Vijeta Nandal
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“Photonics and nanotechnology are the future.”
Meet ASPIRE trainee Vijeta Nandal
Growing up in the Indian countryside played a big part in Vijeta Nandal’s decision to devote herself to developing deep solar energy expertise.
Explains Vijeta: “Living in a rural area around the city of Rohtak, I saw first hand the big problems that power shortages cause people – and how India’s lack of energy infrastructure is holding back its development and its peoples’ quality of life.
“Of course, energy shouldn’t actually be an issue in India – a country that’s fortunate enough to have an abundance of sunshine and, subsequently, plenty of potential solar energy,” says Vijeta.
“So, for me, the combination of photonics and solar energy offers enormous potential when it comes to solving energy shortfalls – specifically though the development of energy-efficient technology such as smart sensors and intelligent solar panels,” she says.
“And with the world running out of fossil fuels and its energy needs rising, this technology is becoming increasingly important to the developed world, too.”
Master of Engineering
The Indian countryside seems a world away from Halifax, Nova Scotia – where Vijeta is currently living as she undertakes her Master of Engineering at Dalhousie University.
It was through her master’s that Vijeta met her study supervisor – and ASPIRE program director – Michael Cada.
Michael encouraged Vijeta to join the new program. And, after taking up his invitation late in 2012, Vijeta is set to become the first ASPIRE trainee to take up an industrial internship at Nova Scotia-based industry partner Thermodynamics Ltd.
Career path
Says Vijeta: “Photonics and nanotechnology are the future. In longer term, I want to establish myself with a solar energy-related industry. The ASPIRE program is helping me achieve this goal by providing me with exposure to the right people and practices, with hands on experience – and with opportunities to grow professionally and to learn in great depth.
“Dalhousie, meanwhile, is a great university with lots of diversity. And I really like Halifax, too. It’s a great city filled with wonderful people who have great smiles.”