School of Computer Sciences, UPES - Interview with Dr. Priyadarsan, Dean on Admissions, internships, Placement

Established in 2003, the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) has affiliated schools for the various streams of education. UPES is accredited with NAAC ‘A’ grade rating and is recognized by the UGC. The university has a School of Computer Sciences that offers specialized courses in computer science and engineering. School of Computer Sciences, UPES is ranked AAAA as per Careers360 engineering rating. In a conversation with Careers360, Dr. Priyadarsan Patra, Dean, discusses the various CS specializations offered, how to take admissions, internships, placements, and campus life at School of Computer Science, UPES. Check the entire interview with Dr. Priyadarsan Patra, Dean, School of Computer Sciences, UPES here.

To watch the interview with Dr. Priyadarsan Patra, Dean, School of Computer Sciences, UPES click here

Q: Why a separate school for computer engineering at UPES?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: A separate division was set up for computer sciences as most of the research today is at the interface of various disciplines and computer science sits at the core, of it. Also, the School of Computer Sciences, UPES is the largest division in the university. Thus, for administrative and academic reasons, the UPES School of Computer Sciences was separated.

Q: UPES recently got NAAC ‘A’ rating. How does it give the university the academic freedom to create its own courses ?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: The recognition by NAAC gives us the freedom for setting new courses, offering online and hybrid programs, and the potential to go global. It also gives freedom to design own curriculum. The recognition has opened doors for us to attract certain grants and projects and help us make our curriculum more project and lab centric. Further, with this recognition we can look for some internationalization of our programs.

Q: What courses and specializations does the School of Computer Sciences, UPES offer?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: We offer a number of specializations today. For undergraduate applicants, we have a Bachelors of Technology (B.Tech) program and a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) program. We also offer Masters of technology (M.Tech) and Phd programs in computer science and engineering.

The following specializations are offered in B.Tech

1. Artificial intelligence and Machine Learning

2. Banking financial services technology

3. Data science

4. Blockchain technology

5. Business analytics

6. Cloud computing

7. Computing for sustainability

8. Cyber security and forensics

9. Healthcare and bioinformatics

10. Dev-ops, full stack development, and full stack coding

11. E-commerce

12. Graphics and gaming

13. Mobile application development

14. Oil and gas informatics

15. Image processing and computer networking

Students can check the entire list of courses offered by UPES School of Computer Sciences here.

Q: How should a student choose a specialization?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: We apply a number of approaches to help candidates choose a specialization. When a student joins B.Tech computer science engineering, after the first year he/she is asked to choose a specialization to major in. The following are steps we follow

• Synopsis of specializations: At the beginning of their first year, our industry partners and faculty members give a synopsis of each specialization to the students.

• Learning basics and identifying interest areas: Then during the first year, students take up fundamental and basic engineering courses, and interact with faculty members.

• Offerings of each specialization: At the end of first year, industry leaders and faculty members again give presentations explaining the job scenario, salary, higher studies, opportunities, expectations, prerequisites, and other details of each specialization. For example, if a candidate is good in subjects such as linear algebra, we explain to them that they can do well in a specialization such as AI and machine learning.

• Survey: After presentations, a survey is conducted presenting candidates with the options to choose a major as well as a minor in the specializations available. For example, some candidates can pursue a major in big data and a minor in cyber security. This provides candidates with a large platter of electives and helps them make informed decisions.

• Choosing a specialization: Based on the preferences students give for their specialization, the pre-requisites, and students’ passion, the major and minor subjects are chosen. We also ensure to teach some fundamental courses such as AI and ML across all specializations, so that students do not miss out.

Q: Can you explain the admission process for the School of Computer Sciences, UPES?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: Admissions to B.Tech programmes are through two channels. The first is performance in Joint Entrance Examination (JEE), Scholastic Assessment Test (SATs), and class 12 board merit. Of course, students must fulfill the minimum eligibility criteria which is 50% marks in class 10 and 12 with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics as core subjects.

The second option is the entrance test of UPES. This is a computer-based entrance test known as UPESEAT, where EAT stands for Engineering Aptitude Test.

Q: How would you describe the campus life and diversity as UPES ?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: UPES has one of the friendliest, vibrant and enjoyable campuses. The infrastructure at UPES speaks for itself. A multi-activity centre (MAC), gymnasiums, sports arena, basketball, football, volleyball courts, yoga centre, library, and several sitting and discussion areas are some of the facilities offered. The resources at library facilities can be accessed by students from anywhere in the campus via free Wi-Fi facility. The medical facilities at UPES are one of the best. There are three doctors, a chief medical officer, various nurses, two ambulances and a dispensary.

Additionally, there is a computer centre, e-learning centre, data centre, reading rooms, an auditorium, an amphi-theater, and a rock museum which was co-constructed with the ONGC. At UPES we also have special facilities for physically challenged students such as braille software, appropriate ramps, and lifts. To ensure safety at all times at the campus, there are cameras, video surveillance and 24 x 7 security personnel along with an anti-ragging committee. There are several clubs created by students such as IEEE chapter, ACM chapter, and CSI - computer society of India chapter to name a few.

Q: How were placements at School of Computer Sciences, UPES last year? Who were the top-recruiters?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: UPES has a dedicated placement centre which assists students in internships, co-ops, pre-employment engagements and final placements. Some of the top-recruiters at School of Computer Sciences, UPES include Accenture, Adobe, Cognizant Technologies, Deloittee, EY India, IBM India, Coforge Ltd., Infosys, L&T technologies, LinkedIn, PwC, Reliance Jio, and TCS.

Q: How are summer internships at UPES?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: For internships, we have taken a very innovative step. The first-year students at UPES get to undertake a social internship in which they have to work with NGOs and communities. There are 700 to 900 such NGOs with which UPES students intern. In a social internship, students get to learn about the community, the society, issues, volunteer, and contribute in finding solutions.

During the second, third and fourth year of degree, students are hired for internships with some of the leading companies in the country. Last year, 140 plus recruiters hired our students for summer internships. In the School of Computer Sciences, UPES, a total of 922 students were placed as interns last year resulting in a 100% summer internship placement. Recruiters include IT and non-IT companies and several other brands.

Q: Are any scholarships offered to students at School of Computer Sciences, UPES?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: 10% of our total seats at the School of Computer Sciences, UPES are reserved for merit-based scholarships. Additionally, we provide a waiver of 20% in tuition fee to all girl students.

Q: What would you like to say to engineering aspirants?

Dr. Priyadarsan Patra: UPES is aiming to be one of the world’s renowned universities not only in terms of teaching expertise but also as a research university. Our faculty members include graduates from NITs, IITs, University of Berkeley, University of Texas, Austin, and top universities in Singapore and Malaysia. The average industry experience of faculty members at the School of Computer Sciences, UPES is 10 years. We at UPES are caring for quality and internationalization.

We are also envisioning transdisciplinary major projects. For example, a smart campus which utilizes pervasive, intelligent and supercomputing. We are also planning to have a robotics centre which will bring in engineering, computer science, design and other fields together. Students will be given tremendous opportunities to grow. In the coming three years, we are hoping to get the highest NAAC ranking. I hope this will help potential students make their decision.