Careers360 Oct09
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INSIDE: COMPETITION360 BANK PO ‘09 SOLVED PAPERS AND MORE
CAREERS360 October 2009
Rs 40
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www.careers360.com
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Also MANAGING PROMOTIONS Q MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COLLEGE Q MOMBUSHO, JAPAN
contents 46 Studying Abroad: All that you must know cover STORY
+ columns, interviews and student accounts
USA The number one still holds on its own
UK Old warhorse with new armour
Australia Down but not out
Canada Vocation rules the roost
France Romantic who fell for science
Germany The high technology bastion
The Netherlands A new kid on the block
Switzerland The temple for hospitality
Italy On the high road to creativity
Norway Cold country with warm people
Russia From space technology to medicine
New Zealand Maoris, management and migration
Singapore International campuses
50 54 60 66 68 70 72 73 74 74 75 76 78
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careers and courses 20
Shipping
A very lucrative sector, it beckons those with the right qualifications and approach. Read on to know what to study and how to set sail
Healthcare
34
With the number of hospitals on the rise, the demand for qualified administrators is going up like never before. What are the qualifications needed and courses on offer?
Economics National and corporate goals are set and implemented with economists playing a big role. An in depth review, offering tips on how to become an expert
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careers360 October 2009 l Volume I l Issue 7
Publisher Maheshwer Peri Editor B Mahesh Sarma
CEO SPEAK Sanjay Modi Monster India
“Companies are unfreezing the requirements and are keen to hire”
Vinod Metha “Quotas are here to stay, so create new institutions ”
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16
advisory
Cracking SAT/AP/ACT
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Tests that you need to take for gaining admission to a first degree in the US
Managing promotions
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Just delivering what is expected may not help you grab promotions. Do you have that extra bit which makes the all-important difference? An overview
Design Art Director Anshul Sharma Sr Visualiser Rajesh Chawla Jr Visualiser Thomas Mampilly
Research Dr. Nimesh Chandra Bharti M Borah Priya Naik Shiphony Pavithran
regulars
Business Office
Letters
4
First Take
8
In the News
10
Motivation
18
The frog and the television tower
36
Teachers’ Talk
FEATURES
Prof. Uday Salunkhe on healthcare
Making the most out of college 42 Teachers with unparalleled reputation advise you on what to look out for in college life
RJ/VJ/MJ
Special Correspondents Urmila Rao Sumita Vaid Dixit Shalini Gupta
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Campus Review IMT, Ghaziabad
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Scholarship Review Mombusho Fellowships from Japan
80
What are the qualities and talent quotient needed to break into a rocking profession? Find out what is needed to jive
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Subroto Bagchi’s ‘The Professional’
91
Ask Us Career Guidance
92
Ready Reckoner
EXTRA
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COMPETITION360
Up Close Sanjay Leela Bhansali
September 2009
Bank PO solved papers+ current affairs Quick take on Agriculture and more... ;XkXJg\Xb0*
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CDSE 360 october 2009 Model Paper
careers
Ad sales North [email protected] West [email protected] Bangalore [email protected] Chennai [email protected] Hyderabad [email protected] East [email protected]
Head Office AB-12, 2nd Floor, S.J. Enclave, New Delhi — 110 029 Tel: 40591800-807
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Book Review
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AB-12, 1st Floor, S.J. Enclave, New Delhi — 110 029 Tel: 46002914
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e-mail: [email protected] Delhi : Tel: 26100723 Mumbai : Tel: 67382222 Kolkata : Tel: 40085012 Chennai : Tel: 28582251/52 Bangalore : Tel: 25582806/07 Hyderabad : Tel: 23375776 Printed and published by Maheshwer Peri on behalf of Pathfinder Publishing Private Limited. Editor: B Mahesh Sarma. Printed at: International Print-O-Pac Limited, C 4 — C 11, Phase II, Noida and published from AB-12, S.J. Enclave, New Delhi — 110 029 Distributed by Outlook Publishing (India) Pvt. Ltd., AB-10, Safdurjung Enclave, New Delhi — 110029
Cover Design Anshul Sharma
Letters Let executives get back to classrooms It is time for all those individuals who are truly aware of their abilities and what he or she needs to focus on the future. Given the right opportunities, they can shape their career in their own way. It is a good trend to opt a career of your own choice without any parental pressures as faced by most of the people in their growing years. I have come across people who are quitting jobs and pursuing higher academics. Indeed, this generation is exploiting its potential. CG GANG
Many management students are giving up plush jobs for having their own start-ups which shows their in-built confidence and instinct in management. Chintan Jhunjhunwala
I do not see any reason why a person should not take sabbatical and head back to the classroom if he feels there is some gap in his skills and knowledge. India’s biggest industry baron Mr. Laxmi Mittal has said that his biggest regret is that he never underwent a formal management education. I know 1year executive programmes of IIMs and ISB are very rigorous and shake the entire thinking of individuals and change them into a different kind of professional. Vishal Sharma
I am one of those who faced mid-career crisis. I joined MDI Gurgaon for full-time MBA programme in 2003. The course was very competitive and rigorous. I have really enjoyed the programme. It has rewarded me in terms of career growth
there is a high possibility that the interviewer might get offended.
EXTRA: COMPETITION360 CDSE 2009 SOLVED PAPER & MORE
CAREERS 360 September 2009
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Also USING SOCIAL NETWORKING SITES ■ MULTI TASK AND SAVE YOUR JOB Sep cover-Final.indd 1
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Jobs up for grabs Thank you for the well-researched article. But we never know what to study to get one of these jobs. Every school and college must have a career counsellor. This is a must because many of us don’t know why are we studying, what we are studying. Most of us are in it because we don’t have any other option. We had taken the subject, maybe because we could not match with the cut off, or because the college is closer to our homes. If we have proper guidance, now at least, we can know what job opportunities are available with the subject we have already taken. May be it would also help us seek out additional courses if needed. Good work Careers360. But we at least need a teacher in every school who reads the magazine regularly and gives us good advice. Megha Sinha
r Lette e of th h mont
with good future prospects. Pratish Thakur
Questions to ask in an interview Yes, these are some of the most relevant questions which an experienced employee must ask if he is planning to change his job/ employer. If you ask these questions then the interviewer becomes alert and mostly appreciates your smartness. But it can backfire if the potential interviewer or employer is not looking for a very smart type of employee. Use these questions with
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care. But in most cases the management is very cunning in giving all the right answers and later when he joins he discovers the truth. Amit Agarwal
Many times you hear nice words about value organisation, performance appraisal, training systems, proper reporting structure, etc. and after you join, you will find nothing but learn your way and do the things to the satisfaction of your boss. I feel such questions are relevant in western countries, particularly in the USA. If you keep asking such questions in an Indian interview,
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CAT test doesn’t require one to necessarily enrol in coaching classes to succeed in the test. If you are determined and disciplined enough, you can prepare for CAT completely on your own. However, for those of us who are unable to find time out of our busy schedules and always leave things for tomorrow, a coaching institute would act as a great guide. It will periodically remind you of the steps you need to take to come closer to your ultimate goal. It will also provide you an environment and competitive spirit which might help you pull up your socks and get going for the exam with full spirit. Bodhi Sutra
Institutes like IMS Learning Resources or Career Forum helps you develop a structured and regimented approach to tackle questions on CAT. Over a period of time, repeated practice and mock drills with this structured, regimented approach puts you in a very sharp frame of mind wherein you start solving questions mechanically and at good speed. So when you finally give the CAT exam you can rest assured that your chances of clearing CAT are very high. Without formal CAT training, your approach tends to be slipshod and haphazard and that invariably leads to failure… Bhasmasur Khan
The coaching institutes mostly fleece you. Just be disciplined and work hard. Vemuri Ramakrishna
Campaign Yes, we accept the mistake is on our side. We get cheated because we are not much aware of the colleges as we are from remote villages. Mr. Sibal, please take action on money-minded institutes as we students are the backbone of future India. Prabakar
One brand must mean one institution. All branches, franchises, and others must be the responsibility of the parent institution. Aliakbar Shabbir
Awesome campaign!!!! Let’s hope things change a little. Pallavi Majumder
I was a student in Rai foundation college at Kochi campus, Kerala. After the Supreme Court order, Rai Foundation closed all colleges. I had to drop my studies and also lose an year. They neither refunded my fees nor gave me my caution deposits. No degree, no certification. Why such universities are allowed to be established in the first place? Who are the culprits? Please take strong actions against such frauds. Arya Subash K
Mr. Sibal, we always talk about making India a world class destination for companies but do you really believe we are taking steps towards it? Especially the kind of education imparted by private universities at postgraduation levels needs a complete overhaul.
mentality of the departments to offer full marks in the internals and the easy availability of ready-made science projects. Selva Manikandan
Please bring unregistered or unrecognized universities under a regulatory system and spread awareness so that we may stop such institutions from spoiling careers of many!
Thanks for this initiative. I wish it rings a bell in the right tone to the right ears. AMEN! Vikas Kumar
Mr. Sibal, I studied at a college were the facilities they were talking about were not there. They promise too much every time, but at the end, do nothing. Have a
Kumar Priyank
MY CAREER! MY LIFE!
Stop institutes from starting sessions as soon as they get approval. This is even happening with new IITs, leave alone other colleges. First, proper infrastructure should be put up. Then teachers should be recruited. Then admissions should be given.
join us Tell the HRD minister of your problems. Get heard. Speak up. Fight to ensure you get the education that’s promised
Sachin PS Verma
When the youth of the country are so publicly misguided and manipulated at the hands of these capitalists, the future of the country remains bleak.
Anand
Darshit
Having so many engineering colleges is not advisable. Abundance will cheapen the value of anything. 90% of the engineering graduates are incompetent in their field of study, thanks to the
Institutions that cheat students must get severe punishment. Their approvals must be withdrawn and the trustees or promoters must be put in jails. Parnini A Shikarwar
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I am quite excited about this campaign. Please count me in for any support in Thiruvaloor District. Thenmozhi
E
A careers360 CAMPAIGN
Hardik
Bidyut Gogoi
Dr. Sanandan Thapliyal
Shekhar Gupta on higher education
Some concrete steps must be taken and that too in pretty quick time.
It’s high time we students spoke for our rights. Many fly-by-night institutions have mushroomed to take advantage of students’ dilemma in this age of competition. They are doing nothing but business at the cost of our careers.
and socially/globally more acceptable by setting up more and more Ayurveda universities, colleges, institutes and hospitals.
Fight for our future
website to lodge our complaints. Ajay
Educational system in the country is stale. What we need is not old theories but useful practices. Rakesh Kumar
Strictly stop reservation in specialization and super specialization courses all over India in government as well as in private institutes. Make the ancient medical science- Ayurveda more approachable, more rational
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october 2009
nglish or Hindi medium is irrelevant. You are there at this position because of your intellect and not because of Hindi/English. Language doesn’t make you more intelligent. Vishwamitra Singh
One of Mr. Shekhar Gupta’s comments has rightly reflected the scenario on education dealt with by media. It is only those sectors which have been advertised will be covered by the media. Now-a-days, the education sector has been heavily advertised leading
Try to enhance the quality of government institutions and universities . Parikshith Kutur
Please act on the malpractices by colleges immediately. Punjab is seeing lot of colleges offering MBA from universities from all over the country, with no affiliation. Gogoi
Dear minister, you are doing good. Please look into vocational training under the Industrial Act and make it more transparent. I believe
the public sector has closed its doors to general public and this scheme is open only to employees of children working within the organisation. I think merit should be the criterion and the stipend is what is good about this scheme. It makes a young man feel he is earning and and helping his parents. This should be encouraged so
to better media coverage. Ironically, the coverage is based on money thrown at the media. Does media have no conscience or social responsibility to guide the people on the right track? Kane
India needs more Shekhar Gupta’s…. Today the community of good quality journalists is small. Their importance has considerably increased because of
more people can gain technical experience in industry of their choice by getting hands-on experience. Pankaj Seth
I have the following views: Privatised education is just a way to make money. The policy of grading is good. Multiple registration is making it still worse. Neeraj Kathuria
I am really concerned at the wanton proliferation of educational institutions that do not have proper facilities for
the students. However, these institutions still charge students huge amounts as fees and other charges. I have seen schools that do not have proper library, playground, science laboratories and lavatories. Further, they do not have any respect for the religious sentiments of the parents and students. Another novel practice that
the fast erosion in the credibility of politicians. It is people like Shekhar Gupta who have made the Indians more enlightened on the burning issues which are much of a concern. Shibli Fatmi
When I see kids studying in international schools by paying a hefty sum as fee, I wonder why can’t anyone study in his own country, paying normal fee to a reputed school? Educational institutions cannot make a person more intelligent, it can only provide knowledge. Intelligence is a trait not to be taught.
India should have only one education system from the begining; either state board, CBSE or ICSC. This will help to compare the talent in a better way. Today CBSE and ICSC students hold more knowledge and have more clearer concepts than the state board. This is because of the quality of education. I think having only one system will help to increase the quality of education in India. We need better universities, addressing the needs of next generation and compete with universities worldwide. It’s disheartening to find that not even a single education institute in management can compete and rank in the top500 list around the world. Vishwanath
I have seen is to force the students to purchase their uniforms at inflated prices from shops that are selected by the school authorities. Please make sure that only the schools which have the requisite infrastructure are given permission to operate in the country. Anand Sekhar Popuri
Please ensure practical and job-oriented training is provided to ensure self-employment and make short the number of years of primary and secondary education to
careers
Vadivu
Mukul sharma
Afzal Aziz
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make India at par with the world. Please provide quality, free education to schools, specially to poor and underprivileged students, which gives new life to many generations.
Please have a conference of good teachers and parents. And all the policies you make must be discussed by them. That way, we will finally get what we want. Ramesh Thambi
be taught about patriotism and basics about Indian culture and mythology with scientific reasons. It should help in their development and help them become world class citizens with excellent employability skills. N Padmavathi
The points raised in the petition are very valid. The educational institutes cheat us as there is a lack of effective regulatory bodies. I request Mr. Sibal to please protect the Indian people from the rising education mafia. Niraj Srivastava
Free the education system from rote learning. Our education system is the worst form of torture for years together. Equivalent to child labour. Ashish Mundada
All training colleges must be forced to register with UGC. This will ensure that if the local agent cheats and runs away, then we have someone to catch hold off and get our money back. Five of my friends have lost money. Valsan Thambe
lookout for our next issue extra
June 2009
Education is essential and fees should be clearly mentioned for the course selected by student and the institution has to be affiliated/ accredited. Maruthi Ramakrishna
Yes, a lot of important changes have to be made in our education system across the country and follow a uniform system. Youngsters have to
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24 pages competition special
careers360
Interview Kapil Sibal
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Careers AND COURSES IN SOCIAL SECTOR 10 Best courses
Inspiring stories Interesting profiles Qualities of a development professional
Most popular careers
Fellowships that you must know
Institutions that teach alternatives FIRST PERSON kapil sibal
campus review Jadawapur University
Upclose V Anand
Course review Environmental Sciences
Also Sports as a career n Dressing up for an interview n Gazing the Stars for profit
issue on stands on 1st november 2009
First Take
views
Does the student figure in the picture somewhere? In the need for politicians to leave a legacy, important concerns must not be given a shortshift
I Mahesh Sarma Editor
The best way to derail reforms in this sector is to begin at the wrong end, which is the direction which Mr.Sibal appears to tread
n an ode to harassed students, Kapil Sibal wrote, “Create the space for me to run! Let learning be a lot of fun”. But it would do well for him to examine, whether the recent spate of laws, notifications and proposed legislations, especially on the higher education domain would ultimately create space for any student to run. Sibal’s game plan for reforming higher education has four important components. Creation of a super regulator, which is supposed to supersede the existing maze, regulating the entry of foreign players, making accreditation mandatory for all higher education entities and finally having a law that makes cheating by education providers a criminal offence, in addition to a host of policy pronoucements. The super regulator appears to be a non-starter, with law, medical and agricultural ministries fiercely resisting the move. And the existing regulators are making their displeasure very well known with calibrated leaks. The Foreign Education Bill, will invariably meet political resistance, especially from the Left. But the last two bills, which actually have some direct impact on student welfare, appear to make no news. A better way for the ministry would be to focus on getting the last two bills crafted and passed at the earliest. Both of them would demand substantial
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attention to detail and can easily keep the mandarins at the ministry engaged for the greater part of the next four years. And both the acts would step on lots of toes indirectly and expose the chinks in the armour of many other silos of education making it easier for the other two pieces of legislation to gain acceptance. But what is most important is that both these pieces of law would make life tremendously better for millions of students and parents. The groundswell of goodwill that such a measure would generate would stand in good stead for any politician interested in leaving a legacy. There is so much at stake for so many interest groups in higher education that the best way to derail reforms in this sector is to begin at the wrong end, which is the direction which Mr.Sibal appears to tread. Long-term planning in higher education is a must, and NHERA is one such idea. But it’s ability to impact the cheated student and harassed parent immediately is zero. Students and parents give two hoots about this or that regulatory body. They want concrete action and if that is not going to happen, we could as well kiss reforms good bye. That would be a pity, since HRD does have an able minister in the recent years, and a commitment from the party in power. Will better sense dawn on the mandarins of the ministry?
careers NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
NEW COURSES
EVENTS
Foreign education knocks on the Indian doors
Fellow Programme in Management at XLRI XLRI Jamshedpur is offering a fulltime as well as part-time Fellow Programme in Management. One can opt for specialization in economics, finance, information systems, marketing, organizational behaviour, personnel management and industrial relations, human resource, operations and strategic management. Selected students would get fellowship of Rs. 20,000 per month in the first two and Rs. 25,000 in the next two years. No fees in terms of admission, tuition, or course material would be charged. Financial support up to Rs. 150,000 for participation in conferences in India/abroad and an annual contingency of Rs. 20,000 would also be provided. For details log on to www.xlri.ac.in/research.
IIT Madras: PhD and MS admission
I
nternational Universities are keen on setting up campuses in India, offering to bring the price down to obtaining a foreign degree at par with fees charged by private universities in India. Accreditation and assessment of international universities would be handled by the agency that rates quality of Indian universities. Georgia Tech has already bought land in Hyderabad, Schulich School of Business at York University is keen on setting up a campus in Mumbai. Delegations from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon and Purdue have also made visits to India. 2010 might bring together diverse academic nationalities on Indian soil.
Pearson challenges TOFEL’s reign on the testing scene
Law minister Moily applies a break on HRD roller coaster
TOFEL, the definitive test of English language proficiency, is facing a new challenger. With over 7,000 programmes accepting it around the world, it has been the preferred choice for many students who have US or Europe as their academic destination. It has a perpetual feud with IELTS, which is primarily used by the institutions of the Commonwealth . Now Pearson, in association with GMAC has launched an improved English test, whose features include a brief recorded audio sample, enhanced security and multiple criteria. But considering the vice like hold the two existing players have, insiders feel, Pearson would face an uphill task to make the established schools to make a switch, though its association with GMAC might come in handy.
HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s take on legal education has sparked strong opposition from Law Minister Veerappa Moily. In the turf feud, Moily feels that Sibal’s ministry pondering on starting a graduation in law is fine, but that’s where it should end. “So far as introducing an academic course is concerned, we have no objection. But when it comes to setting standards of legal education, the Law Ministry would be the final arbiter . That is the domain of the Law Ministry.” HRD ministry has earlier been at loggerheads with the Health Ministry about MCI, the Agriculture ministry had similar reservations and now it’s the turn of the Law Ministry to object. The bone of contention is who has the final authority on regulating professional education.
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Regular full-time registration with or without financial assistance can be done online wef 27th September, 09. Candidates could do a joint PhD in Engineering & Sciences offered by IIT Madras & National University of Singapore; with Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology and Christian Medical College, Vellore in the area of Biomedical Devices and Technology.
Notifications Notifications Loyala Institute of Business Administration, PGDM 2010-2012 PGPPM by Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore IIM Calcutta offers full-time PGDCM and doctoral Fellowship Programme Short-term courses at National Institute of Jewellery Design and Technology SP Jain Institute of Management and Research – PGDM 2010-12 Work Integrated Learning programmes at BITS Pilani Short-term training programmes... only on
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careers NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
Railways opens up to local languages R
ailways minister, Mamata Banerjee has ordered the conduct of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams in all regional languages. So far the exams had been only in English and Hindi, deterring other bright students due to language barriers. Banerjee said, “I want people from all spheres of life to join the railways and help us in making the railways a great success.” The change is not applicable to all the posts at present, only to lower levels of the railways hierarchy.
Took a loan? Government will pay the interest
‘Stress’ is good, says Teamlease report
Government plans to boost access to higher education for people from economically backward sections of the society. The scheme would offer full interest subsidy on the loans taken by a student during the period of study. The moratorium period would begin with the commencement of the programme and would last till a year after the course ends or six months after the student procures a job, whichever is earlier. Once the moratorium period ends, the students would be liable to pay the interest on the outstanding loan. The subsidy would be on offer only once to students, for first undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree or diploma courses. Students who discontinue for any reason except on medical grounds would lose the benefit of the subsidy. But the scheme is only available to those candidates whose parental income is less than 4.5 lakhs per annum from all available sources.
A recent survey by manpower firm Teamlease, says some 61% of overall respondents feel that ‘stress at work is healthy.’ The biggest factor causing dissatisfaction seems to be ‘amount of work to be performed’ and ‘managing others’ work. Negativity is also brought in by ‘keeping up with technology’ and followed by ‘attitude of spouse/partner.’ Delhites seem to be affected by office politics and lack of power/influence more than their counterparts in other cities. More than 90% of respondents from Mumbai and Kolkata felt that formulating policies would help identify and help employees cope with stress. Surabhi Mathur-Gandhi, General manager, Permanent Staffing, TeamLease Services stated, “The popular notion of stress as a negative force that causes discontentment and discord may be dated. But HR teams must be be vigilant about striking the right balance.”
Karma Jyoti Scholarship on offer by NIS Academy NIS Academy announced the Karma Jyoti Scholarship 2009 in September. The annual scholarship would be on offer to 10+2 students and graduates, and total amount would exceed Rs. 3 crores. Student’s performance in a competitive written test, personal interview and qualification level would result in a fee waiver of Rs. 10,000 on NIS Academy’s ‘Program in Business Skills’ like PGPBS, GPBS and APBS or even a free laptop based on performance. Scholarship tests would be conducted on Sundays till October 12th at NIS Academy centres across India. So get in touch with the centre closest to you or log on to http://www.thenisacademy.com/office.asp#1.
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NEW COURSES
EVENTS
PGD in Hydro Power Plant Engineering Engineers specialising in mechanical and electrical engineering may pursue a postgraduate diploma course in Hydro Power Plant Engineering offered by NPTI. With more than 200 projects on the anvil, the sector has very bright prospects Final year students may also apply. The last date of receipt of application is 12th October, 2009.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Admission to postgraduate programmes in various engineering and research institutes is open through GATE 2010. Government scholarship is also available to those who qualify GATE. Apply before 30th October, 2009.
RBI Young Scholars Award Scheme (online submission by Oct 21) The Reserve Bank of India has invited applications from students between 18-23 years, pursuing undergraduate studies anywhere in India to be able to earn Rs. 7,500 per month for 3 months. Details at www.rbi.org.in/youngscholars.aspx
Job Alerts Job Alerts ONGC requires 340 Class I executives AICTE openings at headquarters, Delhi Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited – 600 Engineer Trainees/600 Supervisor Trainees 454 Vacancies in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Tata Institute of Social Sciences has 35 vacancies 21 officers at North Malabar Gramin Bank Head Office 296 Group-B posts in 41 user departments, Government of... only on
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careers NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
NEW COURSES
EVENTS
Programme in Banking and Finance NIBM has invited admissions for Post Graduate Programme in Banking and Finance 2010-12. The programme aims to create a dedicated cadre of professionals to service the ever growing financial sector. The candidates need to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) before being short-listed for a group discussion and interview for final selection during mid-April 2010. Applications can also be downloaded from www.nimbindia. org and the deadline for applications is December 10, 2009.
Ayurveda to take off in the capital T
he Indian government plans to begin an All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said this will provide quality research and referral centre in the traditional Indian system of medicine. The Rs. 134 crore institute would be set up at Sarita Vihar. Azad said, “The proposed institute will be developed as a referral and research hospital and receive patients referred by National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur and other ayurvedic hospitals in the country.” The minister hopes the institute would help establish links between ayurveda and modern sciences, increasing the global appeal of ayurveda.
Globsyn goes to Gujrat
Buy Educash! Get education
Globsyn Group, a top-notch finishing school, along with the Government of Gujarat has set up an Institutional Management Committee (IMC) to offer industry-intensive courses. IMC would run and implement these courses that will provide training in tune with the requirements of the industry. Specialized skill development centres would be set up by Globsyn across Gujarat. Asian Institute of Family Business would develop skills in Entrepreneurship/ Family Business Management and specialized skills through Knowledge Finishing School concept. The primary control over academic content remains with Globsyn, and operational control with IMC. Bikram Dasgupta, chairman, Globsyn Group stated, “Through IMC, Globsyn aims to introduce specialized knowledge and skills that will strengthen every individual’s inherent skills and make him a leader in the competitive world.” The courses would vary from short-term skill building ones to long term professional diplomas.
Aptech, a leading training institution has launched a unique scheme “EDUCASH”. Cashing in on the old Indian tradition of gifting cash to young ones, the company has launched a gift voucher scheme “EDUCASH”. These are at par vouchers, which can be redeemed for courses in IT, Animation, Graphics & Web Design, Hardware & Networking Aviation Courses, and Travel & Tourism in any of the four institutions under the Aptech umbrella. The process is simple, wherein the candidate can walk into any of the Aptech outlets, identify the right course and cash equivalent of the vouchers would be deducted from the course fees. The scheme has been currently launched in Mumbai and may go national.
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CSSSC Post-Doctoral Fellowship Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta has invited applications for a two-year residential Post-Doctoral fellowship programme. The fellow would be expected to have an active research programme and complete at least one monograph. The eligibility for the fellowship involves a PhD in any of the social science and humanities disciplines. The applicants should preferably be below 35 years of age. The last date of the receipt of the application is October 15, 2009.
400 Scholarships for young artistes Online applications are invited from eligible young artistes for award of scholarships for the year 2009 to support advanced training in the fields of Indian classical music, Indian classical dances and light classical music. The details of the scholarship programme is available at www.indiaculture.nic.in. Last date for receipt of applications is October 31, 2009.
WatchoutFor ! Commonwealth Scholarship for higher studies in the UK The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission have announced scholarships for Indian nationals below 40 years of age to pursue higher studies/research/specialized training in different subject areas in the United Kingdom. The deadline for application is October 20. Details are at www.education.nic.in.
careers NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
NEW COURSES
EVENTS
Management school with a French twist I
conoclasm comes naturally to the French. So whey they launched an MBA, they had to do it differently. Instead of the normal two-year programmes they launched a one-year MBA at INSEAD, and as one of the founders informed FT, helped change the face of management education. To be truly international is the primary premise that INSEAD operated on from day one. So it decided that no more than one third of the students, faculty or governing board be from one nationality. It is this compulsory insistence on internationalism that sets INSEAD apart from other schools. As Prof. Daniel Muzyka informs FT, “INSEAD gave a platform and a voice to something other than the US-centric view of the world.” INSEAD was also the first leading B-School, to set up international campuses. It set up a full-fledged satellite campus in Singapore and Abu Dhabi. And INSEAD’s independence as a private school out of the university system, gave it the independence to be entrepreneurial and closer to business.
A new hurdle for foreign medical degree holders
Ten million people to be trained vocationally
Being a graduate from premier schools of the world such as Harvard or John Hopkins will no longer allow you to practise in India. Supreme Court has ruled that you need to clear a screening test conducted by the Medical Council of India. Earlier, individuals with MBBS degrees from countries with reciprocity agreement with India that recognised each other’s degrees were allowed to practise in India without appearing for an examination. Even Indian nationals with a foreign medical degree would now be required to appear for the exam, says the order. SC justified, “Serious aberrations were noticed in the standards of medical education in some foreign countries, which were not on par with standards of medical education available in India.”
IGNOU has tied up with 12 universities across the world to achieve this feat. Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai stated, ‘The aim is to make rural people skilled. We will try to bridge the digital divide among people and thus empower them. Tele-centres will emerge in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. B. Shadrach, senior official at IDRC said, “The skill development has four areas – soft skill, management skill, private and public service and computer training.” 100,000 tele-centres will be set up in India as part of Bharat Nirman project. Areas like agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, and other vocational skills in various disciplines would help impart training to vast number of people.
Distance learning courses of DU gets the DEC stamp The Distance Education Council has informed the Delhi High Court it will give recognition to the programmes offered through distance mode by University of Delhi (DU) . This ends the tussle in terms of correspondence courses and brings respite to more than 50 students who had qualified in entrance examinations for government jobs but the Staff Selection Commission refused to issue appointment orders since their degree was not recognized. A happy end to an unnecessary tussle.
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Wanted: Passionate Contributors Careers360 is on a mission — to inform and empower — which can only succeed if it is a collective endeavour. Now, we need people across India to join us. You may be an academic, student or a professional. You could be a CEO, a manager or an executive. But, all you need to have is a flair for writing concisely, have a nose for data and numbers, be obsessed with getting facts right, and above all, have an abiding commitment to the youth of the country. What do we expect you to do? As a contributor, you would be the primary contact for the magazine in your location. We will require you to occasionally do full stories for us, assist our editorial team in gathering information, and be engaged with the idea to enable the delivery of a better product. COMPENSATION In addition to the sense of satisfaction you will gain, we will compensate you adequately for your efforts. Write to: [email protected] or call us at 011-46142503.
FOR REGULAR UPDATES ON New course announcements, university/institute news, conferences, summer schools, job announcements Log on to our website
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Campus newsletter: If your school, college, institute has one, send us a copy. We will feature the best pieces If there is an event, seminar or conference at your institute, mail us at: [email protected] Mail your letters to us at: [email protected]
T. Narayan/Outlook Group
vinod mehta
“I had no idea what i wanted to become” For a person, who was expelled from school for asking a girl to be his girlfriend, Vinod Metha still does not shy away from speaking out what he feels. Loved and hated by readers in equal measures the feisty journalist speaks to Urmila Rao on his dog, state of education, middle class and his political leanings, among other things.
Q: Why did you choose an unusual name, Editor, for your pet dog? A: He has a very strange temperament. He is very stubborn and like most editors, he thinks he knows every thing. Q: Barring exceptions, education in India is in shambles. Do you agree?
A: One of the biggest scandals, forget
the quality of education, is the organized sort of racket in the schools for admissions. The middle class is very
innovative and they can find ways to get round the system. But the real tragedy is in the primary education in rural areas where the situation is appalling. As our politicians concentrate on secondary education and the middle class, very little attention is paid to primary education. Government spends a lot of money. It should also ensure that it reaches the right people.
Q: What is the one big difference 16
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between yesterday’s and today’s youth? A: In my time, if your father was well –placed he will put you in a good job with his connections. Happily, that is much less now.
Q: You became a journalist out of sheer passion or just by accident?
A: Like many people, I did not have any
idea of what I wanted to become. I did BA and then in 1974 I got a chance, by accident, to edit Debonair in Mumbai. The only thing I was interested in was writing and I didn’t know what kind of writing. I tried my hand at copywriting but I wasn’t very good. But I liked
it should increase the number of seats. Quotas are here to stay so the government should create new institutions.
Q: Should foreign institutions be allowed entry? A: They want to come here not because they love us but because there is money
Students should check who has done the survey and what has been the methodology. They should also check, if the publication has any vested interest in any of the institutions. In B-school survey, every year there are four-five good institutes which find place in the rankings and no one can say that it is fixed.
Q: So a student should not trust any
“Foreign institutions come here not because they love us but
because there is money to make”
“They can use the B-school surveys as a good yardstick but
should use their own brains”
to write. Debonair was 7-8 months old when I joined and it was running at a loss. The owner wanted to close it down. So I asked him to give me a chance to run it for six months and if it didn’t improve, he could close it. I stayed there for seven years, till ‘81 and by the time I left, it was making some money.
Q: What was the naughtiest thing you did in school?
A: When I was at Loreto convent (the school was co-ed till third standard), there was a girl sitting opposite me and wanted to borrow my eraser. I agreed and asked her to be my girlfriend. She complained, my parents were called, and I was expelled from the school for six months.
Q: How do you react to the state of higher education? A: In higher education, people are paying huge price and going abroad, but one can get good education in our own country. But there aren’t enough places and where they are, there is talk of reservation. If government plans the quota then
to make. I am not a great believer that anybody who wants to come in should be allowed to come in because the education sector is very rich. I am not saying we should be opposed to the idea but their entry should be strictly regulated.
Q: There is also the menace of
adverts of educational institutions in the media misleading students. A: The general rule should be that any institution which advertises heavily should be thoroughly examined by the students. They should be skeptical about their claims and verify the facts. A lot has been bared in the public domain on some corrupt institutions which should serve as a warning. Avoid such institutes even if students have to travel out of their native place.
Q: How trustworthy are the B-school
rankings? Outlook has done one in its latest issue. A: A lot of people believe that the rankings are fudged. In Outlook, I have no idea till the time I get the results and it is true for more responsible media.
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ranking of any publication blindly?
A: Absolutely. They can use the sur-
vey as a good yardstick but they should use their own brains. Rankings give the perspective of the whole scene. It gives options, if you can’t get into one, then you can opt for number two and so on.
Q: Multiple committees, regulatory bodies, different councils, isn’t there utter chaos in the education sector? A: Right. But remember, you take land from the government; there are grants that are taken. But now the rules are being simplified. The good thing is education is an area where there is a lot of public interest and public pressure. Q: Why is vocational studies not treated at par with higher education? A: It is one of the biggest tragedies that this area is woefully neglected. Every one wants to get into higher education when ideally they should be getting into vocational training and learning some skill, some trade, suiting their interest and aptitude. Q: What kind of student were you when you were in college, studious, polite or agitating type? A: Not very good. Chalta type. I wasn’t academically inclined. Coming from a very middle class family, I ensured that I somehow managed to pass every year and not upset my parents. In BA, I got a third-class. Q: And your political affiliation is? A: In India, what are the possibilities?
There are only two political parties, the BJP and the Congress, I can’t choose the Marxists because of their views. And because I am a liberal, I have problems with the BJP. If I don’t support the Congress where will I go? If the BJP gives up their anti-minority stand I would consider them very seriously.
Talk Point
motivation
The frog and the television tower!
I
Prakash Iyer CEO-Cards, Future Group, and executive coach
Achievement in life will be limited by your ambitions, your dreams. The choice is yours. Find your goal, And go for it
t was another noisy Thursday in frog world. A group of young frogs were chatting, discussing the latest news. As they looked at the nearby TV tower, the city’s tallest structure, they thought how wonderful it would be to be able to climb on top of it, and go where no frog had ever been. “The wind, the view… oh, to be on top of the tower!” said one of the frogs, and the others croaked in agreement. They decided that the following Sunday, they would all climb to the top of the tower. On the appointed day, several frogs gathered to watch the group of young frogs try and do the impossible. As the frogs lined up for the climb, you could hear the shouts from the crowd. “Don’t do it, it’s too dangerous!” “No one’s done it before, what makes you think you can do it?” Some of the young frogs heeded the warnings, and dropped out before the climb started. The rest set off nevertheless, and as some tiny frogs slipped and fell, you could hear the shouts grow louder. “You can’t do it!” “The tower is way too high!” One by one, all the frogs gave up, except one little frog. That frog paid no heed to the exhortations, and kept climbing, higher and higher until finally he reached the top of the TV tower. The first frog ever to get there! The frogs clapped and croaked in delight. When the little frog came down, the rest of them gathered around him. “How did you manage it? What’s the secret of your success?” they asked. The frog just looked on, and did not say a word. It turned out that he was deaf. And so while the hordes were shouting “It can’t be done”, he hadn’t heard a word. He thought they were egging him on, and mistook their shouts as words of encouragement! It’s a good idea to lead your life like that frog. As you go about chasing your goals, your dreams and your ambitions, disregard the people who tell you it can’t be done. Is there a course of study you want to pursue – but people are saying ‘with your grades, you’ll never get admission’? Is there a new business idea that’s been jumping about in your head – but well-wishers are saying you’ll never find the capital for it? And do you want to be rich and wealthy, and
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Hard work assures success, giving up is not the answer
make your dreams come true - but are being told “get real, no one in our entire family has ever made that kind of money?” Ignore them all. Turn a deaf ear. Remember, what you achieve in life will be limited only by your ambitions, your dreams. So when people tell you it can’t be done, they are in a sense, just testing your resolve, your commitment to your goals. How badly do you want to climb your own TV tower? Giving up is easy. Getting to your goals is hard work. There will be also be moments when you are the one watching other frogs – friends, family and colleagues – trying to climb their TV towers. Be careful what you say to them. You could discourage them and stop them from working towards their goals. Or you could egg them on, and help them achieve their goals. The choice is yours. As one wise man said, you can achieve any goal you desire – if only you will help other people achieve their goals! And yes, did I tell you who the frog met on top of the TV tower? A bumble bee! Now, according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumble bee cannot fly because its body weight is too high when compared to its wingspan. But luckily, the bumble bee never went to school and is unaware of the laws of aerodynamics. So it happily flies! Be like the bumble bee, and the deaf frog. Find your goal, your TV tower. And go for it. If you can dream it, you can do it!
Career Review
merchant navy
launch your
career on
the high seas ‘What makes that ship drive on so fast? What is the ocean doing?’ —Samuel Taylor Coleridge (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)
by Arun Srivastava
A
n international trade, shipping offers fascinating career as seafarers (those who earn their living by service at sea). The profession is widely described as challenging, adventurous and highly paid. About 90 per cent of the global goods transportation takes place through sea routes by purpose-built merchant vessels. The cost of ships could be as high as $5-100 million and it takes years to build a ship. So it’s both capital-intensive and time-consuming. “The total number of ships across the world is about 50,500. India has got a total of 35,000 officers and 110,000 seafarers while the world shipping needs around 466,000 officers and 721,000 seafarers. At the start of the year, there was a shortage of around 10,000 officers globally. India accounts for around 5 per cent of world manning,” says an expert in an industry magazine’s recent issue.
Diverse opportunities
In modern day shipping, the sector involves ocean management, ports, logistics, shipbuilding, supply chain management, personnel recruitment and ship-management. In this trade practice a third party takes the overall charge of business activities and pays to the owner of the vessel, called principal, a share of the revenue as agreed upon between them. Together they form a
mammoth industry complicated enough to call for the services of marine lawyers, policy makers, media, and usually a government ministry. Also, the industry has been expanding to include more and more business functions. Besides, offshore oil drilling, marine tourism, professional and recreational diving are just a few of the numerous sea-based avenues of employment.
