Report on the Activities Involved and Observations

Made During the Induction Programme

Course Title: Introduction to Engineering

Course Code: BMEE101N

Name of the Student: Debdiptta D Majumder

Registration Number: 21BMA0052

Programme: Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical

Engineering (with Specialization in Automobile Engineering)

SCHOOL: SCHOOL OF MECHANICAL

 Declaration

I, Mr Debdiptta D Majumder (Registration Number:

21BMA0052), hereby declare that the report submitted by
me, as a partial fulfilment of the course on ‘Introduction to
Engineering (BXXX103N)’ registered during Fall Semester
2021 – 22, is a record of the activities involved and the
observations made by me during the induction programme
during September 2021 – October 2021.
To the best of my knowledge, this document has been
prepared by me keeping in mind the professional ethics and
has not been copied either in part or in full.

Date:

Signature of the Student (with date)

Place:

PAGE 1
 Index

Content Page no.

1. Introduction

2. Details on the activities involved during the

induction programme

3. Learnings during the general induction programme

4. Learnings during the discipline-specific programme

5. Learnings from the institutional website

6. Learnings from ‘Do-it-Yourself’ activities

7. Any other general observations

8. Initial learnings and opportunities for self-

development

PAGE 2
Introduction
“The ideal engineer is a composite … He is not a scientist, he is not a
mathematician, he is not a sociologist or a writer; but he may use the
knowledge and techniques of any or all of these disciplines in solving
engineering problems.”

—Nathan W. Dougherty, American civil engineer

Engineering is the use of scientific principles to design and build machines,

structures, and other items, including bridges, tunnels, roads, vehicles, and
buildings. The discipline of engineering encompasses a broad range of more
specialized fields of engineering, each with a more specific emphasis on particular
areas of applied mathematics, applied science, and types of application.

Engineering colleges were established to train graduates in their respective

branch/ department of study, have a holistic outlook towards life, and have a desire
to work for national needs and beyond.

The graduating student must have excellent knowledge and skills in the area of
his study. However, he must also have broad understanding of society and
relationships. Character needs to be nurtured as an essential quality by which he
would understand and fulfil his responsibility as an engineer, a citizen and a human
being. Besides the above, several meta-skills and underlying values are needed.

To come out of this situation, a multi-pronged approach is needed. One will have
to work closely with the newly joined students in making them feel comfortable,

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allow them to explore their academic interests and activities, reduce competition
and make them work for excellence, promote bonding within them, build relations
between teachers and students, give a broader view of life, and build character.

When new students enter an institution, they also come with diverse thoughts,
backgrounds and preparations. They come into a new unfamiliar environment, and
many of them have little knowledge of a university/college. An important task,
therefore, is to welcome the new students to higher education and prepare them
for their new role.

Transition from school to university/college life is one of the most challenging

events in a student’s life. Currently, precious little is done by most institutions,
except for an orientation program lasting a couple of days. Student Induction is
designed to help in the whole process. Therefore, it should be taken seriously, and
as something more than the mere orientation program.

The Higher Educational institutions play an important role in development of

individual, family and society, laying the foundation of a strong nation. The goal is
to enrich all fields of knowledge, inculcate sense of responsibility and enhance the
inner potential of an individual.

Transition from school to university/college life is one of the most challenging

events in a students’ life. When new students enter an institution, they come with

PAGE 4
diverse thoughts, backgrounds and preparations. They come into a new unfamiliar
environment, and many of them have little knowledge of a university/college. An
important task, therefore, is to welcome new students to Higher Education and
prepare them for their new role.

Currently, precious little is done by most institutions, except for an orientation

Programme lasting a couple of days. Student Induction is designed to help in the
whole process. Therefore, it should be taken seriously, and as something more
than the mere orientation Programme.

Engineering is important. It is also challenging and exciting. Engineers use

models provided by science combined with innovative thinking to solve problems
and create new designs that benefit humanity.

Albert Einstein said:-

“Scientists investigate that which already is; Engineers create that which
has never been”.

It is “Science” to describe electromagnetic radiation, but it is “Engineering” to

build a radio or TV. Many of the so-called “wonders of modern Science” are really
wonders of modern Engineering.

PAGE 5
 Day 1:-

 Student Induction Program - Purpose & Concept

Having opted for a Mechanical Engineering course with a specialization in

Automotive Engineering, my journey in VIT started off like any other VITian at
10a.m. on 6th September 2021. As usual keeping the current scenarios and covid
crisis in mind the fresher’s orientation for B.Tech was kept Online and held on the
Microsoft Teams Platform where the event was aired live. It was the start of a new
phase in life and like all others I too was excited for this part of life.

