SHOUVIK BHADRA – TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONAL DIGITAL COMPETENCE

Ethan’s Alpine Journey

by SHOUVIK BHADRAStudents presentations 18 December 202418 December 2024No Comments

Ethan tightened his grip on the railing, the alpine wind stinging his cheeks. Below, the Alps unfurled in every direction, their snow-capped peaks catching the first light of dawn. He had wandered through hidden valleys, scaled rugged trails, and found solace beside pristine lakes. Each path offered a new perspective, each rest brought a moment of peace.

By a mountain lake, ripples broke the mirror-like surface, distorting the reflection of towering peaks. Pine trees swayed, their scent mingling with the crisp air. Stones underfoot guided his journey deeper into the wilderness. As night fell, stars shimmered in the still water, the horizon blurring where sky met earth.

With each passing day, departure loomed closer. Memories of grand summits and biting winds threatened to fade. A longing to preserve the mountain’s essence grew. His journal, filled with sketches and notes, seemed inadequate to capture the vastness before him.

On the final morning, the sunrise spilled pink and gold across the sky. Shadows shifted on the peaks as light transformed the landscape. Ethan inhaled deeply, etching the scene into his mind. The train’s whistle pierced the valley’s silence. Boarding quietly, he cast one last glance at the Alps bathed in morning light. Their majesty lingered within him. A soft smile touched his lips as he settled into his seat, the journal resting on his lap

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Greetings! I am Shouvik Bhadra from Bangladesh. I hold a bachelor's degree in Leather Products Engineering, specializing in chemistry and applied chemistry. Currently, I am pursuing my Erasmus Mundus Master's in Advanced Materials and Innovative Recycling. My academic and research interests focus on sustainable materials for energy applications, waste valorization, and recycling. Beyond academics, I am passionate about traveling, cooking, and discovering diverse culinary experiences around the world.

Embracing the Circular Economy: Key Takeaways from Delftx CircularX Course

by SHOUVIK BHADRAMOOC Courses 28 November 2024No Comments

I recently completed the Delftx CircularX: Circular Economy – An Introduction course, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned.

The course introduced me to the concept of the Circular Economy (CE), which is all about shifting from the traditional linear model of “take, make, waste” to a system where resources are reused, refurbished, remanufactured, and recycled. Instead of throwing things away after use, the idea is to keep materials in use for as long as possible. This can reduce waste, lower the demand for raw materials, and decrease environmental impact.

A key takeaway for me was the idea that the economy doesn’t need to be built around constant growth in the traditional sense. By focusing on sustainability and extending the life cycle of products, we can create a more resilient and resource-efficient system. I also learned how circularity works on both a product level (like in recycling and design) and a larger scale (where systems and business models adapt to keep things in use).

The course highlighted several principles such as designing for longevity, reusing products, and using renewable energy sources. There were also examples of companies and projects that are already working in a circular way, proving that it’s not just a concept but something that can be implemented now.

Overall, this course has definitely broadened my perspective on sustainability and has motivated me to think more about how we, as consumers and creators, can contribute to building a circular economy. It’s clear that moving towards a circular model isn’t just good for the environment, but it also makes business sense by reducing costs and creating new opportunities for innovation.

If you’re interested in sustainability and want to dive deeper into the circular economy, I highly recommend this course!

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

My Journey with UVA’s Personal Branding MOOC: Insights and Reflections

by SHOUVIK BHADRAMOOC Courses 25 November 202425 November 2024No Comments

Personal branding has always felt like a buzzword—something important, but also vague. When I enrolled in the Introduction to Personal Branding MOOC by the University of Virginia, I didn’t fully know what to expect. It turned out to be a revelation, offering clear, actionable steps to create a meaningful and authentic digital presence. It wasn’t just about putting yourself out there; it was about how to do it intentionally.

A Fresh Perspective on Social Media: The 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule stood out to me as one of the most practical takeaways. It’s such a simple concept but incredibly powerful: focus your energy where it truly matters. In the context of social media, this means that a small fraction of your content or engagement drives most of the results. It made me rethink how I approach my posts on LinkedIn or interactions on Twitter—quality and purpose over quantity.
A Personality Test That Went Deeper
One of the more unexpected parts of the course was a personality test. I know, personality tests can sometimes feel like fluff, but this one genuinely helped me. It wasn’t just about finding out whether I’m introverted or extroverted. It helped me understand how my unique traits influence the way I present myself online. Knowing this, I felt more confident leaning into my natural strengths and not trying to imitate what “successful” personal branding looks like for others.
Guarding Privacy in a Hyperconnected World
Another topic that hit close to home was digital privacy. Let’s face it, we’re all online a lot, and sometimes it’s easy to forget how much we’re giving away. The course didn’t just teach me to secure my accounts—it taught me how to create boundaries. It felt like a reminder that being “authentic” doesn’t mean sharing every detail of your life. Privacy can coexist with transparency.

