| Abstract Scope |
Indian students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in engineering institutes select Materials Engineering (MATE) out of compulsion. MATE graduates prefer careers in information technology (IT), consulting, and finance; very few prefer higher studies. Why is this so? First, the choice of branch is dictated by the magnitude of pay packages. Second, even though materials are an integral part of most products, it is the aesthetics, features, and functionality that thrill the Gen-Z students. Once in college, most MATE students work to hone their IT and machine learning (ML) skills, showing little interest in department courses. How do we excite UG students about MATE? Three strategies are proposed. First, incorporate applications of IT and ML in MATE courses through case studies. Two, include mathematical modelling and simulations in courses to elucidate fundamentals and relate them to real life applications. Three, entrepreneurial opportunities in new materials and process development should be emphasized. |