By Vijayendran Chandramouli, Easwari Engineering College

The Indian Industrial scenario is an amalgamation of extremes. In spite of abounding human resources and intellectual talents, it is not the leader in terms of quality and reliability. Hence, a paradigm shift in Industrial systems is the need of the hour to enhance productivity. It holds an enormous potential in a developing nation like India and I want to contribute to this development. I feel that a Masters Degree in Industrial Engineering will help me to equip myself to orchestrate a change in the current Industrial scenario. As an extension to what I learnt during my Engineering, I worked on a research paper on Re-Configurable Manufacturing Systems (RMS) and acquired in depth knowledge on the Impact of Product Life Cycle on Manufacturing Systems Re-Configuration. For this paper, I thoroughly studied the FMS implemented at Ashok Leyland and presented my perspective on implementing the RMS technique to enhance productivity. This research work was appreciated and my paper was awarded the First Prize at the Indian Institute of Industrial Engineering (IIIE) conference at the State level and Fourth Prize at the All India level. After working on this paper, I understood that the emphasis of Industrial Engineering lies in adaptation, integration and exploitation of existing techniques in areas other than their fields of origin. With this realization, I was able to combine concepts from both manufacturing as well as software in a single project on fuel economy testing device. This idea also earned me my first publication in a National Conference on Advancements and Recent Innovations in Mechanical Engineering which furthered my inclination towards Industrial Engineering. This made me realize that Industrial engineers are in a strategic position to bring about the best integration of resources in any Endeavour. Knowledge and proper training are essential to succeed in today's highly competitive world. The best place where I can achieve both is in the United States of America - the undisputed leader in developing new products and processes. I feel Georgia Institute of Technology, being a top notch research University, will offer me exposure to advanced concepts in Industrial Engineering and considering the repertoire of resources and the presence of world class faculty that are involved with the program, the Institution seemed a natural choice for a Masters Degree. I am convinced that the University will offer me a stimulating environment where I can groom my creative faculties that are necessary to work in an Industry after my Masters and achieve my career goal of setting up of a Manufacturing Industry back here in India after an Industrial exposure. I also believe that the state of the art curriculum that is followed at Georgia Tech will infuse in me various technical traits that I will require in running an Industry in the current scenario. Thus, I wish to step into the US having the above career vision in my mind to strive for success in my life.