Be Ready To Work Like A Potter: Not Just China

At CGCRI, what do ceramic engineers do? Can you tell us about your major R&D projects and achievements at CGCRI?
Ceramic engineers work in laboratory, pilot scale product-making activity and R&D activities.
The main objective of CGCRI, Khurja Centre, is to work for the development of ceramic industries.

Our team is working on the following projects:
.     Chemical and physical analysis of raw materials and products  
.     Testing of wares for quality 
.     Trouble shooting 
.     Quality improvement 
.     Process improvement  
.     Rejections analysis 
.     Knowledge enhancement 
.     Product design development 
.     Formulations development 
.     Development of crystalline glazes 
.     Development and setting up of a gas-fired roller hearth kiln at CGCRI-KC
.     Energy efficiency improvement in manufacturing processes 
.     Energy saving through use of roller head jigger in fabricating pottery wares
.     Flue gas analysis in the oil/gas fired kilns of Khurja
.     Reducing kiln car mass through better design to improve fuel efficiency
.    Ambient air quality monitoring at Khurja
.    Development of fast firing cycle for stoneware in roller hearth kilns 
.    Utilisation of waste Ca(OH)2 in ceramic industries
.    Manufacturing of bone china wares
.    Manufacturing of decorative stone wares
.    Glass beads making
.    Terracotta products
 
What are the career prospects of ceramic engineers in India, especially in the R&D space?
Career prospects for ceramic engineers in India are quite bright in the field of R&D, for example, in nuclear ceramics, dental ceramics, electronic ceramics, aerospace ceramics, wear-resistant ceramics, glass, ferrites and so on.
 
What specialisations in ceramic engineering are more in demand or required in the country today?
Rating as per the demand is as given below:
.     Refractory
.     Wall and floor tiles
.     High- and low-tension insulators
.     Glass
.     Cement 
.     Whiteware 
.     Ferrites 
.     Electronic ceramics
.     Advance ceramics
 
According to you, what are the most important qualities and traits that an aspirant should develop to build a successful career in the field of ceramic engineering?
Be ready to work like a potter — working at the potter’s wheel.
 
What are the pluses and minuses of this profession?
Engineers who have specialised in ceramics have the opportunity to serve the country through their participation in industrial development, development of nuclear power sector and of the atomic energy sector, infrastructure development and energy efficiency improvements of the country.

Ceramic engineers are not paid well in the beginning of their careers like engineers in the software sector. Secondly, ceramic engineers do not have many openings in the government sector and in the Indian Engineering Services.