Hierarchy on board
Ships remain the core of this hugely diversified industry. In order to manage different functions on the ship there are three distinct departments: nautical also called deck, engine and rating. There are adequately qualified personnel in each of the three departments in a well laid-out hierarchy. For example, a ship is navigated chiefly by the Master, who is also called Captain. He is the seniormost navigation officer and comes from the deck department, followed by chief officer, second officer and third officer. There is a chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer and electrical officer in the engine department. Then, there is a third line of workers who do other sundry functions which are crucial and can spell disaster if not done in the most efficient manner. The life and work on a cargo vessel which includes oil tankers, petrochemical tankers, dry bulk carriers, etc. is a lot about safe and efficient management of cargo and ship. Cruise ships are growing
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shipping contributes trillions of dollars to the world economy, generating over 12 million jobs
rapidly in number though mostly in western Europe. They offer recreation, quality leisure, fun, entertainment, good food, socializing and networking. The good news is that a very satisfying career can made in the field by average students with basic schooling. Types of Jobs: There are basically three streams of employment onboard a ship – deck officers, engineers and ratings. Deck officers have the responsibility of navigation, safe and efficient movement of the ship and cargo. Engineers are primarily needed to look after the engine, which in case of a ship is not only gigantic but also complicated. Ratings are such staff onboard a ship who offer physical help in carrying out various functions. Typically, each of these
three departments has well organized hierarchy. Deck officers are headed by the Master, also called Captain. Similarly, the engine department is headed by the Chief Engineer and the ratings are headed by a Boatswain. A Master or a Chief Engineer is assisted by many junior colleagues, who have the same basic qualification but not the same seaexperience and certificates of competency as the Master or a Chief Engineer. And in order to gain the sea-experience and different competency certificates, they need to not only find and continue with the sea job but also take the post-sea competency examinations from time to time to facilitate their promotions. The demand-supply mismatch in the manning sector has led to faster promotions and a fresh graduate in nautical science or marine engineering can expect to rise to the top-most level in the official hierarchy in about six years. The day at sea is divided into six fourhour periods. Three group of watch standers are on duty for four hours and then off for eight hours. Seamen often work overtime during their off time.
Rankings onboard
courses in shipping
Top Indian companies that recruit shipping staff
Course
Qualification
Age
Physical Standards
Deck Cadet
10+2 with minimum 55% in PCM or BSc
20-
Eyesight:6/6 or without spectacles,without colour blindness
GME
BE or BTech
24
Eyesight:+/- 2.5, without colour blindness
BE Marine Engg
10+2 with 60% in PCM & 50% in English
20
Eyesight:+/- 2.5, without colour blindness
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Physical fitness Physical fitness is required as per ILO-147 convention, ISM/STCW Code (1/9) and Medical Examination (Ministry of Shipping, Government of India) Rules 2000. Perks and benefits offered by crewing agents Family carriage for all ranks Hometown repatriation airfare (to and fro) Flag state certification at company’s expenses Standby wages during courses / at the time of joining Company’s accommodation Career prospect ashore Excellent promotion prospects
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D’Amico Ships (India) Pvt Ltd www.damicoship.com Wallem Shipmanagement (India) Pvt Ltd www.wallem.com Fleet Management Ltd www.fleetship.com NYK Shipmanagement www.nyksm.com Ishima International Ship management www.ishimaship.com Pentagon Marine Services P. Ltd www.pentagonmarine.com MMS Maritime (India) Pvt Ltd www.mms-india.com Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd www.dynacomindia.com Bernhard Schutle Shipmanagement www.bs-shipmanagement.com Crew Management (India) Pvt Ltd
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Master: A Master who is also called Captain of the ship is the highest officer aboard a ship. He oversees all ship operations and keeps the records of the ship. He is also supposed to take care of accounting and bookkeeping functions. He takes command of the vessel in inclement weather and in crowded or narrow water. He receives and implements instructions from the employers. His salary could be in the range of $10,000 and above. Chief Officer: He is next only to the Master. Traditionally, a chief officer is responsible for stowage, cargohandling, and organization of works for other seamen. He also assists the master in the navigating duties. Salary—$8,000 and above. Second Officer: Practically the ship’s navigation officer, he is also in charge of twelve to four watch. Keeps all the books and charts up to date, monitors navigation equipment on bridge. He is also the ship’s medical officer. Salary—$6,000 and above.
Career Review
merchant navy
courses for ratings Six-month Pre-Sea course for General Purpose Rating (GP Rating) Six-Month Pre-Sea course for General Purpose Rating for Fitters/Petty Officers. Eligibility: Pass with aggregate 40% marks in 10th standard from a recognized Board with Science, Mathematic as subjects and with minimum 40 percent marks in English language. Or pass in 2-year ITI course from government approved institute. Minimum 50 percent aggregate marks in final year and minimum 40 percent marks in English at 10th or diploma exam. Age: Between 17½ to 25 years.
Third Officer: He is in charge of four to eight watch and is directly responsible for all deck operations — cargo storage and handling, deck maintenance and deck supplies. Salary— $4,000 and above. Chief Engineer: He is the seniormost engineer officer and therefore responsible for the satisfactory working and upkeep of the engine room and its various components. Salary—$10,000 and above. Second Engineer: In charge of four to eight watch. Usually works from eight to four, handling engine maintenance. He assigns duties to unlicensed personnel. Salary—$6,000 and above. Third Engineer: In charge of twelve to four watch. Salary—$4,000 and above. Fourth Engineer: He is generally the most junior marine engineer on the ship. He is usually responsible for electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Salary—$3,000 and above.
Other staff onboard
Following personnel come from the Ratings streams and command a monthly salary of about $1,000. Rating: Seaman, forming a support team on the ship. Pumpman: A rating who operates pumps in an oil tanker and maintains and repairs all cargo handling equipment on tankers.
shipping industry is the backbone of modern international trade and accounts for 90 percent of the goods traded worldwide.
Ordinary Seaman: A deck crew member who is subordinate to the able bodied seaman. Able Bodied Seaman: He is a member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seaman. Fitter: Trained in welding, refrigeration, lathe operation, die-casting, electricity, pumping, water purification, oiling, evaluating engine gauges and one who actively helps in the engine maintenance. Electrical Officer: Well qualified hand who undertakes maintenance and repair works of electrical and electronic equipment aboard a vessel. His salary could be higher depending on his qualification and competency. Chief cook: Shipboard hand who cooks and bakes. His salary could be higher depending on his qualification and competency.
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Boatswain (Bosun): The highest uncertified rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.
Seafarers’ job market
The crew for a cargo vessel numbers less than 50 while that of a cruise ship could be anything between 300 and 1000. They are mostly taken on fixed-period contracts to join the ship during its voyage which could be as long as six months and above. A qualified person selected by the employer company is usually flown to the port where the employer ship is anchored and the person joins the ship and begins his work in the field assigned to him. A mention is made in his continuous discharge certificate (CDC), which functions as an official record for his sea-experience. Wages are paid for the contract period. All the jobs onboard a ship are contractual, ranging from a short period of
certification agencies DG Shipping The Directorate General of Shipping, India, is a government body under the Ministry of Shipping and deals with implementation of shipping policy and legislation, promotion of maritime education, regulation of employment and welfare of seamen, development of coastal shipping, augmentation of shipping tonnage, examination and certification of Merchant Navy Officers. STCW ’95 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1995 is a set of some basic courses which every aspirant must undergo and obtain a certificate to be able to work onboard a ship. STCW Courses include Elementary First Aid (EFA), Ship Security Officers (SSO), Passenger Ship Familiarisation (PSF), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR), Medical First Aid (MFA). CDC: Continuous Discharge Certificate-cumSeafarers’ Identity Document in India is issued by Director General of Shipping. This is a must-document for all seafarers in which there is a mention every time the holder of the CDC leaves a ship after his stint is over. This is an official certificate confirming sea experience in the employment for which he was engaged.
15 days to 9 months or so. The contract period depends on the voyage plan of a particular ship. So, effectively, every six months, a seaman can choose a new company and vessel to work with. The salary ranges from $300-800 per month at the entry level to $10,000-12,000 and above for a captain or chief engineer. The Indian job market is flooded with international shipping companies offering most competitive wages and all kinds of perks to recruit the best hands. Their duties vary with the type of ship, the type of voyage, the number of crewmembers, the weather, and many other variables. Where and what to study: There are two departments of functions – one of navigation, which at its highest level is represented by the Master or Captain of the ship and the other of engine, represented by the Chief Engineer at the highest level. One can get into the navigation department after a one-year diploma in Deck Cadet. Similarly, a qualified engineer can join the
engine department after doing one-year graduation in mechanical engineering (GME). Along with prescribed sea-experience and further study and examination, both can lead to full-fledged degree in nautical sciences and marine engineering respectively. There are some institutions which offer 4-year engineering course leading to BE Marine Engineering. There are two engineering colleges by the name of Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), in Kolkata and Mumbai, offering BE Marine Engineering course. Most of the staff for the engine departments have been coming from these two institutions. You require 60 percent in PCM to sit for entrance test.
Bsc Nautical Science
This is a six-semester (three year) programme constituting three stages. ●● A candidate is admitted to the oneyear (2 semesters) pre-sea course and on the successful completion of the first two semesters, he will be awarded Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS). ●● This is followed by one-and-a-half years (3 semesters) onboard ship training and after successful completion, he is awarded Advanced Diploma in Nautical Science (ADNS). ●● After completion of the onboard training, the Sixth Semester constitutes “Second Mate Certificate of Competency” awarded by the Director General of Shipping and the candidate is awarded BSc (Nautical Science) degree from the Indian Maritime University (IMU). First year constitute onshore training which is designed to impart basic knowledge on the type of merchant ships, ship operations, types of goods carried by ships, shipping trade and a good foundation in the basic principles of navigation and environmental sciences. There are three courses available to become a marine engineer. ●● BE Marine Engineering Course: After 10 + 2 or its equivalent examination with a minimum 60 percent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, and at least 50 percent in English at 10th or 12th standard, one can take the Common Entrance Test conducted by IMU for admission to the 4-year BE Marine Engineering course. The candidate should not be above 25
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years and should be physically fit for sea service under standard norms, with eyesight upto +/- 2.5, and with no colour blindness. ●● Two-year DME Course: There is also a two-year DME course for Diploma Holder in Mechanical/Marine/ Shipbuilding/Naval Architecture/Electrical Engineering. ●● One year pre-sea training: There is also one year pre-sea training for Graduates in Mechancical Engineering or Naval Architecture (GME). All these courses lead to Class IV Marine Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency, awarded by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, after 6 months of sea service, enabling the cadets to become Marine Engineers on board Merchant Naval ships anywhere in the world. This course is strictly residential. All candidates for Deck Cadet, GME and BTech (Marine Engineering) have to appear for Common Entrance Test conducted by IME. Successful candidates are called for counselling by the IMU, Chennai, and allotted seats in different institutions. Students who want to make a career in any of these fields have to ensure they start early because the admission is open for 10+2 pass students. Second thing they should ensure is that their eyesight and general health is as per the required norms. Sitting in the IMU’s entrance test is also very crucial. After clearing the exam, you can study these courses at IMU’s four campuses and some 120 maritime training institutes spread across the country but typically concentrating around maritime hubs like Mumbai and Chennai. The Course fees vary from 2.2 lakhs to 2.25 lakhs per annum for both the courses, both at IMU and affiliated colleges.
Check out recruitment plans
The best course of action would be to check out national and international companies by contacting them through phone and checking out their websites for their recruitment plan. In many cases, they hold their own entrance test and personal interviews to select fresh candidates. If you qualify their examination, they sponsor you in the sense that
Career Review
merchant navy
Public institutions
Private institutions
Institutes
Location
Institutes
Location
National Maritime Academy
Chennai
Orissa Maritime Academy
Jagatsinghpur
T S Chanakya
Mumbai
Kolkata
Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research
Mumbai
Trident College of Marine Technology Asha Institute of Marine Technology
Varanasi
Marine Engineering Research Institute
Mumbai
Sriram Institute of Maritime Studies
Delhi
Marine Engineering Research Institute
Kolkata
Delhi
Indian Institute of Port Management
Kolkata
Acqatech Institute of Maritime Studies
National Ship Design & Research Centre
Visakhapatnam
Euro Tech Maritime Academy
Cochin
Commander Ali Academy of Merchant Navy
Secunderabad
Sri Chakra Maritime College
Pondicherry
Balaji Seaman Training Institute
Chennai
Maritime Training Academy
Goa
they commit to offer employment after the successful completion of the course. Many a time monetary benefit is also offered by these companies. Sponsored candidates are not required to come for counselling at IMU’s Chennai office but can take admission at the institution his sponsor has finalized. In case you could not find any sponsor, you better sit for IMU’s entrance examination which selects more than 4,000 students for admission to IMU’s own colleges and private training institutes across the country. For this examination, the students should start looking for admission notice from early March. The minimum eligibility criteria include a 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with 55 percent. So, you need to begin preparing for it a little early. If you are preparing for any engineering entrance test, you don’t need to study anything more. The examination pattern remains somewhat same as that of engineering entrance tests. Ratings go for six months’ pre-sea training at DG approved institutes.
Skillsets and attributes
The basic attributes in a person for a successful career in the shipping industry are that he should be physically and mentally strong, ready to accept challenges and work hard, have a liking for outdoor life and travelling. If you enter a shipping career latest at the age of 25 years, within five years you can expect to be right at the top or nearby in the official hierarchy of people working onboard a ship. Salary is given as per the international standards so as to attract the best hands available. So
CAPTAIN/MASTER Engine Department
Deck Department
Chief Engineer
Chief Officer
2nd Engineer
2nd Officer
3rd Engineer
3rd Officer
4th Engineer Ratings
4th Officer
Bosun
Chief Cook
Able Bodied Seaman
Cook
Ordinary Seaman
Asst Cook
Fitter
General Steward
Saloon Rating
Motorman Oiler Wiper Trainee Seamen
careers
Best colleges
Some of the best maritime training institutions are in the government sector, followed by 120-odd private institutions. All erstwhile government-run maritime training institutions have been handed over to the Indian Maritime University, which came into being towards the fag end of 2008. All the colleges are highly rated for their respective nautical and engineering courses. Indian Maritime University currently has eight departments — Port Management, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Transport & Logistics (Business School), Marine Sciences, Maritime Law, Naval Architecture & Ship Building and Inland Water Transport. Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research is a premier post-sea Maritime Education and Training Institute offering a comprehensive range of courses for Merchant Navy Officers. In the private sector, most of the colleges listed alongside are good, but ensure that, the facilities, they promise are available and under their control, in the light of the happenings in the recent UGC reviews.
Conclusion
there is enough competition among the shipping professionals from countries all over the world. As you spend time on the ship as its staff member, you confront unexpected and extra ordinary situations. In order to successfully overcome them you need to have special skill sets, which are determined by regular tests of competency. Basically, as you grow from one rank to the next, you need to qualify certain standards set by international shipping bodies and class societies. These tests of competency are targeted at identifying how best one can deal with day-to-day functioning of the ship in the international arena. Mind you, the cost of a ship, its cargo and the marine environment in which it moves
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remains too high to risk with poor standard of manpower. So, you must have an orientation towards the sea, international business, and ability to take decisions in most critical of times. Good in health is another must.
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Shipping industry also involves a lot of shore-based functions in manning, management of the ship and its business. One can also find a career in teaching and training after having done enough of sea-going. The cargoes, which are loaded onto the ships come from within a country and mostly through roads. This involves a high degree of logistics support and formalities pertaining to foreign trade as the goods are mostly shipped outside the country. People from shipping background are much in demand as they can take charge of these functions with a little training and orientation programmes. So if you have the heart for adventure, wet your feet in international waters for a highly paid career.
Cracking
US ADMISSIONS
Get set to clear SAT
One of the most widely used admission tests among US colleges and universities, SAT basically evaluates students’ knowledge of subjects by Mrinalini Batra
I
t is the time of the year again. Students who want to do undergraduate courses abroad are on the look out for schools and colleges of their choice. The United States of America remains the most popular destination, though the application process appears cumbersome.
What US colleges look for
Specific colleges in the US have different admissions criteria. But they ultimately seek the same -- a well-rounded, capable student. The admissions process relies on a number of factors but the basic criteria used to evaluate students are: ●● Academic potential and performance – as evidenced by the student’s class rank and marks, the rigour of the programme pursued and the reputation of the school. ●● Strengths and weaknesses as represented by the applicant’s participation in extra-curricular activities. ●● Performance in standardized global admissions tests.
SAT as a measuring factor
The first two factors are rather subjective as they represent great diversity – courses and grading standards vary from school to school and region to region. It is the scores in standardized tests that help colleges compare the academic achievements of students from different schools and regions. After the mandatory English examinations like the TOEFL and the IELTS, the SAT is the most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. The American College Testing programme (ACT) is also used by a large number of schools. However, the SAT, formerly known as Scholastic Aptitude Test, still remains the most popular one in India.
Illustration: Gouri Nanda
SAT I Reasoning Test
This is a standardized aptitude test for undergraduate aspirants, designed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and administered by The College Board. It tests students’ knowledge of subjects that are believed to be necessary for college success: reading, writing, and mathematics. Almost all undergraduate programmes in the US require applicants to furnish the SAT score. Some colleges require scores on SAT Subject Tests as well. Find out whether a particular college requires SAT I or SAT II or both, by checking out its website. The SAT is typically taken by students who are in classes 11th and 12th. It tells students how well they use the skills and knowledge they have attained in and outside of the classroom - including how they think, solve problems, and communicate. It is believed to be one of the best predictors of how well students will do in college.
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SAT trivia
●● It is a paper-based test and includes several different question types, including: a student-produced essay, multiplechoice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins). ●● There are three distinct sections in the SAT ■■ Critical Reading ■■ Writing ■■ Mathematics ●● Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800; the maximum possible score is 2400! ●● The test is administered six times a year in India ●● The SAT consists of 10 total testing sections with the three types of sections interspersed in random fashion. ●● Test-takers in the same session may have test books with entirely different content orders for sections two through nine. ●● Usually students take SAT I twice.
Cracking
US ADMISSIONS
How to score well in SAT
Scoring in the test depends on the student’s performance in nine sections – three each of Critical Reading, Writing or Mathematics. There is an extra section called the wild card section that can consist of Mathematics, Critical Reading or Writing questions. This section does not count and is not considered towards the SAT score. However, it is unmarked and students will not be able to differentiate it from the others.
STRUCTURE OF SAT I TEST
Writing Section The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay. It tests the student’s knowledge of grammar, usage and word choice. The total duration of this section is 60 minutes. The short essay measures the student’s ability to organize and express ideas clearly. The multiple-choice writing questions measure the student’s ability to improve sentences and paragraphs and identify errors such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness. Critical Reading Section The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short as well as long reading passages. Questions can be based on one, or sometimes two, reading passages. This section comprises two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. Mathematics Section This section consists of two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. The SAT includes mathematics topics in the four main areas - Number and Operations, Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurement & Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability. Students are allowed to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. It is not possible to take SAT I and SAT II tests on the same test date. Though the basic test fee is $45, there are additional processing fees such as the international processing fee of $26; students in India and Pakistan pay an additional surcharge of $23. The SAT fee entitles the student to send the score
Test dates and deadlines for SAT I & SAT II test registration for India – 2009 -2010 Test dates
Test administered
Regular registration (last date)
October 10, 2009
SAT & Subject Tests
September 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
-do-
October 1, 2009
December 5, 2009
-do-
October 30, 2009
January 23, 2010
-do-
December 15, 2009
May 1, 2010
-do-
March 25, 2010
June 5, 2010
-do-
April 29, 2010
to up to four schools free of cost. Beyond that, each score report costs $9.50.
SAT I preparation
An aptitude test, students have been able to increase their score by preparing well for SAT. As Indian students are not very familiar with the multiple-choice examinations, getting used to the test also takes time. ●● It is best to start preparing for the test after the class 10 final examinations. ●● Plan ahead because schools set a last test date for each application period. ●● Students must set aside a minimum of 3 months for the SAT I preparation. ●● Pick a test preparation programme that combines instruction with testing and review. ●● Take a minimum of 12 full-length tests to prepare for the test. ●● Practise taking the test under real time conditions.
Tips for students
●● Register for the test early so that you can be assured of a good testing center. It is offered in a number of Indian cities. ●● You will need a valid passport as proof of your identity. ●● Each question in a section is worth the same point irrespective of the level of difficulty – do not spend too much
The ACT is a curriculum-based test, and hence scoring
here is not based on IQ
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time on tough questions. Do the simple ones first and tough ones later. ●● If you do not know the answer and can still eliminate one or two choices to make an intelligent guess, do so. However, keep in mind that there is a guessing penalty in SAT. For each wrong answer, you lose one-fourth of the points earned on a correct answer except for the student produced answers. ●● Use your test booklet for doing rough as it is the only scrap paper you will get. ●● Wear a watch to the test since keeping time is critical to your success on the test. ●● At the test center, the start and end of each section is called. You will not be allowed to go back to a previously completed section. ●● You cannot take your question paper home. However, the College Board offers a Question and Answer Service for SAT I for certain tests dates. You can register for the same by paying a special fee and get a copy of the test paper, your answers and the correct answers.
SAT II: Subject Tests
These are one-hour, primarily multiplechoice tests measuring knowledge of particular subjects and the ability to apply that knowledge. SAT II information ●● These subjects include Mathematics, English Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, US History, World History, Italian, Latin, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Modern Hebrew. Please note that the options for students in the commerce stream are rather limited. ●● Each subject test is scored on a 200800 scale.
ACT test dates in India Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 12, 2009*
November 6, 2009
February 6, 2010
January 5, 2010
April 10, 2010
March 5, 2010
June 12, 2010
May 7, 2010
*Only on these dates the optional writing test are conducted.
Students can take up to three SAT II tests on a test date. Also, all subjects are not offered on all test dates in India. ●● Most colleges that require SAT II want the scores from two subject areas; some schools want three SAT II tests. ●●
The PSAT
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT/NMSQT) is a programme co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives US citizens and permanent residents a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programmes and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT/NMSQT measures, Critical Reading skills, Math problem-solving skills and Writing Skills. It has five sections: two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute Math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section. The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes. This test is now being administered in India and is meant to be taken by students in classes 9th and 10th. It is held in October every year.
The ACT
The ACT test, formerly the American College Testing programme, is an alternative to the SAT test. Today, most 4-year colleges recognize the ACT test. The ACT consists of four multiplechoice tests and an optional writing test. English focusses on usage and rhetoric, Math tests algebra skills and trigonometry skills. Reading focuses on the arts and literature, and science stresses problem-solving skills. The optional writing test is similar to the SAT essay question. Students must write a short essay based on an assigned prompt. The actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes. The writing part takes an
additional 30 minutes. The advantage with ACT is that it is a curriculum-based test, so it is not an aptitude or IQ test. Students who do poorly on the SAT may do significantly better in the ACT. Each of the tests is graded on a one to thirty-six scale, with the optional essay adding points to the total score. There is no wrong answer penalty like in the SAT, and the ACT analyzes students’ strengths and weaknesses. The test is offered in India at centers in Pune, Kodaikanal, Mussoorie, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Not all centers are scheduled to test on every test date. Basic registration fee is $47 for the ACT Plus Writing. Most scores are available online within two-and-a-half weeks after each national or international test date.
Pursue your academic dream by taking the
first step in finding the right college. Make SAT your stepping stone in achieving your career goals
Comparison of ACT and SAT
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, measuring reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you’re applying to. The SAT has a correction for guessing.
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That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT score is based on the number of correct answers and has no penalty for guessing. You can ask the ACT to release only the record from the test date you request. SAT has recently allowed this facility but it has not been accepted across colleges in the US.
AP Tests
The AP (Advanced Placement) tests are taken by students in various subjects to earn credit at most colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as colleges and universities in more than 40 other countries. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can save a lot of time and money in the United States. AP information Students currently in class 11th or 12th can take the tests and have an edge in the application process. Students passing out this year would benefit by getting credit in the freshman year. Some of the subjects in which Indian students can take the AP exams are: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, World History, Human Geography, English Language and Composition, United States History, Computer Science, Calculus, Statistics, Environmental Science, etc. These tests are administered by the College Board in the month of May every year. The last date for registering for the examination is 1st of March. In India this test is offered at centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai. The fee for each AP Exam is US$86. So, whether it is SAT or ACT, the destination remains studying abroad. Pursue your dream by taking the first step in finding the right college. The first step should invariably be the right one. A structured approach can surely help you in a big way in clearing these examaninations. Your success in SAT could be the stepping stone in achieving your long-term career goals. Be focussed and prepare well. Best of luck! (Mrinalini Batra is a New Delhi-based foreign education consultant)
Advisory
career management
Performance alone does not count. Shoulder the extra burden to jump ahead... by Urmila Rao
J
ayson, a woodcutter, worked for a company for four years but got a meagre raise. Then Liam, five years his junior, joined the company, he received a hefty raise within twelve months. Back in the white-collared world, Ankit Joshi, 30, is grappling with a situation similar to this. The area sales manager of a renowned pharma company has been unfailingly achieving his sales target each quarter. However, much to his dismay, his colleague of just two years got promoted ahead of him and also managed a 10 per cent higher raise than he did. Does it look like your story? What did Liam do right that Jayson did not? A perturbed Jayson asked his boss. The boss replied that he would be happy to give a raise if his productivity increased. How do hard-working Jaysons and Ankits increase their output? The answer: by sharpening the axe. That’s how Liam managed to cut more trees. A lot of times employees feel that despite performing well, they are passed over for an increment or a raise or both. Why does this happen?
consultancy firm. Performance does not automatically lead to promotion as an individual may not have the potential or has demonstrated adequate competencies required for the next level. “It is based on readiness and certain capabilities,” emphasizes Sudhanshu Tripathi, president, HR, Hinduja Group. A good sales manager may not necessarily
Are you being passed over for a raise?
Display capability for next level
Think over what signs you are giving to your organization that you are better than your peers. Achieving a target set for the current role is not enough for a promotion. “It’s about the ability to take on additional responsibility and accountability as defined for the future role,” says Varda Pendse, Director, Cerebrus Consultants, a Mumabi-based HR
How to get set and go According to Human Resource experts following are the common reasons why many performers are not promoted. ■■
Inability to manage and lead a team
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F ailure to demonstrate collaborative behaviour with colleagues across functions
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ot able to go beyond operational N perspective to have macro perspective
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F ailing to take initiatives and expanding the knowledge base
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Lack of focus
be good regional director as different levels and roles need a different set of competencies. In organizations that have pyramid structures there are fewer high level positions. “That demands that only the best suitable move up,” maintains Dr. Ganesh Shermon, Partner and Country Head (Textiles and Apparel) KPMG.
Illustration:Grouri Nanda
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Are you clear about your goals?
Have you have identified your objectives? What steps are you taking to achieve them? Don’t be like this man, who did not know where he wanted to go and asked a passerby. The passerby sneered, “Then take any. What difference does it make? Goals give a sense of direction. If you don’t have active orientation towards your target, you are paddling furiously for nothing. “Develop a plan for yourself and keep working on it,” says Tripathi. But how would you know if you are progressing? Don’t lean on your boss or friends to get a feedback. Ask a neutral person. “Your boss may not give overt encouraging signs lest you may construe it as a promotion guarantee,” says Tripathi. So find a mentor.
Steps that ensure suitable reward Prashant Srivastava, Country Manager and Managing Partner, Gallup India* offers some tips for a handsome raise and a promotion. ■■
Perform consistently, maintain patience. Law of average will work. Good performance finally gets noticed and rewarded. So, don’t give up
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Align yourself: the good performance should not be at odds with the organizational objectives.
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Keep up your market value: great performance and consistency makes you an asset. Even if your organization fails to recognise you, the market will.
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Be visible: ensure that the good performance is visible to the boss’ boss.
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Be a team worker: help the team to achieve great output. Make good relations at work.
*(Gallup is a global research-based consultancy, specializing in employee and customer management)
Expand skill base
Once goals are identified, to-be-improved areas spotted and acknowledged, set out on the task of enhancing your skill base. A good mechanic would need additional know-how to become a design engineer. An added expertise gives you a definite advantage over your associates. Take it for granted, companies will not promote and then train you to shoulder new responsibility. Good raise is a sign of doing a job well that’s entrusted to you. “But promotion is entrusting the person with new responsibilities,” points out Mona Gupta, Head, HR, Cincom System. So get that extra edge in advance. A computer hardware engineer can not only diagnose a hardware–related problem but can solve it efficently if he’s equipped with basic software knowledge as well. For instance, if Windows OS in a computer crashes, then a competent hardware engineer would try to recover it first saving the user’s data intact as opposed to re-installing it. “In addition to enhanced knowledge, keep consistently demonstrating that you are an asset to the organization,” advises E Balaji, CEO, Ma Foi.
Volunteer to do more
Every job presents opportunities to step up and do things that are not necessarily manifested in your official job description. Shirking or feigning indifference is not a good pay off in the long-term.
Volunteer for extra work and take the initiative to make a job better. Bosses like people who can help them solve problems. Even if the problem is not yours but if you have the expertise to solve it, then volunteer to help. Unlike Ankit, his colleague who outshone him in appraisal took the initiative of clearing the outstanding payments. Due to his efforts, the boss got a neat balance sheet with no payments due from any client. Ankit merely realized his sales figure target. “Stretch beyond the normal targets to get paid beyond normal or get recognized beyond normal work,” says Mona Gupta. Be proactive. There can be situations when you work like a pigeon, give outstanding results, yet your efforts go unnoticed. It’s time you emphasized your accomplishments. Keep a record of your work, particularly those which are quantifiable. And reason with your boss why you deserve a salary raise.
QUICKTAKE ■■
Identify Goals
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Work on areas for improvements.
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Expand your skillbase continously
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Volunteer to do more.
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Take responsibility
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Be a team player
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Your interpersonal skills
There could be many reasons why a hardworking employee gets overlooked in promotions. Preferential treatment, favouritism or subjective assessment could be the some of the reasons why a raise or a promotion or both eludes an employee, says Balaji. What kind of relationship do you have with your seniors, peers and subordinates? “Maintain an excellent rapport with managers, superior and peers,” advises Vishal Chibber, HR Head, Kelly Services. Relate to peers, subordinates and your bosses by being a team worker, adopting a mild-mannered approach and a considerate attitude. A robotic demeanour, an indifferent smile, aloofness and other negative attitudes are all tell tale signs for a boss to confirm why you are not suitable for a new role. At senior levels, the job is more administrative in nature and that requires excellent people management skills.
Are you a strong personality?
If you are part of a giant corporation, then ensure you develop a stronger personality and not get trampled over. Being an introvert can mar your chances of getting ahead. In a big bureaucratic enterprise, the rude truth is, extroverts have a discernable advantage over introverts. That is because big companies look for people who can seamlessly move across divisions and naturally network. By virtue of their superior verbal skills and personalities, they appear more prepared for the part. ‘Big companies are so oriented towards extroverts that introverts have to constantly over-deliver just to stay even’, Jack Welch, ex-CEO of General Electric, a Fortune 500 company, wrote in one of his career counselling columns. There are exceptions where introverts have performed in organizations on the basis of their unique ability. But usually such people are extraordinarily brilliant in their areas. It may be technology or in uncommon understanding of emerging markets or others. According to Welch, introverts who end up in the senior management positions are often the brains of the organizations. Want to grab the highest raise in your next apprasial? Become another Liam. Start sharpening your axe now!
CEO Speak
Sanjay modi
Recession might have been the buzzword casting a gloomy spell over the job market with salary cuts being the norm, but it seems that things are brightening up, if the recent survey by a global recruiting firm is anything to go by. The good news is that companies in India are ready to hire across all sectors in the coming few months, so it’s time to revamp your CV pronto, if you are looking to test the waters. Shalini Gupta finds out more in a conversation with Sanjay Modi, Managing director, Monster India.....
Q. How do you think the job market
was affected by the global slowdown last year? A. If we analyse the economic downturn from an Indian perspective, we find that it actually did not hit India as badly as the western world. Most of the Indian companies took a cautious approach and put their expansion plans or projects on hold anticipating the slowdown in the market. Hiring though was being done across almost all sectors but only for the critical positions. So contrary to the reports in the market, India did continue to hire in 2008 in sectors such as IT, manufacturing, engineering, banking and financial services except for the export sector that really got impactedfor example the gems, jewellery and leather industry.
“The is on
Q. In this scenario, do you think the numbers were alright?
A. The number of people being hired
was less as compared to early 2008 or even a year back. Companies continued to hire experienced people or those who brought niche skills on the table. Hiring of freshers was postponed or rather reduced since they are more of a trainable work force. I think what the recession did was, it made companies look deep inside and rearrange their priorities by looking at newer geographies as an expansion mode and newer technologies to reduce the costs.
Q. What is the job outlook for the next few months with reports that the worst is now behind us? A. We have approximately 45,000 job listings on our website which is almost
the same as the number in the early part of 2008, a clear indicator that companies are unfreezing the requirements and are keen to hire again. From March to December 2008 we saw a 30-35 percent decline in the number of job postings on the website. That stabilised in the first quarter i.e. from January to March 2009. This was followed by an 8-10 percent growth from April to May that was across all sectors with IT, BPO, infrastructure and construction companies, to name a few industries, that were on a rebound and were looking at
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hiring. Our sense of optimism was further fuelled in July and August when we saw a 36 percent growth, a clear indicator that the job market is on the path to recovery.
Q. Were there any policy measures by
the current government that fuelled the optimism on the job front? A. I would attribute it to the current budget, which in my opinion was well thought out with long-term returns. The policies undertaken under the NREGA scheme, easy credit flow given in terms
Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
“Sense of optimism was further fuelled as
in July and August there was a 36 percent growth in hiring, a clear indica-
tor that the job market was looking up” Q. Across what levels will hiring happen in the next few months? A. Lateral hiring would continue to be there. We also see a good momentum building up for recruiting freshers with up to one year of job experience. There are going to be jobs for people in the rural markets as well in the months to come.
job market a path to recovery” of funding large infrastructure projects, public-private partnership projects and support given to the telecom sector along with the protection of the export-oriented sector are a few of the things that helped fuel employability. A renewed sense of global recovery also seems to be a helping factor.
Q. Which sectors do you think would be hiring right now? A. The good news is that IT has come back with a bang. The reason why the numbers of employees hired by IT
Q. Rural seems to the flavor now. Did
companies look big is that there is no sector within the non-IT domain which hires as much as this single sector. The other promising sectors are manufacturing, retail, infrastructure and construction and telecom. We also see education moving very strongly because of the recent initiatives taken by the government to open up the sector. Hospitality is another sector to look out for. With the world moving towards research and development in pharma and biotechnology, it is a growing domain of the future.
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Monster also do something in that geography? A. We have been focusing on tapping the talent pool in the rural markets for the last 14-16 months, which is why we launched rozgaarduniya.com along with ITC’s e-Choupal in August this year. This was in tune with the need of organizations which were looking at tapping job seekers beyond the cities. Internet penetration was a challenge. Hence we collaborated with ITC’s e-Choupal to use their kiosks to help potential job seekers in these areas connect with their employers. We were successful in providing 1,200 jobs by 40 employers within a span of three weeks of the launch. The initiative gave us access to 40,000 villages in nine states helping us reach an untapped audience of five million people.
Q. What sectors are hiring job seek-
ers from the rural sector? Were any other innovative methods tried to reach out to the hinterland? A. Expansion in infrastructure development in sectors such as telecom and infrastructure, microfinance and logistics, agro-based industries, security companies, banking and financial services
CEO Speak
Sanjay modi
and FMCG have seen jobs being generated for job seekers from rural areas as well. We are now looking at spreading out the campaign in more than 9 states. To expand our reach, we focused on the convergence of technology, wherein we partnered with a satellite company so that people could look for jobs sitting in front of the television in the comfort of their home. This is targeted at B and C towns with a large penetration of satellite television in order to address a large audience.
Q. Is there any decline in the number
of people who are looking for jobs during recession? A. Last year we were getting around 13,000 to 14,000 résumés per day and this year we are averaging around 16,000 résumés per day, so things are definitely looking up. Freshers are always posting their résumés online and we believe that once the opportunities are less, people try and explore more to spot the opportunities where they can apply. Even people who are in experienced positions apply for a job in unsure times thinking that they can have a fallback option in case they land a good opportunity.
Q. What was the biggest challenge for you during the downturn?
A. The challenge from our side was to
map the job seeker to the industry sector. And there was an important learning
“Money is definitely a consideration for the job seeker but it should not be the sole criteria.
One who is just starting his career should give more emphasis to learning, not emoluments”
that we got. This was mapping the skill of the job seeker to the right industry sector. For example, ideally an IT professional would look at being absorbed within the IT sector, but his skills can be deployed even in sectors such as banking and financial services, telecom etc. Lot of job seekers went for training and study during this period which is a good thing since the dynamic work environment of today calls for reskilling on a continual basis.
Q. Social networking sites have become hunting grounds for potential employers these days. Do you see 32
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any competition from them? A. We see social networking sites as complementing us rather than competing with us. Hiring is scientific and a person goes through a certain procedure. They are not investing 90 percent of their workforce finding what is happening in the recruitment space which is something that we are doing along with providing a strong value proposition side by side. We believe hiring happens seriously at our website. We might possibly use them to expand our reach.
Q. What would be your advice to
someone who is looking to be hired in the next few months? A. Money is definitely a criteria for the potential job seeker but it should not be the sole criteria, though its a big motivator and influences the decision to choose a future employer. People today are also looking at the credibility of the company and the kind of work areas they would be exposed to as a professional. What is needed is to evaluate all the three criteria above in totality, rather than giving weightage to just one factor before taking up a job offer. I would suggest that someone who is just starting in his/her career should give more emphasis to learning rather than the emoluments and also take into account the integrity of the company that one is going to join.
Course Review
Hospital Administration
Lessons in management As healthcare gets technology-driven the demand for trained professionals to administer the sector will always be on the rise Fast Facts Courses: MHA, MBA (Healthcare/Hospital Management): Top schools: AIIMS, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Apollo institute, Nizam’s Institute, TISS: Duration: 2 years Admission: Entrance exam Placements: Available Salary: +3.5 lakhs
by Team Careers360
“
I
t is a trade-off, but a worthwhile one. As a doctor, I could take care of only my patients. As a trained administrator, every person who enters the hospital is mine,” says Dr. Ramachandra, Administrator of Care Hospitals, a hospitals chain in south India. The medical doctor also holds a PhD in Hospital Administration from Ohio State University. Medicine has travelled a long way. Technology now dominates medical procedure, and diagnosis is automated to a large extent says Dr. Ramesh Viswanath, Faculty at Indore University. With nearly 2.5 million medical establishments in the country, opportunities would only go up.
Awards and eligibility
As a specialized postgraduate professional course, hospital administration demands that either you are qualified in medicine and in that case you are eligible to compete for an MD (Hospital Administration), though the seats are a few, say four, in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, and only a few institutions offer the course. In general the Master’s in Hospital Administration (MHA) is the most preferred one and any graduate with preferably one
or two years of experience can enter the profession. A certain level of innate empathy for patients, and an ability to decide under extremely stressful conditions are a must, opines Col. Gautam, Faculty, Academy of Hospital Administration. The latest entrant in the sector is an MBA degree with Hospital Management or Healthcare as a specialisation. As Dr. Uday Salunkhe explains in this issue (Page no. 34), the programme opens up careers in all segments of healthcare.
