Mr. Ramamurthy, a distinguished Alumni from BITS Pilani (Pilani, ‘92), did his M.Tech in Electronics and control systems; a seasoned leader with over a decade at Qualcomm, heading the 4G/3G access stratum protocol stack software team in India. With expertise in modem design and commercialization, he ensures seamless connectivity for mobile data chipsets. A BITS Pilani alum, Mr. Ramamurthy's journey is a testament to dedication and innovation. Join us as we delve into his insights, experiences, and the future of wireless communication in our exclusive interview.

Looking back at your journey from being a student at BITS Pilani to working as Senior Director of Engineering at Qualcomm, how did your time at BITS shape your career path in this field?

BITS, Pilani has played a significant role in my career development. As soon as I graduated from BITS, Pilani, I joined Motorola India as a fresh SW Engineer. I got this opportunity through the campus placement at BITS, Pilani. This introduced me to the field of wireless communication SW and protocol stack development. I have been working in this area for about 30 years now. I wouldn't have chosen this field without the opportunities provided at BITS. I am incredibly grateful to BITS for this.

How did your peer group shape your life at BITS?

I had an outstanding peer group at BITS. They have greatly influenced my career and personal life. Their passion for learning and making significant contributions to various technological advancements was a huge inspiration. Besides career, they have also highlighted the importance of being humble and grounded.

Who was that one professor or course at BITS that defined your career or had a lasting impact on you?

Dr. L. K. Maheswari was an awesome professor; his passion kindled our interest in continuing to learn even after we left college. All of us need to continue learning even after taking up a job.

If there's one thing that you could have done differently in your time in BITS, what would it be?

One thing that I regret to date is that I didn't go to BITS for my undergraduate program. Although admitted to BITS, I chose to go for an undergraduate program close to my hometown (Chennai). I believe 4 or 5 years at BITS would undoubtedly be a more enriching experience compared to the 1.5-year program.

How do you maintain a work-life balance in your career, and do you have any strategies for managing stress and maintaining well-being?

Maintaining work-life balance has always been a challenge in a fast-paced environment. I don't have a good answer to this, but we try to do our best to balance work and personal life. I usually try to maintain regular walking and spending time with the family to manage stress. Lunch outing with the team at Qualcomm.

Can you share a memorable or defining moment from your professional journey that influenced your approach to work or life?

I had a wonderful opportunity to work under the guidance of Qualcomm's CTO (Dr. Franklin Antonio) for a few months during my initial years at Qualcomm. It was an eye-opening experience. His passion for technology and perfection inspired me a lot to continue my quest for learning over the years.

Looking ahead, what is the future of the telecommunications industry? How do you envision this industry evolving, and what role will Qualcomm play in driving this transformation?

Qualcomm has been a pioneer in the wireless communication industry. Over the years, Qualcomm has been at the forefront of enabling technological evolution across generations (2G/3G/4G and 5G). I am sure Qualcomm will maintain its leadership and drive the evolution of future generations of wireless telecommunication, like 6G, with a lot of machine learning and artificial intelligence support.

Throughout your career, what is one key lesson you have learned that students can apply in their lives?

My advice to the student community is to ensure that they continue their learning even after taking up a job. It is essential to stay current with the latest technological advancements. Also, we need to keep in mind that the measure of success is not just career progression, financial well-being, etc. It is essential to be grounded and humble and seek opportunities to be of service to mankind.