Experience sharing: A Technologist cum Management Scientist View

Dr S G DeshmukhDirectorABV-Indian Institute of Information Technology & ManagementGwalior 6 Feb 2013

INSPIRE Programme, Amity University Gwalior

About my institute MHRD initiative in

1997 Deemed university Synergistic

combination of IT and Management

Lush-green campus of 160 acres with state-of-the-art infrastructure

Runs Integrated Master, MBA, Mtech and Phd programmes

Outline Observations and philosophy Experiences in Teaching Consulting & Research Observations & Insights Competencies of a Researcher Current Trends & Implications for

teachers Concluding remarks

Philosophy: Why bother?

Talks are a fundamental part of research process ! Helps to disseminate knowledge base !

FallacyWe give talks mainly to impress others, gain recognition, and get promoted

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Do not be Frightened

Give a talk, about

any idea, no matter how weedy and insignificant it may seem to you

Fallacy You need to have a fantastic idea before you can give a presentation !

(Everyone else seems to.)

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Observation..

“ Mathematical ideas originate in empirics…but [then] the subject begins to live a peculiar life of its own and … after much ‘abstract’ inbreeding, is in danger of degeneration … whenever this stage is reached, the only remedy seems to me to be the … reinjection of more or less directly empirical ideas”

John von Neumann

Remarks.. Economics, Finance, Accounting and Marketing all

started up as theoretical disciplines, then enjoyed an explosion of empirical studies and came to a balance between empirics and modeling.

How much of our (modeling) research can we utilize in teaching?

How much of our (modeling) research interests top managers?

Applied research can make us more relevant as researchers, teachers, consultants as well as stimulate better models!

REAL - WORLD

SYSTEM

ASSUMED REAL-WORLD SYSTEM

MODEL

• Definition of the Problem

* Construction of the Model

• Solution of the Model

* Validation of the Model

• Implementation of the Final Result

Academic Environment

Demanding students , Competitive peer faculty group and expectant industry clients

Lot of opportunities to enhance teaching because of demanding students !

Teaching –led Research OR Research-led Teaching Consulting opportunities to refine perspective Training for dissemination of knowledge

Remark..

"To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.“

- Chinese proverb

Objectives of Ph D Programme at IITB

The broad objectives of the Ph.D. programme is not only to keep pace with the expanding frontiers of knowledge but also to provide research training relevant to the present social and economic objectives of the country.

The academic programme leading to the Ph.D. degree is broad based and involves a minimum course credit requirement and research thesis.

Expectations at Doctoral level (QAA, 2001)

Creation and interpretation of new knowledge Through original research, or other advanced

scholarship Of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publication

Systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge

At the forefront of an academic discipline or area of professional practice

Conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding

Detailed understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry

Why Phd: Ground reality

Cosmetics ! Promotion & Career Advancement Build, “Think Tank” Academic Recognition & Team building R&D in Industry Promotion of Science & Technology Problem Solving Export of Expertise Learning to work out to minimize efforts to do a

task/job

Driving forces & Sources of Ideas

Driving Forces behind

Ph D Interest Market forces Status Recognition Dream Fire & Spark !!

Sources of Ideas Lab Library Computer Internet Industry Mistakes done in

past

Skills developed during Ph D at IITB

Ph D in Industrial Engineering & OR :Interdisciplinary programme

Technical skills : Subject matter (Optimization)

Ability to ask questions Ability to work independently Soft skills: Communication, team work,

perseverance , tenacity

Insights Ph D is a prima facie evidence that now you

can do research on your own !Prof Kripa Shanker, My Ph D examiner

20 Mar 1989Ph.D. is the beginning, not the culmination, of your career. Don't worry about making it your magnum opus. Get out sooner, rather than later.

Enabling agents during Ph D

Role of supervisor (My supervisor : Prof A Subash Babu) : Extremely important : Friend , Philosopher & Guide !

Role of the peers : Provide technical and emotional support system , act as buffer

Role of the Institute (IITB) : Enabling environment, Research driven culture, spirit of inquiry

Emerging Research Paradigm Easy availability of computational power Accessibility to software tools Interdisciplinary character of research More emphasis on funded research (agencies

like DST, DIT, CSIR etc.) Demanding industry needs Enhanced Institute-industry interaction Networking of institutes /R&D labs enabled by

web Collaborative research

Teaching-Research–Consulting-Training Cycle

Teaching

Training

Consulting

Research

Sponsored Research & Consultancy

An opportunity for technology transfer Example: CAFIMS(Computer Aided Factory

Integration Management System): A collaborative project between IITD, IITB, ECIL,and Sumeet (Sponsored by DIT)

Lean Management System (Sponsored by DST) with industry partners : a ground for learning and consolidation

Consulting Optimization Problem : Integration of

Regional electricity grids (World Bank): INGRID Model (based on GAMS)

Capacity Expansion Problem : (Bhrati Telecom)

Integrated Procurement –Production- Distribution Problem (Apollo Tyres)

3-D cutting stock Problem (Nucleus software )

Insights : Consulting Migration from problem phase to solution

phase to implementation phase : an interesting journey

Conceptual, Analytical and Design skills Language barrier ! Problems are just problems- Without any

labels: Ph d helps you in developing a particular perspective to look at them!!

Consulting assignment :Existing Supply Chain of XYZ

F01 ……. F04

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

1 2 30 47 60 80 98

Fig 1(a) : Existing Distribution network model of XYZ

Plants

RDC’s

DO’s

Proposed SC based on TRANSHIPMENT model

F01 ……. F04

1 2 3 4 5 6

1 2 30 47 60 80 98

Plants

RDC’s

DO’s

Fig 1(b) : Proposed distribution network model of XYZ

Challenges faced Dealing with a very progressive and

professionally managed groups : demanding client !

Tight time lines and Great degree of coordination and interfacing required

Creativity/innovation and out-of-the-box thinking required in implementing solutions !

Research driven by industry needs ! Problem solving led to development of new

algorithms and solution procedures

Career Insights Prepare: learn your subject deeply

–Learn how to train yourself; keep learning; be open to suggestions and ideas

Practice communication and teamwork Use IT in as an enabler , collaborate and network (web

sites, …) For corporate: understand the business (es) Career paths (IITD and IIITM G)

–Technical (keep teaching, research and consulting)–Project leader (management as well as technical)–Manager (manage Processes, Projects and People)

Today’s Reality : Technology driven flat world ! Single location Single utility

Any location Not only

telephone, but a device to connect to the world

Trend 1: Shelf life Interconnected world: Millions of ideas

getting generated, developed and disseminated

Faster publishing cycle Web enabled submission, review and

publication process

Trend 2: Digitization of research outcome

Trend 3: Collaboration ! Sharing of

information Institutional

collaboration Professional

networks Social networks

Observations… Ideas are not limiting factor: usually time

is ! Avoid Tunnel Vision

Plan for long-term, beyond immediate research area

It takes considerable time to design a research program

Envision Outcomes Difference that research can make, significant papers produced, credited with solution to important problem

Suggestion !

Always remember Always remember that the secret of that the secret of

success is passion.success is passion.Always think big. Always think big. Spread love & joy.Spread love & joy.

You'll have blissful You'll have blissful years aheadyears ahead

• Always remember that the secret of Always remember that the secret of good professionalism is passion.good professionalism is passion.

• Always think big. You'll have blissful Always think big. You'll have blissful years of research aheadyears of research ahead

Research is the path you choose, the road you build and destination you set.

Thanks a lot

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