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Mentorship Matters: How the 2004 and 2011 Batches Give Back
When we talk about the legacy of the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), we aren't just discussing brick and mortar or a syllabus that has evolved over a century. We are talking about a living, breathing ecosystem defined by its people. Specifically, the student communities that have passed the torch from one generation to the next. As we celebrate the Silver Jubilee of the IEEE UVCE Student Branch—marking 25 years of uninterrupted excellence—it is crucial to pause and reflect on the specific cohorts that built the foundation we stand on today.
Among the many batches that have walked the corridors of KR Circle, the 2004 and 2011 batches stand out as pivotal turning points in the history of our student activities. These were not just students who attended classes; they were architects of culture, revivers of tradition, and pioneers of the technical festivals we now take for granted.
In this edition of our Sampada 30 Days Series, we delve deep into the stories of alumni like Arun Makkath, Swaroop Bhushan, Krishna S, and Yogesha K S. Their journeys from hesitant freshers to global technology leaders offer a masterclass in the value of mentorship and the enduring power of giving back to one's alma mater.
The Architects of Revival: The Batch of 2004
The early 2000s were a time of rebuilding. While IEEE had existed in various forms at UVCE, it was the 2004 batch that truly revitalized the student branch, turning it into the powerhouse we recognize today. This period was characterized by a "startup mentality" before startups were even a trend.
Dealing with Ambiguity
Arun Makkath, now the Group Head of Technology at Grab, served as the Student Chair in 2004. Reflecting on his time, Arun emphasizes that the greatest lesson UVCE taught him was not just technical engineering, but the ability to navigate ambiguity. In a corporate world that is rarely paved with clear instructions, the experience of managing a student chapter with limited resources was invaluable.
Alongside Arun was Swaroop Bhushan, currently the CTO & VP of Engineering at Zeno. Swaroop’s journey began with a simple philosophy: most of life is about showing up. From managing registrations for international conferences to handling logistics for the very first iterations of IMPETUS, Swaroop learned that volunteering was a force multiplier. Every hour invested in the chapter returned tenfold in professional skills—negotiation, financial planning, and crisis management.
| Alumnus | Role at UVCE (c. 2004) | Current Global Impact | Key Contribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arun Makkath | Student Chair | Group Head of Tech, Grab | Revived the chapter; established the first major corporate sponsorships. |
| Swaroop Bhushan | Vice Chair | CTO, Zeno | Managed early conferences; established operational discipline. |
| Sharjeel Ahmed | Chairman (2003) | CEO, Pazo | Creative genius behind early branding and strategies. |
Scaling New Heights: The Batch of 2011
If the 2004 batch was about foundation and revival, the 2011 batch was about scale, research, and diversification. By the time Krishna S and Yogesha K S took the reins, the branch was ready to expand its horizons beyond simple event management into serious technical research.
From "Pre-AI" to Google DeepMind
Krishna S, who is now a Senior Research Engineer at Google DeepMind developing multimodal AI models, recalls his time as Student Chair (2010-11) as a period of explosive growth. Under his leadership, membership tripled. But more importantly, the culture shifted towards research. In what he jokingly refers to as the "pre-AI days" of Excel and MATLAB, the seeds of technical inquiry were sown.
Krishna’s story is a testament to the fact that student leadership is not a distraction from academics but an enhancement of it. The skills required to organize logistics, plan events like Kagada, and speak to crowds are not taught in textbooks. They are learned in the fire of student organizational work.
Nurturing the Research Mindset
Yogesha K S, the Vice Chair for the 2011 batch, highlights the transformative nature of the branch. For an undergraduate, the concept of "research" can often feel distant and intimidating. However, through the consistent mentorship of faculty and seniors, the branch demystified this process. The introduction of platforms like Kagada (the National Level Student Conference) provided a safe yet competitive space for students to present papers, defend ideas, and innovate.
The Common Thread: Unwavering Mentorship
What connects a batch from 2004 to a batch from 2011, and eventually to the students of 2026? The answer lies in the steadfast mentorship of the faculty. Every single alumnus story from these eras circles back to one name: Dr. P. Deepa Shenoy.
- Visionary Guidance: Whether it was late-night planning sessions for Impetus or guidance on publishing a research paper, Dr. Shenoy provided the "North Star" for the branch.
- Academic Rigor: Mentors like Dr. Venugopal K R ensured that while students had fun, the technical quality of the work never dipped. This balance is what allowed alumni to transition so seamlessly into top-tier companies and research institutions like ISRO, Microsoft, and Google.
- Consistency: In a student body where leadership changes every year, faculty mentors provide the institutional memory required to sustain a legacy for 25 years.
Why This Matters to You (The Current Student)
You might be reading this and wondering, "That's great history, but how does it help me get a job or an internship today?" The answer is simple: The path hasn't changed, only the tools have.
When Arun Makkath speaks about dealing with ambiguity, he is talking about the exact skill required to survive in today's AI-disrupted job market. When Krishna S talks about leadership, he is describing the "soft skills" that differentiate a coder from an engineering leader. Joining communities like IEEE UVCE isn't just about adding a line to your resume; it is about simulating the professional world while you are still in the safety of the college campus.
Key Takeaways for the Class of 2026:
- Network Early: Your seniors are your first professional network. The alumni mentioned here are now in positions to hire, mentor, and guide.
- Volunteer Selflessly: The motto "Selfless Action is a True Volunteer's Real Identity" is not just a slogan; it’s a career strategy. Volunteering proves you can work in a team.
- Embrace Research: Don't just consume technology; try to understand how to build it. Use platforms like Kagada to test your ideas.
CLICK TO REVEAL: The Alumni Secret to Success
"Success is a journey and not a destination. It’s about the friends you make, the mentors you find, and the resilience you build in the classrooms of UVCE."
As we look back at the Silver Jubilee of this vibrant community, we see that the buildings of UVCE may age, but the spirit remains ageless. The 2004 and 2011 batches didn't just pass through; they paved the way. Now, it is your turn to walk it, expand it, and eventually, pave it for the next generation.