Corporate Hospitals ■■
Apollo Group
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Fortis Health Care
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Wockardt Group
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Aravind Eye Care
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Escorts Group
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Max Healthcare
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The great debate
To Dr. Devaprasad, Consultant Surgeon, Jayasekaran Medical Trust, only a trained medical doctor could be a hospital’s administrator. While Dr. Thulsiraj, a leading ophthalmologist, at Arvind Eye Care counters, “For a nation of the size of India, medical care must be standardized, broken into manageable steps performed by an efficient chain, so as to serve volumes with least cost.”
Where can you study?
The best of lot is on offer from AIIMS. But entry is difficult and if one is not a medical graduate, then one could only apply for a sponsored seat, and that after a minimum of seven years’ experience in responsible positions. Explains Dr. S.K Gupta, HOD, “Unlike a medical graduate, ordinary graduates would not spend long years in hospital. So it is imperative that they come
for healthcare Narendra Bisht/Outlook Group
with sufficient experience in a hospital, before they could be trained on the state-of-the-art in the discipline.” TISS with its long-standing engagement with developmental issues has also launched the programme recently. Nizam’s college, Hyderabad and Apollo Institute, are also very well known institutions (see select listing). Internationally hospital administration is a well developed field, and more than 450 institutions offer teaching and research programmes. USA has the most diverse offerings, and Europe is not far behind (see table).
What do they teach?
hospital administration combines empathy for patients with modern management principles
Top Indian institutes All India Institute of Medical Sciences www.aiims.edu Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham www.amrita.edu Apollo Institute of Hospital Administration www.apolloiha.ac.in Garware Institute (University of Mumbai) www.mu.ac.in/garware Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences [email protected] Peerless Hospital & B K Roy Research Centre www.peerlesshospital.com Sharda Group of Institutions www.sgei.org/colleges.htm Tata Institute of Social Sciences www.tiss.edu
A normal Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) is of two years’ duration, with a semester’s worth of internship in the case of some colleges. The first year course focuses on providing an in depth knowledge about the fundamentals of business administration with special emphasis on business environment, organization theory, quantitative methods, and computers in administration, but with an orientation towards healthcare. Some colleges like TISS, Loyola Academy and even Nizam’s offer inputs on public health issues and social aspects of health in the first year. The third and fourth semesters introduce students to subjects of hospital management, patient care, records maintenance, information systems etc. Since most of the hospital administration courses are on offer from institutes with medical colleges, substantial time during the second year is used to provide hands-on experience in the hospital. Man management and people issues are other aspects that are given substantial attention in an MHA programme.
MHA versus MBA (Healthcare)
The courses deal with aspects of healthcare, but their target audience is very different. MHA is primarily hospital management and is a relatively focused programme, wherein the primary objective is to train a set of people who would be able to run a hospital efficiently. On
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Leading foreign institutes Northwestern University (Kellogg) Oxford Brookes University SDA Bocconi School of Management, Italy University of Alabama — Birmingham University of California — Berkeley University of California — Los Angeles University of Leeds University of Manchester University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, USA University of Nottingham University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), USA University of Washington, USA
the other hand an MBA (healthcare) is a management degree with a focus on healthcare sector. Thus , a passout, would find jobs not only in a hospital, but also in a range of allied sectors. What an MBA (Healthcare) loses in focus, it gains in diversity. As Prof. Parameswarn, Dean, Corporate Services, Amrita University says, “MHA is for people and who know and want to serve in a hospital, it is hands-on programme.”
Where would you fit in?
While medical graduates generally take care of the more technical aspects of hospital administration, non-medical graduates handle the operations aspects. The tasks would typically involve managing the staff, health services, technology decisions, IT management and performing under a given budget. The career path for a fresh MHA in a hospital would be managing one department or functionality as Asst. Administrator. And as they gain experience, the domain of control changes, but final authority on clinical matters will always rest with the medical professional. Salaries would range from about 3.5 lakhs rupees per annum in a medium hospital to upwards of one crore as an administrator in a super specialty 1000-bed hospital, as one moves up the value chain. The other avenues are in consultancy, IT firms, educational institutions and health insurance sector. Dr. Ramachandra concludes, “Money does matter, but the sheer thrill, in seeing a complicated patient get completely well and move out of the hospital is priceless”.
In depth
Economics
Obscure theories that determine national destinies Economics pervades all aspects of human existence, deciding what you earn and how you live. And for a keen practitioner, job opportunities are unlimited by Team Careers360
I
“
have always enjoyed curves and bottoms”. One forgives the twinkle in the eyes of Prof. Bengt Aak Lundvall, when he answers why he chose to be an economist. One of the pioneers in the field of innovation economics, Prof. Lundvall is very clear about the future. As long as there
is demand and supply, there would be economics to rationalize, theorize and allocate. So the future is bright for any one who cares to look, but look deep, Prof. Lundvall concludes.
Origin of Economics
Economics as a discipline evolved over the millennia, and one of the first known written text is our very own Arthasastra,
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and similar thoughts in other ancient civilizations predating it. Dr. Naubhar Sharif, Asst. Professor in Economics at HKUST says, “England’s treasure by Foreign Trade’ printed in 1663 is one of the first printed books on the subject”. In the span of three centuries, the discipline grew by leaps and bounds. Initially categorized as micro and macro economics, more than 65 sub-disciplines like
CAREERS FOR AN ECONOMIST Banking and Finance
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annual budget that touches the lives of all citizens is the public face of economics in India
Tribhuvan Tiwari/Outlook Group
Fast Facts Best schools: DSE, JNU,IGIDR, CDS, HCU and IIT’s Qualifications: BA, MA, MPhil, and PhD programme Career avenues: Academics, research, training and consulting
financial, ecological, industrial, innovation, behavioural studies etc. have come into being. Dr. Saradindu Bhaduri, a JNU faculty, jokes that each time a Professor gets a substantially large research grant, a new sub-discipline is born.
Ideology in Economics
Since it deals with human life, ideology forms the very core of economics, opines Dr. Sharif. The primary conflict was always between protectionists and free traders, only the scope and scale changed during different points in time. And interestingly Marxist economics in practice always lie at some point across
the continuum. Though its utility and relevance is under question, labour theory of value is a very useful tool. In the recent past, free market ideology permeated most of the economic thought until the last year’s crash, which has swung the pendulum to the other extreme. Prof. K J Joseph, Commerce Chair Professor at CDS, sums up saying, “Ideology must never govern and control your thought process, but must provide direction.” So as a student, he says it is imperative that one always understands different ideologies and the historical point they come from. Suman Beri, Director, NCAER concurs, “It is important to be aware, but it is crucial to deliver.” And finally an economist is only worth what his prescriptions deliver.
Major academic disciplines
Though traditionally micro and macro are the two broad areas within which the discipline is segregated, the issue and function-based sub division is what rules the roost. Monetary (issues of money, inflation and interest rates), Labour (one of the few sub-disciplines directly dealing with human aspects), Welfare (especially dealing with disparity and inequality), International (from mercantilism to free trade), Managerial (a 20th century creation dealing with the economics of business), Regional (has a geographical orientation) and Industrial (focussing on issues of production) are some of the traditional economic sub-
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disciplines, while some scholars would include Public Finance and industrial organisation also in the list. And in terms of economics dealing with particular sectors, agriculture and industry were the traditional favourites, with a host of other sectors appearing and disappearing in each decade, coinciding with the fortunes of the industry they seek to understand. But in the last few decades, Behavioral, Green, Development, Entrepreneurial, Informational, Institutional, Feminist, Environmental and Resource have also become issues of economic consideration. As Prof. Joseph, jokingly says, take any issue add economics to it and it becomes another economic subject. Of late, financial and informational economics have assumed tremendous importance, especially after the huge economic meltdown that swept most of the world economies in the past few years. “As material considerations take precedence, each aspect of society is increasingly taken over and monetized by the discipline of economics,” says Prof. Joseph. The ethical dimensions of such expansions are best left to economic philosophers like Amartya Sen.
Programmes on offer
Like any traditional discipline, economics offers the usual order of Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees, broadly as a BA/MA. But increasingly, as the mathematics content in economic rises, a few universities, especially in Europe have begun offering BSc/MSc degrees as well.
In depth
Economics
FROM THE TRENCHES If you are a fresh economics graduate, there are a few practices that you must follow to become a good economist. a) Read widely. An economist is known by his ability to synthesise information from diverse sources. b) Never ignore peer queries. However silly they might sound, never ignore a query by a peer. Many foundational economic theories have come out of such queries. c) Get your maths right. Whether you like it or not, economists communicate through mathematics. So get a thorough understanding of calculus and algebra. It will stand you in great stead during your later years. d) Do what you like. It is a corny oft repeated cliché. But great economists do just that. (Source: Compiled from a series of self reflections by famous economists on how they work)
BA/BSc (Economics): This is a basic degree offered both in an honours version as well as a general degree. Prof. S.K.Laroya, Faculty, Delhi University opines that one of the best programmes at this level is on offer from DU. Barring a few leading colleges like St. Stephen’s, SRCC, Loyola, Presidency, St. Xavier’s, candidates cannot expect to get placed after a BA programme. The Honours programme curriculum balances between different sub-disciplines and candidates get a thorough grounding in mathematics. One of Prof. George Mankiw’s repeated advises on his blog to fresh economic graduates is to learn as much mathematics as possible. MA (Economics): The Association of Indian Universities lists out nearly 269 universities and their affiliated colleges that offer this programme. The courses are spread over two years and vary from 24 to 32 electives, depending on the university/institute. Many institutions offer the candidate the option of specializing in a particular area of economics and some of the institutions even offer named degrees. For example, 22 of the 26 developmental studies institutes in the country set up by ICSSR, offer an MA (Development Economics). The famous Indian Statistical Institute offers an MSc in quantitative Economics. But many other schools offer the students the choice of electives. Amit Kumar Goyal, an alumnus of Delhi
“Ideology must never govern and control your thought process, but
must provide the general direction”
School of Economics (DSE) says, “The MA programme here provides students the tools to analyse the contemporary economic problems.” 5 year MA (Integrated Programme): This is a new kid off the block. Initially on offer at the redoubtable BITS, Pilani, it is making waves in most of the Humanities departments of IITs. The idea, according to Dr. Thillai Rajan, a faculty at IIT, is to bring a certain level of integrity in the offering so that course duplication is avoided and the candidate is able to make much more informed choices at the master’s level. But a counter view of doing your basic and master’s degree from two different institutions, thus providing a better understanding of the subject, also has substantial merit.
What will you study?
In general, any master’s course would have a set of core courses in micro and macro economics, statistics, quantitative techniques and research methods. Some institutions also offer a course on
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history of economic thought. A course on econometrics is de rigueur in most of the Tier -1 institutes. Many of them will also offer a compulsory course on India’s economic development and policy. Dr. Joseph is an advocate of shorter modules with larger number of offerings in the first year. He advises students in the first year to go beyond the required number of courses that they must do in their programmes. “It is very important to create ‘back files’ in your mind,” he says. The discipline suffers from over specialisations. “We have lost our ability to look at the big picture.” And MA is the place to start.
Where to study?
It depends on what you want to study. For a BA, any good college which conducts regular classes would do, though colleges like Stephen’s, Loyola and Presidency do offer a certain intellectual milieu and social ambience which is hard to beat. But at the postgraduate level, the college matters quite a lot, since both in terms of research and career, the institution makes a huge difference. As Gunjan Satija, an alumnus of JNU says, “The best part about the faculty here is that, they not only teach quite comprehensively but also give you tons of freedom to pursue your own research interests.” The DSE probably is the best in the country, when it comes to MA programme, both in terms of intellectual
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS
campus placements Institution
Firm
Harvard University
USA
Jawaharlal Nehru University
McKinsey, GE, Grail Research, Absolute Data
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UK
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Tata Motors, Reliance Retail, Roulac Investments, Citibank, PWC, GE Money, Templeton,
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Italy
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Germany
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ABN Amro, Nestle India, FICCI, CII, Reliance, HSBC
University of California-Berkeley
USA
IGIDIR
J P Morgan Chase, Citibank, IFMR, Deloitte, ICICI Bank, ICICI Treasury, CRISIL, Fidelity Investments
Yale University
USA
American Express, Barclays Bank, Goldman Sachs, Motorola, Morgan Stanley, Reliance Industries
University of Pennsylvania
USA
Columbia University
USA
New School
USA
University of Oxford
UK
Chicago University
USA
Indian Statistical Institute Ghokale School of Political Economy Madras School of Economics
Genpact, CCIL, Boston Analytics, Tata Motors, The Hindu Business Line IFMR, Roulac, HSBC, HSBC, HP, Genpact,
ambience and academic rigour and some old timers do fondly recall the days of Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati. Among the ICSSR founded institutions, IGIDR, Mumbai, CDS, Thiruvananthapuram, Gohkle School, Pune are very good bets. University of Hyderabad, MG University, and all IITs are also very good places to pursue the subject. Among the new crops of privately funded-schools, the Madras School of Economics (MSE), with its focus on market-oriented programmes is doing very well. “I had a wonderful time at MSE. Even though the environment is competitive, it gives students time to pursue their interests,” concludes Shishir Gupta, who completed his MA from MSE.
International schools
Internationally economics has been a revered subject alongside politics and philosophy in the Oxfords and Cambridges’ of the world. In the early part of the 20th century, these two universities together, were the bastions of economic thought, though of diverse nature and political leanings. Even today their economics departments are world class in every sense of the term. In USA, economics is taught in almost all Ivy League institutions, though Chicago University and New School represent the two extreme ends of the ideological spectrum. Quite a few universities in Europe too offer good programmes. Outside the university system, institutions like NBER, and Rand Corporation do offer tremendous insights into the economic system.
Entering the portals
Each of the leading universities conducts its own entrance examinations for admission in their MA/Research programmes. Some, like University of Hyderabad, demand a basic degree in economics to apply for a master’s degree, many others like DSE also lets people with Maths, Statistics etc. to sit for the entrance. So the entrance examination format and structure varies. But in general they focus on testing a candidate’s understanding of micro and macro economics, mathematical techniques, economic issues, statistics and probability and some also test the candidate’s analytical and reasoning abilities. A general thumb rule is to prepare well from standard text books and these vary from test to test. Successful students suggest the following list of books as very useful resources: Public Institutions
Websites
Jawaharlal Nehru University
www.jnu.ac.in
University of Hyderabad
www.uohyd.ernet.in
Delhi School of Economics
www.econdse.org
IGIDR
www.igidr.ac.in
Indian Statistical Institute
www.isical.ac.in
Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economy
www.gipe.ernet.in
Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Madras
www.hss.iitm.ac.in
Centre for Development Studies
www.cds.edu
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●● Microeconomics – H Varian, John Gould and Edward Lazear ●● Macroeconomics – Robert Pindyck and Daniel Rubinfeld, W H Branson ●● Mathematics for Economics – Alpha C Chiang, Carl Simon and Lawrence Blume, D Wade Hands ●● Statistics for Economics – A L Nagar and Das, Freund Practising problem from the above textbooks will help in understanding various concepts. Creating problem sets on your own will be an enjoyable task and a very good way to sharpen your problem solving skills. Working as groups/teams will also make the process of learning very much enjoyable.
Skill sets for a good economist
Quantitative Abilities: As economics increasingly tries to be the physics of social sciences, mathematics has come to play an increasingly heavy role in the discipline. Use of high end algebra and calculus as tools for understanding economic events is on the rise. Logical Analysis: The logical thought process and analysis used in solving problems underscore an economist’s ability to make a sense of economic phenomena. This is all the relevant in the current era, when the complexity of issues on hand is diverse and interlinked unless issues are analyzed logically, most policy prescriptions would end up being counter productive. Observation and Inference from Data: Developing the skill in translating between mathematical
In depth
Economics
LEADING THINK TANKS OF USA
‘Deprivations are all complementary. And we should address all of them together’ Prof. Sen’s work on human development is a discipline changer models and observed economic phenomena is very essential. Especially important is the ability to understand the relationship between a set of variables with a causal connection. Oral and Written Communication Skills: The ability to create and interpret a chart and being able to write thoughtfully and clearly is the best way to show an understanding of economic theory and concepts and Private Institutions
Websites
Madras School of Economics
www.mse.ac.in
BITS Pilani
www.bits-pilani.ac.in
Loyola College
www.loyolacollege.edu
Sastra University
www.sastra.edu
Periyar Maniammai University
www.pmu.edu
Banasthali University
www.banasthali.org
Allahabad Agricultural Institute
www.aaidu.org
PSG College
www.psgtech.edu
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Washington, DC
Aspen Institute
Washington, DC
Economic Policy Institute
Washington, DC
Economic Strategy Institute
Washington DC
National Center for Public Policy Research
Washington DC
American Institute for Economic Research
Massachusetts
Committee for Economic Development
Washington, DC
Corporation for Enterprise Development
Washington, DC
Council on Foreign Relations
New York
Group of Thirty
Washington, DC
National Bureau of Asian Research
Seattle, Washington, DC
RAND Corporation
Santa Monica, California
to present ideas. The ability to build an argument in the form of an essay and conduct oral presentations are also crucial for an economist. SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system, is one of most important abilities of an economist, and the one in short supply.
Opportunities for an economist
Teaching and Research: One of the best jobs in the world, the ability to influence minds, and at times even see one’s own ideas change national destinies is a huge high for any individual. Here an economist would invariably divide his or her time between designing and delivering courses, preparing research proposals for funding, directing research scholars and writing and publishing papers. Though an academic life appears glamorous, Dr. Sharif acknowledges it is a very competitive one too. It is a peer-approval-driven structure wherein only the best survive. Government: This is probably the best of the lot. Dr. Surajit Majumdhar who has worked in the Planning Commission, disagrees. The biggest hurdle is, one is constrained by the dictates of the political party in power. According to Surajit, what one gains by the ease of work, one loses by the lack of independence. But Dr. Joseph, who had served on many committees, has a different
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take. “As a professional, most of the policy makers value the economist’s input, and it gives a great high.” Think Tanks: Jobs here could be either great or really troublesome, depending on the level of congruence between your thought process and what the think tank stands for. If an economist with Marxist leanings joins the American Enterprise Institute, it would be pure hell. Think tanks by their very nature are partisan, and normally represent special interests. But if a researcher’s interest coincides with that of the organisation, it could be the most exciting place to work. Corporate Firms: This is a recent phenomenon in India. Until early 90s only the large conglomerates like Tatas and Birlas used to recruit economists. Since firms invariably operated in a sellers market, the need for an economist was never felt. Now, with globalisation imploding on the Indian marketplace, even small firms need economists to make sense of the changing contours of the state of the economy and craft appropriate solutions. A cursory look at the top economic schools shows a veritable who’s who as recruiters in these institutions. In sum, whether it is for good or bad, economics is entwined with each aspect of our existence. So work hard, prepare well, and who knows the next Nobel Prize might be yours. with inputs from Alex M Thomas, HCU
Teachers’ Talk
HeALTH CARE
Healthcare: The new sectoral MBA
G
rowing at an envious rate of 15 percent every year, the healthcare industry in India is expected to touch $40 billion by 2012. Existing healthcare organizations are expanding by opening hospitals in new service areas and new organizations are entering the domain. Consequently, competition in the healthcare sector is on the rise. The providers in turn need to be more innovative in their approach and offer quality services at competitive prices. All this necessitates a specially trained cadre of professional management graduates in healthcare. Until recently doctors without any professional training in management were managing hospitals. Thanks to rapid corporatisation, in addition to a lot of medical graduates, general graudates are also taking up health care as a viable career option. With manpower requirements in the sector projected to be about four million by 2012, it is imperative that new programmes come into being.
Programmes on healthcare
The specialist master’s in hosptial administration (MHA) is a programme that prepares professionals capable of efficiently running a hosptial. But healthcare sector, is now much more than hosptials and pharmaceuticals. It includes health insurers, third party administrators, medical technology organisations, health tourism, medical informatics, clinical reserach and so on. Most of the jobs in the sector would demand, in additon to sectoral knowledge, in depth understanding of functional areas such as marketing, production, finance, branding, new business creation and process reengineering. A specialized programme in healthcare in addition provides theoretical and practical knowledge of healthcare services. Hospital organization—operation and planning envisages: ●● Ablity to understand management principles and practices ●● Functional elements of management, business environment and its influence on organizations in the Indian context ●● Preparing, implementing business plans ●● Developing human relationship skills ●● Branding and benchmarking ●● People management skills
Complementary not supplementary
An MBA or PG Diploma in healthcare is not a replacement to an MHA. They cater to differnt segments of the sector, and are complementary to each other. Addressing issues specific to the Indian context with exposure to real life cases/technical know-how in the healthcare services sector, an MBA would give the the student an undeniable edge.
Career opportunities in Healthcare Management
There are bright opportunities even in the government sector. The National Rural Health Mission envisages appointment of healthcare administrators. The entire administrative structure is turning over a new leaf wherein the human resources departments are on a spree of hiring individuals between the age of 28-32 at middle-level posts to inject the much-needed innovation, energy and vigour in their organization. It is not only hospitals which require management professionals. A whole lot of specialisations exist in the following sectors: ●● Lifestyle clinics ●● Emergency medicine units ●● Pharmaceutical firms ●● Hospital information systems ●● E-health ventures ●● Credit rating firms ●● NGOs and health insurance ●● Specialised hospital administration Grading of healthcare institutions is another area with a lot of excitement and challenges for healthcare managers and they can learn newer concepts here. Rating agencies like CRISIL and ICRA have absorbed many freshers in the recent past as healthcare consultants. With the sector growing at a healthy 15% per annum, and with nearly 100 billion worth of investments planned in the coming years, healthcare sector is definitely looking up. Options are plenty and the work is exciting. So identify your interest area, select an appropriate course and work hard at getting the right qualifications. A good institution makes the package better. But remember, unlike the other sectors here neither the topline nor the bottomline matters as much as the crucial element, lifeline.
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Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe Group Director Wellingkar Institute of Management
In the healthcare sector manpower requirement is projected to be about four million by 2012 and it is imperative that new programmes come into being
Feature
Making the most of your college
College advice, from people w Eight acclaimed professors tell you how to make the most of the years you spend GO THE WRONG WAY
It’s easy to think that college classes are mainly about preparing you for a job. But remember: This may be the one time in your life when you have a chance to think about the whole of your life, not just your job. Courses in the humanities, in particular, often seem impractical, but they are vital, because they stretch your imagination and challenge your mind to become more responsive, more critical, bigger. You need resources to prevent your mind from becoming narrower and more routinized in later life. This is your chance to get them. Martha Nussbaum
A professor of philosophy, law and divinity at the University of Chicago, who has been teaching since 1975
The hunt for a good teacher
I would give entering freshmen two pieces of advice. First, find out who the good teachers are. Ask your adviser, poll older students, search the Internet, and consult the teacher-evaluation guides available at most colleges (as a professor, I am against those guides; too often they are the vehicles of petty grievances put forward by people who have no longterm stake in the enterprise. But if I were a student, I would take advantage of them). To some extent, your options will be limited by distribution requirements (in colleges that still have them) and scheduling. But within these limits, you should do everything you can to get a seat in the class of a professor known for both his or her knowledge of the material and the ability to make it a window on the larger universe. Years later you may not be able to recall the details of lectures and discussions, but the benefits of being in the company of a challenging mind will be yours forever. Second, I would advise students to
take a composition course even if they have tested out of it. I have taught many students whose SAT scores exempted them from the writing requirement, but a disheartening number of them couldn’t write, and an equal number had never been asked to. They managed to get through high school without learning how to write a clean English sentence, and if you can’t do that you can’t do anything. I give this advice with some trepidation because too many writing courses today teach everything but the craft of writing and are instead the vehicles of the instructor’s social and political obsessions. In the face of what I consider a dereliction of pedagogical duty, I can say only, “Buyer, beware.” If your writing instructor isn’t teaching writing, get out of that class and find someone who is. Stanley Fish
A professor of law at Florida International University and a contributing columnist to The New York Times, who has been teaching since 1962
Seek out the most intellectually adventurous of your fellow students to enrich your experience
GET LOST, IN BOOKS
More than ever in this time of economic troubles and societal change, entering upon an undergraduate education should be a voyage away from visual overstimulation into deep, sustained reading of what is most worth absorbing and understanding: the books that survive all ideological fashions. There is general agreement on the indispensable canon: Homer, Plato, the Bible, Virgil, Dante, Chaucer, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Milton. From the 19th century until now, keeping only to English and American authors, a slightly more arbitrary selection might include Blake, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens, George Eliot, Hardy, Yeats and Joyce in England and Ireland. Among the Americans would certainly
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be Emerson, Thoreau, Melville, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Hawthorne; and in the 20th century, Faulkner and the major poets: Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, T.S. Eliot, Hart Crane. Many of these authors are difficult and demand rereading, but that doubles their value. A freshman may have read Shakespeare before, but the richest and most available of all writers is also the most profound and elliptical. Rereading “Hamlet” and “King Lear” should teach a student Shakespeare’s mastery of the art of leaving things out. To think well you must rely, in part, upon memory, and possessing Shakespeare and Joyce, Montaigne and Whitman means that you can recall much of the best that has been written. Whatever our current travails, we
ho have been there for a while
Photos: Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
in college. From politics to picking the right teacher, it is all there up for grabs
now have a literate president capable of coherent discourse, but too many other politicians are devoid of syntax and appear to have read nothing. Aggressive ignorance in aspirants to high office is another dismal consequence of the waning of authentic education. Harold Bloom
A professor of English at Yale and the author of the forthcoming “Living Labyrinth: Literature and Influence,” who has been teaching since 1955
DON’T ALIENATE YOUR PROFESSOR
Having survived the teenage years of two children, I know how foolhardy it is to offer advice to 18-year-olds. But, after more than three decades of teaching, I do have a few tips for college freshmen everywhere: Make sure you are in the class you
signed up to take. A week spent trying to figure out why the person you thought was your math teacher keeps talking about Renaissance art is a wasted week – for both of you. During class, do not: a) beat out a cadence on your desk while the teacher is lecturing; b) sigh audibly more than three or four times during a class period; c) check your watch more than twice during the hour. Do: a) practice a look of genuine interest in the lecture or discussion; b) nod in agreement frequently; c) laugh at all (or at least most) of the professor’s jokes. Do ask questions if you don’t understand the professor’s point. Do not, however, ask any of the following: “Will this be on the test?” “Does grammar count?” “Do we have to read the whole chapter?” “Can I turn in my paper late?” Finally, ignore the looks of scorn and amusement on the faces of the upperclassmen and women; remember that next year you will be able to laugh at the mistakes and confusion of a new freshman class.
shape will leap out at you. 3. Read, read, read. Students ask me how to become a writer, and I ask them who is their favorite author. If they have none, they have no love of words. 4. Seek out the most intellectually adventurous of your fellow students. Some are shy around “brains,” but you have proximity to young minds as they are developing. That is a great opportunity. Take it. 5. Do not fear political activism. I was once at an event where a student asked Jimmy Carter how he, formerly the guardian of American law, felt years earlier when his freshman daughter was arrested at a protest against apartheid. He answered: “I cannot tell you how proud I was. If you young people cannot express your conscience now, when will you? Later you will have duties, jobs, families that make that harder. You will never be freer than now.” Also, among the activists, you are more likely to meet the intellectually adventurous people mentioned in the last item.
Carol Berkin
Garry wills,
A professor of history at Baruch College and the author of the forthcoming “Civil War Wives,” who has been teaching since 1972
MY CRUSH ON DNA
PLAY POLITICS
1. Play to your strengths. Do not make random choices from a bewildering range of subjects for study. So far as you can, choose courses and write papers on topics where you already have (or think you will have) some interest, some knowledge, some enthusiasm. Do not fear that this will narrow you. The deeper you go into one thing, the more it connects you with other things. 2. Learn to write well. Most incoming college students, even the bright ones, do not do it, and it hampers them in courses and in later life. Read what you write to a friend, and ask the friend to read it back to you. Lack of clarity, coherence or
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A professor emeritus of history at Northwestern University, who has been teaching since 1962
october 2009
Fall in love! Not with that attractive person sitting three rows in front of you in calculus class, but with an intellectual vision of the future you probably can’t even imagine at the moment. A millennium or so ago I entered Harvard wanting to major in math. But in my junior year I heard a biology lecture by James D. Watson, the scientist who codiscovered the double-helical structure of DNA, the molecule that genes are made of. By the end of that lecture I was a goner – in love with DNA. Until then I had not known that a new science, called molecular biology and based on DNA, had already begun to unravel the secret of life.
Feature
Making the most of your college
Listening to Watson’s lecture, I could even imagine that molecular biologists might one day answer all the important questions I had about humans: How do you make a hand? Why do I look like my mother? How does a cell become cancerous? What is memory? I staggered breathlessly out of that classroom and started down the long, unpredictable path to becoming a professor of molecular biology at MIT. What I have learned is that passion, along with curiosity, drives science. Passion is the mysterious force behind nearly every scientific breakthrough. Perhaps it’s because without it you might never be able to tolerate the huge amount of hard work and frustration that scientific discovery entails. But if you have it, you’re in luck. Today, 45 years after Watson’s lecture, new discoveries in biology still take my breath away. For the next four years you will get to poke around the corridors of your college, listen to any lecture you choose, work in a lab. The field of science you fall in love with may be so new it doesn’t even have a name yet. You may be the person who constructs a new biological species, or figures out how to stop global warming, or aging. Maybe you’ll discover life on another planet. My advice to you is this: Don’t settle for anything less. Nancy hopkins
A professor of biology at MIT, who has been teaching since 1973
OFF-CAMPUS LIFE
Try to read a good newspaper every day – at bedtime or at breakfast or when you take a break in the afternoon. If you are interested in art, literature or music, widen your horizons by poring over the science section. In the mood for spicy scandals? Read the business pages. Want to impress your poli-sci prof ? Read columnists. The newspaper will be your path to the world at large. At Williams College, where I was a student in the 1930s, we read the alarming reports in The New York Times about Germany’s brutal onslaught against peaceful nations. In the spring of 1938, we burned Hitler in effigy – and made Page 11 of The Times! In June 1940, as France fell to Nazi
college classes are not just about preparing you for a job, it gives you a perspective on life
CHANGE COURSE
troops, hundreds of graduating seniors urged compulsory military training, and provided another Williams story to the paper. In addition, a great newspaper will teach you how to write: Most articles are models of clarity and substance – with no academic jargon! Pay attention to the writer’s vocabulary, see how many active verbs are used, file away striking new words for future use. Study how articles are structured – how the first paragraph tells the reader simply and clearly the subject and main points. Take a look at the last paragraph; it will often show you how to conclude an essay with a pithy phrase or a telling quotation. A great newspaper will help you in the classroom – and it will be your conduit to the real world outside the classroom. Become addicted. Another way to stay connected with the real world: Get to know your teachers outside of class. Chat and engage with them, perhaps on the walk away from class. Ask them not only about the course work but also about their own intellectual interests and research. Equally important to maintaining that lifeline to the universe beyond college is getting to know the janitors and housekeepers in your dorm, the security staff on the campus, the people who work in the cafeteria. Talk to them, ask them questions, and thank them.
The first thing freshmen should know is that college is never what one expects. The summer of 1950, before I went to Cornell, I was working as a bellhop at a hotel in the Adirondacks. One day the mail brought me a Cornell course catalog. Reading it between carrying guests’ bags was for me like reading the menu of a good restaurant would be for a starving man. The philosophy and humanities departments had classes that I was sure would make me wise. The physics department had courses given by famous physicists. The mathematics department offered a course on Hilbert space. Who knew that there were different kinds of space? It didn’t work out quite as I had anticipated. I didn’t know enough to participate in the exciting physics research that was going on at Cornell. I took German, in which the main thing I learned was that I have no head for foreign languages. My courses in philosophy left me puzzled about how ideas of Plato and Descartes that seemed to me absurd could have been so influential. I did not become wise. But I did graduate, and took away with me memories of several inspiring professors, of walks with friends under beautiful old elms, and of hours spent reading in the music room of the student union. I discovered that I loved chamber music and history and Shakespeare. I married my college sweetheart. And I did learn about Hilbert space.
James MacGregor Burns
Steven Weinberg
A professor emeritus of government at Williams College and the author, most recently, of “Packing the Court,” who has been teaching since 1947
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A professor of physics at the University of Texas at Austin, who has been teaching since 1958
-NYT
Cover Story Foreign Education
The journey of a lifetime
Corbis
At least a lakh of students go aboard to acquire a degree every year. Some do so to gain knowledge, many for a job and yet others to settle there
S
By Sumita Vaid Dixit
tarting September students and their parents begin to crowd airport terminals. As parents wave goodbye, they wonder what awaits their children in an unknown land, whether they would cope well and when they would see them again. But it’s also a sigh of relief as applying and getting admission in a foreign university is a long drawn affair. The first leg of the journey starts 12 to 16 months before. Trips are made to university for transcripts, recommendation letters, to the bank for education loan, to coaching institutes, while parents arrange for funds by either breaking their FD, selling land or mortgaging property. Since the colonial days we have looked to the western world for enlightenment. But now when there are more than 370 universities in the country, students still continue to go abroad. There are reasons for this. First, high quality institutions are fewer in number. Hence, many students fail to enter institutes of their choice, or miss getting the course of their choice as competition is intense and seats are few. Then, of late, a large number of private Indian institutes have started charging international fees. In the same fee, or with a bit more, a student can study in a good foreign university. And the last, of course, is the opportunity to settle abroad. Over the years, because of economy and migration laws, foreign education has got split into higher education and permanent residency (PR) markets. The USA and the UK are primary markets for higher education; Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the popular immigration markets. As there’s shortage of skilled manpower in these countries, it’s easier for Asians to join their workforce. This has led to a PR racket where local agents, for huge sums, get Indian students enrolled in third-rate vocational institutes abroad. The issue was recently brought to light by the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. And let’s face it, after
USA UK Australia Canada France Germany
50 54 60 66 68 70
taking staggering study loans, you do think of working in that country, earning in that currency so that you can pay back the loan. But just keep in mind that not all foreign universities are good. Go through university ranking on US News, Times Higher Education or the Guardian. This will give you an idea of the better ones. And always find out about the university’s credentials from its website or the educational counsellor. We have provided a list of accrediting agencies for your reference. Sourcing information from reliable sources is crucial, as both money and life can be at stake. As for competitive exams for admissions, they vary from country to country. Some offer admissions on the strength of your academic record, others ask for GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS or proficiency in a foreign language. Universities’ websites furnish all eligibility criteria and required tests. So look it up. In case, you aren’t a scholarship holder, inquire about full or partial scholarship opportunities from the university that has offered you admission. Some have a quota of awards for international students. And while you are at it, ask the university for e-mail contacts of some Indian students. They can advise you on the cost of living, especially on accommodation. There’s home-stay, which is living with a family; university accommodation, which is safe and convenient but expensive and last, student flat, where three to four students rent a flat. This is the cheapest option as grocery bills to electric bills, all gets shared. In case, you wish to decide on the accommodation after you arrive at the university then book yourself in a youth hostel or a YMCA close to the university area. Keeping in mind what students seek while applying to foreign universities, we bring you the best each country offers. The selection is based on their popularity with Indian students.
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The Netherlands Switzerland Italy, Norway Russia new Zealand Singapore End note
Cover Story Foreign Education
studying abroad To be an alumnus of the world’s best institution is a dream for any student. To help you short-list, here are some country-wise listings
UNIVERSITY
COUNTRY
UNIVERSITY
COUNTRY
TOP INSTITUTIONS, SUBJECT-WISE
Australian National University
Australia
Karolinska Institute
Sweden
Arts & Humanities
COUNTRY
University of Melbourne
Australia
Lund University
Sweden
Harvard University
US
University of Sydney
Australia
Stockholm University
Sweden
University of Oxford
UK
University of Vienna
Austria
Uppsala University
Sweden
University of Toronto
Canada
University of Ghent
Belgium
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
Australian National University
Australia
McGill University
Canada
University of Basel
Switzerland
Free University of Berlin
Germany
McMaster University
Canada
University of Zurich
Switzerland
University of British Columbia
Canada
Imperial College Londonww
UK
SOCIAL SCIENCEs
COUNTRY
University of Toronto
Canada
University of Birmingham
UK
Harvard University
US
Aarhus University
Denmark
University of Bristol
UK
London School of Economics
UK
University of Copenhagen
Denmark
University of Cambridge
UK
University of British Columbia
Canada
University of Helsinki
Finland
University College London
UK
Australian National University
Australia
École Normale Supérieure - Paris
France
University of Edinburgh
UK
National University of Singapore
Singapore
University of Paris 6 (Pierre and Marie Curie University)
France
University of Manchester
UK
NATURAL SCIENCEs
COUNTRY
University of Paris 11 (Paris-Sud 11 University)
France
University of Nottingham
UK
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
US
University of Oxford
UK
University of Cambridge
UK
University of Sheffield
UK
University of Toronto
Canada
California Institute of Technology
USA
University of Tokyo
Japan
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
LIFE SCIENCEs & BIOMEDICINE
COUNTRY
Harvard University
US
University of Cambridge
UK
McGill University
Canada
University of Tokyo
Japan
National University of Singapore
Singapore
University of Strasbourg I (Louis Pasteur University)
France
Free University of Berlin
Germany
Columbia University
USA
Humboldt University of Berlin
Germany
Cornell University
USA
Technical University of Munich
Germany
Harvard University
USA
University of Bonn
Germany
Johns Hopkins University
USA
University of Freiburg
Germany
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech.
USA
University of Goettingen
Germany
Princeton University
USA
University of Heidelberg
Germany
Stanford University
USA
University of Munich
Germany
U. of California, San Diego
USA
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
U. of California, San Francisco
USA
ENGINEERING & IT
COUNTRY
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy
USA
Massachusetts Institute of Tech.
US
Kyoto University
Japan
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Japan
USA
UK
Nagoya University
University of Tokyo
Japan
Osaka University
Japan
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
University of Cambridge
Canada
Japan
USA
University of Toronto
Tohoku University
University of California, Berkeley
USA
Singapore
Japan
University of California, Los Angeles
National University of Singapore
Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo University
Japan
University of Chicago
USA
University of Groningen
Netherlands
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
USA
University of Leiden
Netherlands
University of Pennsylvania
USA
University of Utrecht
Netherlands
University of Washington
USA
University of Oslo
Norway
Washington University – St. Louis
USA
Moscow State University
Russia
Yale University
USA
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ABOUT THIS PAGE It is based on two sources namely, The Times Higher Education Ranking (THES) by QS Ltd (2008) and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2008). First two columns list out an indicative list of the top-ranked institutions. Best institutions in each of the broad subject disciplines has been adapted from THES.
Cover Story Foreign Education
USA
where
dreams still come true
The land of the immigrants has always welcomed students with open arms and the resultant synergies have made it a knowledge powerhouse
I
t is not uncommon to hear the refrain about the United States of America as the land of opportunities! Nearly one lakh Indian students are studying in the United States of America. Without any doubt the US continues to be a country with vast higher education opportunities for Indian students. Shevanti Narayan, country coordinator, educational advising services, United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), says that the quality, choice, value and flexibility are some of the factors that make students choose USA over any other country in the world. The other advantage is the strict and rigorous accreditation systems that ensure outstanding facilities, resources and faculty and perhaps this is the reason why the country boasts of some of the world’s top-class universities.
