Professor Mukesh Upadhyay
Ph.D, MCA (Hons), GATE, NET
Lachoo Memorial College of Science and Technology (LMCST), Jodhpur
Q1. Please share your educational and professional journey?
Earlier an electronics hobbyist (since class VII), passionate about electronics circuit development and assembly, pursued B.Sc. (Electronics) from Lachoo Memorial College, Jodhpur, followed by Diploma in computers, from same college and observed that the future is amalgamation of Electronics and Computer thus, joined and completed Master’s Degree in Computer Applications (MCA) from MBM Engineering College, Jodhpur with Honours Grade and second position in order of Merit.
In First attempt cleared GATE-94 Examination in “Computer Science and Engineering”, then joined as Visiting Faculty at MBM Engineering, teaching B.E and MCA students. Further, in first attempt qualified NET Examinations in Computer Applications in 1995. Joined Lachoo Memorial College of Science & Technology as Lecturer in August 1995. Promoted to Reader in 2001, now a professor since 2011. As a teacher, taught over 20 subjects at Post-Graduation and Graduation levels. Love to teach core subjects as Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Embedded Systems, Analysis of Algorithms, Theory of Computation, Communication and Networking, Operating Systems, Systems Programming, Advanced Computer Architecture, Computer Organization and Architecture, Microprocessors and Microcontrollers, Digital Electronics, Compiler Design, Computer Graphics, and Programming in C.
Continuing towards academic progress, pursued and completed Ph.D. in Statistics on “Problem of Classification of Sample Observations Pertaining to Radar Target Signature” under the guidance of Professor G. C Tikkiwal, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, JNVU Jodhpur. During this research filed two patents out of which one is granted recently.
An Embedded systems developer, providing solutions to Industries, having professional experience of teaching and development over 25 years, I have one motto “Towards a better Man-Machine Dialogue”, thus have developed many successful projects. Some of them are: NMS (association with TINS, a TATA enterprise), Light & Sound Shows (Philips India), Musical Fountains, Interactive Fountains, Programmable Fountains, Train Information Systems, IOT SCADA, IOT IAQ web logger (Honeywell), Irrigation valve controller, Cooler speed & Humidity controller, Remote displays etc (all professional grade).
An avid circuit designer and software programmer, programming both in assembly language and High-Level Languages loves to design and develop embedded systems. Associated with Indian Army (since NOV 2005) and DRDO (since, Feb 2000), developed several successful projects pertaining to war-fare technologies. Having knowledge of both Electronics and Computers, enjoys both Hardware and Software development (a rare combination).
Mentor of Change: Appointed as Mentor of Change (MoC) by Atal Innovation Mission, Niti Ayog, New Delhi, for mentoring the Atal Tinkering Labs at school level for Jodhpur City.
Regularly being invited to deliver lectures on variety of topics by Universities /DRDO/ Colleges /Polytechnique Colleges etc. Conducted several workshops on Fundamentals of Electronics, Robotics and Embedded Systems for college teachers and students. Guided hundreds of projects at UG and PG level. Passionate to teach Core Computer Science Subjects with zeal and enthusiasm.
Q2. Please share a brief about your Video Lecture Series?
A total of 71 Video lectures recorded and telecasted on National Network
- MHRD (NME-ICT) for Higher Education
(National mission on education through information communication technology)
- Lecture Series Title: Information Technology and ITS applications in Business
No. of Lectures: 24
- UGC-CEC Video lecture series (Countrywide Classroom)
- Lecture Series Title: Microprocessors & Microcontrollers
No. of Lectures: 23
- Lecture Series Title: Fundamentals of Digital Electronics & Essentials of Computer Organization and Architecture
No. of Lectures: 24
Q3. Recently you have got your awaited Patent. It is a huge achievement. Please share about Scientific Achievement/Invention?
A patent has been granted by Office of the Controller General of Patents, Design and Trade Marks, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India Pertaining to “Shor me bhi Sur hai” a system to Identify faults in mechanical systems by converting the noise to musical notes and Octaves (Sur and saptaks).
Granted Patent:
- Patent Number: 848/DEL/2009
- Grant number: 33108
- Date of Grant:26 FEB 2020
Q4. You had done MCA (Honours). What did attract you towards teaching?
When we were pursuing MCA (in 1989), Computer Science was very new in Rajasthan. The MCA course started for the first time in Rajasthan at MBM Engineering College in Department of Electronics and Communications. Most of the teachers were of Electronics background and only few of them were having degree in Computers, but their knowledge about computers and teaching methodologies were exceptional and “what I am today” is only because of the knowledge I was imparted by my GURU’S at MBM. But at the same time, due to scarcity of books, non-existent of internet and very few knowledge resources availability, we the classmates studied and revised in groups at hostel and homes. During group study, I was automatically endorsed by my class mates as “good explainer” of subjects and at that point of time I made it sure that I will be a teacher and will try to overcome the obstacles of resources what we have faced during our studies.
