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“This study was one of the greatest things that has happened to me,” says Harsh Agrawal ’01 of New Delhi, India, a double major in computer science and economics and business. “As a sophomore, some people discouraged me from doing an independent project. They said I was too young. Not Professor Liew. At a larger college, I’d never get to work one-on-one with a professor. The small size of the college allowed me the chance to know my professor and have him know me.”
“With the growth of the Internet and a generally healthy economy, the number of Web shoppers as well as companies offering their goods over the ‘Net has increased pretty dramatically in recent years,” Harsh Agrawal says. “However, consumers are hesitant to trust the new technology for fear their transactions may not be safe.”
This mistrust is exactly why Agrawal wanted learn more about the encryption systems that ensure that on-line purchases are secure. In an independent study with Chun Wai Liew, assistant professor of computer science, he studied current encryption systems and evaluated their effectiveness.
Agrawal observes that today’s resistance to on-line shopping is comparable to the reluctance many consumers showed 20 years ago when automated teller machines were introduced by banks.
“Perhaps my study will help move people closer to accepting this new technology and seeing their transactions are safe. It’s exciting to be part of something so new in technology and business, something so hot,” he says. “The real-world application is exciting.”
Liew says, “Harsh’s study is interesting and exciting because business is moving strongly into this new arena of Web-based commerce. There are many technical and social issues associated with this area.
“Harsh is a very strong student who is not afraid of exploring new areas and learning about them,” Liew continues. “He is a motivated student who can work effectively on his own. I generally guided him rather than giving him instruction.”
“Professor Liew pushes you hard, he sets goals, and he expects you to work hard,” Agrawal says. “He wants results, and that simply pushes me to do more work.
“This study was one of the greatest things that has happened to me. As a sophomore, some people discouraged me from doing an independent project. They said I was too young. Not Professor Liew. At a larger college, I’d never get to work one-on-one with a professor. The small size of the college allowed me the chance to know my professor and have him know me.
Another Side of Harsh
“Being an international student at Lafayette has been great,” he says. “The small size of the school means I have so many American as well as international friends on campus. As a foreign student, I feel very comfortable at Lafayette. It has become my home away from home.”
Last year he was vice president of the Lafayette chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery, vice president of the Asian Cultural Association, a member of the Physics Club, and a member of the International Students Association. He is also a member of the Web development team for Lafayette Career Services and a member of the Network Center of the College’s Academic Computing Services.