Purpose of the Student Induction Program is to help new students adjust and feel
comfortable in the new environment, inculcate in them the ethos and culture of the
institution, help them build bonds with other students and faculty members, and
expose them to a sense of larger purpose and self-exploration.

The term induction is generally used to describe the whole process whereby the
incumbents adjust to or acclimatize to their new roles and environment. In other
words, it is a well-planned event to educate the new entrants about the
environment in a particular institution, and connect them with the people in it.

Student Induction Program engages with the new students as soon as they
come into the institution; regular classes start only after that. At the start of the
induction, the incumbents learn about the institutional policies, processes,

PAGE 6
practices, culture and values, and their mentor groups are formed. Then the
different activities start, including those which are daily.

We were warmly greeted by all our faculty member and given a glance at our
collage and we were also given a taste of what we could become in our future.

The events began with the felicitations of the Chancellor and Vice chancellors
and Vice Presidents of VIT Vellore who also gave an introductory and heart-
warming speech to the fresher’s

The introduction was given to us by Dr.R Sarnaman who gave us the following
points regarding this institute:-
 This university is like an island of treasures.
 It takes efforts to mine the treasure, but these treasures are hidden and are
possible to attain.
 Activity also plays an importance in placements.
 Placement aren’t just limited to this country but all over the world.
 Enhancing other activities is also important.
 Any faculty member can be approached for research, project and academic
purposes.

Dr. S Margaret also later on stated the following vital points regarding the
session.
 It is very important to set our goals at the very first day.

PAGE 7
  Management is the most important part of success.
 Learning is just academics, interacting with parents, teachers,
surroundings, friends and taking part in extra activities is also an important
part of it.
 Students should be renowned not just in academics but as a human
being.
After this we were introduced to the hostel directors and given a virtual tour of
VIT by Dr, Sharmila N which ended with a vote of thanks. The events of the day
continued in the forenoon with introduction to the VTOP website its uses and also
to the academic curriculum.

 Familiarization with College, Department/Branch

The incoming students should be told about the credit and grading system, and
about the examinations. They should be informed about how study in college
differs from study in school. They should also be taken on a tour of the college and
shown important points such as library, canteen, and other facilities.

We were shown own department, and told what it means to get into the branch
or department. Our professors explained to us what role the technology related to
their department plays in society, and after graduation what role we the student
would play in society as an engineer in that branch. A lecture by an alumnus of the

PAGE 8
Dept. was held during this session, where they told us how to world work and what
we need to be successful. We were also shown our laboratories, workshops and
other facilities.

Partners in Induction:

 Head of the institution

 Important functionaries

 Faculty mentors

 Students’ council/association

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  Selected senior students (student guides)

 Selected alumni

 Civil society

 Invited distinguished people

 Universal Human Values and Scaling Up

The Universal Human Values course is a result of a long series of experiments at
educational institutes starting from IIT Delhi and IIT Kanpur in the 1980s and 1990s
as an elective course, and in NIT Raipur in early 2000s as a compulsory one week
off-campus program. At IIIT Hyderabad, two regular compulsory courses were
introduced in July 2005 for all BTech students. The courses at IIT(BHU) which
started from July 2014, are taken and developed from IIIT Hyderabad. (A shorter
version of UHV has also been included at IIT Mandi, IIT Patna, IIT Kharagpur etc.
as a part of their induction program.)

Multiplication of the Universal Human Values compulsory course took place

when Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU), Lucknow, taking the cue from IIIT
Hyderabad, adopted it in July 2009 for about 600 engineering colleges. It spread
to Punjab through the Punjab Technical University (PTU), Kapurthala in July 2011
for about 300 engineering colleges. Similar compulsory course was started in
Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but this time for BSc, BA and BCom students, in
July 2013 for about 1000 Government and Aided Colleges, and later in July 2015
for additional 2000 private colleges. It has also gone to many unitary institution

PAGE 10
Day 2

The second day was dedicated fully to the explanation of academics and
the courses, the course load and the grading schemes. Apart from a generic
Undergraduate programme in Mechanical Engineering, the School offers
specialized UG programmes in all core areas of Mechanical Engineering
such as Production & Industrial, Automotive and Energy.

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering is a 4 year

professional undergraduate programme that provides a broad intellectual
foundation in the fields of Automation, Automotive, Design, Energy,
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Thermal engineering. The program develops
the relevant engineering fundamentals, includes various experiences in their
application, and introduces the important methods and techniques of
engineering practice. The M.Tech in Automotive Engineering programme
deals with learning the inner mechanisms of automobiles and their engines.
The programme also offers the domains of advancements in the entire
production process of cars from planning, designing, manufacturing, and
testing of modern automobiles. The Bachelor of Engineering in Production
and Industrial Engineering is a 4 year professional undergraduate
programme that provides a broad intellectual foundation in the fields of
Industrial, Manufacturing, and Management. The program develops the

PAGE 11
relevant engineering fundamentals that integrate machines, workers,
materials, information, and energy to achieve higher productivity by
adopting efficient planning, integrated design and operative systems in any
manufacturing system.