Thus, I focused on enhancing my qualifications leading towards ‘being a teacher’ and I pursued taking exams of GATE and NET respectively and succeeded in both at first attempt. Again, as and when I got a chance, I started to purchase books (from Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Jaipur). Today I have a personal Library of more than 300 Books covering almost all domains of Computer Science.
Q5. What kind of hurdles did you face in your journey?
Non-availability of books on Computer Science. No internet. Also, one interesting thing that the Computer what we have used during study were PC, with Monochrome/EGA Monitor, with CPU having 25 MHz speed. 4 MB RAM, two 10” floppy drives, out of which one contained OS and second compiler and text editor. During our 3rd Semester, we were lucky enough to have a PC-AT with Colour VGA Monitor. In third year of MCA brought a PC-AT with VGA monochrome monitor which was later replaced by Colour VGA monitor, a gift received from my one of the favourite teachers for whom I developed software for Train Information Systems, successfully installed and commissioned at three Railway Stations in Rajasthan. Thus, when resources are less and you are passionate you always excel.
Q6. Computer Science is changing very fast year by year. Currently which is the latest technology in this domain?
Artificial Intelligence and IOT. We are leading towards “Autonomous-Automatous”, thus, Embedded Systems, IOT, Big-Data Analytics along with Cloud Computing will play a vital role in future of Computer Science. Computers are now indispensable in every sphere of life. Whether be it any filed of Engineering, Science, Arts or Commerce, at one or other point we need computers.
Embedded Systems along with Artificial Intelligence (I consider Data Science as part of AI) will play a significant role in Medical Sciences, Industrial Management, Public Place Management, etc post COVID19 situation.
Q7. How do you motivate yourself at every morning?
Every morning I mentally plan the topics of my lectures to be delivered on the day. Also, I go through (browse) books and notes for the subjects to be taught in class 2 or 3 days beforehand.
As for development of projects on professional side, I read a lot about electronics and programming. “Electronics for You “, is my favourite monthly magazine and haven’t missed to read any issue since 1985.
Whenever I am free, I motivate my-self by self-set challenges developing and using new techniques and learning about new components. I am very passionate about electronics components, typically IO devices (sensors and actuators). As soon as a new sensor or actuator device comes to my knowledge, I try to procure, learn about it: “How and Where it can be used”, interface it with microcontroller (circuit designing, prototyping and programming) and take a note of it. Further, I have observed that this practice helps me a lot, and whenever some project comes, it becomes very easy for me to cater it. Thus I strongly believe “Practice makes man perfect”
Q8. You are a GATE and NET qualified. Please give some tips to get success in exams?
Focus on what you are doing, give your best. Only bookish knowledge is not sufficient to crack the competitive exams, don’t cram the subject, understand the basic concepts, solve problems and numerical as much as you can. You also need to develop quantitative and verbal aptitude. Develop approach to understand and solve the problems analytically. Read books apart from your subject like novels, magazines, story books to enhance your language horizon. If you are not clear with a topic, never hesitate to ask questions from teachers, or friends, if you are not clear with topic.
Never under estimate the capacity and capability of yourself. Because you are one of the creations of God, thus you are unique and do possess some rare quality. So, “compete and conquer”.
Q9. What is the meaning of success in your terms?
At the end of the day, you are satisfied with yourself that you have honestly and religiously performed/discharged/fulfilled your duties of the day whether be it your work place, professional life and in personal life, I think it is your success. To be honest with yourself is the highest success what you can have. Rest all other, so-called success, what we see, is superfluous and matter of convenience.
We measure success by power and post, but the true success is how honest you are towards yourself.
Q10. Who is your role model in your domain?
As for the word “Model” it always changes over time, its merely a representation of thought, ideas, solutions and surroundings around you. In every situation, you need a reference person, in from of solution provider to your problem, and he or she becomes your role model at that point of time. So, I don’t think so there is any word like “absolute model”. Things changes over time along with your journey in life and perspectives.
Also, for a domain like Computer Science, a single person cannot suffice to be role model. You pass through various phases of life and your role model changes over the time, hence, the people who has made an impact in your life and mould you to what you are becomes your role model. Thus, for me there is a pool of role-models, who has carved me into what I am today. I have absorbed the qualities of my models at different phases of life, leant from them a lot but never copied any one’s style. I have my own style and personality of teaching, solving problems, programming and circuit designing.
- My parents: Who taught me “Dignity of Labour”. Don’t classify any task as small or big, take it as a challenge and meticulously complete it. Whatever passion you have try to achieve it.
- Dr Sanjiv Desai: Who inculcated electronics to me when I was in VII standard. At that point of time I started to understand electronics and became passionate about circuit assembly.
- Dr R C Sharma: Who taught me methodically the technical concepts of electronics.
- Dr Sharda Shankar: Core understanding of Digital Electronics.
- Dr K L Sharma: Microprocessors.
- Dr K R Choudhary: From whom I learnt a lot about Computer Science
- Dr Rajesh Bhadada: The confidence of Teaching and lot of core subjects.
- Professor R L Mathur: Developed my analytical approach.
- Professor G C Tikkiwal: Research Aptitude.
Dr Kumar Vishwas: His knowledge and analytical approach is impeccable. Love to listen him.
