Hi, I am Gauri Bhagwat. I have a Masters in Library and Information Science, a valedictorian at university and dual degrees: Bachelor of Science (Zoology) and Bachelor of Computer Applications from University of Mumbai and have worked at IIM Indore (Mumbai Campus). After working as a librarian for 2 years, I was seeking a way to a career that combines both my degrees, Library science and Computer application, and adds more to it. Additionally, which also supports my love for old books. All these points culminated into a search which brought me to this amazing degree.
One of my most significant challenges upon arriving in Besançon was the language barrier. Despite possessing some rudimentary French skills, I found myself struggling to communicate effectively with the locals. I resorted to a mix of broken French and expressive hand gestures. The people of Besançon are one of the most kind hearted people I have met and are always eager to help you out.
One of the memorable moments from our early days in the program was our field visit to the Salon international du Livre rare & des Arts graphiques in 2022. We were introduced to the enchanting world of illuminated manuscripts. There a representative of Les Enlumiere showed us a Book of Hours and even allowed us to touch it. Being interested in them and seeing them up close, mesmerized by the beauty and the craftsmanship, I decided to explore it further and made it my research topic.
My first-year internship, spanning three months in KBR- The Royal Library of Belgium, Brussels. I was entrusted with designing and implementing a workflow. I trained a model to detect and transcribe lyrics from music sheets. This model has been subsequently published as the first public baseline model for lyrics detection in printed music books.
I’m excited for the new adventures that M2 holds for us. Whether it’s a movie night with friends, a visit to a printing press, or a last-minute Greek grammar revision before an exam, I relish every moment of this exciting journey. Besançon, with its unique charm, has undoubtedly carved a special place in my heart, a memory I will cherish forever.
