October 14, 2010
School of Engineering, Coimbatore
 

The Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR) offers scholarships to young researchers of EU countries as well as other countries to engage in research projects at selected universities in Italy.
 

Ms. Smrithi Rekha, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the Coimbatore campus, was nominated from Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham to participate in the “MIUR Young Indian Researcher Mobility to Italy” program.
 

Now in Italy, Ms. Smrithi has begun research on Software Architecture Based Testing at the University of L’Aquila, Italy. She will stay here for a period of one year.
 

“I had forwarded my resume to Dr. Krishnashree, Co-Director of International Relations at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, who put me in touch with Prof. Henry Muccini, of the Department of Computer Science at the University of La’Aquila, Italy,” shared Ms. Smrithi, explaining how the opportunity came about.
 

When asked about the university, Ms. Smrithi will spend the next one year at, she elaborated further.
 

“Located in central Italy, the University of L’Aquila presents a scientific-technological character with many research groups. Its faculties occupy a high position among the Italian universities. It is best known for its Schools of Engineering, Medicine, Psychology and Sciences.”
 

“La’Aquila is a town which is about 120 kms from Rome.”
 

This is Ms. Smrithi’s first trip abroad. Having recently graduated with a dual degree (MBA-MS) from Amrita’s Bengaluru campus, she is experienced in Software Engineering.
 

“The classes taught by Amrita and SUNY-Buffalo professors helped me gain insights into the proposed field of research,” she shared.
 

“I have also been going through research papers, articles and books on Software Architecture. I hope this opportunity will help me streamline my area of research, thereby leading to a PhD in the future.”
 

Ms. Smrithi will receive a monthly scholarship as a part of this program. This will also be her first collaborative experience with international researchers. “It will be a unique learning opportunity for me,” she emphasized.
 

Before leaving for Italy, Ms. Smrithi helped organize the ACM-W Celebration of Women in Computing conference on campus.
 

“I hope that the experience I gain will help further the research output in my department,” she summed up.
 

We wish her all the best on her maiden trip abroad.