Pragyan Hazarika uses his knowledge of practical applications to research radio frequency amplifiers in Montreal

For most undergraduate students, playing laser tag is a simple way to let off some steam on the weekends after long days of studying. For Pragyan Hazarika, he is able to practice his engineering skills through fun games like laser tag. At an annual event he and his friends organize at India’s National Institute of Technology- Surathkal, the students design and build their own laser guns and sensor vests for the game.  Using the skills he has learned in practical applications of electrical and communications engineering through this festival, Pragyan will be completing a summer internship at the École de Technologie Supérieure in Montréal.

The son of a former professor and minister in the Indian government, Pragyan was always encouraged to pursue his academic dreams to his highest abilities. So when a chance for him to take part in a Mitacs Globalink summer research internship came along, he knew it was his chance to use his skills at a top university in Canada.  His friend, Smarjeet, had worked on a project with Dr. Nicolas Constantin in Montreal the previous year and had brought back photographs and stories of Canada and the wonderful opportunities for research he would be given. In accepting an internship to Canada, it so happened that Pragyan has found himself also working with Dr. Constantin, and continuing the work that his friend had started on radio frequency power amplifiers such as those used in cellular telephones.

When asked what he knew about Canada before applying to his internship, Pragyan admitted that he had not really taken Canadian universities seriously before when considering where he might go for graduate school. However, he says with a laugh, “[The Mitacs Globalink program] has opened up opportunities for me to go to world-class universities and I now know more about Canadian [universities] than American ones!” He says that so far the people of Montreal and his colleagues have been friendly and helpful in accepting him into their fold while he pursues his research there this summer. Perhaps, even, they will get the opportunity to engage in a game or two of laser tag!