Sudeekshna Vijayaraghavan

Doctoral Researcher

TUM Asia, Singapore

How practical learning, strong foundations and confidence guided my path from civil engineering to railway research

During my undergraduate years at Kumaraguru College of Technology, one of my professors asked me where I hoped to pursue my master’s degree. I remember answering, almost instinctively, “Somewhere at a dream university like TUM.” At the time, it was an aspiration rather than a carefully mapped plan. I did not know exactly how I would reach it, which specialisation I would eventually choose, or that my journey would lead me towards railway research.

Looking back now, after completing my master’s degree and progressing into doctoral research, I realise that the foundation for that dream was already being built during my years at KCT. KCT was my preferred choice for undergraduate study because I had heard a great deal about the academic and personal development it offered its students. What attracted me most was its emphasis on applying classroom learning to practical situations. I had also observed the confidence with which KCT students and graduates carried themselves—whether in technical discussions, presentations or professional environments.

That combination of academic strength, practical exposure and personal development gave me the confidence to pursue Civil Engineering, a field I genuinely wanted to build my career in.

When I first entered KCT, I was curious, but also slightly overwhelmed. The campus offered so many opportunities, activities and possible directions that it was initially difficult to decide where to focus. Over time, however, I learned to streamline my interests, recognise what genuinely motivated me and make better use of the opportunities available.

Finding My Direction Through Engineering

The flexibility offered through open electives allowed me to explore subjects beyond the immediate curriculum and gradually shape my academic interests. Compulsory presentations, communication activities and soft-skills training also proved invaluable. What once felt like academic requirements became skills that helped me confidently present ideas, explain technical concepts and engage with academics and industry professionals from different countries. KCT taught me not only how to solve engineering problems, but also how to communicate my reasoning clearly and continue learning independently.

One subject that particularly shaped my direction was Highway and Railway Engineering. It sparked my curiosity about transport planning and the relationship between infrastructure, mobility and cities. Over time, I became increasingly interested in railway systems—particularly the interaction between vehicles and infrastructure, maintenance challenges, and the need for safer, more reliable and sustainable public transport.

That growing interest ultimately led me to pursue a master’s degree in Rail, Transport and Logistics at TUM Asia in Singapore.

From Strong Foundations to Independent Research

During my master’s studies, I began to appreciate the strength of the foundation I had received at KCT. I needed less background preparation in several technical areas because the fundamentals had already been firmly established. More importantly, KCT had trained me to connect theoretical concepts with practical engineering situations. This helped me move beyond simply understanding a concept to questioning how it could be applied, adapted or improved to address real-world challenges. That ability became especially important as my academic journey progressed from coursework to independent research.

Researching the Future of Railway Maintenance

Today, as a doctoral researcher, I work on train-based monitoring of railway-track performance, using vibration and other measurements from operating trains to identify changes in track condition and support predictive maintenance.

Research requires the confidence to begin with an unanswered question, learn from unsuccessful attempts and continually refine the work. KCT prepared me for this process through strong technical fundamentals, practical application and independent learning—skills that continue to support my PhD journey.

A Journey Shaped Over Time

The student I was at KCT would probably be surprised—and very happy—to know that the dream university she once mentioned eventually became part of her journey. Yet reaching this stage was not the result of one dramatic decision. It was shaped gradually through subjects that sparked curiosity, opportunities that strengthened my abilities, professional experiences that clarified my interests and mentors who encouraged me to think beyond the path immediately in front of me.