An alumnus of Apeejay School, Pitampura, shares that extracurricular activities, and balancing academics with sports prepared him for this award
By Shalini Saksena: Even though it has been a few years since he passed out of Apeejay School Pitampura, he is still bringing accolades to the school. Recently, he received the prestigious Best Graduating Student Award for the ECE, EEE, and ENI departments at BITS Pilani, standing out among 300 students.
The honour was conferred on him by his institute director, Dr Sudhirkumar Barai. This recognition reflects the dedication and effort poured into academics, extracurriculars, and leadership over the years.
Meet Dev Parikh, who is in the first semester of his fourth year at BITS Pilani. Next semester, he’ll begin a six-month internship. In a candid interview, he talks about how his school prepared him for this award and his journey
Tell us about the Best Graduating Student Award.
The Best Graduating Student Award is given annually to the graduating batch from the EEE (Electrical and Electronics Engineering), EC (Electronics and Communication), and ENI (Electronics and Instrumentation) departments at BITS Pilani.
These disciplines are part of a single department known as the EEE Department. Around 350 students pursue these courses each year. This award recognises the achievements of students over their four years at the institute.
How has your school prepared you for this award and your journey so far?
My school played a significant role. Right from my school days, I was deeply involved in extracurricular activities, balancing academics with sports. I was part of the basketball team and participated in Inter-school competitions. In class XII, I served as the Head Boy, which taught me leadership and time management.
These skills helped me immensely in college, where I captained the robotics team for international competitions. My school experience equipped me with soft and hard skills that I’ve applied throughout my academic journey.
Can you elaborate on the selection process for the award?
The selection process evaluates various aspects over four years. Academic performance holds the most weight, followed by extracurricular activities, positions of responsibility, and sports participation.
At college, I was a sprinter on the athletics team, which contributed to the assessment. Publications also play a role. For example, I am at present working on a conference paper about wireless networks on chips.
How did you prepare for this award?
I wasn’t aware of this award when I joined. I learnt about it in my third year through seniors. During my final semester, the department invited applications, which included sections on extracurricular activities, sports, positions of responsibility, and publications. Each section had a weightage: Extracurricular activities (10%), sports (5%), academics (70%), and publications (15%).
Do you have a school memory that stands out?
Back in class IX, I received the Dr Stya Paul Award for Human Values. Our principal, back then, gave me invaluable advice during a discussion — “Always choose long-term gains over short-term gains.” That stayed with me and has guided my decisions ever since.
What are your plans after graduation?
I’m inclined towards managerial roles in the IT sector. I have been placed at Procter & Gamble (P&G) and will join in July. My role involves managing big data from production lines.
During my internship at P&G’s Ahmedabad plant, I worked on minimising production losses using data and sensors. I also plan to pursue an MBA in the future, likely abroad.
Many engineering students pursue MBAs. What motivates this transition?
My inclination toward leadership and management drives me. While I enjoy engineering, I prefer being involved in brainstorming, product development, and strategic roles rather than sitting at a desk all day. An MBA would help bridge my technical background with managerial aspirations.
How do you manage your time with so many responsibilities?
Consistency is key. I wake up at 7 am and dedicate my day to academics and classes until 5 pm. Evenings are for athletics practice, followed by dinner and work on robotics projects.
I spend late nights with friends to unwind. Balancing everything requires planning and discipline. I ensure I get proper sleep and hit the bed by 12:30 am.
Any advice for aspiring engineers?
Engineering is about logical thinking and creativity. It’s not just about having a passion but developing it during your journey. Anyone with a willingness to face challenges and solve problems can excel in engineering.
Source: www.apeejay.news
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