Dr. Har Amrit Singh Sandhu –An expert, researcher and consultant in geospatial technology

Dr.HarAmrit Singh Sandhu, Assistant Professor, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh

 

Hi, I am an Assistant Professor of civil engineering at Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, India. In addition to my regular teaching responsibilities, I am the President of the prestigious American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) India Section North Region and Secretary of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing (ISRS) Chandigarh Chapter.

 

Some of the honors I have received include:

 

• Best Paper Award in the 10th International Conference, BGIET, Sangrur
• Appreciation certificate for R&D on Teacher’s Day
• Letter of Appreciation under the Institute Core Committee for Online Teaching and Learning
• Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award, ASCE HQ, Twice
• Academic Excellence Award, InSc
• International Travel Grant to Attend a Conference in Russia by IASC, Iceland
• Commendation Award on Republic Day (UT Administration, Chandigarh)
• Best Paper Award in the 4th International Conference, BGIET, Sangrur

 

 

Could you tell us about your educational background?

 

I earned my M. Tech. from IIT Roorkee, Roorkee, after graduating from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh. I obtained my Doctorate in Glaciology from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh in 2019. In addition, I hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration (PGDBA) from the Pune-based Symbiosis Centre of Online Learning. I recently began Post-Doctoral studies at a European Institution.

 

 

Could you tell us about your work experience?

 

• Industry

After my M.Tech., I gained wide and rich experience in the geospatial (GIS, RS, drone, etc.) field for about 8 years. During this period, I worked for reputed organizations like MapmyIndia (New Delhi), COWI India (Gurgaon), and Rolta India Ltd. (Chandigarh).

 

• Teaching

I started my teaching career at DeenbandhuChottu Ram University of Science and Technology, Murthal, Sonipat, Haryana. Later, I got selected for Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, and joined this institute in 2013. Thus, I have a total of more than 10 years of teaching experience with engineering and Architecture students at the UG and PG levels.

 

• Projects (Research and Consultancy)

Apart from teaching, I am involved in various research and consulting projects. Till date, I have completed research projects worth around Rs. 2 crore for organizations like CDAC, THDCI Limited, UT Administration, Indian Railways, and the Getty Institute, USA. Further, I have completed consultancy projects (worth 50 lakhs) in the fields of Drone Mapping, DGPS Survey, GIS mapping, Sand mining, etc.

 

 

Teaching style: from the old school to modern technologies

 

My teaching style is straightforward and simple. During lectures, I employ both traditional (whiteboard/blackboard) and new tactics (presentation, video, etc.). I prefer interaction to one-sided lectures. My sessions are likely to be outcome-driven and engaging. During the Corona era, I switched to online platforms for lecture sessions. In addition, I made videos explaining the functioning of equipment and instruments used in the related area to help students understand it better and posted them on my YouTube channel (>1000 subscribers). The students responded positively and liked these videos. Furthermore, I assisted other faculty members in using online platforms and received an appreciation certificate from the institute for it.

 

 

How to succeed as a student?

 

There is one old saying: "You don’t need to swing the axe harder; you just need to sharpen the blade". Thus, some of the points that I may suggest to the students for success are:

• Work smart, not hard
• Make short-term and long-term goals and plan accordingly
• Stay focused
• Time Management
• Participate in co-curricular activities

 

 

Life-changing book recommendations

 

Apart from reading subject-related books, I would like to recommend the following books, which must be read to be successful in life:

• Wings Of Fire by Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam
• Declutter Your Mind by Barrie Davenport