Interview with Dr. Kartar Singh
Dr. Kartar Singh
Ex- Assistant Professor
Department of Earth Sciences, Banasthali Vidyapith University
Ex- Research fellow, Department of Remote Sensing
Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, India
Q1. Please share your educational and professional journey?
My professional journey began long before I ever wanted to be a university professor. I had a small understanding of the skills necessary to become a professor such as caring for the well-being of students through various volunteer experiences. I studied Biology as my undergraduate subject and Geoinformatics & Remote Sensing Technology in my Master’s degree with the intention of becoming a university professor. After my PG degree, I was capable for developing strategic formulations for GIS based natural resource management.
After completion of my postgraduate studies, I became interested in learning and doing research at doctoral level therefore I have enrolled for doctoral programme (Remote Sensing Technology) with BIT, Mesra. After successfully defended my Ph.D. In 2016, as an Assistant Professor, I have joined the Department of Earth Sciences, Banasthali Vidyapith University (Worlds’ Largest Residential Women’s University), where I taught the post-graduate and doctoral students.
My research work spans across the areas of Earth Observation (Remote Sensing) data based automated algorithm development, especially covering the field of wetland ecology and planetary surface image processing & explorations. In April, 2021, after successful university teaching and research, I have leaved the Banasthali Vidyapith and currently I have involved myself in the development of post-doctoral research proposals.
Q2. What did attract you towards remote sensing and Geoinformatics?
A career in Geospatial Sciences and Technology presents many opportunities to have a global impact on your professional work. significantly, this technology domain is essentially the practice of acquisitions, analyzing, and developing the robust, generic and solution-oriented models to advance the rural-urban infrastructure and innovative to explore the newly discovered extra-terrestrial surfaces like Lunar and Mars.
Certainly, the Geospatial science improves my understanding about the concept of global village and implication avenues of sustainable world. It is therefore evident that the field has a large number of career opportunities and growth prospects.
Q3. How do you excel students in their academics and career?
Being a professor and researcher, I always involved myself into the excavation of new knowledge. Clearly, the new comer students initially, do not understand the peculiarities of the subject, they don’t know the actual depth and practical implications of this subject. I realized that, in case of any advance technology-based subject there is huge gap in between the simple understanding or straightforward real-world application of that technology and its complex mathematical formulations.
I frequently organize the brainstorming session for the learners and have regular discussion about the subject that why this particular technology has been emerged. If one can deduce that gap which exist in between the technology and its socio-ecological implications, then it would be very easy for the students to grasp it very effectively. I always use this above mentioned strategy for the improvements of the learning skills.
Q4. How do you motivate yourself at every morning?
In the world of ideas, one who have the innovative idea in the mind can positively progress in the world of uncertainties. I always formulate new research questions and everyday wants to refine them. Curiosity to come up with new possible and potential ideas make me live. Almost every night I use to prepare a list of actions and always try to accomplish these tasks in the stipulated timeframe.
Q5. What was your thesis topic in Ph.D.? please share some brief about it?
My Doctoral Thesis topic was “Geoinformatics based Wetland Condition Assessment: Sambhar Salt Lake, A Ramsar Site, India”. This doctoral research was designed to study the real-time natural as well as anthropogenic disturbances happening in and around the Sambhar Salt Lake, Notably, this inland lake is one of the major breeding grounds for migratory flamingos in the country.
During my doctoral research I have significantly developed two generic algorithms named 1. ‘Blue-Green-NIR’ algorithm for Chlorophyll estimation in hypersaline-alkaline shallow waters, and 2. ‘WSB-DA’ (Water Surface Boundary – Detection Algorithm) for accurate free water surface boundary estimations in extremely shallow inland lakes. Apart from this, major conversational issues have been documented and potential solutions have been provided.
Q6. Which one thing you want to change in yourself and why?
I want to be more aggressive and would like to stop procrastinating. I get distracted very easily and that makes me very impatient. The kind of work I do requires a lot of concentration. So, I would definitely want to bring this change in me. My parents have done so much for me. I’ve always appreciated them, but I’ve never expressed how grateful I am for them. I would love to express them how much I appreciate them.
Q7. What are the major uses of Geoinformatics in real life?
Geoinformatics is all about to provide computer simulation based advanced solutions for complex earth objects / system relationships. Geoinformatics can be used to display spatial data and to solve problems that involve spatial and non-spatial entities. Geospatial technology is particularly useful for relating, integrating, and analyzing information from layers of space-borne or airborne remote sensing images. The common uses of Geoinformatics include inventory and management of Earth natural as well as man-made resources.
Q8. What do you want to achieve in your life?
Something I have always wanted to do is academic tourism. I want to visit the global universities and renowned academic institutions for healthy and strong global relationship leading to fruitful academic collaborations.
Q9. How do you see Remote Sensing and Geoinformatics as a career for new student?
Skills development in the field of Geospatial science & technology can lead to a variety of career pathways in private as well as government sectors. Geospatial technology can be useful for students as bright career options in the fields of earth system sciences, geographical sciences, aviation, econometrics, disaster management and extraterrestrial surface explorations. This subject provides a range of opportunities to pursue from Junior Research Fellow to Eminent Scientist and Junior Executive to the top business leaders.
