Chandrayaan-3 scientist turned down Stanford to work for ISRO. Now, he is studying at IIM-Bangalore

Parth Tiwari, an ex-ISRO engineer who worked on Chandrayaan-3, is pursuing an EPGP at IIM-Bangalore.

Parth Tiwari, a former scientist at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and a graduate of IIT Guwahati, left his job and embarked on a new journey by pursuing an MBA at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB). In an interview with Tech Today, Tiwari shared his experiences, challenges, and aspirations for India's aerospace industry.

Tiwari was part of the Structures design team for the Chandrayaan-3 mission at UR Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO. He played a crucial role in designing a spacecraft structure that could withstand the extreme mechanical environments during launch and landing.

Despite having an offer from Stanford University for an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tiwari chose to work for ISRO, driven by his desire to contribute to India's space capabilities.

“I had an offer to join Stanford University for an MS in Aeronautics and Astronautics right after my BTech (IIT Guwahati) in 2017. I wanted to learn what was not taught in India and gain exposure to cutting-edge technology, with the intention of returning to help India develop its own capabilities. However, I could not pass up the opportunity to work for ISRO, and hence, here I am,” he said.

After working for over seven years, Tiwari decided to pursue an Executive Post Graduate Programme in Management (EPGP) at IIM Bangalore. He believes that the program offers an excellent opportunity to learn from a cohort of professionals across various industries, which, combined with the curriculum, helps build leadership, management, and strategic thinking skills.

“These skills, along with my technical knowledge, are crucial for leading large-scale aerospace projects and fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors to drive innovation and efficiency in the aerospace industry. My vision is for India to become self-sufficient in the aerospace sector, from ideation to execution,” he added.

Tiwari also acknowledged the challenges faced by India's aerospace industry, including limited access to advanced technologies, insufficient funding for R&D, and regulatory hurdles. However, he remains optimistic about the future, stating that India is the future for high-tech R&D and manufacturing.

He said, “Overcoming these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach: increasing investment in aerospace research, forming international partnerships for technology transfer, streamlining regulatory processes, and encouraging private sector participation to drive innovation and growth.”