Customise your qualification
Vinod Sharma, an MBA from University of Michigan, now vice-president, communications of a Singapore-based company, says that the education system in the US encourages one to think of what’s the next big idea. “And one has the freedom and flexibility to design one’s own programme, collaborate and network with other
departments,” says Sujata Yadav, a graduate student from Carnegie Mellon.
Interdisciplinary programmes are catching on
Engineering, Business and Management, continue to be the top fields of study. Other popular fields of study include Life Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, and Health Sciences. In recent years, there has been a changing trend with a growing demand for career-oriented fields such as Environmental Science/Studies, Biotechnology, Media and Communication, Art and Design studies and Law, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. But today, Indian students want to keep their options open so as to switch from one field to another easily. Students
No. of Indian students in the US Year
Number
Percentage*
2007 — 08
94,563
15.2%
2006 — 07
83,833
14.4%
2005 — 06
76,503
13.5%
2004 — 05
80,466
14.2%
2003 — 04
79,736
13.9%
* As a percentage of total no. of foreign students in the US
are choosing interdisciplinary programmes such as Healthcare with management, Law with MBA, or MBA with Public Health.
Preparing for America
A good time to start preparing for the applications is 18 months before application deadline. Therefore, for October till January deadlines start preparing a year before in April. While there are websites such as www. education.state.gov that help you prepare for a life in America, the USIEF guides students at every stage of their application process and facilitates interactive sessions with a diverse panel of resource persons.
Beware of fraud consultants
Shevanti Narayan also puts in a word of caution that young students should be wary of small-time education consultants. USIEF is part of EducationUSA, a global network of more than 450 advising centres supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State and therefore “a reliable source of accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational institutions in the US.”
“Rigorous accreditation systems ensure outstanding facilities, resources and faculty in most of the institutions” 50
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International students services
While Saranpreet Kaur was preparing herself for America after obtaining admission at University of Tampa (Florida), she wrote to the university’s international students’ services seeking advice on what to carry, books, weather, medicine. “And I had made friends with quite a few even before reaching there!” TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE and GMAT are some of the entrance tests you need to clear. But quite a few colleges are dropping the SAT requirements for undergraduate students. Also, many business schools have begun to accept GRE scores in lieu of GMAT score.
You can work, only on campus
The student visa does not allow students to work except for very limited hours on campus. Students are allowed to work 20 hours a week. The minimum wage is between $ 7-8 an hour which isn’t enough to manage living expenses, as the cost of living is anywhere between $10,000-30,000 a year, approximately $ 840 – 2,500 a month. However, places such as Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Iowa are
Popular among Indian students Field of Study
Percent
Business and Management
20
Engineering
17
Physical and Life Sciences
9
Social Sciences
9
Mathematics & Computer Sc.
8
Fine & Applied Arts
6
Health Professions
5
Intensive English Language
5
Education
3
Humanities
3
Agriculture
2
Source: USIEF India
comparatively cheaper places to live in. But you cannot work off campus unlike in other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia. But there is a provision for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for some students. CPT is an employment option available to F-1 students (academic students)
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Education avenues are vast in the US for engineering, business and management
where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic programme. According to the immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, or any other work experience that is either required for the degree (as defined in the course catalogue) or for which academic credit is awarded.
Financial aid for Master’s and Doctoral programmes
In general, financial aid opportunities are more for Doctoral and Master’s programmes than undergraduate programs. These could be in the form of teaching or research assistantships, graduate assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers and internships. But there’s tough competition for all types of financial aid. The student should request financial aid information from the university at the initial stage of the application. One has to read very
Cover Story Foreign Education Visa Guidelines STEP 1 Pay Application and VFS Fees (Visa fee: Rs. 6,550 ($131 @ Rs.50 each) + Service Charge: Rs. 374/- Total Rs. 6924) at designated HDFC Bank. List of banks can be found at
USA
INDIAN STUDENTS IN US STATES AND POPULAR INSTITUTIONS State
No. of Indian students
Institutes popular with foreign students
California
8,299
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Texas
7,637
University of Texas at Austin
New York
7,234
New York University; Columbia
Illinois
5,906
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Pay the $200 SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com). Students are required to complete Form I-901 before paying the fee.
Pennsylvania
4,504
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Ohio
3,906
Ohio State University, Columbus
STEP 3
Massachusetts
3,327
Harvard University, Cambridge
Schedule an appointment and complete application forms at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in. Click on ‘Apply for a new Non-Immigrant Visa’. Follow the process and enter Barcode Sticker Code on visa receipt when asked. After successfully logging in four items are visible, complete them and take out the prints of the following:
Michigan
3,227
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/ HDFC/HDFCAddressList.aspx STEP 2
New Jersey
2,619
Rutgers, State of NJ - New Brunswick
Indiana
2,592
Purdue University, West Lafayette
Source: Institute of International Education (IIE) and inputs from USIEF
1) DS-156 2) DS-157 3) DS-158 4) SEVIS Information STEP 4 Appear for your interview at the appointed day and time. Bring the printed Appointment Letter, the Visa Application Forms (DS 156, DS 157, DS 158 and I-20), the SEVIS payment receipt, one recent photograph, and the original HDFC Bank Fee Receipt & barcode stickers. STEP 5 VFS courier delivers Visa if approved!
carefully the instructions and information related to financial aid. The student has to make it clear to the university that he/she is applying for financial aid while filling out the application forms for admission. The criteria for selecting applicants for the different forms of financial aid vary. Many US universities offer partial to full funding to outstanding undergraduate students. Need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships and sports scholarships would be some of the options for undergraduate students.
Employment opportunities
Students completing degree programmes can go for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 12 months. OPT has been increased from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students in the field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. But if you are a history student then chances of getting an OPT are few. And, of course, there’s no denying that companies across the globe recognise a US college degree.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships for Leadership Development www.usief.org.in
J-1 visa support; round-trip airfare from fellow’s home city and related costs; accident and sickness coverage
For Master’s program in the area of Business Administration, Communication Studies, Economics, Environment and Public Administration
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral and Professional Research Fellowship
Monthly stipend, round trip air fare, applicable allowances, accident and sickness coverage
PhD scholars in various disciplines in India willing to conduct research and gain practical work experience in US
Source: USEIF
“Students can take up a job in any country of one’s choice,” says Narayan.
Still a land of opportunities?
There’s a noticeable change in the employment pattern of Indian students, says Narayan. “Now Indian students aren’t that keen to stay back, they want to come home. The standard of living in India is comparable to any western country.” Besides, there are plenty of jobs options in India and the country has not been hit as severely as the others by the meltdown. Also, this year it appears from media reports that recession has affected student applications. While last academic year (2007-08), 35,000 student visas were issued, according to the Council of Graduate School report there has been a 12 percent drop in the number of applications. Though the figures for academic year October 2008-09 are yet to be published, Narayan is quick to point
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out that USIEF is still getting a lot of queries. “This drop could also mean that students are applying to fewer universities to save money, while earlier they were applying to 6 or 8 universities.”
Student visa application
The university sends you an official Certificate of Eligibility which is form I-20 for the F-1 student visa and J-1 visa for exchange students. Visas can be issued up to 120 days before the scheduled date of departure. In order to make sure that you have your visa before the first day of class, apply as soon as possible and provide enough lead time to wait for processing, as well as interview.
Preparing for the Visa interview
The interview time is usually two to three minutes. That’s all the time you get to make an impression. But the idea is not to make an impression, just relax
“Never hesitate in asking questions from the teachers, or interrupting them; the point is that you are going there to study” Sheventi Narayan
Country Coordinator, educational advising services, USIEF
and be truthful. You could be asked what you had for breakfast that day, smile and say parantha, if you have had them. It’s just to strike a conversation with you. Of course, they will ask you why you are going to the US, why you have opted for a certain university and not the others. They might even ask you a little bit about the course you are planning to pursue. They may ask if you plan to work in the US after completion of a degree. Be truthful and say that at the moment there are no plans; that you plan to come back to your country, however, if you do get a good offer, you would like to work, gain experience and come back. An applicant might be further investigated in the case of certain courses such as Biosciences and Robotics. “The nature of the course is such that officers do want to verify applicants are genuine cases.”
Medical check and insurance
The medical examination is to be done before you leave. A general medical report including Manto, Hepatitis and MMR are required. However, an HIV test is not required Most of the universities include insurance in the total tuition fees as it is compulsory to have a health insurance; however, some universities do not offer this. So, it is advisable to buy medical insurance from India as it is three-times costlier in the US. For example, ICICI-Lombard offers a student medical insurance policy to Indian students that covers all medical and dental problems. Remember, if you do not take a medical
First Person MAYAnk GARG
My journey to UCLA Life as a student, especially in a developed nation, is a different ball game, but enjoyable says this budding lawyer
W
hen I left India, I didn’t have always like a conversation in class. any place to stay in the US. And let me make it clear, it’s imposIn the flight, I travelled with sible to pass here without reading. If an elderly Indian. He was probably you miss a day’s reading you will not my dad’s age. For some reason we understand anything in class. I am didn’t talk until an hour before we saying this because throughout my were going to land in Los Angles. To LLB in India, I didn’t read anything my surprise, he told me he has stayed during the semester, always studied in LA for thirty years, before the exams and and upon finding yet passed. But it “Actually, they out I had no place to can’t happen here. stay, he offered me By the way every don’t teach here. his place. I stayed Thursday, we have there for four days! a party in different I was touched by his nightclubs of Los hospitality. He got Angeles, which is ” me an accommoofficially mentioned dation, even a teleon the notice board phone connection! of our Law School, I was nervous on the orientation exclusively for Law students of day, wondering whether I would be UCLA. Isn’t it wonderful? There’s able to adjust or not, whether I would always something or the other to do make friends or not. I was 10 minutes here, starting from studying, partying late! But the week-long orientation to washing utensils or doing laundry. was great fun. In the end, I would say, it can never My first day of class and I realised be easy for an Indian to adjust here Americans teach differently. I have because in India there’s always somegraduated from a good law school one to do your job. Here you have to in India, but I was never exposed to do everything yourself! Mayank studies LLM at University of such interactive methods of teaching. California, Los Angeles Actually, they don’t teach here. It’s
It’s always like a conversation in class
insurance, no doctor or dentist in the US will entertain you.
When you arrive in the US…
Don’t get nervous. Yes, people are different, it’s a different country, but keep your cool. Just make sure that you have all your documents when your turn comes to see the immigration officer. And don’t forget to make eye contact.
Last word of advice
Plagiarism is beginning to become an issue. Unfortunately many Indian
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students and researchers have been caught plagiarizing. This puts us in a bad light. As part of the pre-departure session, USIEF warns Indian students on the consequences and the unethical aspects of plagiarism. “Students are under the impression that they can get away with it, as it’s easy to get away with many things in India.” And remember: never hesitate in asking questions from the teachers, or interrupting them, they would not mind. The point is that you are going there to study, and that should be the goal.
Cover Story Foreign Education
UK
multicultural experience
With chicken tikka being Britain’s national dish, immigration issues not withstanding, few other countries could match the welcome it provides
O
xford and Cambridge are synonymous with foreign education for thousands of Indians. Despite the USA taking over as the number one choice, for the 31,000 Indian students who went to the UK last year, an English education in law, sciences and management still holds its allure.
Just one-year degree
A big advantage of studying in the UK has always been the one-year Master’s programme, says Sally Goggin, director, education, British Council India and Sri Lanka. In other counties such as the US and Germany a Master’s degree takes at least two years. But in the UK, you can finish your Master’s programme in a year’s time and there are options of doing a Master’s programme in combination with a PhD which saves an additional year, points out a student from Bristol University. The assurance that the UK degree will get students a job anywhere, the quality of teaching, and of course, a multicultural society are the other reasons why Indian students still continue to come to the UK. The possibility of working there for a year, at least when you study cutting edge subjects, is another attraction.
Making education affordable
High tuition fee and cost of living have deterred many students from applying to the UK and incentives of partial scholarships and part-time work opportunities
Popular among Indian students universities The University of Nottingham The University of Manchester University of Leeds The University of Warwick Cardiff University University of Strathclyde The University of Sheffield University of Greenwich City University London Lancaster University Source: HESA Student Record
in American and Australian universities have had more students applying to these countries. For example, Shikha Kapoor preferred going to the US as chances of getting campus jobs and assistantships were better and this helped her pay part of her tuition fee. Shashank Shekar Tiwari, who is pursuing a PhD in Leeds as a Welcome Trust Fellow, counters. “Next to USA, the largest number of fellowships, especially for India, is in the UK. One has to move beyond the Chevening and Commonwealth programme and look at different trusts and college-level bursaries.” The UK is making education attractive to international students by reviewing the fee structure.
Finding merit in vocation
Experts argue that there’s going to be a shift in the education structure in the coming years. The focus will shift from general academic courses to vocation-oriented courses. At the moment, there’s a clear divide between academic education and vocational training, but that might change says Goggin. “More and more academic courses will have a vocational perspective.” The reason is that the future workforce is going to come from vocational colleges and not from the top 10 universities. A Chennai-based education counsellor says it is unfortunate that many students studying at the best of the universities have no clue of the kind of job they want after completion of study; it is good enough that they are studying in good universities. But when they graduate, often little of what they have studied helps them find a job. Though there are examples of degree courses with vocational use such as retail or nutrition, there ought to be more of these.
Borderless education
In fact, quite a few UK-based vocational colleges and universities are partnering Indian institutes to give that foreign experience and a global perspective. Under the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI), there have been tie-ups between Indian institutes and colleges in the UK in area of financial and creative industries. For
“In the near future, the centre of gravity would shift from general academic courses to vocation-oriented courses” 54
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first person Rohini Chopra
MSc, Management Psychology, University of Nottingham
It taught me to be independent M
Exciting prospects of valuable qualification with an emphasis on specialised courses await you there
example, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has tied up with universities such as Newcastle and Leeds Metropolitan. But Anup Arora, who’s keen on studying in one these colleges, wonders if Indian employers are familiar with the names of these institutes, and the advantages of such tie-ups. “You will be surprised that many Indian businesses are aware of the partnerships with the UK,” says Goggin. But students should be aware that under the Indian legislation the degree that is offered by the
India-based foreign universities is a single degree and recognised. However, if the student travels to the main campus of the foreign university to finish part of the degree that is being offered at the India-based campus, then the student gets a joint degree, one from the UK and another from India.
Working part-time is easy
Living in London, one of the most expensive cities, in the world is costly. The cost of living, including rent, in London
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y first impression through the bus ride from London to the countryside was that the UK was a melting pot of all cultures! You know, it’s what you learn outside the class that really makes you see things differently. I agree there’s no place like home, but living in the UK teaches one to be independent. My professor, Prof. John Richards, weaned me off the spoonfeeding style of being taught back home; I learnt to be an independent researcher. If you have an open mind there will be no disappointments; it’s all about the mindset. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know. There are so many students who are lucky enough to go to universities abroad. Enjoy your experience, and remember what happens in Uni stays in Uni! :) Since UK is expensive budgeting is important. Pool in your grocery bill with your flatmates; learn to cook as eating out is a tad expensive. But yes, you end up spending a lot in the first month of arrival, so it’s okay. And remember LONDON is not England, there is so much more to see: Edinburgh, Lake District, Stonehenge, Oxford and of course, the Cadbury Chocolate factory in Birmingham! There are so many things to do and there really is something for everyone. I think I have matured as a person with my experience of studying abroad, my parents can see that too.
Cover Story Foreign Education
UK Visa Guidelines Your visa letter from the university Any documents such as academic certificates that are listed on that visa letter; An ATAS certificate, if this is required for your course (this will be indicated on the visa letter) Your bank statements, letter of official financial sponsorship or confirmation of an official loan You must be able to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds, in addition to your tuition fees, to live in the UK Applicants now have to show that they have the required funds available at the time of application, and not the previous 28-day period You must also be able to prove that the money has been in an account in your name before you submit your application
Carry an umbrella River Thames flows through London, giving an old world charm to the bustling education destination
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Commonwealth Scholarships www.education.nic.in
University fees, travel, books, apparatus, travel, personal maintenance
Indian passport holders willing to pursue postgraduation, PhD in any university/ institution in the UK
Chevening Scholarship www.britishcouncil. org.in
Airfare, tuition fee and living expenses for most fellowships
Economic governance, sustainable development, finance, public administration, science & innovation
Source: Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India and British Council, New Delhi
would be £900 and in places farther from London, between £500-600. But it has come down in times of a global meltdown, says Goggin. One of the reasons for the renewed interest in the UK has been the opportunity for part-time work, which wasn’t the case earlier. The advantage foreign students have in the UK is that they can work both on and off campus, unlike the USA where students are allowed to work only on campus. In the UK, students are allowed to work 20 hours a week, however, one should keep in mind the commitments or demands the course makes on you cautions Goggin. The minimum wage has gone up to £5.80. Usually students do get jobs that pay £6-8 an hour. Therefore, a student can earn between £480 to 650 a month, which is decent enough to take care of monthly expenses.
Chicken tikka in the UK
Parents don’t have to worry about food in the UK. It’s a country whose national dish is chicken tikka masala and samosas are sold in local stores. The streets are dotted with Indian restaurants run by Bangladeshis, Indians, and Sri Lankans. Spices, pickles, papads or papadoms, masala, dals and basmati rice, everything is available in local stores. But you can easily budget by buying fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market – their vegetables are usually cheaper compared to grocery stores – and cook for the entire week on a Saturday or a Sunday, store the food in the freezer, take out small portions each day, heat and eat it. And on days you feel like jelbis, and live away from London, then take a tour of Southall. London or other cities in the UK are best explored and enjoyed on foot.
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UK’s weather is as unpredictable as its national sport. When you do go for these walks in the lovely countryside or Piccadilly Circus (London) carry an umbrella! One minute there’s sunshine, the next rain! And when it rains, it rains on and on.
Visa application
From March 2008 the immigration office has changed the visa application process. Now there’s a point system and those wanting to apply for student visa fall under the Tier 4 category. Now, the university that accepts your admission offers you a visa letter upon payment of the course fee. And only those universities that have been given the licence can issue a visa letter. This helps in ruling out the possibility of students being duped by unaccredited colleges. Based on this letter and a bank statement the Embassy issues a visa. Along with this you need to give a general medical report from any of the recognised medical institutes in India and a chest x-ray for Tuberculosis. No test is required for HIV. The visa for undergraduate students is 3 years with 4 months of extension after which the student has to return to India. In case of postgraduates, it is one year plus an extension of a few months. However, students can apply for the post-study work visa, which is for 2 years, towards the end of the degree.
Cover Story Foreign Education
“Transnational education is changing. Now you can do a course partly in India and partly in UK” Sally Goggin,
director, education, British Council India and SriLanka
These are for the highly-skilled, such as lawyers, doctors and engineers. For more information on visa go to www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ infs/inf29pbsstudent or www.ukba. homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
Paying course fee up-front
Now international students have to pay the first year fee if pursuing an undergraduate course and full fees for a postgraduate degree in order to receive an unconditional acceptance letter and the visa letter. And of course, students on fellowships and full scholarships do not have to pay any fees. This may not be fair as students might not have seen the university or even travelled to the UK. Goggin agrees that while it is a risk, this ensures that there are fewer empty seats in a university. Students with offer letters from three universities decide only at the very last minute and in the process students in the waiting list suffer as by then admissions usually close. “Thus, to avoid this situation, we have decided to ask students to pay up before they arrive in the UK.” And in the event the student is disappointed with the university, he or she has the option of going to another university, provided the other university is willing to offer the student a place. In that case the fee will be transferred to the other university but the student will have to apply for a fresh visa, which he/she can do while being in the UK. Students can apply to the UK Border Agency for another visa. However, this is a huge risk, but then there are no returns without risks.
UK
By Invitation kanika tandon
Bogus degree mills beware!
T
he idea of a foreign degree non-recognised institutions but conmight be alluring for all its sulting the Recognised bodies and understandable charms, but Listed bodies list provides official along with it lurks the danger of fall- information about the status of the ing into the trap of fake universities Higher Education providers abroad and colleges. ‘Degree mills’ or the as well. In the case of collaborabogus, unaccredited higher education tive provision at postgraduate level, institutions. In 2008, the BBC had students are advised to contact the uncovered the scam of the thriving awarding body for the degree for Irish International University (IIU) information and advice,” says another offering ‘worthless’ degrees, making government official. some 5,000 students US-based Council its victims during the for Higher Education Hall of fakes course of seven long Accreditation recentyears before getting ly released a report Irish International University (IIU), exposed by the media. called Toward EffecAmerican University of London The fake university tive Practice: DiscourLondon College of Technology had used the Oxford aging Degree Mills in European College of Medicine, UK and Cambridge facilHigher Education, Canterbury University, UK ities to enhance its which has identiBritain College of Management and Science, UK credibility and had fied pointers toward Chelsea University, UK a ‘highly illusional fakes. These include Fairfax University website’. lack of legal authority, Glendale University I n t e r e s t i n g l y, little requirement for Oxford International University reports suggest that of attendance or courseCalvary University the estimated 5,000 work, absence of higher education contact information St. Christopher’s College of Medicine institutions thought other than telephone Medical College of London to take foreign stuor e-mail address, Parkwood University dents, only 2,100 inability to provide a Summerset University applied to get their verifiable list of acacredentials verified. demic staff and their Of those 2,100 appliqualifications, and cations, 460 were rejected. It comes as publishing false or exaggerated claims no surprise then that authorities have of external quality review. estimated 2,000 sham colleges to face The British Council offices in India closure because of the new rules. are also a source of information and Off the records, a Home Office offi- advice on UK Higher Education procial suggests caution about approach- viders for would be students. Amit ing the institution “if you are even Chaturvedi, Head, Education UK, a bit unsure about the credibility of India, says “While selecting a unithe institute”. There are several rea- versity, do a thorough background sons for it. Sham institutes often use research. Search for details on accredcredible sounding names, sometimes itation, teaching standards, costing very similar to well-known institu- details of the programme, degree/ tions. It has also been seen that these qualification awarded, any media covfake institutions often claim to be erage and so on.” accredited even though they are not on the official list of registered insti(Kanika works with India Link tutions. “UK does not have a list of at Middlesex, UK)
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Cover Story Foreign Education
Australia
Good,
but is it safe?
One of the most popular destinations for Indians, especially for those with immigration interests, it is besieged with bad press. Read on for a clear picture
I
t is quite natural if parents and students think that Australia is unsafe. The recent spate of racial attacks on Indian students in Australia has exposed the ugly side of Australia’s thriving education industry—the under-regulated, lesser-known, private vocational education and training institutes. According to the Australian Education International, from 14,304 students in 2003 the number of students went up to 97,035 in 2008; of this an estimated 75 per cent are in vocational education and training (VET). The phenomenal rise in VET enrolments happened in 2006, when it shot up by 161 per cent (See graph alongside)
Immigration-led education
It’s not surprising why a large number of Indian students, go to these institutions each year. Its relatively relaxed immigration laws make Australia an attractive permanent residency (PR) destination. And vocational courses such as hairdressing or community welfare are students’ passport to PR. It appears that most of these students are from backward regions in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat for whom PR is a golden chance to escape from a hard life in India. But it is unfortunate that these students then get attacked in Australia because of the colour of their skin. Most cases of racial abuses have been reported from parts of Victoria and Queensland states, popular for vocation training. It
is instructive to note that the attackers are from poor neighbourhoods in these states where there’s a large mixed population; and many are of Middle Eastern descent. As most of the Indian students take loans to study, they take up two to three part-time jobs to pay back the loan
The infamous four Schools that shut down recently Sterling College Melbourne International College ASBT College Sydney’s Global college Source: Newspaper reports
Indian Students in Australia 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
2004
2005
2006
2007
Private VET Public Higher Education
Private elicos Public VET
Others
Public elicos
2008
Source: Australian Education International cited by Christopher Ziguras, Associate Professor, International Studies in the School of Global Studies, RMIT, Melbourne
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and support themselves. Many end up working late nights, or returning home at a time when the streets or trains are deserted, thus making themselves vulnerable to attacks. Despite the fact that all Australian education qualifications are under one national system – Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), shoddy institutes have managed to prosper. No doubt, the Australian government has erred while scrutinising these institutes. However, the Indian government is equally culpable in failing to arrest the growth of fly-by-night agents who lure innocent students with PR promises. What’s ironical and pathetic is that the vocational institutes that were recently shut down in Australia were being run by
Interview Kelly RAJ
Counsellor, Education, Australian High Commission
“Australia is safe”
Q. What measures are being taken towards making Australia safe for Indian students? A. The Australian government has initiated visible police operations in both Victoria and New South Wales, targeting railway stations and other priority areas; increased public safety information sessions and briefings; enhanced community liaison through dedicated advisory and reference groups, and engaging law enforcement officials, students and representatives from the Indian community to work together to ensure that Australia is safe. A hotline has been established for students to raise concerns, anonymously if they wish.
sydney opera house. You may not go there to learn music but enjoy it when you study in Oz.
Indians. So be wary of unauthorised education agents. Avoid them and approach the Australian Education International for any information on education and admissions. Its centre might be far off from your city or town, but it is worth the effort.
All are not that bad
All vocational institutes in Australia are not bad. Try to get into the good ones. Do thorough checks of the institutes.
Doubly check the credentials of the institutes and please do not enrol in suspect institutes just because you are desperate to become a resident of Australia. Life could be worse there. Speak with alumni, they are a good source of unbiased information. But be sure to get the opinion of only those, you know personally before hand.
Don’t go by ranking, choose one that suits you
All Australian education institutions that provide courses and qualification to overseas students are registered on
Q. What advice would you give to Indian students ? A. Take the same measures you would at home. For example, in case of emergency, a person approaches the police or other relevant authorities; doing so will not affect his or her visa status. Another common feature in any country might be to make sure that someone knows where you are going and at what time you are expected to return. Try not to be out alone very late at night. Carry with you identification and emergency contacts numbers.
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(
Cover Story Foreign Education
Australia
Popular among Indian students universities Australian National University Monash University Deakin’s University La Trobe University Deakin’s University Source: Students inputs
Subject area Management and Commerce Food, Hospitality and Personal Services Society and Culture Information Technology Engineering and related disciplines Source: Australian Education International, Australian High Commission in India
Australian outback is the place to go when you get holidays between studies.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions for Overseas study (CRICOS) The Government does not rank universities in Australia. A student needs to select the institution keeping in mind various factors. Some of the parameters one should consider in trying to zero in on the best suited university or institution would be the balance of practical and theoretical learning in the course; the qualifications and experience of the academics; the facilities offered by the university; tuition cost and living cost (which will be affected by the location of the university). To get information on
the institutions which offer the desired courses in Australia, one can do a course search at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au or http://cricos.dest.gov.au
Part-time work opportunities
International students coming to Australia are required to declare that they have sufficient funds to meet their course, living and travel expenses for the duration of their stay as part of their visa application. In addition, international student visa holders are granted permission to work up to 20 hours per week while their course is in session (excluding
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Endeavour Awards (Postgraduate Awards and Research Fellowships) www.endeavour.dest. gov.au
Full support: AUD 4,500 as travel allowance; AUD 4,000 as establishment allowance; monthly stipend of AUD 2,500 and tuition fees of up to AUD 12,500 per semester. Research Fellowships do not cover tuition fees
To undertake a Masters or PhD either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia for up to 3 years
Award includes AUD 5,000 as travel allowance, AUD 5,000 as establishment allowance and a monthly stipend of AUD 2,500 for 1-4 months on a pro-rata basis.
For high achievers in business, industry, education or government from participating countries including India. Focuses on building skills/knowledge. Professionals with 5/10 years of work experience need to be nominated.
Endeavour Executive Awards www.endeavour.dest. gov.au
any work undertaken as a registered component of their course of study or training) and unrestricted hours during holiday periods. All paid, volunteer or unpaid work must be within the limits. If you have started a course at the Master’s or Doctorate level, your dependents may work unlimited hours. International students often find work in retail, hospitality and administration. You could expect to earn A$6-15 an hour, depending on the kind of work you do and your age. You may be paid more for working on Sundays or public holidays. Tutoring younger students in the field you are studying, or in your native language is also a good way to earn money. Student tutors can earn about AUD40 an hour. “But the primary purpose for going to Australia as a student should be to study,” says Kelly Raj, Counsellor, Education, Australian High Commission.
Tax File Number
Source: Australian Education International, Australian High Commission in India
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You should obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Tax Office if you are going to work in Australia. You may also need a TFN to open a bank account. In addition to supplying your name, current address and date of birth, you may also need to supply your date of arrival in Australia, your passport
Visa Guidelines
first person Sukun Chopra
An Offer of Acceptance from a CRICOS registered institute is required; visit www.cricos.dest.gov.au Financial support/Medical Check up – an applicant must demonstrate their financial ability to study in Australia and medical checkup is mandatory . More details on website, www.immi.gov.au
Psychology student at University of New South Wales
English language proficiency
Avoid unfamiliar
For further information refer to: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/ StudyGuide_pdf.pdf). Study Melbourne Victoria website has information for students regarding safety which is accessible to parents and students alike. ww.studymelbourne.com.au/livin_in_melbourne/personal-safety.
and proof of enrolment. Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.
Cost of living
An average international student in Australia will spend about AUD360 a week on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport and telephone. Remember, this figure depends on your location, lifestyle and even your course. You should seek further information on living costs from your institution. Details on the tuition fee can be obtained from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/ Sia/en/StudyCosts/TuitionFees.
Visa requirements
Before you receive a student visa, you will have to show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of your course. You can offset your living expenses by working part-time while you study, but you shouldn’t rely on your wages as your only source of income.
Health insurance
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your student visa in Australia. Your OSHC will help you pay for any medical or hospital care you may
I
and isolated areas
have been studying in Sydney for the past one-and-a-half years. For me, it’s certainly been a great experience. Asians are in large numbers, but there are migrants from Europe and America, too. It’s a truly multicultural country. On a more casual note, Oz (Australia) is a pretty cool place and the Aussies are warm-hearted. It’s easy to get along with people here. Frankly, they respect you if you respect them. Oh yes, that reminds me in Aussie land we Indians are addressed as Currys! Please don’t take offence to that; it’s just a fun way of addressing us. Much like how we colloquially address our own brethren from different parts of the country: ‘Punjus’, ‘Gujjus’, ‘Bongs’! So, if you do come across someone calling you Currys, just laugh it off. The most important thing we Indians need to learn is to take less offence about light-hearted issues. Now, how do you tackle the issue need while you’re studying in Australia and it will contribute towards the cost of most prescription medicines, and an ambulance in an emergency. Also speak to the University or College.
Finally, is it safe?
“It is unfortunate that there are some who are always going to be boorish in every society. We cannot lose faith in a nation because of them. More stringent steps do need to be taken to ensure that they do not become the dominant force by the government and individuals in
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of recent racial attacks? Personally, I haven’t faced any sort of racism. Just to clear a misconception for people in India, there’s a tendency to blame the white Aussies, but what people don’t consider is that several other races reside here. In a majority of cases, the accused have mainly been Lebanese gangsters. Sydney is a reasonably safe place. As is with any city in the world, there exist some areas which might not be too safe. In ‘such’ circumstances try remaining calm, and not show fear since that is the opportunity ‘they’ look for! My personal advice would be to avoid unfamiliar and isolated areas in the first place. So, if you come to Australia make the most of it. Get sporty, become involved in water sports. There is a lot of water here! Remember, before you come here, keep your mind open and make sure you return with beautiful memories after making friends from all over the world! society who can stand up against these bullies. However, should we let a few boorish people dictate that the entire nation is racist? The choice is for you to make,” says Natasha Chopra, Managing Director, The Chopras, a New Delhibased education consultant. Kelly Raj says that Australia is safe and tolerant. But as with anyone coming to a new place or when undertaking any sort of travel, it is essential that international students are aware of the local conditions and customs and know what to do if there is a problem.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION UPDATE
THE NEW THE FACE NEWOF FACE PROFESSIONAL OF PROFESSION UEI Global, aims to provide globally recognized courses to the Indian youth. It provides an oppoCEO Vision rtunity to obtain Indian and UK Degrees offering We have all heard the conventional wisdom that career building and skill enhancing education. It’s education leads to employment. And, of course, program suite includes professional Degrees in every institute talks about “plac-ement assistance” BBA, Hotel Management (the student has an option and so on. But talking to the students passing out to choose from National & International Degree), from many such institutes often reveals a very diffeRetail Management, Aviation Management, English rent picture. At UEI Global, we don't just talk about for Communication and Life Skills and Persona placement. We guarantee it. We commit to providing Development. at least 3 interview opportunitiesfor each eligible For it’s Degree programs, UEI Global has alliances student who is pur-suing their graduation with us. with the top National & International Universities We are a partner of Osmania, Bharathiar and Pondiincluding Osmania University - Hyderabad, Bharacherry Universities. Our students earn these reputed, thiar University Coimbatore & Pondicherry UniveUGC approved degrees in fields ranging from Hotel rsity - Pondicherry, University College of BirmingManagement, Aviation and Tourism to Business ham, City College of Norwich and City College of Management. We know that you don't Nottingham based in UK. It also has developed projust study to get a degree, or even just a fessional International Certificate and Diploma in job, but a career. And our pro-mise to alliance with the Hotelschool the Hague, The Nethyou is an education and a career. erlands one of top hospitality management school - Chetan Mahajan and a member of the “Leading Hotelschools of The World”,Changi International Airport Services (CIAS), Singapore and the Finishing School, London. UEI Global has a unique program architecture which allows students to pursue a National Degree or opt for a pathway to an international Degree (after completing 2 year’s course with the institute in India). The faculty at UEI Global are judicial mix of hospitality instructors and professionals, management and technical experts. The core team on Hospitality Management has been trained at the Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands and are being complemented by instructors from a number of adjunct faculties from industry and academia including project planning, finance, marketing and business development. The em-phasis on faculty selection is huge and they are handpicked from the industry and trained on international standards with global exposure. With world class infrastructure, UEI Global aims towards developing and honing the skills of their students through engaging learning methodologies. All the institutes are equipped with brand new labs, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a training restaurant, air-conditioned and WiFi enabled classrooms. Their faculty to student ratio is 1 to 30. UEI Global has a well defined placement strategy. Their affiliation with the renowned national & multinational companies ensures that the students gain practical experience while learning simultaneously. They have ensured that students enter the industry as soon as they have completed the course. UEI Global’s students are already working in top companies
NAL EDUCATION EDUCATION Like Taj Group of Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Reliance Retail, Intercontinental Hotels, Spice Jet and many more. UEI Global today has 19 institutes across 15 cities. The student has a flexibility to choose the location of convenience. UEI Global also offers transfer facilities to it’s students within these 19 locations. Their plan is to scale these locations to 60 by the year 2012. In today's competitive world, having a winning edge over the rest is of vital importance. UEI Global aims at bringing out the best in students who aim high in life. The unique offerings in the programs will instill the competitive advantage and confidence in the students to succeed on the international front. Placements with UEI Global
Academicians Speak....
“What our society will be tomorrow depends on what our children are Devyani International today”. Marriott Hotels Fortune Group of Hotels The mind set of Indian parents has always laid great emphasis on EducPalm Beach Gardens ation. One needs to realize that it is Kotak Mahindra not only Education that is important, Taj Air Caterers Intercontinental Hotels but what really counts is what one Citi Financials has learnt and how suitably it can be Taj Group Of Hotels applied. As the Greeks say “It is not KFC the quantity that makes the good, but Prestige Jet the quality”. Thus, we at UEI Global Café Coffee Day focus on Quality in Education and Hewitt Associates have directly correlated it to the style ITC Sheraton Hotels of instructions the students receive. Lifestyle Our emphasis is to compliment the Park Hotels technological change in management, Delhi Call Center Air India SATS curriculum, teaching & learning, with Encore Capital a cultural change related Hyatt Hotels to the beliefs, values and Spice Jet attitude towards education. Sparsh Park Sarovar Hotels Big Bazaar Indigo Reliance Retail Vanya Vilas Centaur Hotels West End Mall Tabularasa Mainland China India Bulls Quatrro WNS Aircel Muthoot Sky Chef Subhiksha
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UEI Global Institutes Agra: 817/1 Kaveri House, Mau Khandari Crossing, NH-2, Khandari Bangalore: Plot No-17, 3rd Floor, 1st Cross Road, 5th Block, Koramangala Chandigarh: SCO 210-211, 4th Floor, Sector 34-A Dehradun: 1/10, Saharanpur Road Faridabad: Crown Plaza, Sector- 15 A, Delhi Mathura Road Ghaziabad: B-08, Rajnagar Distt Centre Gurgaon: Basement, Building No.6, SCO Complex, Sector 14 Indore: 1st Floor, Saket Tower, Geeta Bhawan Square, A.B. Road Jaipur: 3rd Floor, Durlabhji Chambers, Prithvi Raj Road, C-Scheme Jalandhar: 3rd Floor, Rampa Centre, Model Town Market Lucknow: TC-V-57, Shalimar Tower, 2nd Floor, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar Ludhiana: 4th Floor, Plot. No. 15, Feroz Gandhi Market New Delhi: Block 'C’, 5th Floor, Vikas Surya Mall, Sector 3, Rohini New Delhi: C-49, Peet Vihar Noida: B-221, Sector 16 Pune: 4th Floor Gera’s-77, Ramwadi Naka, Kalyani Nagar, Next Bishop School Raipur: 6th Floor, Ravi Bhawan, Jaistambh Chowk Thane: Plot No. 300-B,1st Floor, Arunodaya Bhawan, Next To Modi Motors, Service Road, Panchpakhadi Trivandrum: 1st Floor, T.N. Samrudhi Chambers, Vazhuthacaud, Near Women's College Log on to
www.uei-global.com
Cover Story Foreign Education
canada
VOCATIONAL
COURSES ARE IN With its welcoming policies and safe environment, Canada is an ideal destination for quality education
E
ducation in Canada is different in that more than 60 per cent of the 3,500 Indian students that went to Canada last year opted for postgraduate diploma courses, in other words, vocational courses. These courses are popular as most students have employment in mind. Maria Mathias, director, Canadian Education Centre, says that these vocational courses are highly specialised in nature. Pointing to the prospectus of a top college in Canada, she says that there are specialisations such as Networking and Business. “In India while there are many vocational colleges and institutes offering good courses, few Indian students apply to these courses. This is because in India vocational study is looked down upon, when in fact, it is one of the most job-oriented and useful education that parents can encourage their children to opt for.”
Doctoral studies are also on
“At the same time, there’s a slight rise in the number of students applying for postgraduate degrees,” says Mathai. Most of the applications are for engineering or MBA, hospitality and animation. And now the Canadian government wants to make research attractive. “You see not many are aware that Blackberry and Maple are inventions from Canada!” The Canadian Government has recently introduced The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) programme to attract and retain world class doctoral students, offering them a significant financial award during their studies at Canadian universities.
