My beautiful college

The Indian Institute of Pulses Research is perhaps the only one of its kind for research in pulses in India. I was amazed and I feel inspired to this very day. It changed my perspective, and has given me a training, professional competence and clarity of thought which will stay with me for a much longer time.

The course curriculum is well-prepared to introduce a masters student to the nuances of scientific research in pulses. The six month course offers many specializations. I chose to study soil science under plant breeding and genetics. The course ends with the submission of a dissertation or thesis as per the student's choice.

I don't know in general, but for my course there were no placements, it was just a training program and we were all enrolled in different full-time MSc and MTech courses, so there was no question of placements or internships.

The fee for the entire six month course is just thirty thousand rupees, very affordable even for students like me. This fee does not include lodging which students had to arrange by themselves. And the fee can be paid electronically or through a bank draft.

The laboratory is full of the latest and the most sophisticated equipment, a massive upgrade from the ones in regular universities and in line with the ongoing research within and outside the country. The library is well-stacked and we had limited access to it. We also got the chance to participate in a few seminars.

There are predetermined dates and format for application to the student training program at IIPR. I applied in May for the July to December program with all the documents. The application is processed strictly on merit basis.

The faculty is illustrious and outstanding, they are the top scientists and researchers of their fields, I knew them only by seeing their names in journals. It was wonderful to attend their lectures, and learn the intricacies of soil science and its possible impact.