Ask yourself whether you can work effectively with their style, grow under their guidance, and make meaningful contributions to the scientific community. 

Through extensive research, conversations with other students, and careful consideration of various publications, Darshan Singh discovered that the Center for Visual Information Technology (CVIT) Lab at the International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Hyderabad, is the best Computer Vision Lab in India and perfectly aligned with his research interests. After reaching out to Professor Jawahar, the dean of the CVIT Lab, via email and participating in a series of interviews, he was offered a research fellowship. Darshan Singh, originally from Mysore, joined the CVIT at IIIT Hyderabad during the COVID-19 pandemic, attending classes online. After relocating to Hyderabad, he found unwavering support from his lab mates, both technically and morally. The collaborative atmosphere at CVIT made it easy to approach peers without hesitation. He also appreciated the freedom to choose coursework that aligned with his
interests. The challenging assignments provided in-depth understanding and contributed significantly to his growth as a researcher.

One of the biggest challenges Darshan faced was identifying a research problem that was interesting to him, aligned with his advisors’ interests, and feasible to pursue. It was not just about choosing a topic he found intriguing but also one that could be realistically tackled given time constraints and available resources. Initially, he struggled with reading and fully understanding research papers, but the guidance from professors helped him grasp key concepts. Before joining CVIT, Darshan had limited research experience, but working closely with Professors Jawahar and Makarand gave him invaluable insights into the research process.

Prof. Jawahar, in particular, introduced Darshan to the world of research and shaped his career. He taught Darshan the importance of receiving honest feedback, presenting results effectively, and understanding the broader research process rather than simply running experiments. Prof. Jawahar emphasized how research should be done the right way, focusing on the process rather than shortcuts. Another valuable lesson Darshan learned was how to handle rejections. Despite several papers being rejected, his professors taught him the importance of focusing on doing good work and being honest with himself. Rejection, they emphasized, is part of the journey, and Darshan learned to accept that there are factors beyond his control. His perspective on paper acceptance evolved, and he realized that the main goal should be to produce quality work regardless of the outcome. 

The lively IIIT campus and the activities it offered eased the stress that naturally comes with the intensity of research. He particularly enjoyed participating in these celebrations and extracurricular activities, which played an important role in offering a healthy balance between work and relaxation while increasing productivity. The mess food, often reflecting the spirit of festivals, added to the festive atmosphere.

Darshan also enjoyed being part of the reading group at CVIT, guided by Prof. Makarand. Discussing research papers and engaging with fellow students was instrumental in his academic development. Darshan was grateful for the supportive peer group, which played a crucial role in helping him successfully submit papers to conferences. His first paper, accepted to the WACV conference, was a significant milestone in his research journey. Through this experience, Darshan learned that publishing a paper involves much more than just technical accuracy and results—other factors like presentation and clarity are just as important. Over time, Darshan mentored other students, and he now has three papers accepted to conferences, marking significant achievements in his research career.

Darshan obtained a master’s degree in 2024 and works as a Predoctoral Researcher at Google DeepMind in Bangalore. His advice to students is simple yet profound: “It’s okay to feel lost in the beginning.” With patience and persistence, he believes that good work will eventually be recognized and rewarded. Reflecting on his journey, Darshan credits Professors Makarand and Jawahar for shaping his research career. He came to CVIT as a naive student with little research experience, and with the guidance of his professors, he developed both his research skills and the confidence to discover his strengths. For Darshan, IIIT was more than just a university—it became a home, and he is deeply grateful for the support, mentorship, and opportunities it provided.