“Vocational study in India is looked down upon. In fact, it is one
of the most joboriented offerings” Job opportunities are aplenty for students in one of the coolest places to study
Maria Mathai, Director, Canadian Education Centre, India
Cost of living and part-time jobs
This academic year, Canadian Education Institution is expecting some 4,000 students to enrol in Canadian universities and 15,000 students by 2014. “The United Nations has rated Canada as one of the best places on the globe to live,” says Mathai. “And a degree or a diploma from a Canadian Education Institution is universally recognized for its high academic standard.”
Visa Guidelines Letter of Acceptance from University plus valid passport. An education loan helps. However, if you do not take one then, carry: Bank Statement, latest Income Tax Return statement. Liquid assets, all investments, including Mutual Funds. It takes one to two days to get the visa; however, medical check-up could take longer. Indian students are expected to undergo Tuberculosis test. For more details log on to www.vfs-canada.co.in
The expenses are in the region of Rs. 3-4 lakh per year; however, in big cities such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver it could go up to Rs. 4.5 lakh that is 9,000 to 10,000 Canadian dollars. Therefore, keep a budget of 500-900 dollars a month. If you are planning to take private accommodation like many students, do rent a house close to the campus. There are plenty of on-campus and off-campus jobs available in restaurants, shops and libraries. Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation. Minimum wage is 8 dollars/hour. Therefore, if you work 20 hours you could earn 160 dollars a week. This can easily take care of food, travel and the rent. And even a visit to the local restaurant once a week! And this is nontaxable income
New work visa policies
Students in their final semesters should start looking out for a job as the postgraduate work visa takes 90 days to
(
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first person Faisal Nayeem
Clean Country
T
he best thing about my flight was Air Canada flying right over icy Greenland for hours! I could see the Greenland shore approaching towards my seat window like an approaching train station. Here, people are very kind and helpful. The university has a very beautiful campus with the picturesque Rideau river and canal on either side, some great buildings and of course, the lovely red O Train. Ottawa’s so clean as if it’s all been washed with Surf Excel:)!! But here’s the difficult bit: living here is expensive compared to India. A bus ticket for 150 bucks, a coffee for 80 rupees! How I miss BMTC, the autos and all the Shanti Sagars of Bangalore! Everyone works and studies and cooks here! I sure have a lot to learn and a long way to go.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan www.csfp-online.org
Intends to cover full cost of education
Focuses on postgraduate scholarships at both Master’s and Doctoral level.
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships http:// www.trudeaufoundation.ca/trudeaufoundation/program/
Annual stipend of $40,000 to cover cost of tuition and reasonable living expenses; annual travel allowance of $20,000. Tenable for 3-years
Supports doctoral candidates pursuing research in any of the four themes: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment.
Faisal is a BCom student at , Carleton University, Ottawa
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITIES University of Toronto
Source: Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India and British Council, New Delhi
University of Waterloo
process. However, now with two years of degree programme, the student can obtain three years of work permit to work anywhere in Canada, irrespective of the province.
Medical insurance
Most Canadian institutions offer mandatory health insurance which is inclusive in the fee structure outlined at the time of admission However, if a student has not taken a medical insurance from his/her institution, it is advisable to get one before boarding the flight to Canada. Some Indian insurance providers cover both travel insurance and medical insurance as part of their policies and are very advantageous for students travelling abroad. Students may also opt to get a Canadian Health Insurance upon arrival in Canada if he/she so desires.
Advice to Indian students
Don’t carry books. There are six-floor libraries there. Carry daily wear such as jeans and T-shirts and light woollens but do not buy heavy woollens from India. The Canadian winter is different from India’s. So save money to buy winter wear from Canada. However, socks, caps, gloves can be bought from India as they are much cheaper. Dry food items are allowed such as namkeens and biscuits but do not carry them in your hand-baggage, put them into your check-in baggage. You wouldn’t want sniffer dogs chasing you and the whole airport looking at you only to discover that there’s masala peanuts in your hand baggage. Write down the important dates on a calendar. This will take care of any unnecessary stress down the line. Use
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McGill University University of Alberta University of British Columbia VOCATIONAL COLLEGES Humber College Centennial College Seneca College Sheridan College Fanshawe College Source : Canadian Education Centre, India
study and research skills workshops, advisors, tutors, and course unions. Talk to your professor when you have questions about course material or assignments. This can save you time and frustration. Learn the basics of academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Go to the library!
Cover Story Foreign Education
France
Romancing Sciences Language is a deterrent and the diaspora is small, but France stills holds a charm for many
F
rance is getting students’ attention with their number going up to 1,757 in the current year from last year’s 958. And the 150-odd scholarships did help. Part of President, Nicolas Sarkozy’s agenda during his visit to India last year was to treble the number of Indian students to 4,000 by year 2012, says Alain Perrier, press counsellor, Embassy of France.
Application online
One such initiative in this direction is that now students need to make only one electronic application to apply to up to 20 institutes of higher learning. Launched in 2007 it is a completely dematerialised process, in which the student sends no papers to France. Instead it is the nearest CampusFrance office (http://www.campusfrance.org/ en/index.htm) in India that checks the veracity of the e-file and validates the information for universities.
Grants and scholarships
The Indo French Consortium of Universities (IFCU) was created in 2008 to offer dual master’s degrees or joint PhD research projects. Today, joint degrees in nuclear technology, nanotechnology and synthetic chemistry are on offer. French and Indian companies also offer co-financed scholarships. French firms such as Thales, Orange, DCNS, Alten, Neemrana group, Michelin and Krishnakriti Foundation have offered scholarships to Indian students.
Learn French before you go
The medium of instruction for most French universities is French so learn French before you go to France. Even though your course may be entirely taught in English, it will help your journey of personal and professional advancement. A common advice to aspirants is to become members of the Alliance Française library and the French Information and Resource Centre. Both have a wealth of information on history, habits, art, cinema, comic books. A French tutor programme is also on at over 30 institutes of higher education in India. Though associated with arts, France is emerging as a popular destination
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITIES Madhu Kapparath/Outlook Group
ISEP Grenoble Graduate School of Business IESEG Lille ESCP-EAP
for management and sciences studies. And creative fields like architecture, design, cinema and animation studies also attract students to France.
ESSEC
Work opportunities
SUBJECTS Management Studies Science & Technology Life Sciences Fashion & Luxury Political Studies/International Relations Source : Inputs from Embassy of France in India
Perrier says that Indian students choose Grandes ecoles (elite universities) and these institutes generally have very good industrial placement services. In fact, students have the option of doing course internships in any of the 25 Schengen states. For example, a student who’s
(
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Interview JÉrÔme Bonnafont
ART STUDENTS flock to France, but science and management too are gaining popularity
studying in France on a long stay visa for a master’s course can choose to do his/her internship in Germany or Italy. Also, now students get a one year visa instead of three months’ visa that had to be converted upon arrival to a temporary residency.
Questions for visa interview
The interview is known as No objection certificate interview. Students are quizzed on basic questions such as study project, motivation to choose France, their future study project, their plans to continue into research, financial implications, and family background. Level of language proficiency is also assessed during such interviews.
Medication and insurance
The French state gives medical insurance through her social security system. Therefore, if a student falls sick, he or she is sure to get good treatment, and a reimbursement of up to 70 per cent of the medical expenditure is borne by the French state. However, it is advisable to get a three-month medical insurance from India as it is a mandatory visa requirement. After the three-month period, the student is covered by the French social security system.
Living and eating
Visa Guidelines An online application dossier Visa interview Submission of passport along with admission letter, financial statements, accommodation proof, medical insurance, academic records, travel itinerary, and processing fee
Depending on the city, the cost of living varies from 500 to 600 euros per month. Those with a student visa can work up to 20 hours a week. As salaries are good, they can earn around 600 euros a week. In fact, many Indian students cook their own meals. And on days when you wished to take a break from cooking, then there are plenty of French bakeries.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Scholarship Programme of the French Embassy in India. www.indiacampusfrance.org
Living expenses (615 Euros per month)/air ticket/social security coverage
Indian students enrolled in a regular programme in France mainly in Audiovisual studies, Design, Journalism, and French language
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. http:// ec.europa.eu
Tuition fees (1,200-1,600 Euros per month) depending on joint master’s or doctoral course
For study in various programmes at partner universities in the European Union
Source: Inputs from Embassy of France in India
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Ambassador of France
France
grows on you
I
nitiatives taken by France to promote higher education for Indian students.
Q. Efforts are on, still only a few subjects are taught in English...
A. At this point it is not possible to
change the entire higher education system, but we do have the provision of using English as a medium of instruction for a few specialised courses. So my suggestion would be that Indian students should study French language for a year. Besides, learning French or any other foreign language opens up different employment opportunities. You can work in any French company in the world.
Q. The number of Indians working in France seems to be less.
A. Yes, the Indian Diaspora is small, I agree, but we are changing that by encouraging students to stay back and work. One such initiative in this direction is giving students a six-month extension on their visas to look for a job after completion of degree or course. And if they do find a job, they can stay back and work. Many come back and work in French companies. There are 100,000 Indians working with French companies in India alone!
Q. Any advice to the students? A. The first few months are always
tough for anybody, but France grows on people and they fall in love with the country, the people, and its culture!
Cover Story Foreign Education
germany
going the Research way
High technology students will get a cultural high too
T
Famous for its efficiency and precision, Germany boasts of some of the best institutions for fundamental scientific research
here are nearly 4,000 Indian students in Germany. Germany’s strength in higher education has been in combining education with research at the bachelor’s level. “In German education institutions both professors and students are involved in research right at the beginning of their course,” says Christiane Schlottmann, director, DAAD, Delhi. Only a few Indian institutions such as IIT and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Pune follow this pattern. Right from school to master’s level education, Indian students are usually told what to do by their teachers or their parents, observes Schlottmann. Thus students tend to depend more on teachers than they should, and self-study is limited to a few hours in the library. Traditionally, German universities have been state funded, and hence
education has been free. It’s only since the last three years since some universities have started charging 500 euros per semester as tuition fee,
Close links between industry and academia
Most of the German education institutions are heavily funded by industries.
Visa Guidelines Cover letter from applicant School Leaving Certificate (Secondary School) Letter of admission Proof of paid study fees, if applicable University Certificates (Degree Certificates and Mark Sheets Proof of Language Proficiency TOEFL / IELTS, not older than 12 months) This document is mandatory for the visa process, even if it is not required by the German University. For details refer to: www.vfs-germany.co.in or www.new-delhi.diplo.de
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Another attractive feature of education in Germany is the active participation of small to medium enterprises in university research projects. Companies such as Siemens and Mercedes-Benz are involved in university research.
Mandatory internships
For science and engineering students, it is mandatory do to internships during vacation. “Industry experience is important, in fact, now, in many universities internships for humanities too have been made compulsory.” While students are expected to find internships opportunities on their own, the university supports them in their search.
German education in English
There are 300 International degree programmes which are entirely or partly taught in English. These courses are offered in various disciplines, especially
Working in Germany
Popular among Indian students Universities
Students
RWTH Aachen
134
University of Duisburg-Essen
119
Technical University of Berlin
93
University of Stuttgart
89
Technical University Dresden
82
Subject area
Students
Mathematics, Natural Sc.
1,393
Engineering
1,187
Law, Economics, Social Sc.
462
Medicine
195
Language, Cultural Sciences
164
Source: DAAD, New Delhi
in engineering, natural sciences, computer sciences and economics. There has been a growing interest in arts; however mathematics, engineering, biotechnology, renewable energy and ecology-related disciplines are among the popular courses. Though several Master’s and PhD programmes are being taught in English, universities are now introducing English as medium of instruction for a few Bachelor’s degree programmes, as well. But even then, Schlottmann says that it’s always good to know a bit of German language as it helps understand the culture of country.
Living in Germany
“Don’t base your decision entirely on rankings; the subject you want to study should decide the university you choose”
Germany is an expensive country. How high the cost of living is depends also on the city you decide to study in. Though most universities do not charge any
Christiane Schlottmann
Director, DAAD
If you come from a country which is not a part of the European Union, such as India, you are allowed to work for only 90 days in a year. And then in certain Federal states, foreign students are allowed to work in the semester vacation. Basically, it isn’t tough finding a job as a student, but students are advised not to work too many hours. The course and study is quite intensive, and since the tuition fee is subsidised by the government, students are expected to study well. As per migration law right now, after degree students can extend their visa by one year to look for a job, and if they find a job within that one year they can apply for a work permit.
tuition fees, you should still contend with spending about 660 euro every month. However, that is the minimum and hence keep in mind that the expenses could up to 700-750 euros. Students should carry prescriptions if they are on medication along with the basic first aid kit. Health insurance is compulsory. German as well as foreign students are basically insured with a public health insurance company. It costs less than 50 euro.
Visa interview
Saving money
Firstly, the visa. For students there are three types of visa: a language course visa, a study applicant’s visa and the visa for study purposes or the student visa. Only the last one entitles you to a longer stay in Germany as a student. What’s also important is your passport and other original certificates.
Each university town will have secondhand shops selling equipment, furniture, computers etc. Many students like to go to the flea market (Flohmarket) where you can rummage around in boxes of books or records, haggle over the price of a cupboard or leather jacket. If you refer to shop and barter from home, you can find small ads and auction portals on the internet as well.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Master’s Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance http://newdelhi. daad.de/mainFrame/home/ PPGG.pdf
Stipend of Euro 750 per month; air fare; exemption from payment of university tuition fees; study and research subsidy
To pursue Master’s in select German Universities in public policy, governance, international relation, administration public management or civil society
WISE-Working Internship in Science & Engineering http:// newdelhi.daad.de/mainFrame/home/WISEfinal.pdf
A monthly stipend of Euro 650 to cover living expenses; Euro 600 for travel; health insurance
UG students from select Indian universities willing to do 2-3 months internship at education/ research institutions in Germany
Source: DAAD, New Delhi
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The purpose of the interview is to gauge communication skills and see how clear student is about his/her study plans. So answer to the best you can, and avoid limiting your answers to just a few words. They simply want to see how keen you are on studying in Germany. Appointments have to be scheduled with VFS Global Services (www.vfsgermany.co.in)
Documents for admission
On arrival
Register yourself at the Resident Registeration Bureau (Einwohnermeldeamt) and the Office for foreigners’ Affairs (Ausländeramt). At the Office for foreigners’ Affairs you must prove that you can bear the financial cost of your studies. The residence permit is valid for one year and has to be renewed every year. Usually the German authorities require officially translated documents done at specific offices. But make sure you do not hand in original documents, always provide certified copies instead. And do not forget to wish the authority Guten Morgen. Nothing like a little mother tongue to ease things.
Cover Story Foreign Education
the Netherlands
the dutch
odyssey
Different formats, diverse offerings
first person rohit gupta
Tulips in my life W
T
he Netherlands offers a wide variety of study options to students with 1465 courses being offered in English as medium. According to the Neso (Netherlands Education Support Office) Desk India, 500 Indian students went to the country for the September 2008 intake. The courses applied for in the order of popularity are engineering, management, biotechnology, architecture & urban planning, agriculture-related studies, dairy-related studies and social sciences. Adds Amita Patel, Education Promotion Officer, NBSO- Neso Desk India, “The Dutch universities are showing some interest in India and they are looking at the possibilities of starting programmes in Management and IT.”
Popular universities
Delft university is high on the popularity chart. “Out of the 14 students from Ahmedabad who left for the Netherlands, 12 went to Delft,” says Patel. The two scholarships which Indian students can avail of (set up by Nuffic) are NFP and HSP. Details of other scholarships can be found out from www.grantfinders.nl.
low lying country, high on education
Visa information
When a student applies for a course of study, he/she is given a MVV- which is given for a long stay (usually for the duration of the study). Upon completion of the course, they can get a one year extension by submitting the degree at the immigration
Popular among Indian students universities Maastricht University Fontys University, Venlo* Saxion University, Enschede* Delft University of Technology Zuyd University
Economics Behaviour & Society Technology Language & Culture Health care
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department. The average tuition fee for an academic year for a UG/PG course is 6.4-8.5 lakh rupees. Cost of living varies from 35,000-50,000 rupees per month.
Job opportunities
Subject area
Source: CFI, Nuffic
hen you arrive at Amsterdam airport you will realize that you can take a train to anywhere in the Netherlands, which is the most comfortable and economical mode of transport. An OV-chipkaart that lasts one year and gives you 40% discount on every travel is a must have. Come prepared for rains in the Netherlands. Buy at least one good raincoat. Having a bicycle is a necessity for students. If you want a second-hand bike, buy it from a shop selling one. A friend of mine got a bike from a ‘friendly’ gentleman for 20 euros but his happiness was short-lived when he was locked up for having a stolen bike. There are shops carefully hidden in Den Hag/ Rotterdam, that sell ‘imported’ stuff from India and the UK such as dals, spices, namkeen, Haldirams’ sweets and Maggi to satisfy your Indian taste buds. Always wear a smile and be prepared to say ‘hui’/ hi to people you meet. It makes your day brighter when people acknowledge it. Dui(Bye)….
*University of Applied Sciences
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Students holding a Schengen visa have a wider scope of finding a job. Students can work 10 hrs per week. However, academicians insist that the study programmes are very stringent and the students rarely get time to work while pursuing their education. For more info please visit www. nesoindia.org and www.studyinholland.nl
Cover Story Foreign Education
switzerland
Swiss dreams It is known for tourism and hospitality education
S
witzerland has 12 doctoral degreegranting research universities offering a wide range of educational opportunities to international students. Out of these, the two Federal Institutes of Technology are world leaders in science and engineering education and research. Apart from these, applied education programmes are offered by the seven universities of applied sciences and the 15 teacher training colleges. While the aim of the doctoral degree-granting universities is teaching and basic research, universities of applied sciences and teacher education place a stronger emphasis on knowledge that can be transferred to industry and economy as well as applied research and development. All these institutions are largely publicly funded.
Cost of education
Swiss tuition fees are comparatively low with higher education being publicly funded. Most Swiss Universities charge between US$ 800-1,200 per academic
year. The living expenses are between CHF 18,000- 28,000 per year (depending on the location of the university and personal demands)
Trends
Switzerland has for long been a preferred destination for students to pursue their education in Hotel Management. It has specialised institutes in the areas of international affairs, public administration, finance and hotel management as well. According to Mr. Mattia Celio, Science and Technology Consellor, Embassy of Switzerland, “The past few years have seen students going to the country to study sciences especially in disciplines such as biotechnology, photochemistry, biomedical engineering, material science and nanotechnology. Language studies is another popular area of study.” Over 500 Indian students were enrolled in Swiss Universities for Bachelor’s, Master’s and research programmes as of December 2008 (excluding those pursuing their education at the private schools).
Scholarship for Indian students in European Union Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship http:// ec.europa.eu/education
Tuition fees and living expenses depending on type of programme: joint master’s or doctoral
Various programmes at partner universities in the European Union
Netherlands Fellowship Programme www.nuffic.nl/nfp
Intends to cover the cost of living, visa fee, travel, insurance and such expenses
Masters’, PhD and short-term courses. Target group, however, are mid-career professionals
Italian Government Scholarship (normally under the cultural exchange programme) www.education.nic.in
Euro 700 per month (approx) is given for both staying expenses and course fee for a 12-month course. 50% reduced support for courses of 3 or 6 months
To pursue specialized PG courses in Fashion Design, Italian language, Economics & Management, Cultural Heritage & Restoration, ICT, Environment, Energy and Biotechnology
Swiss Government University Scholarships www.swissuniversity. ch/info-3.htm
CHF 1920 per month for PG students. Generally, Swiss academic institutes exempt term fees, but not necessarily enrolment fees
Graduates from all disciplines with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies or research in Switzerland
Young Guest and Doctoral Researchers’ Annual Scholarships or YGGDRASIL mobility programme www. forskningsradet.no
NOK 12,000/15,000 per month for PhDs/post-doctoral researchers: Also settling-in expenses of NOK 10,000. Indian grant recipients may apply for up to NOK 7,000 for air fare
PhD students and younger researchers from 25 countries, including India for research stays in Norway of one to ten months in all subjects and disciplines
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Swiss alps provide a pristine atmosphere not just for skiing but learning as well
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSIties University of Bern University of Basel University of Fribourg University of Geneva University of Lausanne SubjectS Biotechnology Photochemistry Biomedical Engineering Material Science Nanotechnology Source: Inputs from DFA Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Switzerland
Scholarships, living expenses
Through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the Swiss Government grants foreign students scholarships to pursue their Higher education (master’s, PhD or post-doctoral) at Swiss Universities. This opportunity is also offered to Indian students. The living expenses may range from US$ 14,000-23,000 per year, depending upon the location and individual requirements. For foreign students, the number of weekly work hours is generally limited to 15, but this depends on the canton (in Geneva, for example, you can work up to 30 hours per week). Notwithstanding this, studies in Swiss universities are very demanding in time and require dedication. Thus students do not generally have time for work alongside their studies. As far as visa formalities are concerned, students can get more information by visiting www. eda.admin.ch/newdelhi .
Cover Story Foreign Education
Italian DElights Land of creativity welcomes technology as well
T
italy
Popular among Indian students universities Polytechnic of Turin Polytechnic of Milan
hough known as fashion’s mecca, Italian universities traditionally have been intellectually diverse. In fact, the world’s oldest extant university still stands tall at Bologna. Thanks to globalisation, Italian universities are now offering new courses in English in fields such as design, fashion technology, architecture and urban planning, bioinformatics and biotechnology, business administration and economics. Polytechnic of Turin and Milan, Universities of Bologna, Perugia and Venice have the maximum number of Indian students. Life in Italy, is animated and eventful. “The country innately stylish and it kind of rubs on to you,” says Surender Chauhan, who studied in Polytechnic of of Milan. Italy is still not in the horizon of Indian students and only 300-odd
student visas were granted for studying in Italy last year. Students are increasingly going on scholarships for subjects such as biotechnology and bioinformatics (33 last year and 80 this year) besides specialised master’s courses in economics, engineering and science and technology. Most of them were in the Faculties of Architecture, Urban Planning and Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Systems Engineering). Only a few of them have received Italian Government scholarships. To make the country more attractive to students, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered scholarships under the Cultural Exchange Programme to aspiring young Indian students in the fields of biotechnology , economics and management, fashion technology, environment
onwards Norway Cold country, warm people, fascinating programmes Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITies Norwegian University of Sciences (NTNU) University of Adger (UiA) University of Bergen (UiB) Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) University of Oslo (UiO) Subject area Agriculture Language Philological Science Communications Information Science Source: Inputs from Royal Norwegian Embassy in India
K
nown as the Land of the Midnight Sun, with its winters stretching to four-five months, Norway could be very forboding for an average Indian student. But the quality of education far exceeds the discomforts. “It is one of the few countries in the world where one has the freedom to pursue even not so popular research issues,” says Prof. Govindan Parayil, until recently professor at University of Oslo. Out of the 12257 international students, just about 59 are of Indian origin. But Indians form the third biggest group of foreign PhD students in Norway. The Norwegian higher education sector consists of seven universities, six specialised university institutions, 24 state university colleges, two national academies of the arts, and 29 private colleges.
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University of Bologna University of Perugia University of Venice Subject area Design, Fashion Technology Engineering Business Administration Architecture & Urban Planning Bioinformatics, Biotechnology Source: Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in India
and Italian language and culture (1 each of 700 euros/month for a year). The cost of living depends on the town. In Milan, for instance, the costs are very high, but with a scholarship of 700 euros a student can afford it.
University of Oslo (www.uio.no) and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (www.ntnu.no) are the highest ranked universities in Norway. Others include Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), University of Agder (UiA), University of Bergen (UiB), University of Stavanger (UiS) and University of Tromsø (UiT). However, students should chose their university depending on their field of subject. Norway offers master’s programmes in disciplines such as agricultural sciences, language and philological sciences, communications and information sciences, to name a few. As a welfare economy, Norway Universities do not charge tuition fees. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters. However, living expenses in Norway, especially in Oslo, are higher than in many other countries. For more information visit www.studyinnorway.no
Cover Story Foreign Education
russia
For that MBBS degree
Known for teaching Marxism for generations, it is medicine all the way now
E
ach year nearly 1,000 students go to Russia to study, and of that more than 800 to study medicine. The other very popular subject of study is aeronautical space engineering.
Indian students prefer Russia for MBBS
No work visa but still can work
The student visa does not allow students to work unless the work is related to the student’s field of study. For example, after the third year, medicine students can work as doctors’ assistant and are paid a weekly salary.
Go to state universities only
Elena Barman, head of education section, Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) says, go only to state universities, the private ones are expensive. The state universities’ fees are subsidised by the government. The average tuition fee for medicine is Rs. 2 lakh per annum and as MBBS is for 5 years and 8 months, the total fee comes to around Rs. 12 lakh. The tuition fee includes hostel stay and health insurance, which includes treatment and consultation.
HIV test
Indian students have to undergo an HIV test before applying for the visa, and on arrival at the academy the students have to undergo Tuberculosis and Hepatitis tests.
Moscow and around
Moscow is a major tourist attraction and thus expensive, which is why the RCSC advises students to go to universities closer to Moscow but not in Moscow. In places farther from Moscow the cost of living is around $100 while in Moscow it would be $250-300 per month.
When to apply
A good time to start applying is May of the same academic year as there are no qualifying examinations or competitive tests. The academic session starts in September but some universities start as late as December.
How safe is Russia?
Just your class 12 mark-sheet
Admissions are based on the 12th standard marks for bachelor’s degree programmes. The minimum eligibility for medicine and engineering is 50 per cent in PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics).
Register at the Medical Council of India
Dr Dinesh Singla, a graduate from Tver State Medical Academy, says that Indian students should register themselves with the council when they get the admission letter from the academy. For registeration you need to bring along your letter of acceptace issued by the university and the mark-sheet. Once the degree course is finished, you can appear for the exam to qualify to practise in India. As all the Russian universities are listed in the MCI Act 1956 and World Health Organisation, Indian students
Popular among Indian students universities Tver State Medical Academy Tver State Technical University Kazan State Medical University People’s Friendship University of Russia Russian State Medical University Source: Russian Centre of Science & Culture, India
are eligible for registration with the Medical Council of India.
Degrees taught in English
Since 1991 many Russian state universities have been using English as medium of instruction, but Indian students can opt for Russian medium if they wish to, the advantage being the Russian medium course costs less.
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As there have been instances of racial attacks in Russia, RCSC advises students on the dos and don’ts to follow when in Russia. In fact, once students arrive at the academy they are briefed on safety issues. Students should return to the hostel premises latest by 9 p.m., and not to step out after 10 p.m., and avoid desolate patches. “When the colour of your skin is different there can be issues. I am here in India and I know the places to avoid after dark. So it is better to be careful,” says Barman.
Salads, Borsch and coats
There’s plenty of variety of breads which students must try. Salads and borsch (vegetable) soup are good options for vegetarians, though Indian food is available. As for winter clothing, buy it only from Russia. “Russian winter can get as cold as -25 degrees, India’s winter in comparison is pleasant,” says Dr. Singla.
Cover Story Foreign Education
new zeland
Catching up
with high technology
F
Known for its immigrant–friendly image, the country is increasingly becoming popular as an affordable education destination
or nation associated with a laid back life style and located far and beyond, New Zealand has fired up the Indian students imagination by being an accessible country for immigration purposes. According to the New Zealand Ministry of Education statistics, there are 6,040 Indian students studying in the country in 2008 and this year it will be 7,000. Jugnu Roy, Business Development Manager, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise says while for the past few years, primarily applications were for postgraduate courses, of late, there’s been a rise in the number of applications for undergraduate courses, as well. Nearly 50 per cent of the students opting for New Zealand are now class 12 pass outs. As the numbers have risen unexpectedly, it is taking more time for issuing visas, explains Roy.
Strict regulatory norms
New Zealand has a safe and friendly environment to study and parents do not need any kind of assurance, says Roy. Also, higher education is inexpensive compared to other countries, where the average tuition fee costs between Rs 3 lakh to 7.5 lakh (NZ$ 10,000 – 25,000) per annum. Besides, there’s a well established Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international students. All universities are recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), barring a few colleges. Student must go to website www.nzqa.govt.nz for a full list of the recognised education institutions.
Popular among Indian students universities
New Zealand, an island nation, offers a lot to explore for an inquisitive student
Investing in doctoral studies
AUT University Lincoln University Massey University The University of Auckland The University of Canterbury Subject area Engineering and Related Technologies Health Natural and Physical Sciences Business, Management and Commerce Information Technology Source: New Zealand High Commission, India
To make doctoral studies attractive, there is a PhD policy which sets tuition fees for international students studying PhDs (and their families) at the domestic fee rate, making doctoral study in New Zealand much more affordable for those studying at this level. The tuition fee comes to Rs 3-4 lakhs per annum and the upper limit to finish a PhD is four years. The government funds the New Zealand International Doctoral Research (NZIDRS) Scholarships. More information is available at www.newzealandeducated.com/scholarships
“It is one of the few countries in the world where the tuition fees for doctoral studies is uniform for both foreign and domestic students” 76
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(
Evidence of sufficient funds
to August, and spring runs from September to November. In winter you’ll need warm footwear for wet weather, woollen sweaters or other warm garments and a windproof jacket and waterproof coat. In summer, you’ll need a sunhat or cap, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse made of cool fabric suitable footwear for outings to the beach and the bush. And people are encouraged to ‘slip, slop, slap’ - slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slop on some sunblock, and slap on a hat - to protect them from cancer-causing sunburn. It’s easy to get sunburnt in New Zealand, even on cool or cloudy days, as the sun in New Zealand has strong UV rays. People are warm and welcoming. The cost of living is anywhere between 4.5 lakh to 6 lakh (NZ$ 15,000 – 20,000) per annum. Dairy products, fruit and vegetables are abundant and inexpensive so you save money by planning your food budget. More information can be found at www.newzealandeducated.com
A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one
Health services
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships www.newzealandeducated.com
Full tuition fees for 3-years full-time doctoral study; living allowance of NZ$20,500 per annum
International students who must ensure that academic supervision for doctoral studies is available
New Zealand Government Scholarship
Air Travel, study material, tuition fee, internal travel related to studies and medical care
Those willing to pursue PhD in opted subjects: education, primary health, and sustainable rural livelihood
Source: Inputs from New Zealand High Commission in India
Management on top
The most popular subject choices for Indian students in New Zealand are Business, Management and Commerce. Other popular subjects include Information Technology; Engineering and related Technologies; and Health courses. Food, Hospitality and Personal Service courses are also relatively popular. The last two years have seen applications for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology going up.
Paying fees in advance
You’ll need to pay fees in advance because proof of payment is required to get a student visa or permit. However, if you cancel before the course starts, most or all of your fees will be refunded. This may apply if your visa is not granted or you are transferring to another institution. If you cancel in the first week or so of the course, only part of your fee will be refunded. Beyond the first week or two, you probably won’t get any refund.
Part-time work
Students are able to work part time if they are enrolled in a long term course. Number of hours a student can work on part-time basis is 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Student Job Search is a national organisation that helps students find work. It has offices on most campuses. For jobs such as working in a restaurant or bar, you could expect to earn about NZ$10.25 to $15 an hour, before tax, which is Rs. 307.5 to Rs. 450 an hour. You must pay tax if you stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months (183 days) in any 12-month period, even if
Visa Guidelines A recent passport-size photograph Letter of Acceptance Evidence of payment of the fee or exemption from the fee (not necessary if your application is being approved in-principle) A written guarantee from an institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate and your chest X-ray plate
Valid passport If your application is approved, your passport must be valid for 3 months after your planned date of departure from New Zealand. Complete list is available on www.immigration.govt.nz For more information: http://newzealandeducated.com/in/
you’re a student. Employers will deduct PAYE (pay as you earn) tax from your wages or salary. You may be entitled to tax rebates. For full tax information see http://www.ird.govt.nz/.
Working after finishing degree
The duration of a student visa is initially for one year and extended for the duration of the course. International students can avail of a 12-month job search visa after completion of course and they usually get a two-year work permit if they get a job in the area of their course study.
Clothing and cost of living
It is advisable to carry light woollens from India. New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so January and February are the warmest months, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June
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For courses longer than 24 months, you’ll also need to provide medical and x-ray certificates, including tests for tuberculosis that are less than 3 months old. If you’re over 17, you’ll need a police certificate to show that you are of good character. There is usually a charge for international students to access health services in New Zealand.
Preparing for New Zealand
There’s a lot to explore in New Zealand. “It offers the best adventure sports in the world,” says Roy. Water sports and tramping (hiking) are very popular. As New Zealand is a small country with only four million population distances aren’t much. Being an island country, there are mountains and beaches everywhere. Students can avail of discount cards for travel and travel cheap. You might like to bring your national costume to wear at functions organised by your educational institution or local community. Even recipes for traditional dishes from your country are a good idea. Peaceful, clean and unaffected by the recent bourghoua about racism the country is a very attractive destination for Indian students.
Cover Story Foreign Education
singapore
global courses near home This small island is dotted with world class universities and institutions
V
anita Sinha got through INSEAD, of course, she was thrilled to bits, but she wasn’t offered a place in France its primary campus, but in the satellite campus at Singapore. Now her parents were thrilled to bits. Singapore is just four hours from India. At the moment, there are nearly 97,000 international students from 120 nations studying in Singapore. While there are only three local universities 16 leading international universities have set up their centres in Singapore.
Industry-relevant education
Singapore’s education institutions maintain strong links with industry to ensure that courses stay industry-relevant. For example, DigiPen Institute of Technology that offers animation courses has a tie-up with LucasArts.
Low cost of living
School and tuition fees in Singapore are competitive and the cost of living in Singapore is significantly lower than that of many developed countries. And to make education more affordable, the government provides tuition grants to
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITies National University of Singapore (NUS) * Nanyang Technological University (NTU)* Singapore Management University (SMU)* Foreign campuses INSEAD Duke University SP Jain Centre of Management Source: Singapore Tourism Board * State Universities
international students enrolled at the public universities and polytechnics. Scholarships too are available but in limited numbers.
Part-time work and work permit
A work permit is not required but students are only allowed to work a maximum of 16 hours a week during term time. Students start looking for jobs while studying, however, in the event a student does not get a job by the time he or she finishes his degree, the student can apply for a one month Social Visit
Pass to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore. This gives a student a month to look for a job. Granting of social visit pass and the duration is at the discretion of ICA and varies from case to case.
Applying for Visa
The institute will assist the student in applying for the student pass. The Student Pass application must be submitted at least two months before the course commencement date. The student will have to log on to the SOLAR system from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website with your assigned SOLAR application number. The SOLAR Application number will be issued to the student once the student has been accepted by the school. Student’s Pass applications submitted via SOLAR are processed in three to 10 working days. Upon the approval of the Student’s Pass application, the student will receive an In-Principle Approval letter from the Department of Student Development. For more details log onto www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.
ACCREDITATION AGENCIES AT A GLANCE COUNTRY
Name of the agency
Website
USA
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
www.chea.org
UK
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
www.qaa.ac.uk
Australia
Commonwealth Register of Institutions (CRICOS)
cricos.dest.gov.au
New Zealand
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
http://nzqa.govt.nz/
Canada
Association of Canadian Universities + Provincial Charter
www.aucc.ca
Germany
Agency for Sciences and Engineering
www.asiin.de
The Netherlands
The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands
www.navo.net
Russia
Education Ministry of Russia
http://eng.mon.gov.ru/
Singapore
No central authority (Singapore Class- a private initiative)
www.spring.gov.sg
Switzerland
The Conference of Cantonal Education Ministers
http://edkwww.unibe.ch
Italy
Department of Education and Sciences
www.irlgov.ie/educ
France
Education France
www.education.fr
Norway
Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
www.nokut.no
Source: Respective country web sites and inputs from embassies
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Cover Story Foreign Education
...And finally we thought this might be of use when you arrive
Corbis
W
e tend to seek compatriots wherever we go, so try and mingle with people of different nationalities. You become more tolerant. And if some of your non-Indian flat-mates don’t offer what they have cooked, it’s okay. That’s how they have been brought up, but being an Indian, you can always offer what’s on your plate. And parents needn’t worry that their child will get spoiled by the open societies of foreign countries. Studies are so rigorous that rarely does a student get the chance to become spoiled. If the student is working part-time, then life can be hectic. Besides, you would have to do everything yourself, right from cooking to making your bed, to laundry. Yes, you will get vegetarian food; daals, rice, atta, pickles, are available everywhere in the world. And yes, you can carry a pressure cooker. But carry a small one. When you arrive at the airport, just be calm. There have been instances of students forgetting the name of their university or tripping over their luggage. The unfamiliar sights and sounds may make you
nervous. Take a deep breath, and keep all your documents ready for the immigration officer. And, let’s face it; the first few months are tough. It’s not easy living in a foreign country. It’s the time you regret your decision the most and you miss home. Such reactions are natural, as you are away from home probably for the first time. But within months the perspective changes, you get excited about your new life, the new place, new friends. But make sure you don’t miss the orientation day at the university, no matter how low you are feeling. It’s a wonderful chance to know your classmates and professors. Take full advantage of the facilities at the university, it’s included in the fee. Go to museums, the cultural centres, theatre, and picnic in the parks. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Manmohan Singh, all went abroad to study. It changes your worldview. So good luck and safe journey! With inputs from Dr Nimesh Chandra & Shalini Gupta,
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
Jockeys: The Movers And Shakers by Urmila Rao
I
t was a totally different era when radio listeners tuned in to All India Radio’s (AIR) musical programmes on Vividh Bharti. Binaca Geet Mala ke doosre paidan per… Ab suniye Chitrapat Sangeet, Fauji Bhaiyo ke liye….. Presenters intoned formal scripts, talked bare minimum, never joked on air or talked about local issues. But the year 2003 changed the radio listening habits of people. That year three private radio stations were launched in Delhi whose character was phenomenally different from AIR’s austere nature.
radio jockeying
High on entertainment, the new FM stations were and still are chatty, informal, play latest numbers and distribute gift hampers at the drop of a hat. Presenters are perky. From show hosts they have graduated to a fancy label, Radio Jockey’s or RJs. “Now the entertainment quotient has gone high,” says Rana Barua, National Head, Marketing and Programming, Radio City. Mehak Ankar, a Radio Meow RJ, echoes the same sentiment. Regarding the temperament of the FM channels, she says, “AIR was simple but private stations are about glamour, show biz and run as a business house.” And she has been on the job for five years.
The new format, flavoured and funky, seduced listeners to such an extent that radio listening is back in vogue. The glamour, monetary benefits and the fame attached is so strong that quite a lot of youngsters now seek a career in this profession. If you are one of them, then the first question on your checklist ought to be: Do I have the required aptitude, attitude, voice and the skill to be an RJ?
