From Failing JEE To Leading IIT Madras: V. Kamakoti Says FAIL Means ‘First Attempt In Learning’ | Education and Career News
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V Kamakoti said poor tests or low marks do not reflect a person’s true potential. If a student fails, they should learn from it and move on instead of giving up.
V Kamakoti said that in 1985 he scored a single digit mark out of 100 in a chemistry test. (File Photo)
The journey of V. Kamakoti, Director of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras — one of the country’s most prestigious engineering colleges — serves as a powerful source of inspiration for students who begin to see themselves as weak after failing an exam. Kamakoti believes that failure is not the end of life but an opportunity to learn and progress, and his own life illustrates this belief.
While sharing his story, Kamakoti explained how he once struggled with the JEE exam and later went on to become the chairman of the same exam. He stressed that life should not be limited to marks, ranks, and examinations. In his view, it is the responsibility of both family and society to raise children to be resilient and optimistic.
Scored Single-Digit Mark In Chemistry
Kamakoti said that in 1985 he scored a single digit mark out of 100 in a chemistry test. This was a deeply disheartening moment, but he did not let it break his spirit and continued to work hard. He says that a poor test or low marks do not reflect a person’s true potential. If a student fails at some point, they should learn from the experience and move ahead instead of giving up.
FAIL Means First Attempt In Learning
Quoting former President of India and Bharat Ratna APJ Abdul Kalam, V. Kamakoti said that FAIL stands for First Attempt In Learning. According to him, there is no such thing as complete failure; every experience teaches a person something new. He believes that success cannot be defined only by numbers, grades, and ranks. Continuous learning and self-improvement are far more important for growth in life.
Studied at IIT Madras, then became Director
V. Kamakoti obtained his MS and PhD degrees in Computer Science and Engineering from IIT Madras. He joined the institute as a faculty member in 2001 and has since held several important academic and administrative roles. He took over as Director of IIT Madras in January 2022. Previously, he served as Chairman of JEE and Associate Dean of Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research.
An expert in computer architecture, information security, and VLSI design, V. Kamakoti has authored over 150 research papers in international journals and conferences. He has also guided numerous researchers. He has led the Microprocessor Development Programme and the Information Security Education and Awareness Programme of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He has served as Chairman of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. He has also been a member of the National Security Advisory Board and has served on the technical committees of the National Stock Exchange and the Reserve Bank of India.
Kamakoti believes that parents should guide their children in the right direction, but this guidance should be in tune with the child’s interests, abilities, and aspirations. He adds that comparing children with others can damage their self-confidence, as every child has unique talents and strengths. According to him, excessive pressure often results in stress and emotional difficulties for students, so parents should avoid overburdening their children with unrealistic expectations.
The Director of IIT Madras states that every field has a vital role in society. Whether it is computer science, aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, or biological sciences, each discipline contributes significantly to the nation’s development. He points out that when results do not meet expectations, students often view it as a major failure, whereas the real need is to see failure as an opportunity to learn and improve. Life is not confined to academics, and it is everyone’s shared responsibility to keep children happy, confident, and positive.
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