In this episode, Uzair talks to Dr. Bilal Khatri about his journey from Iqra University to Freiburg, where he is currently doing cutting-edge scientific research. We talked about the difference in how sciences are taught in Germany and Pakistan, why teaching the scientific method is important, and how innovation is going to transform our society.

We also talked about how young students from places like Pakistan can do cutting-edge research in Europe, with Bilal sharing some thoughts on how to go about settling in a non-English speaking country.

Bilal Khatri completed his Bachelors in Electronic Engineering from Iqra University, Karachi, Pakistan and his Masters in Microsystems Engineering from the University of Freiburg, Germany. In 2019, he completed his PhD on the development and characterization of functional composite materials for additive manufacturing (3D-printing) technologies. Since then, he is working as a postdoctoral researcher and academic at the Institute for Sustainable Systems Engineering (INATECH) at the University of Freiburg. His research interests include additive manufacturing, hybrid and composite materials with tailored properties, and the development of more sustainable materials and processes as well as circular strategies for materials used in the automotive and aerospace sectors.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction

1:20 Bilal’s educational journey

8:30 How to adjust to life in Germany

13:10 Education in Pakistan v. Germany

26:35 State of scientific research in manufacturing

43:30 Innovation and its potential for Pakistan

55:05 Risks from rapid innovation to developing countries

1:16:30 Reading recommendations

Reading recommendations:

- Materials and Sustainable Development by Michael F. Ashby

- No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz

- Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality by Eliezer Yudkowsky

You can follow Bilal's gaming channel here - https://www.youtube.com/ @2GBananas

Other YouTube channels recommended by Bilal:

The B1M: https://www.youtube.com/@TheB1M

Real Engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@RealEngineering

Veritasium: https://www.youtube.com/@veritasium

Mark Rober: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkRober

Kurzgesagt: https://www.youtube.com/@kurzgesagt

Astrum: https://www.youtube.com/@astrumspace

Computerphile: https://www.youtube.com/@Computerphile

Two Bit Da Vinci: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoBitDaVinci

Two Minute Papers: https://www.youtube.com/@TwoMinutePapers

Prof. Sabine Hossenfelder: https://www.youtube.com/@SabineHossenfelder

The Royal Institution: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRoyalInstitution