An Ode to NCST

A year has passed unlike any other.

I stop to take stock,
of how we stand transformed,
and the things and people that have changed us.

When we first stepped through your doors,
we had no idea of what was in store for us.
We knew the syllabus ‘tis true,
but didn’t know how much hair we’d lose
in getting to learn it.

We knew we’d find teachers, we didn’t expect
to find mentors who spurred us on in the face of odds.

We joined a reputed training institute, we were
surprised to find a world-class learning institution,
with facilities unmatched and commitment unparalleled.

‘Tis rarely that you find a place filled
with people who want to see you learn,
and take the the pains to make it happen.

A place filled with guides and inspiration,
chock-full with endeavour,
such a place is NCST.

To name a few, would be to miss many more,
and unfair to the many individual contributions
that have made this experience so special.

And so we thank you all,
The Administration and Security,
for planning to perfection and looking after us,
the Faculty for your unflinching commitment,
the Support Staff for keeping the lab going 24x7x365,
the TAs for your technical and emotional support
in times of deep misery (read Projects –> deep mess –> messiah),
the Canteen Staff for feeding us
(and I don’t care what people say – I love NCST’s lunch),
the gardeners for the thankless job
of maintaining such a scenic campus come rain or shine,
the Placement Support team for landing us
our daily bread (& better :),
and the higher authorities for conceiving and enabling
such an incredible institution.

We carry with us a wealth of learning
and memories of many happy moments shared
and bonds built with you and amongst ourselves.

These, we will cherish forever.
And for that Thank You!

– for FPGDST 04-05

Earning NCST’s Fulltime Post-Graduate Diploma in Software Technology (FPGDST) is an experience.

At the zero-day induction, the batch of 100 files out to the reception, agog with excitement.
Clueless about what lies ahead. For a year, life is defined by the monthly (12 modules in a year) grind of lectures, lab practice assignments, textbooks, quizzes, and projects.
Machine Graded Programming Tests (MGPTs) are the pinnacle of that exercise.

Gruelling and demanding, with compressed time-frames. ‘C’ programming covered in 3 days. Followed by C++ in 15.

The emphasis is not on teaching, but on introducing you to core topics at an advanced level. You’re expected to put in double-time to study and learn.
It is easy to fall behind, and you can’t allow yourself to be demotivated by setbacks (flunking a quiz/project) – the schedule won’t allow it.
“You’re in the army now. Stand up and fight!”
You just have to persevere and put your shoulder to the grind.

It helps to keep your eyes on the goal - complete the course and earn that certificate.
It helps to collaborate in groups and to learn from each other, rather than struggling individually.
The synergy helps you cover more than you could by yourself.

It’s your job to extract knowledge from the teacher. So you need to ask what you don’t understand. I made the mistake of being reticent about this.
But you do need to study and apply yourself to the lecture topic beforehand.
Questions will stretch the class duration and eat into your lab-session schedule, so be prepared to work extended hours for the lab-sessions.

I was lucky to serve as Project Manager for the final Software Engineering (SENG) module. By the time, the group had dwindled to 55 (folks leave as soon as they land a job), but it called into play communication, problem solving, and coordination skills.

By the time you’re out, the expression changes from excited to a wizened countenance.
‘I can take it, throw it at me!’
A change as tangible on the inside as it is on the outside.

Your form bonds of friendship with some batchmates and faculty (also ex-students) that will link you for years to come.
It’s unsettling at the end when you have to leave, even for an unsocial person, because the pressure-cooker environment causes you to reach out and form bonds with a core group regardless.