Sourajit Debnath, a computational science graduate from Kolkata, has showcased his intellect by successfully answering complex questions as part of his university’s team, securing a spot in the final round of one of the UK’s most demanding quiz tournaments, ‘University Challenge.’
Representing Imperial College London, 31-year-old Debnath will compete against University College London (UCL) in the grand final airing on BBC this Monday. In a sneak peek from the show, Debnath can be seen confidently tackling bonus questions on BAFTA-winning video games, clad in a distinctive red and black kurta.
Expressing his gratitude, Debnath remarked, “I feel honoured to be a part of this esteemed British institution’s history.” He highlighted the diverse expertise within Imperial’s team and his own responsibility for covering subjects like maths, physics, general science, and pop culture.
Debnath holds a Master’s in Applied Computational Science and Engineering from Imperial College London, transitioning from a career in space science in India, where he contributed to projects like the Chandrayaan-2 lunar mission. Currently, he is involved in a geophysics algorithms startup at Imperial’s Royal School of Mines.
Reflecting on the UK’s appeal as a higher education destination for Indian students, Debnath acknowledged its welcoming environment but noted challenges in securing funding for doctoral programs as an overseas citizen.
Described by the BBC as “TV’s toughest quiz team tournament,” ‘University Challenge’ features top university teams competing for the title of quiz champions. In the semi-final match against the University of Manchester, Debnath demonstrated his prowess by correctly answering challenging questions, including one with an Indian connection related to the ingredient of panch phoron.
