GROW-N

  Speaker: Prof. Arpita Mondal Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and IDP in Climate Studies, IIT Bombay In this insightful seminar, Prof. Arpita Mondal shares candid reflections and practical guidance on the journey of becoming a professor at premier institutes like the IITs. From navigating the early-career academic landscape to understanding expectations in research and teaching, this talk is a must-watch for anyone aspiring to build a career in academia in India. Watch the full talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGvao2KS8Eg    

  “We Make Everything Else Possible” – A Bold Reimagining of Civil Engineering On 26 th June 2025, the GROW-N Monthly Talk Series hosted a speaker who did far more than deliver a lecture—he sparked a movement.  Prof. Rajagopalan Balaji, a globally respected faculty member from the University of Colorado Boulder, spoke about the past, present and future of civil engineering. His talk sparked an important conversation, offering students valuable insights into building a meaningful career in the civil engineering industry. Prof. Balaji began candidly: he hadn’t even wanted to be a civil engineer. Like many, he ended up in the field due to rank and options. But decades later, with an illustrious international career, he confidently declared: “If I had to start all over again, I wouldn’t choose anything but civil engineering.” The surprising part? His journey wasn’t just about technical skills—it was about realizing that infrastructure is the backbone of our society, driv...