Udit Gupta

Udit came from Manipal University, India, for a summer project in the School of Computing.

When I first set my sight on Dundee, it was a wet and murky day. I had been travelling for more than a day, and now I was standing at the Bus-station, a little bit wet and cold. I had a map in my hand and a confused look on my face. There wasn't a taxi in sight, and I had to go to the West Park Centre, and I was standing there with no idea what to do…

I had bagged an offer for a summer project through IAESTE at the School of Computing, at the University of Dundee. I was over the moon, as this was my first trip to UK and it had come about in a way, which would be very beneficial for me.

Queen Mother Building

After the slightly demented first day, I woke up to a bright day. I had to meet Prof. Stephen J. McKenna at the university today; who I was told would be my guide for the project I had to undertake. I left West Park early enough to look for the Queen Mother Building. People say, usually first impression is the last impression, but I am happy to report that in this case I had to make an exception. Impressive as the building was from outside, standing out from all others due to its unique shape and architecture, the people inside were more impressive.

I walked in through the automatic double doors and made way to Prof. McKenna's office. I was a bit nervous at first, but soon started becoming more and more comfortable with him by the minute. I was introduced to Dr. Ward, who was working with Stephen on the same project, FABRIC, and I was a bit surprised to know had roots in the fashion and design industry rather than computing. It was the beginning of an immensely important experience of my life, and my first thought was that the next eight weeks for me will be immensely satisfying.

I had started to apply myself more and more into my project. Initially I had my apprehensions regarding it, as I had never before done similar work. But, as time went by the apprehension gave way to excitement for what I was doing, and where I was doing it. And, the more I invested myself into the study, more confident I would become.

Udit in the City Centre with Desparate Dan

My time in Dundee was not all about work as well. The people here at the School of Computing were real cool guys. I had not yet met most of them, having only interacted with my research group, but Strathmore Trophy changed all that. Stephen had asked me if I wanted to volunteer my services for some kind of a competition that was to take place later that week, as the people responsible were looking for helpers, and I acquiesced.

Strathmore trophy was a competition, I was told, that the School of Computing had been organising for past several years to promote the use of computing technology among the local school children, and to nudge them a bit in the direction of innovation. Strathmore trophy was a special experience for me. It involved the school children, requiring them to design technology that they could wear. I had heard about wearable technology and read about it in some books, but to see school going students taking up the challenge and doing it hands on, was something all together. It made me realise that how good it would have been for me if I had had a chance to do something similar in my school life, in my not so distant past. My respect for an already special place increased.

I remember my last day at Dundee, I was soon exchanging farewells with the people I had been working and enjoying with for the past eight weeks. My project was fulfilling and we were pleased with the results. And before even I knew it I was on a plane back home, where soon I would be spreading superlatives among my friends about the phenomenon that Dundee was...