On entering the last lap of B.Tech, students are more seriously concerned about placement than examinations. Alka Ajith, a native of Thiruvananthapuram and a final year B.Tech student of Mar Baselios College of Engineering and Technology (MBCET), Thiruvananthapuram, has won both. She has got unique distinction of winning the $ 1,200 scholarship instituted by the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), engaged in evolving novel pursuits in technology. Only 18 students across the world are selected for this prestigious honour a year.
The institute is focussed on making Information Technology (IT) accessible to the common man. It organises community seminars, classes and workshops to achieve this end. The scholarship is also aimed at augmenting this mission, taking computer to the masses.
When Alka was a first year student, she had joined the institute’s membership drive and since then got involved in its activities. Cryptography is her favourite subject. Her studies have spread to cyber security, safe computing and such others too. She has serious concerns about the security system in vogue. It is just like storing valuables without a door lock. Strong security measures need to be in place for data storage and transfer.
Currently, Alka is developing a medical data storage system that would help doctors to confidentially store the information about their patients. Such activities do not affect her studies. She had held the responsibility of running the campaign of the All India Students Congress and also participated in the International Students Congress held in Sri Lanka. She has also secured a job in Infosys through campus placement, achievements which make any student proud.
The IEEE scholarship is restrict to its members. Application for the scholarship is invited in April and September every year. Details can be had from www.ieee.org.