Looking back on your engineering journey, was there a particular project, challenge, or turning point that significantly changed the way you approach engineering and technological innovation?
My journey has been quite diverse. I started with Mechanical Engineering and later moved into Computer Science, research and education.
A major turning point was realizing that technology becomes truly meaningful when it solves a real human problem. When I entered education, I started using technology not just for teaching, but for creating better learning experiences.
That changed my perspective from simply asking, “What can technology do?” to asking, “What problem can technology help us solve?”
That mindset continues to guide my work today.
How do you connect engineering research and technological innovation with real-world applications, particularly when it comes to solving complex problems across industries and society?
I always start with the problem, not the technology.
In my work with teachers and students, I try to connect research, technology and pedagogy with practical needs. Whether it is AI, cybersecurity, data analysis or e-content creation, the objective is always to create something useful and usable.
I strongly believe that innovation happens when we combine technology with human needs, learning from different fields and real-world contexts.
When making important decisions in engineering research, especially with rapidly evolving technologies and limited evidence, what principles or experiences guide your thinking?
My guiding principle is simple: evidence before excitement.
Just because a technology is new doesn’t mean it is useful. I ask whether it solves a genuine problem, improves outcomes and can be used ethically and sustainably.
When evidence is limited, I prefer experimentation—start small, evaluate, learn from feedback and then scale.
My engineering background gives me a systematic approach, while my experience as an educator keeps that approach human-centred.
Among the emerging developments in engineering and technology today, which areas do you believe have the greatest potential to create meaningful impact in the coming years?
Artificial Intelligence will certainly be one of the biggest transformative technologies of our time, particularly when AI works alongside human intelligence rather than simply replacing it.
I also see enormous potential in cybersecurity, data science, robotics, IoT, AR/VR and sustainable technologies.
But I believe the real impact will come from the convergence of these technologies and how responsibly we use them to solve problems in education, healthcare, environment, agriculture and society.
What lasting impact would you like your work in engineering and technology to have, and what message would you like to leave with the next generation of engineers and researchers?
I would like my legacy to be measured by the people I have empowered through technology.
My message to young engineers and researchers is: don’t learn technology only to get a job; learn it to solve problems.
Be curious, experiment, accept failure and keep learning.
Technology will give you powerful tools, but your creativity, ethics, empathy and ability to understand human problems will determine how you use those tools.
Become not just technology users, but responsible creators and problem-solvers
As an award winner, how do you feel about this achievement? What inspired you to reach this point, and how would you describe your journey?
Awards are certainly motivating, and I am grateful for recognitions such as the National Award to Teachers 2022, National ICT Award 2015, Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program 2020-21, MASTER Award from IIT Bombay 2023 and Jagran Josh Education Award 2023.
But I see them more as milestones than destinations.
My journey has been one of continuous learning—from engineering and research to computer science, teaching, mentoring and technology-enabled education.
What inspires me most is seeing a student or teacher realise that “I can create something with technology.”
For me, every recognition brings not only pride, but also a responsibility to keep learning, innovating and empowering others.
Mr. Amit Kumar
PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Una
India
