My first interaction with Prof. Kapil Hari was during the course on complex analysis in IISER Mohali which he instructed.
two essays
I found the following article long back but I did not realise whose website I was looking at. Later on I found it again. It’s so funny!
Explanation of Course Structure at IISERM (2012) - Mast Kalandar (imsc.res.in)
(education, philosophy)
This article is also important to look at!
Points don’t matter - Mast Kalandar (imsc.res.in)
(grading, philosophy)
two emails
email titled "Skills vs Certificates" sent on August 1, '25
Dear Students,
Since it will soon be the beginning of a new academic year, this seems like a good time to suggest that you take a fresh look at your approach to your education at IISER Mohali.
As you know, shortage of appropriate skills is the leading cause of being unemployed in spite of having a degree. Thus, you need to develop your skills.
One difficulty with the above suggestion is that it is not clear that the skills required in the job market today will be relevant tomorrow. The scenario is rapidly evolving.
Thus, an important skill that you can pick up is to “learn to learn”. This skill prepares you to pick up new skills as required.
Typically, focussing only on examinations leads to last minute quick-fire preparation. Some people are good at this and are able to convince the examiner that they have learnt the material even though they only picked it up for the examination.
While you may get a position by convincing someone you have the right skills, you will only retain that position if you demonstrate your ability to keep at a task until it is completed.
Thus, a second important skill is that of persistence in the face of difficulty. This will help you retain a position that you have acquired by presenting a good first impression.
In summary, even if you do not particularly see how a particular course will lead to employability, you should put in regular work on the course to learn what is being taught. This will help you in picking up two very important skills.
If you “leave” courses for last minute pre-exam studies and happen to be one of the fortunate few who can pick things up quickly, you may “learn to learn”. However, you will miss your chance at picking up the second skill of persistence.
Needless to say, being regular in coursework will also make many skills that are taught as part of it ingrained in you.
Best wishes for the coming semester.
Kapil.