Talent holds the key
“A good voice is a fundamental necessity,” says Barua. Besides, a pleasant voice, spontaneity, wit and humor are the other essentials. But are they enough? No, knowledge of music is extremely important. One also has to be adept at voice modulation, diction as well as in handling radio consoles. “Being yourself while you are presenting the show is a characteristic central to a good RJ,” maintains Delhi-based RJ Sid a.k.a
Rocking RJs make it a much sought after
and highly paid job as lakhs of
listeners tune into FM radio
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Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
Did video kill the radio star? Definitely no. FM radio is on a high, but there is equal space for RJs, VJs and DJs
Siddharth Vohra of Radio City. “How long can you pretend to be someone else?” he asks. Each show slotted at a specific time carries a personality of its own because of the listeners’ profile. So the content, tone and tenor of an afternoon show are different from one in the evening, which targets office-goers. So, in order to sound natural, it is important that an RJ should host a show closest to his or her temperament. Being an RJ involves a lot of hard work, commitment and active mindset. “There is lot of money riding on RJ.”
You will have to record a couple of links and appear for an interview. “We check the voice quality, the body language, demeanour, spontaneity and originality of the candidates,” says Barua. Once the RJ is selected, he or she has to undergo a minimum of 4-8 weeks of training. Sitting in the studio and striking a conversation with lakhs of listeners is a cultivated habit which requires grooming. Before going live on air trainees record dummy shows and later graduate to pre-recording stage. Once the interns acquire enough confidence, they are, at the outset, entrusted with only graveyard shows or with small slots when the listenership is minimal.
Prime time radio stars
The star RJ of the station gets to host the super prime time show, the slots of which are 7-10 in the morning and 5- 9 in the evening. The prime time or the drive time is the time-band when listenership peaks. Sid speaks of his choice of timing. “Rather than morning, I prefer doing evening drive because then I get attentive listeners,” confesses the evening jockey of Route Number 911 show.
Going up the ladder
siddharth vohra
Super prime time jockey, Radio City. Spontaneity and originality is a must for RJ
How to land the right job
To join the pack, here’s what you need to do: make a demo CD, the duration of which should not exceed 3-5 minutes. Distribute it to the radio stations of your city. Choose a current topic for the demo CD. “The recruiters basically want to see your presentation style,” says a popular RJ. Make follow up calls. If there’s an opening or you are an outstanding talent, you will be called for an audition.
The key ambition of a jockey is to host the super prime time show. Once the RJ has done that, he can move on to become a producer and then executive producer of the shows. The following stop is that of a Programming Head after which the target could be that of the Regional Head. National Programming Head is the top position that an RJ can move up to. However, even in their current jobs, RJs don’t let monotony set in. They are free to take up independent assignments. It could be dubbing, lending voice for adverts and jingles or doing voice-overs, or even emceeing for a show. But such assignments need company sanction.
It pays to be garrulous
The freshers are paid anywhere between Rs. 10,000- 15, 000. The salary is parallel to any basic industry, says Barua. It can go as high as Rs. 100,000 or above for the exceptionally talented. Sid remembers the exact net figure of his first salary while he was in Kolkata with another FM station. “Rs. 5, 618,” he smiles.
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check list
for dj aspirants Questions to ask if you want to make Djing as a profession. ■■
Do you have passion for music? Music that goes beyond Bollywood songs?
■■
Are you the networking kind? Do you have the ability to chose and network the right people who can advance your career?
■■
Do you possess the knack of judging the guests, their would-be song tastes, in order to play the right kind of music for them?
■■
Do you have enough fluency in conversational English and the confidence to connect with the crowd and handle them?
■■
Are you ready to invest big? Five lakh rupees on equipment for starters and in return a mere Rs. 5,000-6,000 per night?
Pains and gains
Like any other work, RJing too packs in sweet and sour punches. “I once got a 10 per cent discount on apparel shopping,” recounts Sid remembering the salesman who recognized him by his voice. Getting up in the morning for super prime time show is a challenge for a lot of RJs, especially during winters. While an envious salary is quite an attraction, the preparation for a show which lasts hours can be exacting.
The professional schools
Going to an institute for RJ training is helpful only to the extent of getting some exposure. “Some of the institutes are run by ex-programming heads or ex-RJ’s so the learning is there,” says an insider. But institutes can’t promise placements. However, the chances of getting a job as an RJ are higher when compared with aspirants with no exposure. Sid, a mechanical engineer by qualification, says that undergoing a 15-day of course helped him to get hold of the right industry people. “It gave me confidence to speak publicly.” Once in a while a promising candidate gets picked up from a professional school on recommendation.
Disc Jockeying
It’s mega reunion of one of the Delhi’s popular schools, Air Force Bal Bharti. Guys donning casuals and women in their cocktail dresses shake themselves
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
to the throbbing music. Some gyrate, others flail their hands, a few twist out of sync. And amidst the whirling, swirling and head bobbing, some attempt group dancing. This is what DJ Karan’s music can do to people. They just can’t remain seated. Almost everybody from the crowd of more than 200 wants to be on the dance floor to the pulsating music he is playing. He switches pace seamlessly from Bollywood’s latest numbers to retro Dekha na hai re socha na hai re, of the ‘70s. English music, Punjabi hip hop, rock, trance and other music forms find place in between. Without a pause, he blends some music while playing a few others exclusively. There isn’t a song demand. Now, that’s a compliment to a DJ who seems to know the taste of his wide-ranging audience. “Knowledge of music should be intrinsic to a DJ,” emphasizes the 29-year-old Karan Rane who started in UK as a DJ way back in ‘96.
The underscoring qualities
The profession seems fascinating; rocking night life spiked with heady cocktails and jovial company. Not really. If you don’t have the natural inclination, then the spill over on your long-term career will be disappointing. Your interest should go far beyond Bollywood music says Karan. “That provides a DJ the cutting edge,” he says. Equally important in this profession is to be technically sound. A DJ should be able to play at right decibel levels without being obscenely loud. A good verbal skill with fluency in English is yet another underscoring factor. When a DJ has to address the crowd, he should be able to speak without fumbling. Ability to judge the party crowd, play music according to their tastes and handling the not-so-sober crowd with ease are all characteristics that a DJ should be endowed with. Having played in a host of countries including the UK, US, Holland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Malaysia, Karan isn’t
coaching
Myth and reality This is a jockeying of a different kind, one that doesn’t require equestrian skills but capabilities probably tougher than that. Would enrolling in an institute make you a popular. Well, only if you bust the popular misconceptions. The institute will get me a job: No. It will not. Institutes will train you in basics, will familiarize you with the concepts and help you in contacting people and may arrange for some interviews. Higher the course fee, greater the learning: Not necessarily. The questions, therefore, to be asked are; who is the faculty, how much time will he devote towards teaching, what extra exposure is being provided with increased fees? Do your research and go for reputed institutes which are famous through word of mouth. A lot of schools opened by ex-industry people provide quality learning. I will be completely groomed: Schools will not do that for you. In order to groom your personality or inculcate the traits intrinsic to jockeying, you have to put in your effort too. For instance, how to write a relevant script, how to modulate your voice, when to sound sombre and when to take a jibe without sounding offensive and so on, all this comes from you. Institutes will introduce you to basic do’s and don’ts. Heavily advertised institutes are good: Most students tend to believe that institutes that put up flashy adverts in newspapers or hoardings are more credible than the ones which don’t tom-tom. Avoid getting smitten by tall claims or impressive-sounding faculty names. Most of the time, famous names are incorporated only with the aim of drawing the students. Check if these big names really take classes or are mere trophy guests. The courses are accredited: Most of the courses are neither accredited nor recognised for further studies in the country or abroad. However, some of them may be industry–recognized, which will help you in getting a break.
dj KAran Rane Freelancer Knowledge of music is intrinsic to a DJ
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shy admitting that the crowd in Delhi needs special handling skills.
Work is music
A DJ plays in a club or in a private event. Usually the club provides the stage and the required paraphernalia, in which case the only investment required from the DJ is music CDs. Amateur DJs should carry as many song numbers as possible, with as many varieties as possible. Any kind of demand may crop up anytime from the audience. “One person may want Electronica to be played, the other Punjabi music.”
High end investment
In order to get started, what one needs is the start-up equipment. The starter kit required for Djing includes a sound system, two turntables, lighting equipment, a wide-ranging music library, a mixer, a microphone and headphones. The minimum investment for this basic setup runs up to three-four lakh rupees. The cost can escalate if one chooses to buy premium equipment, upgrade the kit or add more accoutrements.
Be the best
A certain image is part and parcel of this profession. A DJ’s dress sense should manifest that he is stylishly different. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is happening at your competitor’s den. “So, go clubbing,” advises Karan. Networking is another aspect native to this profession. The concept of out of sight, out of mind works full force in the intensely competitive industry. There is really no fixed salary; therefore good social networking skills become imperative to a professional’s survival. A DJ should always play in good clubs as it gives him good name and instant publicity.
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
Attributes of a good VJ
JUhi pande VJ, Channel V Shelf life is not limited anymore for a VJ
Lucrative sector
At the entry level, the income is Rs. 6,000- 8,000. But after three-four years of experience, the earnings can go up to Rs. 20,000-25,000. A DJ extraordinaire can charge even up to Rs. 50,000100,000 or more per night. “This is just the fee, minus the equipment,” apprises Karan.
DJ schooling
Sadly, no professional course may help you make a mark in this industry. The training institutes are mostly run as business entities; any one is free to enrol. There is no entrance exam or interviews to screen the right candidates. A guaranteed job is not on the offer list. The expense of a DJ course is anywhere between Rs. 15,000- Rs. 50,000 for a three to six months course.
Video jockeying
She was 24, model manager with Elite Model Agency, Mumbai when she was pursued relentlessly by Channel V to join them. After much persuasion and cajoling, Juhi Pande left her job to turn to be a video jockey or VJ. Five years later, 50 and more shows old, this peppy VJ is a household name, popular among youngsters and every bit as enthusiastic regarding work as she was on day one. Luck provided her entry into the coveted
field but if you want to become a VJ, then read on.
Must-haves for a VJ
“It important that you have social skills, are able to talk effortlessly and comfortable with people,” says Juhi, narrating the must-haves. Not a bit exhausted after completing her latest show Exhausted, she goes on to describe the other attributes. Having common knowledge about everything helps as one is able to manage an easy conversation with guests and callers, she says. But what differentiates a good VJ from an outstanding VJ is his or her comfort level with the camera, superior verbal skills, ability to handle phone-in callers, interviewees and people in general. “Sometimes one has to be ready to put in 16-18 hours a day as well,” Juhi tells VJ aspirers. Since there are no institutes which grooms aspirants with
There is really no fixed salary; therefore good
social networking skills become imperative to a
professional’s survival
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■■
Have some knowledge of interesting topics, events and happenings around you.
■■
A deep familiarity with Bollywood music; additional information of the film industry, interesting anecdotes and trivia help to build up a great show.
■■
Fluency in Hindi and English. A superior verbal skill helps maintain a fluid show.
■■
Ability to handle people smartly. Be nice, snippy without being offensive.
■■
An overall groomed personality. It means you should have the right measure of confidence, you are appealing and your networking abilities are strong. “It is extremely important that a VJ finds comfort in his/her own skin in front of the camera.”
these attributes, the cutting edge can be drawn only with self-teaching. The rest comes with experience. However, magic comes in to play only if one has innate abilities. The competition is cut-throat, as ‘everybody wants to get recognized on the streets’, says Juhi.
Limited shelf life?
As age and looks are two major aspects in this glamorized profession, how long can one continue? With VJs now turning into show hosts the career span of the professionals has widened, says Juhi. “The shelf life is not limited anymore.”, she says. With channels opting multiple show formats, work for talented VJs abound. There are shows based on reality, travel, cookery and shows for children and others. This has given a boost to VJs who double up as presenters.
Salary levels
At the entry-level the income is anywhere in the range of Rs. 30,000 or more. There is no upper limit. “If you appeal to viewers, are high on popularity chart, your performance is exceptional, then channels have the ability to pay exceptionally well,” says Juhi. Her advice to the wannabe VJ’s? Go for it only if you have the required qualities, live your dream but have patience. Most importantly have plan B ready. As for her, “It’s been a great ride so far. I am havin’ a blast,” chirps the VJ in her archetypal conversation lingo.
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Associate Sponsors
Campus Review
IMT, Ghaziabad
Where management remains at the core Consistently ranked among the top 20 B-schools of the country, this 30-year-old delivers bankable education in management and information technology
Courses: PGDM, PGDM (IB), PGDM (Finance), PGDM (HR), PGDM (Executive), PhD No of Seats: PGDM: 120 others: 60 each Campuses: Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Dubai, Hyderabad (2010), Admission: CAT/GMAT, GD, Interview Placement Services: Available (claims 100% placements) Collaborations: 45 active MoUs Fees: Rs.6-8 Lakhs
There are four named specializations as well, in Finance, International Business, Human Resources, and Information Technology. Anuj Kalra, a first year student proudly claims they are one of the few management institutes that offer Operations Management as a specialisation; though he concedes the number of takers are relatively less. The offerings in different campuses are provided in the table below.
an MBA aspirant’s propensity to postpone to next week what can be done tomorrow, the library is open 22 hours a day, 365 days a year. And a running feud between a sleep-deprived (mostly self inflicted) MBA and the librarian is visible from the stern warnings in the notice board threatening dire consequences in case students walk into the library in unacceptable wear and use it as an emergency sleeping pad.
by B Mahesh Sarma
Infrastructure and resources
Academics and beyond
Fast Facts
“W
e have a certain competence in postgraduate management education only, as of now,” said Dr.Anwar Ali, Director, IMT when I quizzed him why they have not joined the chorus to be a ‘Deemed University’. It is this ability, at least so far, to appreciate and stick to its core competency that makes IMT score consistently among the B-Schools of the country. Launched in 1980, as a stand-alone AICTE approved B-school at Ghaziabad, under the aegis of “Lajapat Rai Educational Society” with a PG Diploma course (both full-time and part-time) IMT in a span of 30 years, has grown to three campuses, with multiple programmes, but all within the realm of management.
What is on offer?
The flagship course is the Post Graduate Diploma in Management, with 120 seats. Following a trimester system, the course demands completion of 240 credits to earn a PGDM. The students have the possibility of focusing on either marketing or operations research streams.
The campus at Ghaziabad is the oldest and the most well known. Built over 30 years, it is a conglomeration of buildings, developed as and when the need arose. Agrees Dr.Ali, “Unlike the Nagpur campus, which is built recently and hence is integrated in every respect here we have evolved with time.” So classrooms are spread out, exam halls co-exist with dorms and hostels sport a very livedin look. Says Manav Metha, a second year student, “We wouldn’t have it any other way. Compared to the soulless glass and chrome edifices our place has character.” But plans are afoot to build a totally integrated academic complex, with “state-of-the-art facilities,” Prof. B.D.Singh, Dean, MDP, intones. In terms of learning resources, the campus is well endowed and being aware of
Programmes /Seats at a glance Campus
PGDM*
PGDM (Exe)
PGDM (PT)
Ghaziabad
360
60
60
Nagpur
300
Dubai
MBA
60
*PGDM also includes named awards in IB, IT etc.
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Teaching at IMT is primarily lecture-based, and like any other good B-School, it has its share of projects and case-based learning. With about 56 out of 58 faculty having a PhD, IMT does appear to meet the criterion for a good school. When queried about the need for a PhD, the responses came thick and fast. Manav was first off the block, to vociferously assert that it is not the right question. Learning from practioners, someone from the trenches, as Neha Goel a HR student puts it, matters a lot to them. “Have a balance between academics and practioners,” says Ashish. But as everyone acknowledges the actual learning happens with the ‘crowd’, the kind of peers one has, and students are proud of their peers. With over 80 percent of the student population dominated by engineers, though diversity does appear lacking, the learning seems great at least with those I met.
Getting on board
Entry into IMT is slightly difficult. With over 15,000 applicants vying for nearly 800 plus seats, they have a success rate of 1:19. Routinely only 90 percentile or above scorers in CAT are invited for
Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
On their way for the day’s worth of management gyan. Classes at IMT run throughout the day
the selection process and are assessed on the basis of a Group Discussion and Interview. Says Dr. A.M.Sherry, Director, Admissions, “The fact that more than half of my last year’s batch has at least two or more years of work experience is proof enough of the value that an IMT degree offers.”
Collaborations
“We are doing innovative projects, which even IIMs don’t consider.” The excitement in the voice of Dr. Jayanti Ranjan, chairperson, International Collaborations, is palpable. With over 45 operational MoUs, and 20 more in different stages of completion, she has reasons to be proud of. “The ability to experience for oneself the reality of a foreign business environment is priceless.” says, Rajeev Viswanath But only some things in life are priceless. Though tuition is free, you do pay for living, travel and incidental expenses. The experience would set a student back by anything between 2 lakhs to 8 eight lakhs depending on the city and location you choose to go.
Where does it all lead to?
The most crucial benchmark for a B-School is its placements and the average salary. IMT scores on both counts.
Erasmus Mundus Individual Mobility Programme IMT, a member of a consortia, led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, was recently awarded a multi-year project, to facilitate flow of researchers at various levels to promote joint academic collaboration. Spread over four years (2009-2013), the project envisages nearly 240 individual mobility flows at all levels of academia from undergraduates to teaching staff. Prof. Jayanti Ranjan is very proud of the fact that IMT won the project in the face of stiff competition from the likes of IIM,B. According to Prof. Ranjan, the project would allow nearly 15- 20 researchers, both at Master’s and post doctoral levels to pursue either a study/research programme in any of the 63 partner institutions.
Even in a bad year like 2008, they claim to have achieved 100 percent placement and the average salary is Rs. 8.09 lakhs. The number of MDPs too is an indicator of the output and standing of the institute. And MDPs too have posted a decent growth rate with nearly 2 crores of rupees worth of earnings expected in the current academic year.
Good is the enemy of great
IMT, Gaziabad, has the unique distinction of being a consistent Tier- 1 School.
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Take any ranking, it would always be between 10- 15 in the general category and within the top 5 in the private school category. With an average salary hovering around 10 lakhs, it is a good school to be in. Are they happy being where they are, I query. A pensive Director, after the customary comment about how rankings are just a number, acknowledges they would prefer to be at the top at least among the private schools. But to do so, would mean they have to overtake the likes of XLRI, SP Jain, MICA and NMIMS. But more than that it would also mean overtaking some of the new IIMs, that have retained the brand value, just by association. Such a vision would demand quite a bit of restructuring and changes on all fronts, some of it more subjective than objective.
Previous Campus Reviews Amrita University Jadavpur University, Jadavpur IIIT, Bangalore TERI University, New Delhi Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata Manipal University, Manipal
www.careers360.com
Scholarships
japanese Fellowships
In the name of the Rising Sun The only scholarship in the world that permits scholars to stay and study with their families in tow Fast Facts Participating Instituions: All National Universities and some private universities For: Students, researchers, teacher training Website: www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/, Study in Japan, Selection process: Screening of applications by the Embassy of Japan, English test by Ministry of Human Resource Development, interview at Ministry of Human Resource Development of candidates followed by final interview at the Embassy of Japan
by Bharti M. Borah
I
“
must thank Radio Japan,” Shamshad Ahmad Khan is very emphatic. The research officer at IDSA, did part of his PhD from Tokyo University on a Mombosho scholarship. Staying in Samastipur, before the advent of TV, Shamshad used to listen to Radio Japan and write to them regularly, an expensive hobby at that time. But the interest stuck on, he enrolled for a PhD at JNU and got a full fellowship to study at Tokyo. Interest in Japan is a crucial element they look for, Shamshad says. And in this case Radio Japan was the connect. Monbukagakusho, commonly referred to as Monbusho or Mombusho, is a Japanese government scholarship through which 72,000 foreign students from over 160 countries have benefited. Out of a total 62 fellowships available for Indian scholars, 33 are for research. At the undergraduate level there are 3, technology studentships (about 3), professional training college —Senshugakko—(about 8), Japanese studies (about 8) and teacher training (about 2). The newly launched Young leaders’ programme me has six places at the master’s level.
How to begin?
In order to apply for this scholarship you
would have to get in touch with the local Embassy of Japan/Japanese Consulate. Students from western India would head on to Mumbai. Chennai is the place for southern India. Students from eastern parts must head to Kolkata and rest of India must approch New Delhi. The scholarship amount changes every year, so watch out for the exact amount you would receive. You can opt for the academic session beginning in April or October. You must submit the preliminary application in the month of April, with June being the time when you appear for the written test and interviews. In September your application is sent to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and by January/February students are informed whether they have been granted the scholarship or not. Usually in the first week of April selected students head to Japan. Some opt to join the session in October as they still need to appear for examinations in the month of April and await their results from Indian Universities. For the categories of Japanese studies, Teacher
Calendar for 2011 April 10
Apply
June 10
Written test
September 10
Final evaluation in Japan
February 11
Results
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training, students and Young Leader’s programme, the application periods differ (See Table).
Qualifications required
Nationals of any country that has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government, can apply. Age is dependent on the category in which you apply, but generally you must be less than 35. Applicants need to have completed 16 years of schooling for all graduate courses and 18 years for a doctoral course. Subject and fellowship details are available at www.jasso.go.jp/cgi-bin/user/univ_ search.cgi.
Selection and recommendations
Selection is done in various stages and suitable guidance would be provided throughout. Be clear on all the information, sites are self-explanatory Remember, when you have been granted the Mombusho, you would receive the money after opening an account in the Japan Post Office after reaching Japan. Ensure you carry $1,500 when you land in Japan so that you can bear the initial costs smoothly, this process takes anywhere between 15-20 days after arrival.
Courtesy: Osaka University
Monbukagakusho Scholarship according to categories
International students in Japan College/University Website
No
Tokyo Institute of Technology
www.titech.ac.jp
1038
Tohoku University
www.tohoku.ac.jp
1149
University of Tsukuba
www.tsukuba.ac.jp/ 1222
Nagoya University
www.nagoya-u.ac.jp 1253
Kyoto University
www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ 1291
Kyushu University
www.kyushu-u.ac.jp 1297
Osaka University
www.osaka-u.ac.jp
1390
University Tokyo
www.u-tokyo.ac.jp
2138
Airfare is provided from the nearest international airport in your country to Narita International Airport. Travel to the airport in your country and to your university in Japan is not borne by the scholarship amount. A visit to Mombusho Scholars Association of India is advisable, and their guides are quite useful. Some Japanese universities require you to sit for an Examination for Japanese University (EJU) test is conducted twice a year in June and November in New Delhi. Write to the university directly, find out if you need to appear for EJU and take shortterm courses in Japanese language.
Classroom experience at Osaka University, Toyonaka Campus, Japan
Additional fellowships on offer
The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) provides programmes for short-term study and student exchange programmes. The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) promotes an avenue for young researchers to explore joint research with colleagues at Japanese universities and research institutions. People belonging to any country that has diplomatic relations with Japan can opt for post doctoral fellowships for foreign researchers.
Why Japan?
Dr. Jai Gopal, presently a scientist at the Ministry of Earth Sciences in Japan, had the opportunity to study at Kyoto University. The civic sense, cleanliness and safety of living in Japan is a cherished memory for him. Dr. Gopal said, “Japanese are wonderful people, there is no tension in living in Japan even if you don’t know the language.” The sheer efficiency is a lesson in itself, but more than that the ability to merge eastern and western values is their true message asserts Shamsad.
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Value (Yen/ month)
No.
Application period
Below 35
152,000
33
May-June
Category
Age
Research UG
17- 21
125,000
3
May-June
Technology
17- 21
125,000
3
May-June
Professional Training
17-21
125,000
8
May-June
Japanese Studies
18-29
134,000
8
JanuaryFebruary
Young Leaders’ scheme
Below 40
257,000
8
AugustOctober
Students who have been selected as Mombushu scholars require to acquire a College Student (ryuugaku) visa prior to arrival in Japan. In addition, it is advisable to get health insurance since medical treatment in Japan can be costly. You cannot apply for scholarships if you happen to belong to any of the following categories: ●● Being active in military ●● Unable to travel on the alloted days ●● Awardees within the last three years.
An experience to remember
Choose Japan as a country for higher studies, to have a glimpse into a rich culture. You might face difficulties in terms of eating habits but cuisines of all kinds are available. An unique feature is that a Mombushu scholar can also take dependents including parents to Japan, though no additional amount is paid. Most universities offer childcare facilities and Japan offers a lifetime learning experience.
Previous Scholarships Charles Wallace India Trust Fulbright fellowships for studies in US Swedish Institute Scholarships DAAD fellowship for studying in Germany
www.careers360.com
Book Review
the Professional
Manifesto for managing work Ideas, tools, and issues that contribute to the making of a perfect professional
The professional
Subroto Bagchi Penguin Rs. 399 217 pages
by B Mahesh Sarma
T
ruisms distilled out of a lifetime’s experiences come out as a collection in The Professional. The sanctimonious tone it assumes in some places is jarring but it is Bagchi’s by right, due to the sheer diversity and depth of experiences and views that he marshals before us. The book looks at professionalism, as a sum total of attitudes, attributes and skill sets, all built over the bedrock of integrity. Spread over eight sub-sections, the author warns us that it has to
be read in the order it is written. It can be read in any order, reading Bagchi is such a pleasure. Though there are done to death advices like ask questions, do research, and manage time, there are gems galore. Being comfortable with limitations, doing what you are good at, taking charge, value of dissent and transparency and dealing with personal pain are some of the exciting reads. Most of what Bagchi brings to the table is not new. But the authenticity he imparts to those ideas, by way of personal practice is what makes the book worth a read. One of the best pieces is about being committed to commitment. Reading The Professional, I instinctively remembered Ayn Rand and her favourite icon Howard Roark. Bagchi’s professional is almost like him, fanatical about integrity, professionally competent, highly efficient, supremely confident, totally self-aware, but unlike Roark, humane and politically correct. One segment, managing complexity, also shows Bagchi’s erudition. All the seven pieces are worth a second reading. The piece on dealing with personal pain is vintage Bagchi. If you have very little time to read, then the 18 pages dealing with New World is the section you must go for. Each piece here illuminates the complexities involved in today’s world. And that brings me to Bagchi’s raison d’être, integrity.
Bagchi’s ten top attributes 1. Integrity 2. Commitment and ownership 3. Action orientation and goal seeking 4. Continuous learning 5. Professional knowledge/skills 6. Communication 7. Planning, organizing and punctuality 8. Quality of work 9. A positive attitude, approachability, responsiveness 10 Being an inspiring reference to others
Integrety is the bedrock of professionalism to Bagchi, and he would only see it in black and white. There appears to be a singular lack of context in Bagchi’s narrative. To him it is an absolute concept. But values, morals and principles evolve and they evolve in tandem with the society. How much land at what price is fair for a firm and the society? How much of affirmative action is essential? How far should a firm go, in protecting jobs? What profit levels are fair profit levels? The above questions are not amenable to answers in black and white. Grey dominates our life, and it rubs off on matters of personal integrity as well. Equating an inflated bill or claiming a false tax break to sexual harassment and punishing all similarly might look very seductive, but has no use in the outside world.
Recommendations Rise of professionalism; A sociological analysis
Ethics and professionalism
Paperback: 327 pages
Univ. of Pennsylvania Press (February, 1988)
Univ. of California Press (December 1979) Bit dry, but impossible to ignore its analysis of evolution of the idea.
Professionalism, the Third Logic: On the Practice of Knowledge
Paperback: 408 pages
Paperback: 240 pages
A classic, it deals with the ways morality and professional ideals are intertwined, rules and ideals.
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Univ. of Chicago Press (June, 2001) Is professionalism an alternative to consumerism and bureaucracy?
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True Professionalism : The Courage to Care About Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career Paperback: 224 pages Free Press (May, 2000) A how to do book in American style.
Ask Us
Career choice
Research labs prefer people with master’s in engineering Q. I am a final year student of BE (CS), is it
a judicious decision to do MTech? A. It is indeed, subject to your interest in pursuing specialized and focused study. Look for good educational institutions having research facilities.
Q. What is the scope for food technology? A. You are employed mostly by small and
medium enterprises if you earn a diploma. Larger corporations seek higher qualifications. Responsibilities of the food technologist generally centre on food safety, quality control, packaging; food preservation and so on. There are emerging fields such as Food and Bioprocess Technology that offer jobs in agri-food industry to improve process efficiency, enhance product quality and extend shelf-life of agri-food products. Openings are also there in research laboratories where one could evaluate and analyze the food ingredients present in the products. In the government sector/PSUs, department of food also recruit people.
Q. I am doing CA while working as an internal auditor in the treasury department of a leading private sector bank. Please guide me. A. Having gained experience in select financial instruments, you may excel in corporate finance, advising clients on business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, business improvement, or dealing with insolvency. With many MNCs/TNCs having global transactions, you may also develop interest in transfer pricing or industry pricing regulatory reviews, business process reviews etc. or for that matter in futures and options. Q. What are the jobs available for an IT fresher?
A. The requirements at the entry level are as
programmers or engineer/manager trainees. Firms with their core activity in engineering, R&D, networking, semiconductor et al. look for fresher (s) sound in theory and practical knowledge of ICT. The other jobs are in startups, internet companies, EDAs and in FMCG and Banking for their systems operations.
Q. what’s the procedure to join air force after BE? A. Recruitment possibilities are there in the Indian Air Force in Flying Branch where you are trained as a pilot; in Technical Branch where you would deal with sophisticated equipment at the Air Force station/Aircraft etc. Also available are positions in Ground Duty Branch as an officer in the Meteorology Branch. Q. Is there a future for MCA? A. The scope is vast in software and IT ser-
vices. One can render his/her services as a programmer, analyst, software engineer, developer, database management specialist, software application architect, software specific specialist and a consultant. However, one is often restricted to move further in areas such as decision support systems where you need additional qualification.
Q. I have finished my BE and looking forward to do my ME Is it good?
A. This would depend on the specialization
you choose. For instance if you focus on metallurgy, the options increase for you to find a suitable job in alloys, thin films or specialized metals, mechanical metallurgy or ceramics. The national laboratories and strategic sector organisations are also recruiting people with Master’s in engineering.
Q. I am an undergraduate. I want to study filmmaking and acting in US.
A. While the course fees in the US at institu-
tions such as Harvard, Colombia, Boston, Nortwestern or John Hopkins University is anywhere between US$25,000-$35,000, there are universities where the course fees is less than US$10,000. These include: Mississippi State University, University of North Dakota, Bloomsburg University, College of St. Joseph and Pittsburg State University among a host of others. In India, however, you could consider your options at FTII, Pune where you have a Two Year PG Diploma in Acting (Rs. 1.5 lakhs) and three-year PG Diploma in cinematography, direction, editing separately at Rs 30,000 each.
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Careers360, receives hundreds of questions every month. Some select answers are published here. All the queries are answered on our website. Visit www.careers360. com and post your queries to us
UN JOBS
PSU
mdp
Ready Reckoner A compilation of actionable information, segmented and presented on a thematic basis and sorted out according to their deadlines UN JOBS Programme
Institution
Location
Deadline
Consultant – Documentation of ‘40 years of UNDP in India’
United Nations Development Programme
New Delhi
02/10/09
www.undp.org.in/jobs/
Nairobi
04/10/09
www.unep.org/vacancies
Programme Officer (Environmental Law United Nations Environment Programme and Conventions)
Website
United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health
Kuala Lumpur
06/10/09
www.unu.edu/employment/
Temporary National Professional
World Health Organization
New Delhi
06/10/09
www.whoindia.org
Executive Officer
Department of Public Information — UN
New York
10/10/09
https://jobs.un.org
Deputy Programme Director — International Mobilization Programme
Amnesty International
Anywhere in UK
11/10/09
www.amnesty.org/jobs
Human Resources Assistant
UNAIDS
Geneva
16/10/09
https://erecruit.unaids.org
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Office for coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Multiple
17/10/09
https://jobs.un.org
Regional Programme Adviser
UNAIDS
Bangkok
17/10/09
https://erecruit.unaids.org
Scientist (Environmental Health & Climate Change)
World Health Organization
New Delhi
17/10/09
www.who.int/employment
Project Coordinator, India
DanChurchAid
New Delhi
25/10/09
[email protected]
Programme Officer
United Nations Environment Programme
Bangkok
26/10/09
www.unep.org/vacancies
GOVERNMENT JOBS
Editorial Associate - Medicine and Health Journal
Company/Organisation
Position (Vacancies)
Deadline
Website
JIPMER, Puducherry
Staff Nurse (90)
05/10/09
www.jipmer.edu
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
Faculty & Non-faculty positions
05/10/09
www.iimk.ac.in
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Faculty (149)
05/10/09
www.jnu.ac.in
United Bank of India
Officer (Credit/Forex/IT) & others (total 240)
06/10/09
http://recruitment. unitedbankofindia.com
Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd
Managers/Engineers/Administrative officers/ Trainees (61)
10/10/09
http://www.bvfcl.com
Brahmos Aerospace
Managers/Engineers/Trainees/Assistants/technicians
12/10/09
www.brahmos.com
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Management Trainees: Telecom Operations (250); Finance (50)
14/10/09
www.bsnl.co.in
Uttarakhand Public Service Commission
Assistant Prosecuting Officer (38)
14/10/09
www.gov.ua.nic.in/ukpsc
Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs
Assistant Central Intelligence Officer-Grade II/ Technical (52)
18/10/09
Employment News (19-25 September)
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Customer Relations Assistant (318)
19/10/09
www.delhimetrorail.com
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Maintainers (961)
19/10/09
www.delhimetrorail.com
Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs
Sub-Inspector (Overseer) (61)
20/10/09
www.itbpolice.nic.in
Pondicherry University, Puducherry
Faculty (162)
30/10/09
www.pondiuni.edu.in
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UN JOBS Name of programme
Oct ‘09
Fees (Rs.)
ISB Hyderabad
ISB-Kellogg Global advanced management prog
03 – 10
600,000
IPIRTI Bangalore
Trouble shooting in plywood manufacture
05 – 06
2,000
XIM Bhubaneswar
Role efficacy in managers
05 – 06
8,000
IRMA Anand
Team building
05 – 08
—
ASCI Hyderabad
Leadership for managing change
05 – 09
30,000
IIM Bangalore
Finance for decision making (non-finance mgrs)
05 – 09
60,000
IIM Ahmedabad
Infrastructure development and financing
05 – 10
70,000
CFTRI Mysore
Thermal processing in food applications
12 – 14
4,494
NITIE Mumbai
Knowledge management
12 – 16
20,000
IIM Indore
Data mining and business applications
19 – 22
25,000
IIM Calcutta
Mergers and acquisitions
24 – 29
30,000
EDI Ahmedabad
ICT skills for small enterprise operations (*Dec)
26 – 04*
ITEC
IMI New Delhi
Supply chain management
26 – 28
25,200
MDI Gurgaon
Leadership: building high performing teams
26 – 30
40,000
XLRI Jamshedpur
Professional sales management
26 – 30
35,000
IPE Hyderabad
Digital image processing
27 – 30
-
IIFT New Delhi
Cross-cultural comm & business etiquette in IB
28 – 29
8,500
IIM Kozhikode
Accelerating salesforce performance
29 – 31
15,000
NMIMS Mumbai
Situational leadership for personal effectiveness
30 – 31
6,000
mdp
In detail
Managment deveLopment programmes
Institution
PSU
National Institute for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad 19-23 October 2009, Competitive Advantages for MSMEs of IPR, Fee: Rs. 15,000 Programme is aimed at all those willing to know more about Intellectual Property Rights with special reference to Trade Marks and Copy rights.
[
]
Watch out for Management Development Programmes (MDPs) in November 2009 Institution
Name of programme
Dates
Mainly for whom
Fees in
XIM Bhubaneswar
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
03 – 05
Senior & Middle-level Managers from any function
12,000
EDI Ahmedabad
Entrepreneurial Management
09/11 – 18/12
Policy makers/Entrepreneurs/Executives incl. from Chambers of Commerce and Industry
ITEC support
NITIE Mumbai
Statistical Skills for Managers
09 – 11
Person with relevant experience & responsible position
12,000
XLRI New Delhi
Transformational Leadership
09 – 11
Senior and top management executives with independent responsibility for divisions or SBUs
27,000
CFTRI Mysore
Innovations in processing of rice & rice products
09 – 13
Knowledge of the subject, preferably a basic degree
6,742
IIP Hyderabad
Programme on Flexible Packaging
09 – 13
Anyone engaged in packaging industry
5,000
IIM Ahmedabad
Small and Medium Enterprises Programme
09 – 21
Entrepreneurs/owner-managers/executives of SMEs
100,000
XIM Bhubaneswar
Lab on Entreprenuership
11 – 13
Business ideators/family business members/ ex-servicemen/homemakers keen to start own venture
12,000
IIFT New Delhi
IT Applications in Global Business Environment
12 – 13
Executive officials in international trade using ICT tools
8,500
NMIMS Mumbai
Analytical Tools for Marketing Intelligence
13 – 14
Marketing exec willing to learn quantitative techniques
6,000
MDI Gurgaon
Competency Building for Leadership Roles
16 – 20
Sr/middle professionals involved in decision making
40,000
IMI New Delhi
Workshop on Presentation Skills
16 – 17
Professionals willing to improve their negotiation skills
18,400
ISB Hyderabad
ISB Kellogg Global Advanced Management Prog
22 – 27
CEOs, SBU heads having global business exposure
NMIMS Mumbai
Emotional Intelligence - How to Make It work
IIM Calcutta
E-Commerce and BPR for Successful Business Transformation 93
careers
27 28 – 29
360
600,000
Those interested in improving emotional Intelligence
3,000
Executives/decision makers from government/ E-business entrepreneurs in E-transforming
22,000
october 2009
Up Close
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
I am brutally honest with myself
Vinod Chopra… directing the songs of his film 1942. Even before that I got a salary from Shukla Das who was with O&M working on a documentary… Rs. 1,000/- per month.
Q. How did you spend it? A. I don’t remember. I don’t spend
money though.
Q. How do you cope with failure? A. Oh! I get very depressed. I keep
Atul Loke/Outlook Group
thinking about it. Then I learn so fast and so much after I’ve accepted it that it becomes a learning experience for me... In Khamoshi critics gave me 5 stars etc. But the common man didn’t accept it and I knew something was wrong. That made me think hard over it. I never sit on a failure. I learn from it. I analyse within myself what went wrong. I figure it out because I am brutally honest with myself. Once I know what’s wrong I move on. I am a terrific learner. I search for it inside me. I do not discuss it with others. There’s a tremendous thought
A rare glance into Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s emotional make-up Q. How far have you studied? A. I am a graduate in commerce. Q. Commerce-why on earth? A. [Laughs out] Good one. I’ve been
asking myself this question for ever. Those days Arts was considered a strict no no. Commerce was the stream which would get you a job. That was the only criterion. But honestly I just didn’t understand it –It was just a waste of five years… I just don’t have that side to my brain that economises and plans and does credits and debits. It all went haywire. I just sat outside and watched the sea at Haji Ali... I was at Lala Lajpatrai college.
Q. Did you have any career plans when you were in college? A. No. I was only studying to get into the FTII because they asked for graduates. That was my only purpose of joining college but then I discovered that I’d made a wrong choice in going for Commerce. Q. Did you try out anything else to
earn an income? A. I assisted Deepak, my sister Bela’s husband in editing documentaries and advertisements...
