WISE Alumni portrait: Asrar Alam

From India to South Korea and now Sweden, Asrar Alam’s academic and professional journey reflects both curiosity and adaptability. “I am from India, he says, and I completed my bachelor’s and master’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering and Nanoscience and Technology before moving to South Korea for my PhD in Flexible and Printable Electronics.” His path later brought him to Sweden, where he joined the WISE program as an industrial postdoctoral researcher at KTH and Mycronic AB.

A New Chapter with WISE

Asrar was motivated to apply to WISE by its unique structure. “It was very interesting for me as it was an industrial postdoc where I could experience academia as well as industry together,” he explains. “And I also wanted to visit Sweden.”

Starting in a completely new environment, he kept his expectations open. “At the beginning I did not have big expectations because everything the project, the culture, the society was new for me,” he says. But that quickly changed. “As I joined, my expectations about the project and work increased, and in two years microfabrication and semiconductor research became very interesting to me.”

Learning Through People and Experience

For Asrar, the people he met were central to his experience. “The most valuable aspect of this program was meeting different people and understanding different aspects of research,” he says. “Through this program I met many interesting people.”

He also highlights the importance of study trips: “These were very memorable moments. With these trips I learned a lot about different research aspects and different industrial dimensions.”

Adjusting to a new work environment was not without challenges. “It was not easy for me to adapt, especially to the project demands,” he admits. Support from supervisors and colleagues made a difference. “My supervisor supported me from time to time to keep me on track,” he says. “I also tried to meet many people and discuss fabrication processes, which made me feel more comfortable.”

Describing the WISE community, he adds, “It is a wonderful community. Many people I met are fantastic. With this community, things become easier and your knowledge increases without much effort.”

Growth and New Skills

During his time in WISE, Asrar developed both technical expertise and personal skills that continue to shape his career. “I got introduced to cleanroom environments and different fabrication tools,” he explains, “and to semiconductor research in different dimensions.”

The experience also reshaped his understanding of innovation. “This program was very useful for innovative thinking,” he says. “Since the project was new for me, I had to build my understanding from scratch, which helped me develop a clear view of innovation.”

On a personal level, the impact was just as meaningful. “I learned how to organize my work and tasks better,” he notes. “That helped me a lot.”

After completing the program, Asrar moved into industry and now works as a microfabrication engineer in Gothenburg. “WISE played a vital role in my current role,” he says. “The microfabrication skills I developed helped me find this job.”

He continues to stay connected with the WISE network. “Yes, I am still connected through digital media,” he shares.

Advice for Future Applicants

Asrar encourages future applicants to pursue the opportunity with determination: “Go ahead, try harder to get this funding, especially with industrial collaboration.”

Summing up his experience is not easy. “In one sentence it is not possible,” he says. “There are too many things I developed through this program, both personally and professionally.

For now, Asrar is focused on building his career in industry. “My short-term goal is to stay in industry for a few years,” he explains, “and during that time I will find my long-term goal.”

He also hopes to remain engaged with WISE in the future. “I would like to stay involved by joining meetings, networking days, and interaction sessions,” he says.