Vishesh Panjabi found new research frontiers at the University of Manitoba

For Vishesh Panjabi of the Indian Institute of Technology- Kanpur, the moment he stepped into a laboratory at the University of Manitoba he knew that exciting learning opportunities were at his feet through Mitacs Globalink. The civil engineering student completed a research project on simulations of barrier walls for bridges to calculate their load bearing capacity with Dr. Ehab Salakawy. Such simulations will help municipal civil engineers to design stronger, more long-lasting structures across Canada.

Having been accepted to a research internship in Melbourne, Australia, Vishesh turned to a classmate for advice who told him about the Mitacs Globalink program, at which time he chose to apply. “I now know that I made exactly the right decision… I have been exposed to inspiring researchers in high quality research environments, and the people in Canada are friendly, too!”

Vishesh has been amazed by the experience of research at the university, saying “I have had such diverse experiences here—I have learned how experiments connect, why we choose certain methods over others, lab dynamics… things I had never experienced at home in India!”

Outside of the research, Vishesh and his fellow student at the University of Manitoba, Himanshu, have experienced many of the sights of the central-Canadian province including having played golf, toured the legislature and visited the lake-side cottage owned by  their Globalink Graduate Student Advisor. The students also took part in a roundtable discussion with members of industry and Manitoba’s Deputy Minister of Innovation, Energy and Mines.

After completing his degree in India, Vishesh hopes to pursue a Masters degree- possibly in Canada. He has enjoyed the experience of Manitoba so much so, that he hopes to do as his mentor did for him and will recommend the Mitacs Globalink program to all who ask upon his return to India.