Q. What was your first salary? A. It was one and a half thousand with 128
careers
360
october 2009
“A tremendous thought process, an electric
current of thought runs through me. I sit and stare into space for days to think out what has happened”
process, an electric current of thought that runs through me. I sit and stare into space for days not in bitterness, not in self pity but only to think out what has happened.
Q. What do you fear the most? A. Failure and wrong doing, it always rebounds on you.
Q. Is life fun or is there a purpose? A. For me it’s only making movies- my
fun and my purpose. That’s the only reason I am alive… the only thing absolutely, nothing else matters.
RNI NO. DELENG/2009/27635
DL-SW-01/4139/09-11
CAREERS360 October 2009
Rs 40
@EK
www.careers360.com
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CAMPUS REVIEW IMT GHAZIABAD
Also MANAGING PROMOTIONS Q MAKING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR COLLEGE Q MOMBUSHO, JAPAN
contents 46 Studying Abroad: All that you must know cover STORY
+ columns, interviews and student accounts
USA The number one still holds on its own
UK Old warhorse with new armour
Australia Down but not out
Canada Vocation rules the roost
France Romantic who fell for science
Germany The high technology bastion
The Netherlands A new kid on the block
Switzerland The temple for hospitality
Italy On the high road to creativity
Norway Cold country with warm people
Russia From space technology to medicine
New Zealand Maoris, management and migration
Singapore International campuses
50 54 60 66 68 70 72 73 74 74 75 76 78
2
careers and courses 20
Shipping
A very lucrative sector, it beckons those with the right qualifications and approach. Read on to know what to study and how to set sail
Healthcare
34
With the number of hospitals on the rise, the demand for qualified administrators is going up like never before. What are the qualifications needed and courses on offer?
Economics National and corporate goals are set and implemented with economists playing a big role. An in depth review, offering tips on how to become an expert
careers
360
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careers360 October 2009 l Volume I l Issue 7
Publisher Maheshwer Peri Editor B Mahesh Sarma
CEO SPEAK Sanjay Modi Monster India
“Companies are unfreezing the requirements and are keen to hire”
Vinod Metha “Quotas are here to stay, so create new institutions ”
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advisory
Cracking SAT/AP/ACT
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Tests that you need to take for gaining admission to a first degree in the US
Managing promotions
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Just delivering what is expected may not help you grab promotions. Do you have that extra bit which makes the all-important difference? An overview
Design Art Director Anshul Sharma Sr Visualiser Rajesh Chawla Jr Visualiser Thomas Mampilly
Research Dr. Nimesh Chandra Bharti M Borah Priya Naik Shiphony Pavithran
regulars
Business Office
Letters
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First Take
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In the News
10
Motivation
18
The frog and the television tower
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Teachers’ Talk
FEATURES
Prof. Uday Salunkhe on healthcare
Making the most out of college 42 Teachers with unparalleled reputation advise you on what to look out for in college life
RJ/VJ/MJ
Special Correspondents Urmila Rao Sumita Vaid Dixit Shalini Gupta
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Campus Review IMT, Ghaziabad
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Scholarship Review Mombusho Fellowships from Japan
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What are the qualities and talent quotient needed to break into a rocking profession? Find out what is needed to jive
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Subroto Bagchi’s ‘The Professional’
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Ask Us Career Guidance
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Ready Reckoner
EXTRA
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COMPETITION360
Up Close Sanjay Leela Bhansali
September 2009
Bank PO solved papers+ current affairs Quick take on Agriculture and more... ;XkXJg\Xb0*
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CDSE 360 october 2009 Model Paper
careers
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Cover Design Anshul Sharma
Letters Let executives get back to classrooms It is time for all those individuals who are truly aware of their abilities and what he or she needs to focus on the future. Given the right opportunities, they can shape their career in their own way. It is a good trend to opt a career of your own choice without any parental pressures as faced by most of the people in their growing years. I have come across people who are quitting jobs and pursuing higher academics. Indeed, this generation is exploiting its potential. CG GANG
Many management students are giving up plush jobs for having their own start-ups which shows their in-built confidence and instinct in management. Chintan Jhunjhunwala
I do not see any reason why a person should not take sabbatical and head back to the classroom if he feels there is some gap in his skills and knowledge. India’s biggest industry baron Mr. Laxmi Mittal has said that his biggest regret is that he never underwent a formal management education. I know 1year executive programmes of IIMs and ISB are very rigorous and shake the entire thinking of individuals and change them into a different kind of professional. Vishal Sharma
I am one of those who faced mid-career crisis. I joined MDI Gurgaon for full-time MBA programme in 2003. The course was very competitive and rigorous. I have really enjoyed the programme. It has rewarded me in terms of career growth
there is a high possibility that the interviewer might get offended.
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Jobs up for grabs Thank you for the well-researched article. But we never know what to study to get one of these jobs. Every school and college must have a career counsellor. This is a must because many of us don’t know why are we studying, what we are studying. Most of us are in it because we don’t have any other option. We had taken the subject, maybe because we could not match with the cut off, or because the college is closer to our homes. If we have proper guidance, now at least, we can know what job opportunities are available with the subject we have already taken. May be it would also help us seek out additional courses if needed. Good work Careers360. But we at least need a teacher in every school who reads the magazine regularly and gives us good advice. Megha Sinha
r Lette e of th h mont
with good future prospects. Pratish Thakur
Questions to ask in an interview Yes, these are some of the most relevant questions which an experienced employee must ask if he is planning to change his job/ employer. If you ask these questions then the interviewer becomes alert and mostly appreciates your smartness. But it can backfire if the potential interviewer or employer is not looking for a very smart type of employee. Use these questions with
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care. But in most cases the management is very cunning in giving all the right answers and later when he joins he discovers the truth. Amit Agarwal
Many times you hear nice words about value organisation, performance appraisal, training systems, proper reporting structure, etc. and after you join, you will find nothing but learn your way and do the things to the satisfaction of your boss. I feel such questions are relevant in western countries, particularly in the USA. If you keep asking such questions in an Indian interview,
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CAT test doesn’t require one to necessarily enrol in coaching classes to succeed in the test. If you are determined and disciplined enough, you can prepare for CAT completely on your own. However, for those of us who are unable to find time out of our busy schedules and always leave things for tomorrow, a coaching institute would act as a great guide. It will periodically remind you of the steps you need to take to come closer to your ultimate goal. It will also provide you an environment and competitive spirit which might help you pull up your socks and get going for the exam with full spirit. Bodhi Sutra
Institutes like IMS Learning Resources or Career Forum helps you develop a structured and regimented approach to tackle questions on CAT. Over a period of time, repeated practice and mock drills with this structured, regimented approach puts you in a very sharp frame of mind wherein you start solving questions mechanically and at good speed. So when you finally give the CAT exam you can rest assured that your chances of clearing CAT are very high. Without formal CAT training, your approach tends to be slipshod and haphazard and that invariably leads to failure… Bhasmasur Khan
The coaching institutes mostly fleece you. Just be disciplined and work hard. Vemuri Ramakrishna
Campaign Yes, we accept the mistake is on our side. We get cheated because we are not much aware of the colleges as we are from remote villages. Mr. Sibal, please take action on money-minded institutes as we students are the backbone of future India. Prabakar
One brand must mean one institution. All branches, franchises, and others must be the responsibility of the parent institution. Aliakbar Shabbir
Awesome campaign!!!! Let’s hope things change a little. Pallavi Majumder
I was a student in Rai foundation college at Kochi campus, Kerala. After the Supreme Court order, Rai Foundation closed all colleges. I had to drop my studies and also lose an year. They neither refunded my fees nor gave me my caution deposits. No degree, no certification. Why such universities are allowed to be established in the first place? Who are the culprits? Please take strong actions against such frauds. Arya Subash K
Mr. Sibal, we always talk about making India a world class destination for companies but do you really believe we are taking steps towards it? Especially the kind of education imparted by private universities at postgraduation levels needs a complete overhaul.
mentality of the departments to offer full marks in the internals and the easy availability of ready-made science projects. Selva Manikandan
Please bring unregistered or unrecognized universities under a regulatory system and spread awareness so that we may stop such institutions from spoiling careers of many!
Thanks for this initiative. I wish it rings a bell in the right tone to the right ears. AMEN! Vikas Kumar
Mr. Sibal, I studied at a college were the facilities they were talking about were not there. They promise too much every time, but at the end, do nothing. Have a
Kumar Priyank
MY CAREER! MY LIFE!
Stop institutes from starting sessions as soon as they get approval. This is even happening with new IITs, leave alone other colleges. First, proper infrastructure should be put up. Then teachers should be recruited. Then admissions should be given.
join us Tell the HRD minister of your problems. Get heard. Speak up. Fight to ensure you get the education that’s promised
Sachin PS Verma
When the youth of the country are so publicly misguided and manipulated at the hands of these capitalists, the future of the country remains bleak.
Anand
Darshit
Having so many engineering colleges is not advisable. Abundance will cheapen the value of anything. 90% of the engineering graduates are incompetent in their field of study, thanks to the
Institutions that cheat students must get severe punishment. Their approvals must be withdrawn and the trustees or promoters must be put in jails. Parnini A Shikarwar
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I am quite excited about this campaign. Please count me in for any support in Thiruvaloor District. Thenmozhi
E
A careers360 CAMPAIGN
Hardik
Bidyut Gogoi
Dr. Sanandan Thapliyal
Shekhar Gupta on higher education
Some concrete steps must be taken and that too in pretty quick time.
It’s high time we students spoke for our rights. Many fly-by-night institutions have mushroomed to take advantage of students’ dilemma in this age of competition. They are doing nothing but business at the cost of our careers.
and socially/globally more acceptable by setting up more and more Ayurveda universities, colleges, institutes and hospitals.
Fight for our future
website to lodge our complaints. Ajay
Educational system in the country is stale. What we need is not old theories but useful practices. Rakesh Kumar
Strictly stop reservation in specialization and super specialization courses all over India in government as well as in private institutes. Make the ancient medical science- Ayurveda more approachable, more rational
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nglish or Hindi medium is irrelevant. You are there at this position because of your intellect and not because of Hindi/English. Language doesn’t make you more intelligent. Vishwamitra Singh
One of Mr. Shekhar Gupta’s comments has rightly reflected the scenario on education dealt with by media. It is only those sectors which have been advertised will be covered by the media. Now-a-days, the education sector has been heavily advertised leading
Try to enhance the quality of government institutions and universities . Parikshith Kutur
Please act on the malpractices by colleges immediately. Punjab is seeing lot of colleges offering MBA from universities from all over the country, with no affiliation. Gogoi
Dear minister, you are doing good. Please look into vocational training under the Industrial Act and make it more transparent. I believe
the public sector has closed its doors to general public and this scheme is open only to employees of children working within the organisation. I think merit should be the criterion and the stipend is what is good about this scheme. It makes a young man feel he is earning and and helping his parents. This should be encouraged so
to better media coverage. Ironically, the coverage is based on money thrown at the media. Does media have no conscience or social responsibility to guide the people on the right track? Kane
India needs more Shekhar Gupta’s…. Today the community of good quality journalists is small. Their importance has considerably increased because of
more people can gain technical experience in industry of their choice by getting hands-on experience. Pankaj Seth
I have the following views: Privatised education is just a way to make money. The policy of grading is good. Multiple registration is making it still worse. Neeraj Kathuria
I am really concerned at the wanton proliferation of educational institutions that do not have proper facilities for
the students. However, these institutions still charge students huge amounts as fees and other charges. I have seen schools that do not have proper library, playground, science laboratories and lavatories. Further, they do not have any respect for the religious sentiments of the parents and students. Another novel practice that
the fast erosion in the credibility of politicians. It is people like Shekhar Gupta who have made the Indians more enlightened on the burning issues which are much of a concern. Shibli Fatmi
When I see kids studying in international schools by paying a hefty sum as fee, I wonder why can’t anyone study in his own country, paying normal fee to a reputed school? Educational institutions cannot make a person more intelligent, it can only provide knowledge. Intelligence is a trait not to be taught.
India should have only one education system from the begining; either state board, CBSE or ICSC. This will help to compare the talent in a better way. Today CBSE and ICSC students hold more knowledge and have more clearer concepts than the state board. This is because of the quality of education. I think having only one system will help to increase the quality of education in India. We need better universities, addressing the needs of next generation and compete with universities worldwide. It’s disheartening to find that not even a single education institute in management can compete and rank in the top500 list around the world. Vishwanath
I have seen is to force the students to purchase their uniforms at inflated prices from shops that are selected by the school authorities. Please make sure that only the schools which have the requisite infrastructure are given permission to operate in the country. Anand Sekhar Popuri
Please ensure practical and job-oriented training is provided to ensure self-employment and make short the number of years of primary and secondary education to
careers
Vadivu
Mukul sharma
Afzal Aziz
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make India at par with the world. Please provide quality, free education to schools, specially to poor and underprivileged students, which gives new life to many generations.
Please have a conference of good teachers and parents. And all the policies you make must be discussed by them. That way, we will finally get what we want. Ramesh Thambi
be taught about patriotism and basics about Indian culture and mythology with scientific reasons. It should help in their development and help them become world class citizens with excellent employability skills. N Padmavathi
The points raised in the petition are very valid. The educational institutes cheat us as there is a lack of effective regulatory bodies. I request Mr. Sibal to please protect the Indian people from the rising education mafia. Niraj Srivastava
Free the education system from rote learning. Our education system is the worst form of torture for years together. Equivalent to child labour. Ashish Mundada
All training colleges must be forced to register with UGC. This will ensure that if the local agent cheats and runs away, then we have someone to catch hold off and get our money back. Five of my friends have lost money. Valsan Thambe
lookout for our next issue extra
June 2009
Education is essential and fees should be clearly mentioned for the course selected by student and the institution has to be affiliated/ accredited. Maruthi Ramakrishna
Yes, a lot of important changes have to be made in our education system across the country and follow a uniform system. Youngsters have to
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october 2009
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First Take
views
Does the student figure in the picture somewhere? In the need for politicians to leave a legacy, important concerns must not be given a shortshift
I Mahesh Sarma Editor
The best way to derail reforms in this sector is to begin at the wrong end, which is the direction which Mr.Sibal appears to tread
n an ode to harassed students, Kapil Sibal wrote, “Create the space for me to run! Let learning be a lot of fun”. But it would do well for him to examine, whether the recent spate of laws, notifications and proposed legislations, especially on the higher education domain would ultimately create space for any student to run. Sibal’s game plan for reforming higher education has four important components. Creation of a super regulator, which is supposed to supersede the existing maze, regulating the entry of foreign players, making accreditation mandatory for all higher education entities and finally having a law that makes cheating by education providers a criminal offence, in addition to a host of policy pronoucements. The super regulator appears to be a non-starter, with law, medical and agricultural ministries fiercely resisting the move. And the existing regulators are making their displeasure very well known with calibrated leaks. The Foreign Education Bill, will invariably meet political resistance, especially from the Left. But the last two bills, which actually have some direct impact on student welfare, appear to make no news. A better way for the ministry would be to focus on getting the last two bills crafted and passed at the earliest. Both of them would demand substantial
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attention to detail and can easily keep the mandarins at the ministry engaged for the greater part of the next four years. And both the acts would step on lots of toes indirectly and expose the chinks in the armour of many other silos of education making it easier for the other two pieces of legislation to gain acceptance. But what is most important is that both these pieces of law would make life tremendously better for millions of students and parents. The groundswell of goodwill that such a measure would generate would stand in good stead for any politician interested in leaving a legacy. There is so much at stake for so many interest groups in higher education that the best way to derail reforms in this sector is to begin at the wrong end, which is the direction which Mr.Sibal appears to tread. Long-term planning in higher education is a must, and NHERA is one such idea. But it’s ability to impact the cheated student and harassed parent immediately is zero. Students and parents give two hoots about this or that regulatory body. They want concrete action and if that is not going to happen, we could as well kiss reforms good bye. That would be a pity, since HRD does have an able minister in the recent years, and a commitment from the party in power. Will better sense dawn on the mandarins of the ministry?
careers NEWS
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Foreign education knocks on the Indian doors
Fellow Programme in Management at XLRI XLRI Jamshedpur is offering a fulltime as well as part-time Fellow Programme in Management. One can opt for specialization in economics, finance, information systems, marketing, organizational behaviour, personnel management and industrial relations, human resource, operations and strategic management. Selected students would get fellowship of Rs. 20,000 per month in the first two and Rs. 25,000 in the next two years. No fees in terms of admission, tuition, or course material would be charged. Financial support up to Rs. 150,000 for participation in conferences in India/abroad and an annual contingency of Rs. 20,000 would also be provided. For details log on to www.xlri.ac.in/research.
IIT Madras: PhD and MS admission
I
nternational Universities are keen on setting up campuses in India, offering to bring the price down to obtaining a foreign degree at par with fees charged by private universities in India. Accreditation and assessment of international universities would be handled by the agency that rates quality of Indian universities. Georgia Tech has already bought land in Hyderabad, Schulich School of Business at York University is keen on setting up a campus in Mumbai. Delegations from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon and Purdue have also made visits to India. 2010 might bring together diverse academic nationalities on Indian soil.
Pearson challenges TOFEL’s reign on the testing scene
Law minister Moily applies a break on HRD roller coaster
TOFEL, the definitive test of English language proficiency, is facing a new challenger. With over 7,000 programmes accepting it around the world, it has been the preferred choice for many students who have US or Europe as their academic destination. It has a perpetual feud with IELTS, which is primarily used by the institutions of the Commonwealth . Now Pearson, in association with GMAC has launched an improved English test, whose features include a brief recorded audio sample, enhanced security and multiple criteria. But considering the vice like hold the two existing players have, insiders feel, Pearson would face an uphill task to make the established schools to make a switch, though its association with GMAC might come in handy.
HRD minister Kapil Sibal’s take on legal education has sparked strong opposition from Law Minister Veerappa Moily. In the turf feud, Moily feels that Sibal’s ministry pondering on starting a graduation in law is fine, but that’s where it should end. “So far as introducing an academic course is concerned, we have no objection. But when it comes to setting standards of legal education, the Law Ministry would be the final arbiter . That is the domain of the Law Ministry.” HRD ministry has earlier been at loggerheads with the Health Ministry about MCI, the Agriculture ministry had similar reservations and now it’s the turn of the Law Ministry to object. The bone of contention is who has the final authority on regulating professional education.
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Regular full-time registration with or without financial assistance can be done online wef 27th September, 09. Candidates could do a joint PhD in Engineering & Sciences offered by IIT Madras & National University of Singapore; with Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences & Technology and Christian Medical College, Vellore in the area of Biomedical Devices and Technology.
Notifications Notifications Loyala Institute of Business Administration, PGDM 2010-2012 PGPPM by Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore IIM Calcutta offers full-time PGDCM and doctoral Fellowship Programme Short-term courses at National Institute of Jewellery Design and Technology SP Jain Institute of Management and Research – PGDM 2010-12 Work Integrated Learning programmes at BITS Pilani Short-term training programmes... only on
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careers NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
Railways opens up to local languages R
ailways minister, Mamata Banerjee has ordered the conduct of the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams in all regional languages. So far the exams had been only in English and Hindi, deterring other bright students due to language barriers. Banerjee said, “I want people from all spheres of life to join the railways and help us in making the railways a great success.” The change is not applicable to all the posts at present, only to lower levels of the railways hierarchy.
Took a loan? Government will pay the interest
‘Stress’ is good, says Teamlease report
Government plans to boost access to higher education for people from economically backward sections of the society. The scheme would offer full interest subsidy on the loans taken by a student during the period of study. The moratorium period would begin with the commencement of the programme and would last till a year after the course ends or six months after the student procures a job, whichever is earlier. Once the moratorium period ends, the students would be liable to pay the interest on the outstanding loan. The subsidy would be on offer only once to students, for first undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree or diploma courses. Students who discontinue for any reason except on medical grounds would lose the benefit of the subsidy. But the scheme is only available to those candidates whose parental income is less than 4.5 lakhs per annum from all available sources.
A recent survey by manpower firm Teamlease, says some 61% of overall respondents feel that ‘stress at work is healthy.’ The biggest factor causing dissatisfaction seems to be ‘amount of work to be performed’ and ‘managing others’ work. Negativity is also brought in by ‘keeping up with technology’ and followed by ‘attitude of spouse/partner.’ Delhites seem to be affected by office politics and lack of power/influence more than their counterparts in other cities. More than 90% of respondents from Mumbai and Kolkata felt that formulating policies would help identify and help employees cope with stress. Surabhi Mathur-Gandhi, General manager, Permanent Staffing, TeamLease Services stated, “The popular notion of stress as a negative force that causes discontentment and discord may be dated. But HR teams must be be vigilant about striking the right balance.”
Karma Jyoti Scholarship on offer by NIS Academy NIS Academy announced the Karma Jyoti Scholarship 2009 in September. The annual scholarship would be on offer to 10+2 students and graduates, and total amount would exceed Rs. 3 crores. Student’s performance in a competitive written test, personal interview and qualification level would result in a fee waiver of Rs. 10,000 on NIS Academy’s ‘Program in Business Skills’ like PGPBS, GPBS and APBS or even a free laptop based on performance. Scholarship tests would be conducted on Sundays till October 12th at NIS Academy centres across India. So get in touch with the centre closest to you or log on to http://www.thenisacademy.com/office.asp#1.
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NEW COURSES
EVENTS
PGD in Hydro Power Plant Engineering Engineers specialising in mechanical and electrical engineering may pursue a postgraduate diploma course in Hydro Power Plant Engineering offered by NPTI. With more than 200 projects on the anvil, the sector has very bright prospects Final year students may also apply. The last date of receipt of application is 12th October, 2009.
Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) Admission to postgraduate programmes in various engineering and research institutes is open through GATE 2010. Government scholarship is also available to those who qualify GATE. Apply before 30th October, 2009.
RBI Young Scholars Award Scheme (online submission by Oct 21) The Reserve Bank of India has invited applications from students between 18-23 years, pursuing undergraduate studies anywhere in India to be able to earn Rs. 7,500 per month for 3 months. Details at www.rbi.org.in/youngscholars.aspx
Job Alerts Job Alerts ONGC requires 340 Class I executives AICTE openings at headquarters, Delhi Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited – 600 Engineer Trainees/600 Supervisor Trainees 454 Vacancies in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Tata Institute of Social Sciences has 35 vacancies 21 officers at North Malabar Gramin Bank Head Office 296 Group-B posts in 41 user departments, Government of... only on
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Programme in Banking and Finance NIBM has invited admissions for Post Graduate Programme in Banking and Finance 2010-12. The programme aims to create a dedicated cadre of professionals to service the ever growing financial sector. The candidates need to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) before being short-listed for a group discussion and interview for final selection during mid-April 2010. Applications can also be downloaded from www.nimbindia. org and the deadline for applications is December 10, 2009.
Ayurveda to take off in the capital T
he Indian government plans to begin an All India Institute of Ayurveda in Delhi. Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said this will provide quality research and referral centre in the traditional Indian system of medicine. The Rs. 134 crore institute would be set up at Sarita Vihar. Azad said, “The proposed institute will be developed as a referral and research hospital and receive patients referred by National Institute of Ayurveda in Jaipur and other ayurvedic hospitals in the country.” The minister hopes the institute would help establish links between ayurveda and modern sciences, increasing the global appeal of ayurveda.
Globsyn goes to Gujrat
Buy Educash! Get education
Globsyn Group, a top-notch finishing school, along with the Government of Gujarat has set up an Institutional Management Committee (IMC) to offer industry-intensive courses. IMC would run and implement these courses that will provide training in tune with the requirements of the industry. Specialized skill development centres would be set up by Globsyn across Gujarat. Asian Institute of Family Business would develop skills in Entrepreneurship/ Family Business Management and specialized skills through Knowledge Finishing School concept. The primary control over academic content remains with Globsyn, and operational control with IMC. Bikram Dasgupta, chairman, Globsyn Group stated, “Through IMC, Globsyn aims to introduce specialized knowledge and skills that will strengthen every individual’s inherent skills and make him a leader in the competitive world.” The courses would vary from short-term skill building ones to long term professional diplomas.
Aptech, a leading training institution has launched a unique scheme “EDUCASH”. Cashing in on the old Indian tradition of gifting cash to young ones, the company has launched a gift voucher scheme “EDUCASH”. These are at par vouchers, which can be redeemed for courses in IT, Animation, Graphics & Web Design, Hardware & Networking Aviation Courses, and Travel & Tourism in any of the four institutions under the Aptech umbrella. The process is simple, wherein the candidate can walk into any of the Aptech outlets, identify the right course and cash equivalent of the vouchers would be deducted from the course fees. The scheme has been currently launched in Mumbai and may go national.
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CSSSC Post-Doctoral Fellowship Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta has invited applications for a two-year residential Post-Doctoral fellowship programme. The fellow would be expected to have an active research programme and complete at least one monograph. The eligibility for the fellowship involves a PhD in any of the social science and humanities disciplines. The applicants should preferably be below 35 years of age. The last date of the receipt of the application is October 15, 2009.
400 Scholarships for young artistes Online applications are invited from eligible young artistes for award of scholarships for the year 2009 to support advanced training in the fields of Indian classical music, Indian classical dances and light classical music. The details of the scholarship programme is available at www.indiaculture.nic.in. Last date for receipt of applications is October 31, 2009.
WatchoutFor ! Commonwealth Scholarship for higher studies in the UK The Ministry of Human Resource Development and Commonwealth Scholarship Commission have announced scholarships for Indian nationals below 40 years of age to pursue higher studies/research/specialized training in different subject areas in the United Kingdom. The deadline for application is October 20. Details are at www.education.nic.in.
careers NEWS
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Management school with a French twist I
conoclasm comes naturally to the French. So whey they launched an MBA, they had to do it differently. Instead of the normal two-year programmes they launched a one-year MBA at INSEAD, and as one of the founders informed FT, helped change the face of management education. To be truly international is the primary premise that INSEAD operated on from day one. So it decided that no more than one third of the students, faculty or governing board be from one nationality. It is this compulsory insistence on internationalism that sets INSEAD apart from other schools. As Prof. Daniel Muzyka informs FT, “INSEAD gave a platform and a voice to something other than the US-centric view of the world.” INSEAD was also the first leading B-School, to set up international campuses. It set up a full-fledged satellite campus in Singapore and Abu Dhabi. And INSEAD’s independence as a private school out of the university system, gave it the independence to be entrepreneurial and closer to business.
A new hurdle for foreign medical degree holders
Ten million people to be trained vocationally
Being a graduate from premier schools of the world such as Harvard or John Hopkins will no longer allow you to practise in India. Supreme Court has ruled that you need to clear a screening test conducted by the Medical Council of India. Earlier, individuals with MBBS degrees from countries with reciprocity agreement with India that recognised each other’s degrees were allowed to practise in India without appearing for an examination. Even Indian nationals with a foreign medical degree would now be required to appear for the exam, says the order. SC justified, “Serious aberrations were noticed in the standards of medical education in some foreign countries, which were not on par with standards of medical education available in India.”
IGNOU has tied up with 12 universities across the world to achieve this feat. Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, V.N. Rajasekharan Pillai stated, ‘The aim is to make rural people skilled. We will try to bridge the digital divide among people and thus empower them. Tele-centres will emerge in countries like Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. B. Shadrach, senior official at IDRC said, “The skill development has four areas – soft skill, management skill, private and public service and computer training.” 100,000 tele-centres will be set up in India as part of Bharat Nirman project. Areas like agriculture, fisheries, handicrafts, and other vocational skills in various disciplines would help impart training to vast number of people.
Distance learning courses of DU gets the DEC stamp The Distance Education Council has informed the Delhi High Court it will give recognition to the programmes offered through distance mode by University of Delhi (DU) . This ends the tussle in terms of correspondence courses and brings respite to more than 50 students who had qualified in entrance examinations for government jobs but the Staff Selection Commission refused to issue appointment orders since their degree was not recognized. A happy end to an unnecessary tussle.
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Wanted: Passionate Contributors Careers360 is on a mission — to inform and empower — which can only succeed if it is a collective endeavour. Now, we need people across India to join us. You may be an academic, student or a professional. You could be a CEO, a manager or an executive. But, all you need to have is a flair for writing concisely, have a nose for data and numbers, be obsessed with getting facts right, and above all, have an abiding commitment to the youth of the country. What do we expect you to do? As a contributor, you would be the primary contact for the magazine in your location. We will require you to occasionally do full stories for us, assist our editorial team in gathering information, and be engaged with the idea to enable the delivery of a better product. COMPENSATION In addition to the sense of satisfaction you will gain, we will compensate you adequately for your efforts. Write to: [email protected] or call us at 011-46142503.
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T. Narayan/Outlook Group
vinod mehta
“I had no idea what i wanted to become” For a person, who was expelled from school for asking a girl to be his girlfriend, Vinod Metha still does not shy away from speaking out what he feels. Loved and hated by readers in equal measures the feisty journalist speaks to Urmila Rao on his dog, state of education, middle class and his political leanings, among other things.
Q: Why did you choose an unusual name, Editor, for your pet dog? A: He has a very strange temperament. He is very stubborn and like most editors, he thinks he knows every thing. Q: Barring exceptions, education in India is in shambles. Do you agree?
A: One of the biggest scandals, forget
the quality of education, is the organized sort of racket in the schools for admissions. The middle class is very
innovative and they can find ways to get round the system. But the real tragedy is in the primary education in rural areas where the situation is appalling. As our politicians concentrate on secondary education and the middle class, very little attention is paid to primary education. Government spends a lot of money. It should also ensure that it reaches the right people.
Q: What is the one big difference 16
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between yesterday’s and today’s youth? A: In my time, if your father was well –placed he will put you in a good job with his connections. Happily, that is much less now.
Q: You became a journalist out of sheer passion or just by accident?
A: Like many people, I did not have any
idea of what I wanted to become. I did BA and then in 1974 I got a chance, by accident, to edit Debonair in Mumbai. The only thing I was interested in was writing and I didn’t know what kind of writing. I tried my hand at copywriting but I wasn’t very good. But I liked
it should increase the number of seats. Quotas are here to stay so the government should create new institutions.
Q: Should foreign institutions be allowed entry? A: They want to come here not because they love us but because there is money
Students should check who has done the survey and what has been the methodology. They should also check, if the publication has any vested interest in any of the institutions. In B-school survey, every year there are four-five good institutes which find place in the rankings and no one can say that it is fixed.
Q: So a student should not trust any
“Foreign institutions come here not because they love us but
because there is money to make”
“They can use the B-school surveys as a good yardstick but
should use their own brains”
to write. Debonair was 7-8 months old when I joined and it was running at a loss. The owner wanted to close it down. So I asked him to give me a chance to run it for six months and if it didn’t improve, he could close it. I stayed there for seven years, till ‘81 and by the time I left, it was making some money.
Q: What was the naughtiest thing you did in school?
A: When I was at Loreto convent (the school was co-ed till third standard), there was a girl sitting opposite me and wanted to borrow my eraser. I agreed and asked her to be my girlfriend. She complained, my parents were called, and I was expelled from the school for six months.
Q: How do you react to the state of higher education? A: In higher education, people are paying huge price and going abroad, but one can get good education in our own country. But there aren’t enough places and where they are, there is talk of reservation. If government plans the quota then
to make. I am not a great believer that anybody who wants to come in should be allowed to come in because the education sector is very rich. I am not saying we should be opposed to the idea but their entry should be strictly regulated.
Q: There is also the menace of
adverts of educational institutions in the media misleading students. A: The general rule should be that any institution which advertises heavily should be thoroughly examined by the students. They should be skeptical about their claims and verify the facts. A lot has been bared in the public domain on some corrupt institutions which should serve as a warning. Avoid such institutes even if students have to travel out of their native place.
Q: How trustworthy are the B-school
rankings? Outlook has done one in its latest issue. A: A lot of people believe that the rankings are fudged. In Outlook, I have no idea till the time I get the results and it is true for more responsible media.
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ranking of any publication blindly?
A: Absolutely. They can use the sur-
vey as a good yardstick but they should use their own brains. Rankings give the perspective of the whole scene. It gives options, if you can’t get into one, then you can opt for number two and so on.
Q: Multiple committees, regulatory bodies, different councils, isn’t there utter chaos in the education sector? A: Right. But remember, you take land from the government; there are grants that are taken. But now the rules are being simplified. The good thing is education is an area where there is a lot of public interest and public pressure. Q: Why is vocational studies not treated at par with higher education? A: It is one of the biggest tragedies that this area is woefully neglected. Every one wants to get into higher education when ideally they should be getting into vocational training and learning some skill, some trade, suiting their interest and aptitude. Q: What kind of student were you when you were in college, studious, polite or agitating type? A: Not very good. Chalta type. I wasn’t academically inclined. Coming from a very middle class family, I ensured that I somehow managed to pass every year and not upset my parents. In BA, I got a third-class. Q: And your political affiliation is? A: In India, what are the possibilities?
There are only two political parties, the BJP and the Congress, I can’t choose the Marxists because of their views. And because I am a liberal, I have problems with the BJP. If I don’t support the Congress where will I go? If the BJP gives up their anti-minority stand I would consider them very seriously.
Talk Point
motivation
The frog and the television tower!
I
Prakash Iyer CEO-Cards, Future Group, and executive coach
Achievement in life will be limited by your ambitions, your dreams. The choice is yours. Find your goal, And go for it
t was another noisy Thursday in frog world. A group of young frogs were chatting, discussing the latest news. As they looked at the nearby TV tower, the city’s tallest structure, they thought how wonderful it would be to be able to climb on top of it, and go where no frog had ever been. “The wind, the view… oh, to be on top of the tower!” said one of the frogs, and the others croaked in agreement. They decided that the following Sunday, they would all climb to the top of the tower. On the appointed day, several frogs gathered to watch the group of young frogs try and do the impossible. As the frogs lined up for the climb, you could hear the shouts from the crowd. “Don’t do it, it’s too dangerous!” “No one’s done it before, what makes you think you can do it?” Some of the young frogs heeded the warnings, and dropped out before the climb started. The rest set off nevertheless, and as some tiny frogs slipped and fell, you could hear the shouts grow louder. “You can’t do it!” “The tower is way too high!” One by one, all the frogs gave up, except one little frog. That frog paid no heed to the exhortations, and kept climbing, higher and higher until finally he reached the top of the TV tower. The first frog ever to get there! The frogs clapped and croaked in delight. When the little frog came down, the rest of them gathered around him. “How did you manage it? What’s the secret of your success?” they asked. The frog just looked on, and did not say a word. It turned out that he was deaf. And so while the hordes were shouting “It can’t be done”, he hadn’t heard a word. He thought they were egging him on, and mistook their shouts as words of encouragement! It’s a good idea to lead your life like that frog. As you go about chasing your goals, your dreams and your ambitions, disregard the people who tell you it can’t be done. Is there a course of study you want to pursue – but people are saying ‘with your grades, you’ll never get admission’? Is there a new business idea that’s been jumping about in your head – but well-wishers are saying you’ll never find the capital for it? And do you want to be rich and wealthy, and
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Hard work assures success, giving up is not the answer
make your dreams come true - but are being told “get real, no one in our entire family has ever made that kind of money?” Ignore them all. Turn a deaf ear. Remember, what you achieve in life will be limited only by your ambitions, your dreams. So when people tell you it can’t be done, they are in a sense, just testing your resolve, your commitment to your goals. How badly do you want to climb your own TV tower? Giving up is easy. Getting to your goals is hard work. There will be also be moments when you are the one watching other frogs – friends, family and colleagues – trying to climb their TV towers. Be careful what you say to them. You could discourage them and stop them from working towards their goals. Or you could egg them on, and help them achieve their goals. The choice is yours. As one wise man said, you can achieve any goal you desire – if only you will help other people achieve their goals! And yes, did I tell you who the frog met on top of the TV tower? A bumble bee! Now, according to the laws of aerodynamics, the bumble bee cannot fly because its body weight is too high when compared to its wingspan. But luckily, the bumble bee never went to school and is unaware of the laws of aerodynamics. So it happily flies! Be like the bumble bee, and the deaf frog. Find your goal, your TV tower. And go for it. If you can dream it, you can do it!
Career Review
merchant navy
launch your
career on
the high seas ‘What makes that ship drive on so fast? What is the ocean doing?’ —Samuel Taylor Coleridge (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)
by Arun Srivastava
A
n international trade, shipping offers fascinating career as seafarers (those who earn their living by service at sea). The profession is widely described as challenging, adventurous and highly paid. About 90 per cent of the global goods transportation takes place through sea routes by purpose-built merchant vessels. The cost of ships could be as high as $5-100 million and it takes years to build a ship. So it’s both capital-intensive and time-consuming. “The total number of ships across the world is about 50,500. India has got a total of 35,000 officers and 110,000 seafarers while the world shipping needs around 466,000 officers and 721,000 seafarers. At the start of the year, there was a shortage of around 10,000 officers globally. India accounts for around 5 per cent of world manning,” says an expert in an industry magazine’s recent issue.
Diverse opportunities
In modern day shipping, the sector involves ocean management, ports, logistics, shipbuilding, supply chain management, personnel recruitment and ship-management. In this trade practice a third party takes the overall charge of business activities and pays to the owner of the vessel, called principal, a share of the revenue as agreed upon between them. Together they form a
mammoth industry complicated enough to call for the services of marine lawyers, policy makers, media, and usually a government ministry. Also, the industry has been expanding to include more and more business functions. Besides, offshore oil drilling, marine tourism, professional and recreational diving are just a few of the numerous sea-based avenues of employment.
Hierarchy on board
Ships remain the core of this hugely diversified industry. In order to manage different functions on the ship there are three distinct departments: nautical also called deck, engine and rating. There are adequately qualified personnel in each of the three departments in a well laid-out hierarchy. For example, a ship is navigated chiefly by the Master, who is also called Captain. He is the seniormost navigation officer and comes from the deck department, followed by chief officer, second officer and third officer. There is a chief engineer, second engineer, third engineer and electrical officer in the engine department. Then, there is a third line of workers who do other sundry functions which are crucial and can spell disaster if not done in the most efficient manner. The life and work on a cargo vessel which includes oil tankers, petrochemical tankers, dry bulk carriers, etc. is a lot about safe and efficient management of cargo and ship. Cruise ships are growing
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shipping contributes trillions of dollars to the world economy, generating over 12 million jobs
rapidly in number though mostly in western Europe. They offer recreation, quality leisure, fun, entertainment, good food, socializing and networking. The good news is that a very satisfying career can made in the field by average students with basic schooling. Types of Jobs: There are basically three streams of employment onboard a ship – deck officers, engineers and ratings. Deck officers have the responsibility of navigation, safe and efficient movement of the ship and cargo. Engineers are primarily needed to look after the engine, which in case of a ship is not only gigantic but also complicated. Ratings are such staff onboard a ship who offer physical help in carrying out various functions. Typically, each of these
three departments has well organized hierarchy. Deck officers are headed by the Master, also called Captain. Similarly, the engine department is headed by the Chief Engineer and the ratings are headed by a Boatswain. A Master or a Chief Engineer is assisted by many junior colleagues, who have the same basic qualification but not the same seaexperience and certificates of competency as the Master or a Chief Engineer. And in order to gain the sea-experience and different competency certificates, they need to not only find and continue with the sea job but also take the post-sea competency examinations from time to time to facilitate their promotions. The demand-supply mismatch in the manning sector has led to faster promotions and a fresh graduate in nautical science or marine engineering can expect to rise to the top-most level in the official hierarchy in about six years. The day at sea is divided into six fourhour periods. Three group of watch standers are on duty for four hours and then off for eight hours. Seamen often work overtime during their off time.
