Engineering graduates should be given first-hand experience to take on the real time projects; Engineers are at the forefront of designing innovative, hyper-personalized solutions
Manish Jain, CTO, Comviva
Lakshmi Mittra, SVP & Head of Clover Academy
Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek
Sachin Panicker, Chief AI Office, Fulcrum Digital
FinTech BizNews Service
Mumbai, September 14, 2024: As Engineer's Day is celebrated on September 15th, it's crucial to reflect on the evolving role of engineers in today’s fast-paced world. It is observed in honor of the birthday of the distinguished Indian engineer, Sir M. Visvesvaraya, and highlights the values of engineering excellence and innovation.This year's theme, "Engineering solutions for a sustainable world. Spokespersons of Nucleus Software, Comviva, Clover Academy and MediaTek have shared a quote on the National Engineers Day.
Foster A Culture Of Continuous Learning, Provide State-Of-The-Art Resources
Comviva solutions have been deployed by over 130 Communication Services Providers and Financial Institutions in more than 90 countries and have delivered the benefits of digital and mobility to billions of people around the world. Comviva is a completely owned subsidiary of Tech Mahindra and a part of the Mahindra Group.Manish Jain, CTO, Comviva, said, “As India embarks on the journey to become a digital first nation, engineers have become a backbone for enabling this ecosystem. Indian engineers have always taken top places in companies across the globe and the talent here has proven its mettle on various fronts. We believe that India’s vision to become a global technology powerhouse will only be fulfilled when engineers graduating freshly from colleges are trained on practical use cases and are given first-hand experience to take on the real time projects. To meet the increasing need for skilled professionals in the rapidly changing tech landscape, Comviva has also partnered with esteemed colleges in India. Our aim is to bridge the gap between demand and supply, particularly in the field of engineering. We understand the critical importance of nurturing talent with specialized skills in today’s dynamic environment. By fostering a culture of continuous learning and providing state-of-the-art resources, we empower our engineers to lead the way in shaping the future of technology through consistent innovation. Our vision is to enable our engineers to contribute their best towards building a better and more sustainable ecosystem. At Comviva, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the engineers who tirelessly innovate and drive technological advancements.”
Core Engineering Skillsets
The foundation of any engineer remains technical expertise. Lakshmi Mittra, SVP & Head of Clover Academy, believes: “While the foundational knowledge of engineering remains critical, the future demands engineers who are not just technically adept but also equipped with interdisciplinary skills that span emerging technologies, problem-solving, and adaptive thinking.”
Skills like coding, system architecture, and understanding complex algorithms have always been essential. But Lakshmi Mittra points out: “With the rise of platforms like low-code/no-code environments and languages like Python, these core skills are becoming more accessible. Even non-engineers can now leverage these tools to create solutions, allowing businesses to innovate at a rapid pace. This shift in accessibility doesn’t diminish the role of engineers—it enhances it. As these platforms handle more routine tasks, engineers can now focus on more meaningful and complex challenges. They can dedicate their expertise to solving intricate problems, designing innovative systems, and driving strategic advancements. This ability to prioritize higher-value tasks is where engineers truly distinguish themselves.”
Engineers As Real-World Problem Solvers
Where engineers truly stand out today is in their ability to solve practical, real-world problems. For instance, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has revolutionized the way people transact. By allowing instant, seamless transfers between bank accounts via mobile devices, UPI solves a critical problem of accessibility and convenience in a cash-dependent economy. It’s a game-changer, not because of the technology itself, but because it addresses a real need—making digital payments available to everyone across the country, regardless of financial status.
Finternet Set To Redefine Global Finance: Democratizing Solutions For Public
The final aspect of modern engineering is democratizing these solutions so that they benefit the public at large. One such example is the “Finternet,”, a ground-breaking approach to global finance. It embodies three principles: user-centricity, unification, and universality. Lakshmi Mittra elaborates: “By putting users at the centre, creating a unified platform that cuts across various asset classes, and using tokenization technology to enable universal interoperability, Finternet is set to redefine global finance. Like Finterent, engineers today are reimagining solutions for unprecedented challenges and solving them at scale for a global audience. Democratizing these innovations ensures that the benefits of technology are felt by society at large, not just a select few.”