The teachers then explained to us the concept of Fully Flexible Credit

System(FFCS). In the continuous pursuit of academic excellence and
creating a student-friendly learning environment, VIT introduced the Fully
Flexible Credit System (Shortly referred to as FFCS). FFCS is a way in
which students have complete freedom in tailoring their course and in a way
they wish. It accommodates the wants and needs of the entire student
community. With this system, a student can prepare his/her own timetable

PAGE 12
 with the specific courses he/she intends to do in that semester along with
the timings of classes and choice of professors. Learning has never been
this fun. Students have the flexibility to pursue their other interests in sports
or club activities and scheduling of classes will take it along the way. It is a
beneficial system that is tailor-made to suit all the kinds of students with all
learning needs, whether someone wishes to complete subjects early or
pursue subjects of the other branches for acquiring a Minor/Honours
degree. In addition, this system ensures offerings of subjects from all
disciplines, encouraging students to pursue multiple interests and develop
holistically.

Salient Features
 Choice in the order of selection of courses for each semester.

 Choice in the timings / time slots in the selection of courses.

 Choice in the selection of number of courses per semester.

 Choice of preparing his / her own Timetable and Academic Plan.

 Balanced curriculum with engineering, science, humanities and management

courses.

 Ample opportunities to do inter-disciplinary courses.

 Soft on slow learners by offering important / common courses in all semesters.

 Optional Summer / Intersession semester to do courses.

 Opportunity of under graduate research experience.

 Value addition with double Major / Minor / Honours option.

 Branch change option in B.Tech. at the end of first year.

PAGE 13
☆FULLY FLEXIBLE CREDIT SYSTEM (FFCS):

 This is to be done in 2nd sem.

 Students will be able to Prepare his/her own Timetable and Academic

Plan.
 Preferred courses will be guided as per requirement.
 Choose the timings/time slots for every courses.
 Select any number of courses within the credit limit.

☆COURSE REGISTRATION

•Course preference- Wishlist

•Mock registration
•Phase 1- Core Registration

•Phase 2- Elective Registration

•Choice of Theory and Lab slots must be optimized.

☆COURSE REGISTRATION
•Types
 Regular
 Re-Registration
 Grade Improvement
 Course Substitution
 Component wise Re-Registration
•Online courses
 Considered as UE
 MOOC,NPTEL,etc
 Shared by the HOD concern
 Holds 2 to 4 credits wrt the course

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CREDIT INFORMATION:-
 Foundation =62 credits
 Discipline linked engineering sciences=12 credits
 Discipline core=44 credits
 Discipline elective=12 credits
 Project and internship =9 credits
 Open elective = 12 credits
 Non graded core requirement =11 credits
TOTAL=151 credits

COURSE COMPONENT:-
 Course may be Theory(TH) only,Lab (LO) only,Embedded
Theory(ETH),and Lab (ELA).
 Lecture/Tutorial: 1 credit = 15 contact hours/sem.
 Practical:1 credit=30 contact hours/sem

PAGE 15
 Credits: Sum of all the components.

CREDIT LIMIT:-
 Minimum=16 credits
 Maximum=27 credits
 Recommend =21 credits

ADDITIONAL CREDITS
 Minors=18-20 credits
 Specialization = 18-20 credits

GRADES:

 S-> 10pts|A-> 9pts|B-> 8pts|C-> 7pts|D-> 6pts|E-> 5pts|N or F -

> fail

PAGE 16
 REGISTRATION FOR BACKLOG COURSES
 Re-Registration
 Fall/Winter/Summer/Weekend semester
 2 to 4 courses
 Fresh courses not permitted
 “N" grade will be awarded under the following
circumstances;
 N1- Fail in core courses.
 N2-Low attendance.
 N3-Absent during FAT
 N4-Indiscipline/Exam malpractice
☆First Semester Course Registration
• For first year registration is auto generated.
•The courses we get will be based on EPT.

•The time table will be uploaded after 24hrs post EPT.

☆ADD/DROP OF COURSES
•Facilitated to Add or Drop a course
•First three instructional days of the semester
•Subject to the availability of resources
•Not applicable to summer/intercession/weekend semesters.
•Constrained by Minimum/maximum number of credits in a
semester
☆COURSES PREREQUISITES/ANTI-REQUISITES/CO-
REQUISITE
•Some courses may have specific constraints to be met before a
student register the course.
•Prerequisite – Students are expected to have prior knowledge
for an course and cleared all the prerequisite courses at the
time of registration.