Reflections: More Than Just a Course
What surprised me the most about this MOOC was how personal it felt. It wasn’t about pushing you to build a “perfect” brand but encouraging you to craft one that’s you. I’ve already started implementing what I learned—updating my profiles, rethinking how I engage online, and even crafting a personal mission statement.

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Shouvik’s Digital Identity for Career Advancement

by SHOUVIK BHADRADI by students 22 November 202422 November 2024No Comments

I prioritize platforms and tools that align with my professional goals to strengthen my digital identity. LinkedIn is my primary networking platform, where I showcase achievements and engage with content in battery technology, renewable energy, and recycling. It connects me with professionals, researchers, and recruiters while keeping me updated on industry trends. My university networks at NOVA University Lisbon and Universidad Politécnica de Madrid also provide valuable academic support, research opportunities, and alumni connections. I wish to have my Researchgate profile to connect and collaborate with researchers as well as to share my research.

For direct communication, I use UPM’s official webmail and my personal Gmail for applications and formal interactions. These tools help me maintain a professional online presence, fostering connections with professors, HR professionals, and researchers in my fields.

Here is the link to my digital identity plan : https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1d7HCRmC9Enyp8T2XlNgXXzWzkz8HX3ro/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=107498692406806557626&rtpof=true&sd=true

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Shouvik’s Personal Learning Environment (PLE)

by SHOUVIK BHADRAContributions to PLE by students. 18 November 202418 November 2024No Comments

I am presenting my current PLE and the improved one. For improvement in my PLE, I majorly intend to upgrade in Management, Productivity, Motivation & Query criteria. The new PLE software or websites are focused on the second picture. I am happy with my other PLE apps that is why they are kept but blurred to distinguish with new ones.

Current PLE:

Improved or Intended PLE:

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Reflections on U Week: Shaping Sustainable Futures in a Changing World

by SHOUVIK BHADRAStudents presentations 15 November 202415 November 2024No Comments

The U Week was an eye-opening experience, guiding us through three sessions focused on understanding the impact of our actions and those of large companies on climate change, food systems, and everyday lifestyles.

Taking part in these discussions gave me a clearer view of how I can make a difference within my field, especially in the context of sustainable materials. I hope that in 10 years I will be contributing to research on sustainable materials for energy applications, making meaningful progress toward innovative solutions in this area. While I am not expecting instant breakthroughs, I believe that each step forward in research has the potential to make a lasting impact. On a personal level, I also want to adopt a simpler lifestyle, focusing on the essentials and reducing my impact within a consumer-driven society.

Many thanks to Professor Ruth Carrasco for guiding us through this inspiring journey.

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Balancing Innovation and Responsibility: A Reflection on My Professional Journey

by SHOUVIK BHADRAStudents presentations 10 November 2024No Comments

Watching “The 2 Most Important Skills for the Rest of Your Life” was a wake-up call for me. It showed how technology, despite its amazing potential to connect and empower us, can also harm society when ethics take a back seat. It made me think about how even well-intentioned innovations can lead to consequences we might not expect.

As someone passionate about sustainability and materials science, this hit close to home. While I want to work on solutions like recycling and renewable energy systems, this documentary made me realize that my focus can’t just be on solving technical problems. I need to think about the bigger picture—how my work will impact people’s lives, the environment, and the future.

This experience has left me inspired to approach my career with more thoughtfulness. I want to make sure that the work I do, whether it’s designing better materials or creating sustainable technologies, truly helps build a better world. It’s a reminder that behind every calculation and experiment, there are real people and real consequences, and that’s something I’ll carry with me moving forward.

About SHOUVIK BHADRA

Introducing myself: Shouvik Bhadra

by SHOUVIK BHADRAStudents presentations 6 November 20247 November 2024No Comments

Hi, I’m Shouvik Bhadra, a curious soul from the vibrant land of Bangladesh. I completed my bachelor’s in Leather Products Engineering from University of Dhaka. My focus was on chemistry and applied chemistry, which gave me a solid understanding of materials and how they work. But as I learned more, I realized I wanted to do something bigger—something that could help the planet.

That’s when my journey took a major turn. Moving to Europe to pursue an Erasmus Mundus master’s in Advanced Materials and Innovative Recycling has been one of the biggest milestones of my life. It’s been exciting and challenging to adapt to a whole new culture, but it’s also been a time of growth.

I’m particularly interested in sustainable materials for energy applications and finding ways to give waste a second life. Recycling and waste valorization aren’t just technical topics for me—they’re ideas that could change how we live.

Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking and exploring new cuisines. Food has a way of connecting people, and I love experimenting with recipes inspired by the places I visit. Traveling has also been a big part of my journey so far, and every trip teaches me something new about the world and myself.