Engineering For A Better Future
As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, engineers must remain adaptable and committed to lifelong learning. The rapid advancements in fields like artificial intelligence, automation, and blockchain require engineers to consistently upgrade their skillsets. Organizations, in turn, have a responsibility to provide opportunities for continuous learning and skill development.
Lakshmi Mittra adds: “At Clover Academy, for example, we have introduced two unique formats—'AI Saturdays' and 'Techtron'—to empower our engineers and trainees with the latest knowledge. AI Saturdays is a 5-hour intensive training session focused on AI tools and learning platforms, with an emphasis on generative AI (GenAI) and adaptive AI technologies. Techtron, on the other hand, is an engaging internal event featuring games and quizzes on emerging technologies, designed to enhance learning in a fun, interactive way. These initiatives highlight the importance of staying updated with technological advancements while cultivating a culture of curiosity and growth.
As we move further into a technology-driven era, the role of engineers will continue to evolve. Their expertise will no longer be limited to their technical abilities, but also extend to engineering a better future for the society at large.”
Provide Citizens With Most Advanced And Reliable Technology
MediaTek is a driving market force in several key technology areas, including highly power-efficient mobile technologies, automotive solutions and a broad range of advanced multimedia products such as smartphones, tablets, digital televisions, 5G, Voice Assistant Devices (VAD) and wearables. Anku Jain, Managing Director, MediaTek India says, “As we celebrate National Engineers Day, at MediaTek, we are inspired by the incredible work of Indian engineers who drive innovation and shape a sustainable future. Aligned with this year's theme, "Engineering solutions for a sustainable world," MediaTek is proud to be part of a vibrant engineering community. Our commitment to R&D in India and around the globe ensures we remain at the forefront of technological advancements. By focusing on skilling and nurturing local talent, we empower engineers to contribute their best in building a better and more sustainable ecosystem. Together, we're creating solutions that address today's challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable tomorrow. Thanks to the efforts of our engineers, MediaTek's state-of-the-art 5G SoCs, AIOT services, and automotive partnerships are providing our citizens with the most advanced and reliable technology available.”
Engineers Cultivate Future Leaders Equipped To Tackle Evolving Industry Demands
Nucleus Software, the BSE & NSE listed, is India’s leading provider of lending and transaction banking solutions to the global financial services industry. Vishnu R Dusad, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Nucleus Software, explains: "On National Engineers Day, we honor the transformative power of engineers in shaping a sustainable and inclusive future. Engineers possess a unique blend of technical expertise and problem-solving abilities that allow them to address pressing societal challenges such as education, financial inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Through initiatives like sustainable finance and responsible innovation, engineers demonstrate how their skills can be harnessed to empower underserved communities and bridge gaps in technology and access.
At Nucleus, we believe mentorship is a critical avenue where engineers can pass on their knowledge and skills to the next generation. By guiding young professionals and students, engineers cultivate future leaders equipped to tackle evolving industry demands, fostering a culture of continuous learning and collaboration.
As the world faces a fast-paced digital transformation, particularly in the financial sector, engineers are at the forefront of designing innovative, hyper-personalized solutions that ensure no one is left behind. Their commitment to bridging the divide between urban India and rural Bharat underscores their dedication to societal progress, helping drive the vision of a Viksit Bharat where technology serves every section of society.”
Think Creatively, Work With Interdisciplinary Teams, And Apply AI Responsibly
This day holds special significance as it serves as a tribute to the contributions of engineers to society. Sachin Panicker, Chief AI Office, Fulcrum Digital, indicates: "India's journey towards becoming an advanced engineering nation is a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation and problem-solving that defines our engineers. In my engagements with engineering students from leading technology institutions, I see immense potential for driving this vision forward. From an AI standpoint, the skills that will truly define their contribution to India's future are not just technical proficiency, but the ability to think creatively, work with interdisciplinary teams, and apply AI responsibly to solve real-world challenges. As we take pride in India’s 'Make in India, Made for the World' ethos, we continue to see our engineering talent shaping digital solutions that resonate globally. On this Engineer's Day, we honour the relentless innovators who not only elevate India's standing but also define the frontline of global technological advancement."