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 •Anti-Requisites – Students are prevented from registering
similar/same course contents ,considered as equivalent and will
not be credited.
•Co-Requisite– an independent laboratory course can be
coupled to a theory-alone course.
☆ACADEMIC GUIDANCE
-> Faculty Advisor- Any clarification/issues
-> Year Coordinator- Academic Guidance
-> Head of the Department
☆Proctor will guide in-

•Subject selection for each sem

•Credit related issue

•Classroom issue

•Attendance related issue

•Continuous monitoring of exam performance

•Hostel matter

•Personal matter

•Change of mobile no etc

 Every month first week Wednesday from 11am to 1 pm a

interaction meeting with proctor is held.
 Parents can contact the Proctor using mail/message/phone
call.
 Leave approval process is successfully done by the Proctor

PAGE 18
☆Key skills for the 21st century

–Problem solving

–Meta cognition

–Creative thinking

–Self efficiency

–Motivation

–Perseverance

☆Important skills to develop

–Core competency skills

–leadership skills

–Communication skills

–Decision making skills

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–Critical thinking skills

 College is certainly a place to learn and also a place to grow

and enjoy ur college life because learning is most effective while
enjoying.
 Adjust the changes from school to college
 Sophisticated environment and learning, enriching ourselves
with knowledge and opportunities.
 Spread your wings in a multidimensional fold
 Bloom to give the best for yourself and explore everything
around you.

☆Industry Expectations-

->Soft skills

-> Communication

-> Logical Reasoning

->Grasping

-> Teamwork

-> Technical skills

-> Functional/ management skills

 Best social media platform for official purpose is “Linked in”

PAGE 20
☆CLUBS
The clubs here at VIT suits everyone’s enthusiasm and fits everyone on campus.
VIT is enhanced with many such clubs. These clubs help students cultivate
leadership and team-building skills. These clubs are responsible for the never-
ending stream of liveliness and events that happen in our college. Name
technical, artistic, and research-oriented or public speaking, everything and
everyone is satisfied here.
Multiple active chapters keep the students engrossed in partaking in activities
throughout the year. The chapters have several universities and schools beneath
them and this creates a student network stopping at no borders. Such interaction
not only helps students build an efficient network, but also additionally facilitates
them in learning new things.

-> There are 150+ clubs and 50+ chapters

-> The clubs recruitment will begin in 2nd sem.

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 Physical Activity

Fitness session, yoga classes, lecture(s) on facing world with sportsman spirit,
making young students aware that there is nothing like being failure in the world.
The world gives opportunities to all.

On our second day of orientation, we had a very refreshing and

exciting yoga session. -> There are 16 literary clubs,30
Technical clubs etc

DAY 3

☆YOGA ORIENTATION

PAGE 22
DAY 4 (09/09/2021)
Morning Session:

Living In Harmony
The session started with Mr. Murli introducing himself and providing his contact
details, should we ever need to contact him. Using multiple examples. Mr. Murli
proceeded to explain about the various decisions that we may have to take in life,
and how they might affect our thinking process. One notable example was the
true example, in which we can decide to save the lives of 4 people at the cost of 1
life, although the 1 life that was going to be taken did not deserve to die. He went
on to explain how each of these triggers a different area in our brain, and how our
emotions influence our decisions.

PAGE 23
After this, Mr. Murli described a Psychological experiment that involved throwing
balls to simulate social rejection. Using MRIs, the different regions of the brain
were observed. The results of the study showed that emotional pain simulates the
same region of the brain that is simulated by physical pain.
Mr, Murali then proceeded to explain about the power of propaganda: Propaganda
can dehumanise people and cause them to do inhumane and unnatural stuff. He
used the examples of the Nazi
Regime to solidify his stand, and then told us that according to him, an idea is
stronger than any weapon. Then, he began to describe another case study where
a German teacher is lenient on the blue-eyed children for the first day, and on the
second day, brown-eyed children were proclaimed to be better.
The results were such that when the brown children were ‘in power’, they were not
as harsh as the blue-eyed children. This indicated that showing different
perspectives to people greatly influenced their behaviour and decisions.
Next, he described another case study where a person was able to convince
people to suicide. By doing this, Mr. Murali showed us the power of communication
and propaganda, and how they can be used to influence decisions.

Mr. Murali concluded his address by telling us that we have to realise the truth
ourselves: No-one can tell the universal truth to us, and we have to be confident in
our abilities. We should also have faith in our ideas, and most importantly, we need
to respect others as fellow being and think of their perspectives as well. Nothing
can stop us if we are determined, focussed and have faith on ourselves.

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