioritization, and time management. By maintaining my academic commitments while simultaneously pursuing other areas of interest, I gradually learned how to strike a balance between structured academic requirements and extracurricular involvement.

Careers360: How do you stay connected with fellow alumni and the institution?
Nilansh Khurana: I continue to remain closely connected with the institution and the alumni community through multiple channels, including university visits, LinkedIn, WhatsApp groups, friends, and seniors. Despite my professional commitments, I truly value staying connected with the ecosystem that played such an important role in shaping my journey.

Whenever I am in India, I make it a point to visit the university every few months, reconnecting with mentors, peers, and the campus itself. For me, these interactions are not only nostalgic, but also a meaningful way of maintaining the relationships and sense of belonging that continue to tie me to the institution and its community.

Careers360: Would you be interested in mentoring current students or participating in alumni activities?

Nilansh Khurana: Yes, I would genuinely love to mentor students and remain actively involved in alumni-related initiatives. I believe that meaningful guidance and shared experiences can play an important role in helping students navigate their academic and professional journeys with greater clarity and confidence. Having personally benefited from mentorship, exposure, and the support of faculty and seniors during my own university years, I feel a strong sense of responsibility toward giving back to the institution and its student community.

Careers360: As a professional, how would you advise a student to plan a career, keeping in mind changes and upheavals in the industry?
Nilansh Khurana: I would advise students, especially those aspiring to build careers in the IT and technology sector, to focus strongly on their fundamentals and core concepts, even in an era where Artificial Intelligence is becoming deeply integrated into industries. While companies across the world are rapidly adopting AI-driven tools and technologies, I believe it is important for students not to become entirely dependent on them.

In my view, AI should serve as a tool to enhance productivity and innovation, not replace foundational understanding and problem-solving ability. As professionals, we should always remain capable of thinking independently, solving challenges logically, and writing code on our own, even in situations where there is no internet access or AI assistance available. Strong fundamentals, curiosity, and the ability to think critically will always remain timeless strengths in technology. While tools and trends may continue to evolve, the value of genuine understanding, adaptability, and independent problem-solving can never be replaced.

Careers360: Learning never ends for any professional. In this context, how do you think one should prepare for career advancement with value additions? How can students identify these areas?

Nilansh Khurana: I strongly believe that students should use their college years to explore different career paths and truly understand their own interests and strengths. Today, opportunities are incredibly diverse, and students are not limited to just one domain or a conventional career trajectory. College is the ideal phase to experiment, discover, and gradually identify what genuinely excites and motivates you.

I would encourage students to actively participate in extracurricular activities and continuously explore different skill sets, whether it is public speaking, coding, problem-solving, leadership, people management, or creative pursuits. In my experience, these platforms and experiences play a significant role in helping individuals discover their confidence, strengths, and areas of passion.

I also believe that growth is a continuous process. It is important to keep trying new things, stay curious, and remain open to learning, even if something feels unfamiliar at first. Over time, these experiences collectively shape not only your professional capabilities, but also your personality, mindset, and overall outlook toward life and career.

Careers360: How likely are you to recommend this institution to those planning to pursue higher studies?

Nilansh Khurana: I would strongly recommend the institution to students pursuing B.Tech and higher education. In my opinion, while many universities may offer similar academic opportunities, what truly shapes a student’s journey is their mindset, the kind of peer group they surround themselves with, and their willingness to learn, explore, and grow consistently.

What I genuinely appreciated about the institution was its infrastructure, resources, supportive professors, and overall learning environment. I believe the campus provides students with ample opportunities to learn and evolve, both academically and personally.

At the end of the day, a student’s growth also depends greatly on how effectively they utilize the resources available to them. If you surround yourself with hardworking, ambitious people and remain open to learning and experimentation, the institution offers a strong platform to create meaningful opportunities and shape a promising future for yourself.

Disclaimer: The article is published as part of the marketing collaboration between Manav Rachna University and Careers360.