Rankings onboard
courses in shipping
Top Indian companies that recruit shipping staff
Course
Qualification
Age
Physical Standards
Deck Cadet
10+2 with minimum 55% in PCM or BSc
20-
Eyesight:6/6 or without spectacles,without colour blindness
GME
BE or BTech
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Eyesight:+/- 2.5, without colour blindness
BE Marine Engg
10+2 with 60% in PCM & 50% in English
20
Eyesight:+/- 2.5, without colour blindness
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Physical fitness Physical fitness is required as per ILO-147 convention, ISM/STCW Code (1/9) and Medical Examination (Ministry of Shipping, Government of India) Rules 2000. Perks and benefits offered by crewing agents Family carriage for all ranks Hometown repatriation airfare (to and fro) Flag state certification at company’s expenses Standby wages during courses / at the time of joining Company’s accommodation Career prospect ashore Excellent promotion prospects
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D’Amico Ships (India) Pvt Ltd www.damicoship.com Wallem Shipmanagement (India) Pvt Ltd www.wallem.com Fleet Management Ltd www.fleetship.com NYK Shipmanagement www.nyksm.com Ishima International Ship management www.ishimaship.com Pentagon Marine Services P. Ltd www.pentagonmarine.com MMS Maritime (India) Pvt Ltd www.mms-india.com Dynacom Tankers Management Ltd www.dynacomindia.com Bernhard Schutle Shipmanagement www.bs-shipmanagement.com Crew Management (India) Pvt Ltd
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Master: A Master who is also called Captain of the ship is the highest officer aboard a ship. He oversees all ship operations and keeps the records of the ship. He is also supposed to take care of accounting and bookkeeping functions. He takes command of the vessel in inclement weather and in crowded or narrow water. He receives and implements instructions from the employers. His salary could be in the range of $10,000 and above. Chief Officer: He is next only to the Master. Traditionally, a chief officer is responsible for stowage, cargohandling, and organization of works for other seamen. He also assists the master in the navigating duties. Salary—$8,000 and above. Second Officer: Practically the ship’s navigation officer, he is also in charge of twelve to four watch. Keeps all the books and charts up to date, monitors navigation equipment on bridge. He is also the ship’s medical officer. Salary—$6,000 and above.
Career Review
merchant navy
courses for ratings Six-month Pre-Sea course for General Purpose Rating (GP Rating) Six-Month Pre-Sea course for General Purpose Rating for Fitters/Petty Officers. Eligibility: Pass with aggregate 40% marks in 10th standard from a recognized Board with Science, Mathematic as subjects and with minimum 40 percent marks in English language. Or pass in 2-year ITI course from government approved institute. Minimum 50 percent aggregate marks in final year and minimum 40 percent marks in English at 10th or diploma exam. Age: Between 17½ to 25 years.
Third Officer: He is in charge of four to eight watch and is directly responsible for all deck operations — cargo storage and handling, deck maintenance and deck supplies. Salary— $4,000 and above. Chief Engineer: He is the seniormost engineer officer and therefore responsible for the satisfactory working and upkeep of the engine room and its various components. Salary—$10,000 and above. Second Engineer: In charge of four to eight watch. Usually works from eight to four, handling engine maintenance. He assigns duties to unlicensed personnel. Salary—$6,000 and above. Third Engineer: In charge of twelve to four watch. Salary—$4,000 and above. Fourth Engineer: He is generally the most junior marine engineer on the ship. He is usually responsible for electrical, sewage treatment, lube oil, bilge, and oily water separation systems. Salary—$3,000 and above.
Other staff onboard
Following personnel come from the Ratings streams and command a monthly salary of about $1,000. Rating: Seaman, forming a support team on the ship. Pumpman: A rating who operates pumps in an oil tanker and maintains and repairs all cargo handling equipment on tankers.
shipping industry is the backbone of modern international trade and accounts for 90 percent of the goods traded worldwide.
Ordinary Seaman: A deck crew member who is subordinate to the able bodied seaman. Able Bodied Seaman: He is a member of the deck crew who is able to perform all the duties of an experienced seaman. Fitter: Trained in welding, refrigeration, lathe operation, die-casting, electricity, pumping, water purification, oiling, evaluating engine gauges and one who actively helps in the engine maintenance. Electrical Officer: Well qualified hand who undertakes maintenance and repair works of electrical and electronic equipment aboard a vessel. His salary could be higher depending on his qualification and competency. Chief cook: Shipboard hand who cooks and bakes. His salary could be higher depending on his qualification and competency.
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Boatswain (Bosun): The highest uncertified rating in the deck department who has immediate charge of all deck hands and who in turn comes under the direct orders of the master or chief mate or mate.
Seafarers’ job market
The crew for a cargo vessel numbers less than 50 while that of a cruise ship could be anything between 300 and 1000. They are mostly taken on fixed-period contracts to join the ship during its voyage which could be as long as six months and above. A qualified person selected by the employer company is usually flown to the port where the employer ship is anchored and the person joins the ship and begins his work in the field assigned to him. A mention is made in his continuous discharge certificate (CDC), which functions as an official record for his sea-experience. Wages are paid for the contract period. All the jobs onboard a ship are contractual, ranging from a short period of
certification agencies DG Shipping The Directorate General of Shipping, India, is a government body under the Ministry of Shipping and deals with implementation of shipping policy and legislation, promotion of maritime education, regulation of employment and welfare of seamen, development of coastal shipping, augmentation of shipping tonnage, examination and certification of Merchant Navy Officers. STCW ’95 Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 1995 is a set of some basic courses which every aspirant must undergo and obtain a certificate to be able to work onboard a ship. STCW Courses include Elementary First Aid (EFA), Ship Security Officers (SSO), Passenger Ship Familiarisation (PSF), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR), Medical First Aid (MFA). CDC: Continuous Discharge Certificate-cumSeafarers’ Identity Document in India is issued by Director General of Shipping. This is a must-document for all seafarers in which there is a mention every time the holder of the CDC leaves a ship after his stint is over. This is an official certificate confirming sea experience in the employment for which he was engaged.
15 days to 9 months or so. The contract period depends on the voyage plan of a particular ship. So, effectively, every six months, a seaman can choose a new company and vessel to work with. The salary ranges from $300-800 per month at the entry level to $10,000-12,000 and above for a captain or chief engineer. The Indian job market is flooded with international shipping companies offering most competitive wages and all kinds of perks to recruit the best hands. Their duties vary with the type of ship, the type of voyage, the number of crewmembers, the weather, and many other variables. Where and what to study: There are two departments of functions – one of navigation, which at its highest level is represented by the Master or Captain of the ship and the other of engine, represented by the Chief Engineer at the highest level. One can get into the navigation department after a one-year diploma in Deck Cadet. Similarly, a qualified engineer can join the
engine department after doing one-year graduation in mechanical engineering (GME). Along with prescribed sea-experience and further study and examination, both can lead to full-fledged degree in nautical sciences and marine engineering respectively. There are some institutions which offer 4-year engineering course leading to BE Marine Engineering. There are two engineering colleges by the name of Marine Engineering and Research Institute (MERI), in Kolkata and Mumbai, offering BE Marine Engineering course. Most of the staff for the engine departments have been coming from these two institutions. You require 60 percent in PCM to sit for entrance test.
Bsc Nautical Science
This is a six-semester (three year) programme constituting three stages. ●● A candidate is admitted to the oneyear (2 semesters) pre-sea course and on the successful completion of the first two semesters, he will be awarded Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS). ●● This is followed by one-and-a-half years (3 semesters) onboard ship training and after successful completion, he is awarded Advanced Diploma in Nautical Science (ADNS). ●● After completion of the onboard training, the Sixth Semester constitutes “Second Mate Certificate of Competency” awarded by the Director General of Shipping and the candidate is awarded BSc (Nautical Science) degree from the Indian Maritime University (IMU). First year constitute onshore training which is designed to impart basic knowledge on the type of merchant ships, ship operations, types of goods carried by ships, shipping trade and a good foundation in the basic principles of navigation and environmental sciences. There are three courses available to become a marine engineer. ●● BE Marine Engineering Course: After 10 + 2 or its equivalent examination with a minimum 60 percent aggregate in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics, and at least 50 percent in English at 10th or 12th standard, one can take the Common Entrance Test conducted by IMU for admission to the 4-year BE Marine Engineering course. The candidate should not be above 25
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years and should be physically fit for sea service under standard norms, with eyesight upto +/- 2.5, and with no colour blindness. ●● Two-year DME Course: There is also a two-year DME course for Diploma Holder in Mechanical/Marine/ Shipbuilding/Naval Architecture/Electrical Engineering. ●● One year pre-sea training: There is also one year pre-sea training for Graduates in Mechancical Engineering or Naval Architecture (GME). All these courses lead to Class IV Marine Engineer Officer Certificate of Competency, awarded by the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, after 6 months of sea service, enabling the cadets to become Marine Engineers on board Merchant Naval ships anywhere in the world. This course is strictly residential. All candidates for Deck Cadet, GME and BTech (Marine Engineering) have to appear for Common Entrance Test conducted by IME. Successful candidates are called for counselling by the IMU, Chennai, and allotted seats in different institutions. Students who want to make a career in any of these fields have to ensure they start early because the admission is open for 10+2 pass students. Second thing they should ensure is that their eyesight and general health is as per the required norms. Sitting in the IMU’s entrance test is also very crucial. After clearing the exam, you can study these courses at IMU’s four campuses and some 120 maritime training institutes spread across the country but typically concentrating around maritime hubs like Mumbai and Chennai. The Course fees vary from 2.2 lakhs to 2.25 lakhs per annum for both the courses, both at IMU and affiliated colleges.
Check out recruitment plans
The best course of action would be to check out national and international companies by contacting them through phone and checking out their websites for their recruitment plan. In many cases, they hold their own entrance test and personal interviews to select fresh candidates. If you qualify their examination, they sponsor you in the sense that
Career Review
merchant navy
Public institutions
Private institutions
Institutes
Location
Institutes
Location
National Maritime Academy
Chennai
Orissa Maritime Academy
Jagatsinghpur
T S Chanakya
Mumbai
Kolkata
Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies & Research
Mumbai
Trident College of Marine Technology Asha Institute of Marine Technology
Varanasi
Marine Engineering Research Institute
Mumbai
Sriram Institute of Maritime Studies
Delhi
Marine Engineering Research Institute
Kolkata
Delhi
Indian Institute of Port Management
Kolkata
Acqatech Institute of Maritime Studies
National Ship Design & Research Centre
Visakhapatnam
Euro Tech Maritime Academy
Cochin
Commander Ali Academy of Merchant Navy
Secunderabad
Sri Chakra Maritime College
Pondicherry
Balaji Seaman Training Institute
Chennai
Maritime Training Academy
Goa
they commit to offer employment after the successful completion of the course. Many a time monetary benefit is also offered by these companies. Sponsored candidates are not required to come for counselling at IMU’s Chennai office but can take admission at the institution his sponsor has finalized. In case you could not find any sponsor, you better sit for IMU’s entrance examination which selects more than 4,000 students for admission to IMU’s own colleges and private training institutes across the country. For this examination, the students should start looking for admission notice from early March. The minimum eligibility criteria include a 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics with 55 percent. So, you need to begin preparing for it a little early. If you are preparing for any engineering entrance test, you don’t need to study anything more. The examination pattern remains somewhat same as that of engineering entrance tests. Ratings go for six months’ pre-sea training at DG approved institutes.
Skillsets and attributes
The basic attributes in a person for a successful career in the shipping industry are that he should be physically and mentally strong, ready to accept challenges and work hard, have a liking for outdoor life and travelling. If you enter a shipping career latest at the age of 25 years, within five years you can expect to be right at the top or nearby in the official hierarchy of people working onboard a ship. Salary is given as per the international standards so as to attract the best hands available. So
CAPTAIN/MASTER Engine Department
Deck Department
Chief Engineer
Chief Officer
2nd Engineer
2nd Officer
3rd Engineer
3rd Officer
4th Engineer Ratings
4th Officer
Bosun
Chief Cook
Able Bodied Seaman
Cook
Ordinary Seaman
Asst Cook
Fitter
General Steward
Saloon Rating
Motorman Oiler Wiper Trainee Seamen
careers
Best colleges
Some of the best maritime training institutions are in the government sector, followed by 120-odd private institutions. All erstwhile government-run maritime training institutions have been handed over to the Indian Maritime University, which came into being towards the fag end of 2008. All the colleges are highly rated for their respective nautical and engineering courses. Indian Maritime University currently has eight departments — Port Management, Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, Transport & Logistics (Business School), Marine Sciences, Maritime Law, Naval Architecture & Ship Building and Inland Water Transport. Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Advanced Maritime Studies and Research is a premier post-sea Maritime Education and Training Institute offering a comprehensive range of courses for Merchant Navy Officers. In the private sector, most of the colleges listed alongside are good, but ensure that, the facilities, they promise are available and under their control, in the light of the happenings in the recent UGC reviews.
Conclusion
there is enough competition among the shipping professionals from countries all over the world. As you spend time on the ship as its staff member, you confront unexpected and extra ordinary situations. In order to successfully overcome them you need to have special skill sets, which are determined by regular tests of competency. Basically, as you grow from one rank to the next, you need to qualify certain standards set by international shipping bodies and class societies. These tests of competency are targeted at identifying how best one can deal with day-to-day functioning of the ship in the international arena. Mind you, the cost of a ship, its cargo and the marine environment in which it moves
24
remains too high to risk with poor standard of manpower. So, you must have an orientation towards the sea, international business, and ability to take decisions in most critical of times. Good in health is another must.
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october 2009
Shipping industry also involves a lot of shore-based functions in manning, management of the ship and its business. One can also find a career in teaching and training after having done enough of sea-going. The cargoes, which are loaded onto the ships come from within a country and mostly through roads. This involves a high degree of logistics support and formalities pertaining to foreign trade as the goods are mostly shipped outside the country. People from shipping background are much in demand as they can take charge of these functions with a little training and orientation programmes. So if you have the heart for adventure, wet your feet in international waters for a highly paid career.
Cracking
US ADMISSIONS
Get set to clear SAT
One of the most widely used admission tests among US colleges and universities, SAT basically evaluates students’ knowledge of subjects by Mrinalini Batra
I
t is the time of the year again. Students who want to do undergraduate courses abroad are on the look out for schools and colleges of their choice. The United States of America remains the most popular destination, though the application process appears cumbersome.
What US colleges look for
Specific colleges in the US have different admissions criteria. But they ultimately seek the same -- a well-rounded, capable student. The admissions process relies on a number of factors but the basic criteria used to evaluate students are: ●● Academic potential and performance – as evidenced by the student’s class rank and marks, the rigour of the programme pursued and the reputation of the school. ●● Strengths and weaknesses as represented by the applicant’s participation in extra-curricular activities. ●● Performance in standardized global admissions tests.
SAT as a measuring factor
The first two factors are rather subjective as they represent great diversity – courses and grading standards vary from school to school and region to region. It is the scores in standardized tests that help colleges compare the academic achievements of students from different schools and regions. After the mandatory English examinations like the TOEFL and the IELTS, the SAT is the most widely used admissions test among colleges and universities. The American College Testing programme (ACT) is also used by a large number of schools. However, the SAT, formerly known as Scholastic Aptitude Test, still remains the most popular one in India.
Illustration: Gouri Nanda
SAT I Reasoning Test
This is a standardized aptitude test for undergraduate aspirants, designed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and administered by The College Board. It tests students’ knowledge of subjects that are believed to be necessary for college success: reading, writing, and mathematics. Almost all undergraduate programmes in the US require applicants to furnish the SAT score. Some colleges require scores on SAT Subject Tests as well. Find out whether a particular college requires SAT I or SAT II or both, by checking out its website. The SAT is typically taken by students who are in classes 11th and 12th. It tells students how well they use the skills and knowledge they have attained in and outside of the classroom - including how they think, solve problems, and communicate. It is believed to be one of the best predictors of how well students will do in college.
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SAT trivia
●● It is a paper-based test and includes several different question types, including: a student-produced essay, multiplechoice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins). ●● There are three distinct sections in the SAT ■■ Critical Reading ■■ Writing ■■ Mathematics ●● Each section of the SAT is scored on a scale of 200-800; the maximum possible score is 2400! ●● The test is administered six times a year in India ●● The SAT consists of 10 total testing sections with the three types of sections interspersed in random fashion. ●● Test-takers in the same session may have test books with entirely different content orders for sections two through nine. ●● Usually students take SAT I twice.
Cracking
US ADMISSIONS
How to score well in SAT
Scoring in the test depends on the student’s performance in nine sections – three each of Critical Reading, Writing or Mathematics. There is an extra section called the wild card section that can consist of Mathematics, Critical Reading or Writing questions. This section does not count and is not considered towards the SAT score. However, it is unmarked and students will not be able to differentiate it from the others.
STRUCTURE OF SAT I TEST
Writing Section The writing section includes both multiple-choice questions and a direct writing measure in the form of an essay. It tests the student’s knowledge of grammar, usage and word choice. The total duration of this section is 60 minutes. The short essay measures the student’s ability to organize and express ideas clearly. The multiple-choice writing questions measure the student’s ability to improve sentences and paragraphs and identify errors such as diction, grammar, sentence construction, subject-verb agreement, proper word usage, and wordiness. Critical Reading Section The critical reading section, formerly known as the verbal section, includes short as well as long reading passages. Questions can be based on one, or sometimes two, reading passages. This section comprises two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. Mathematics Section This section consists of two 25-minute sections and one 20-minute section. The SAT includes mathematics topics in the four main areas - Number and Operations, Algebra and Functions, Geometry and Measurement & Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability. Students are allowed to use a four-function, scientific, or graphing calculator. It is not possible to take SAT I and SAT II tests on the same test date. Though the basic test fee is $45, there are additional processing fees such as the international processing fee of $26; students in India and Pakistan pay an additional surcharge of $23. The SAT fee entitles the student to send the score
Test dates and deadlines for SAT I & SAT II test registration for India – 2009 -2010 Test dates
Test administered
Regular registration (last date)
October 10, 2009
SAT & Subject Tests
September 9, 2009
November 7, 2009
-do-
October 1, 2009
December 5, 2009
-do-
October 30, 2009
January 23, 2010
-do-
December 15, 2009
May 1, 2010
-do-
March 25, 2010
June 5, 2010
-do-
April 29, 2010
to up to four schools free of cost. Beyond that, each score report costs $9.50.
SAT I preparation
An aptitude test, students have been able to increase their score by preparing well for SAT. As Indian students are not very familiar with the multiple-choice examinations, getting used to the test also takes time. ●● It is best to start preparing for the test after the class 10 final examinations. ●● Plan ahead because schools set a last test date for each application period. ●● Students must set aside a minimum of 3 months for the SAT I preparation. ●● Pick a test preparation programme that combines instruction with testing and review. ●● Take a minimum of 12 full-length tests to prepare for the test. ●● Practise taking the test under real time conditions.
Tips for students
●● Register for the test early so that you can be assured of a good testing center. It is offered in a number of Indian cities. ●● You will need a valid passport as proof of your identity. ●● Each question in a section is worth the same point irrespective of the level of difficulty – do not spend too much
The ACT is a curriculum-based test, and hence scoring
here is not based on IQ
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time on tough questions. Do the simple ones first and tough ones later. ●● If you do not know the answer and can still eliminate one or two choices to make an intelligent guess, do so. However, keep in mind that there is a guessing penalty in SAT. For each wrong answer, you lose one-fourth of the points earned on a correct answer except for the student produced answers. ●● Use your test booklet for doing rough as it is the only scrap paper you will get. ●● Wear a watch to the test since keeping time is critical to your success on the test. ●● At the test center, the start and end of each section is called. You will not be allowed to go back to a previously completed section. ●● You cannot take your question paper home. However, the College Board offers a Question and Answer Service for SAT I for certain tests dates. You can register for the same by paying a special fee and get a copy of the test paper, your answers and the correct answers.
SAT II: Subject Tests
These are one-hour, primarily multiplechoice tests measuring knowledge of particular subjects and the ability to apply that knowledge. SAT II information ●● These subjects include Mathematics, English Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, French, US History, World History, Italian, Latin, German, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Modern Hebrew. Please note that the options for students in the commerce stream are rather limited. ●● Each subject test is scored on a 200800 scale.
ACT test dates in India Test Date
Registration Deadline
December 12, 2009*
November 6, 2009
February 6, 2010
January 5, 2010
April 10, 2010
March 5, 2010
June 12, 2010
May 7, 2010
*Only on these dates the optional writing test are conducted.
Students can take up to three SAT II tests on a test date. Also, all subjects are not offered on all test dates in India. ●● Most colleges that require SAT II want the scores from two subject areas; some schools want three SAT II tests. ●●
The PSAT
The Preliminary SAT (PSAT/NMSQT) is a programme co-sponsored by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). It is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. It also gives US citizens and permanent residents a chance to enter NMSC scholarship programmes and gain access to college and career planning tools. The PSAT/NMSQT measures, Critical Reading skills, Math problem-solving skills and Writing Skills. It has five sections: two 25-minute critical reading sections, two 25-minute Math sections and one 30-minute writing skills section. The whole test requires two hours and 10 minutes. This test is now being administered in India and is meant to be taken by students in classes 9th and 10th. It is held in October every year.
The ACT
The ACT test, formerly the American College Testing programme, is an alternative to the SAT test. Today, most 4-year colleges recognize the ACT test. The ACT consists of four multiplechoice tests and an optional writing test. English focusses on usage and rhetoric, Math tests algebra skills and trigonometry skills. Reading focuses on the arts and literature, and science stresses problem-solving skills. The optional writing test is similar to the SAT essay question. Students must write a short essay based on an assigned prompt. The actual testing time is 2 hours and 55 minutes. The writing part takes an
additional 30 minutes. The advantage with ACT is that it is a curriculum-based test, so it is not an aptitude or IQ test. Students who do poorly on the SAT may do significantly better in the ACT. Each of the tests is graded on a one to thirty-six scale, with the optional essay adding points to the total score. There is no wrong answer penalty like in the SAT, and the ACT analyzes students’ strengths and weaknesses. The test is offered in India at centers in Pune, Kodaikanal, Mussoorie, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai. Not all centers are scheduled to test on every test date. Basic registration fee is $47 for the ACT Plus Writing. Most scores are available online within two-and-a-half weeks after each national or international test date.
Pursue your academic dream by taking the
first step in finding the right college. Make SAT your stepping stone in achieving your career goals
Comparison of ACT and SAT
The ACT is an achievement test, measuring what a student has learned in school. The SAT is more of an aptitude test, measuring reasoning and verbal abilities. The ACT has up to 5 components: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and an optional Writing Test. The SAT has only 3 components: Critical Reasoning, Mathematics, and a required Writing Test. The College Board introduced a new version of the SAT in 2005, with a mandatory writing test. ACT continues to offer its well-established test, plus an optional writing test. You take the ACT Writing Test only if required by the college(s) you’re applying to. The SAT has a correction for guessing.
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That is, they take off for wrong answers. The ACT score is based on the number of correct answers and has no penalty for guessing. You can ask the ACT to release only the record from the test date you request. SAT has recently allowed this facility but it has not been accepted across colleges in the US.
AP Tests
The AP (Advanced Placement) tests are taken by students in various subjects to earn credit at most colleges and universities in the U.S., as well as colleges and universities in more than 40 other countries. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can save a lot of time and money in the United States. AP information Students currently in class 11th or 12th can take the tests and have an edge in the application process. Students passing out this year would benefit by getting credit in the freshman year. Some of the subjects in which Indian students can take the AP exams are: Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Psychology, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, World History, Human Geography, English Language and Composition, United States History, Computer Science, Calculus, Statistics, Environmental Science, etc. These tests are administered by the College Board in the month of May every year. The last date for registering for the examination is 1st of March. In India this test is offered at centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Chennai. The fee for each AP Exam is US$86. So, whether it is SAT or ACT, the destination remains studying abroad. Pursue your dream by taking the first step in finding the right college. The first step should invariably be the right one. A structured approach can surely help you in a big way in clearing these examaninations. Your success in SAT could be the stepping stone in achieving your long-term career goals. Be focussed and prepare well. Best of luck! (Mrinalini Batra is a New Delhi-based foreign education consultant)
Advisory
career management
Performance alone does not count. Shoulder the extra burden to jump ahead... by Urmila Rao
J
ayson, a woodcutter, worked for a company for four years but got a meagre raise. Then Liam, five years his junior, joined the company, he received a hefty raise within twelve months. Back in the white-collared world, Ankit Joshi, 30, is grappling with a situation similar to this. The area sales manager of a renowned pharma company has been unfailingly achieving his sales target each quarter. However, much to his dismay, his colleague of just two years got promoted ahead of him and also managed a 10 per cent higher raise than he did. Does it look like your story? What did Liam do right that Jayson did not? A perturbed Jayson asked his boss. The boss replied that he would be happy to give a raise if his productivity increased. How do hard-working Jaysons and Ankits increase their output? The answer: by sharpening the axe. That’s how Liam managed to cut more trees. A lot of times employees feel that despite performing well, they are passed over for an increment or a raise or both. Why does this happen?
consultancy firm. Performance does not automatically lead to promotion as an individual may not have the potential or has demonstrated adequate competencies required for the next level. “It is based on readiness and certain capabilities,” emphasizes Sudhanshu Tripathi, president, HR, Hinduja Group. A good sales manager may not necessarily
Are you being passed over for a raise?
Display capability for next level
Think over what signs you are giving to your organization that you are better than your peers. Achieving a target set for the current role is not enough for a promotion. “It’s about the ability to take on additional responsibility and accountability as defined for the future role,” says Varda Pendse, Director, Cerebrus Consultants, a Mumabi-based HR
How to get set and go According to Human Resource experts following are the common reasons why many performers are not promoted. ■■
Inability to manage and lead a team
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F ailure to demonstrate collaborative behaviour with colleagues across functions
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ot able to go beyond operational N perspective to have macro perspective
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F ailing to take initiatives and expanding the knowledge base
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Lack of focus
be good regional director as different levels and roles need a different set of competencies. In organizations that have pyramid structures there are fewer high level positions. “That demands that only the best suitable move up,” maintains Dr. Ganesh Shermon, Partner and Country Head (Textiles and Apparel) KPMG.
Illustration:Grouri Nanda
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Are you clear about your goals?
Have you have identified your objectives? What steps are you taking to achieve them? Don’t be like this man, who did not know where he wanted to go and asked a passerby. The passerby sneered, “Then take any. What difference does it make? Goals give a sense of direction. If you don’t have active orientation towards your target, you are paddling furiously for nothing. “Develop a plan for yourself and keep working on it,” says Tripathi. But how would you know if you are progressing? Don’t lean on your boss or friends to get a feedback. Ask a neutral person. “Your boss may not give overt encouraging signs lest you may construe it as a promotion guarantee,” says Tripathi. So find a mentor.
Steps that ensure suitable reward Prashant Srivastava, Country Manager and Managing Partner, Gallup India* offers some tips for a handsome raise and a promotion. ■■
Perform consistently, maintain patience. Law of average will work. Good performance finally gets noticed and rewarded. So, don’t give up
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Align yourself: the good performance should not be at odds with the organizational objectives.
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Keep up your market value: great performance and consistency makes you an asset. Even if your organization fails to recognise you, the market will.
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Be visible: ensure that the good performance is visible to the boss’ boss.
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Be a team worker: help the team to achieve great output. Make good relations at work.
*(Gallup is a global research-based consultancy, specializing in employee and customer management)
Expand skill base
Once goals are identified, to-be-improved areas spotted and acknowledged, set out on the task of enhancing your skill base. A good mechanic would need additional know-how to become a design engineer. An added expertise gives you a definite advantage over your associates. Take it for granted, companies will not promote and then train you to shoulder new responsibility. Good raise is a sign of doing a job well that’s entrusted to you. “But promotion is entrusting the person with new responsibilities,” points out Mona Gupta, Head, HR, Cincom System. So get that extra edge in advance. A computer hardware engineer can not only diagnose a hardware–related problem but can solve it efficently if he’s equipped with basic software knowledge as well. For instance, if Windows OS in a computer crashes, then a competent hardware engineer would try to recover it first saving the user’s data intact as opposed to re-installing it. “In addition to enhanced knowledge, keep consistently demonstrating that you are an asset to the organization,” advises E Balaji, CEO, Ma Foi.
Volunteer to do more
Every job presents opportunities to step up and do things that are not necessarily manifested in your official job description. Shirking or feigning indifference is not a good pay off in the long-term.
Volunteer for extra work and take the initiative to make a job better. Bosses like people who can help them solve problems. Even if the problem is not yours but if you have the expertise to solve it, then volunteer to help. Unlike Ankit, his colleague who outshone him in appraisal took the initiative of clearing the outstanding payments. Due to his efforts, the boss got a neat balance sheet with no payments due from any client. Ankit merely realized his sales figure target. “Stretch beyond the normal targets to get paid beyond normal or get recognized beyond normal work,” says Mona Gupta. Be proactive. There can be situations when you work like a pigeon, give outstanding results, yet your efforts go unnoticed. It’s time you emphasized your accomplishments. Keep a record of your work, particularly those which are quantifiable. And reason with your boss why you deserve a salary raise.
QUICKTAKE ■■
Identify Goals
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Work on areas for improvements.
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Expand your skillbase continously
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Volunteer to do more.
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Take responsibility
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Be a team player
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Your interpersonal skills
There could be many reasons why a hardworking employee gets overlooked in promotions. Preferential treatment, favouritism or subjective assessment could be the some of the reasons why a raise or a promotion or both eludes an employee, says Balaji. What kind of relationship do you have with your seniors, peers and subordinates? “Maintain an excellent rapport with managers, superior and peers,” advises Vishal Chibber, HR Head, Kelly Services. Relate to peers, subordinates and your bosses by being a team worker, adopting a mild-mannered approach and a considerate attitude. A robotic demeanour, an indifferent smile, aloofness and other negative attitudes are all tell tale signs for a boss to confirm why you are not suitable for a new role. At senior levels, the job is more administrative in nature and that requires excellent people management skills.
Are you a strong personality?
If you are part of a giant corporation, then ensure you develop a stronger personality and not get trampled over. Being an introvert can mar your chances of getting ahead. In a big bureaucratic enterprise, the rude truth is, extroverts have a discernable advantage over introverts. That is because big companies look for people who can seamlessly move across divisions and naturally network. By virtue of their superior verbal skills and personalities, they appear more prepared for the part. ‘Big companies are so oriented towards extroverts that introverts have to constantly over-deliver just to stay even’, Jack Welch, ex-CEO of General Electric, a Fortune 500 company, wrote in one of his career counselling columns. There are exceptions where introverts have performed in organizations on the basis of their unique ability. But usually such people are extraordinarily brilliant in their areas. It may be technology or in uncommon understanding of emerging markets or others. According to Welch, introverts who end up in the senior management positions are often the brains of the organizations. Want to grab the highest raise in your next apprasial? Become another Liam. Start sharpening your axe now!
CEO Speak
Sanjay modi
Recession might have been the buzzword casting a gloomy spell over the job market with salary cuts being the norm, but it seems that things are brightening up, if the recent survey by a global recruiting firm is anything to go by. The good news is that companies in India are ready to hire across all sectors in the coming few months, so it’s time to revamp your CV pronto, if you are looking to test the waters. Shalini Gupta finds out more in a conversation with Sanjay Modi, Managing director, Monster India.....
Q. How do you think the job market
was affected by the global slowdown last year? A. If we analyse the economic downturn from an Indian perspective, we find that it actually did not hit India as badly as the western world. Most of the Indian companies took a cautious approach and put their expansion plans or projects on hold anticipating the slowdown in the market. Hiring though was being done across almost all sectors but only for the critical positions. So contrary to the reports in the market, India did continue to hire in 2008 in sectors such as IT, manufacturing, engineering, banking and financial services except for the export sector that really got impactedfor example the gems, jewellery and leather industry.
“The is on
Q. In this scenario, do you think the numbers were alright?
A. The number of people being hired
was less as compared to early 2008 or even a year back. Companies continued to hire experienced people or those who brought niche skills on the table. Hiring of freshers was postponed or rather reduced since they are more of a trainable work force. I think what the recession did was, it made companies look deep inside and rearrange their priorities by looking at newer geographies as an expansion mode and newer technologies to reduce the costs.
Q. What is the job outlook for the next few months with reports that the worst is now behind us? A. We have approximately 45,000 job listings on our website which is almost
the same as the number in the early part of 2008, a clear indicator that companies are unfreezing the requirements and are keen to hire again. From March to December 2008 we saw a 30-35 percent decline in the number of job postings on the website. That stabilised in the first quarter i.e. from January to March 2009. This was followed by an 8-10 percent growth from April to May that was across all sectors with IT, BPO, infrastructure and construction companies, to name a few industries, that were on a rebound and were looking at
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hiring. Our sense of optimism was further fuelled in July and August when we saw a 36 percent growth, a clear indicator that the job market is on the path to recovery.
Q. Were there any policy measures by
the current government that fuelled the optimism on the job front? A. I would attribute it to the current budget, which in my opinion was well thought out with long-term returns. The policies undertaken under the NREGA scheme, easy credit flow given in terms
Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
“Sense of optimism was further fuelled as
in July and August there was a 36 percent growth in hiring, a clear indica-
tor that the job market was looking up” Q. Across what levels will hiring happen in the next few months? A. Lateral hiring would continue to be there. We also see a good momentum building up for recruiting freshers with up to one year of job experience. There are going to be jobs for people in the rural markets as well in the months to come.
job market a path to recovery” of funding large infrastructure projects, public-private partnership projects and support given to the telecom sector along with the protection of the export-oriented sector are a few of the things that helped fuel employability. A renewed sense of global recovery also seems to be a helping factor.
Q. Which sectors do you think would be hiring right now? A. The good news is that IT has come back with a bang. The reason why the numbers of employees hired by IT
Q. Rural seems to the flavor now. Did
companies look big is that there is no sector within the non-IT domain which hires as much as this single sector. The other promising sectors are manufacturing, retail, infrastructure and construction and telecom. We also see education moving very strongly because of the recent initiatives taken by the government to open up the sector. Hospitality is another sector to look out for. With the world moving towards research and development in pharma and biotechnology, it is a growing domain of the future.
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Monster also do something in that geography? A. We have been focusing on tapping the talent pool in the rural markets for the last 14-16 months, which is why we launched rozgaarduniya.com along with ITC’s e-Choupal in August this year. This was in tune with the need of organizations which were looking at tapping job seekers beyond the cities. Internet penetration was a challenge. Hence we collaborated with ITC’s e-Choupal to use their kiosks to help potential job seekers in these areas connect with their employers. We were successful in providing 1,200 jobs by 40 employers within a span of three weeks of the launch. The initiative gave us access to 40,000 villages in nine states helping us reach an untapped audience of five million people.
Q. What sectors are hiring job seek-
ers from the rural sector? Were any other innovative methods tried to reach out to the hinterland? A. Expansion in infrastructure development in sectors such as telecom and infrastructure, microfinance and logistics, agro-based industries, security companies, banking and financial services
CEO Speak
Sanjay modi
and FMCG have seen jobs being generated for job seekers from rural areas as well. We are now looking at spreading out the campaign in more than 9 states. To expand our reach, we focused on the convergence of technology, wherein we partnered with a satellite company so that people could look for jobs sitting in front of the television in the comfort of their home. This is targeted at B and C towns with a large penetration of satellite television in order to address a large audience.
Q. Is there any decline in the number
of people who are looking for jobs during recession? A. Last year we were getting around 13,000 to 14,000 résumés per day and this year we are averaging around 16,000 résumés per day, so things are definitely looking up. Freshers are always posting their résumés online and we believe that once the opportunities are less, people try and explore more to spot the opportunities where they can apply. Even people who are in experienced positions apply for a job in unsure times thinking that they can have a fallback option in case they land a good opportunity.
Q. What was the biggest challenge for you during the downturn?
A. The challenge from our side was to
map the job seeker to the industry sector. And there was an important learning
“Money is definitely a consideration for the job seeker but it should not be the sole criteria.
One who is just starting his career should give more emphasis to learning, not emoluments”
that we got. This was mapping the skill of the job seeker to the right industry sector. For example, ideally an IT professional would look at being absorbed within the IT sector, but his skills can be deployed even in sectors such as banking and financial services, telecom etc. Lot of job seekers went for training and study during this period which is a good thing since the dynamic work environment of today calls for reskilling on a continual basis.
Q. Social networking sites have become hunting grounds for potential employers these days. Do you see 32
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any competition from them? A. We see social networking sites as complementing us rather than competing with us. Hiring is scientific and a person goes through a certain procedure. They are not investing 90 percent of their workforce finding what is happening in the recruitment space which is something that we are doing along with providing a strong value proposition side by side. We believe hiring happens seriously at our website. We might possibly use them to expand our reach.
Q. What would be your advice to
someone who is looking to be hired in the next few months? A. Money is definitely a criteria for the potential job seeker but it should not be the sole criteria, though its a big motivator and influences the decision to choose a future employer. People today are also looking at the credibility of the company and the kind of work areas they would be exposed to as a professional. What is needed is to evaluate all the three criteria above in totality, rather than giving weightage to just one factor before taking up a job offer. I would suggest that someone who is just starting in his/her career should give more emphasis to learning rather than the emoluments and also take into account the integrity of the company that one is going to join.
Course Review
Hospital Administration
Lessons in management As healthcare gets technology-driven the demand for trained professionals to administer the sector will always be on the rise Fast Facts Courses: MHA, MBA (Healthcare/Hospital Management): Top schools: AIIMS, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Apollo institute, Nizam’s Institute, TISS: Duration: 2 years Admission: Entrance exam Placements: Available Salary: +3.5 lakhs
by Team Careers360
“
I
t is a trade-off, but a worthwhile one. As a doctor, I could take care of only my patients. As a trained administrator, every person who enters the hospital is mine,” says Dr. Ramachandra, Administrator of Care Hospitals, a hospitals chain in south India. The medical doctor also holds a PhD in Hospital Administration from Ohio State University. Medicine has travelled a long way. Technology now dominates medical procedure, and diagnosis is automated to a large extent says Dr. Ramesh Viswanath, Faculty at Indore University. With nearly 2.5 million medical establishments in the country, opportunities would only go up.
Awards and eligibility
As a specialized postgraduate professional course, hospital administration demands that either you are qualified in medicine and in that case you are eligible to compete for an MD (Hospital Administration), though the seats are a few, say four, in Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, and only a few institutions offer the course. In general the Master’s in Hospital Administration (MHA) is the most preferred one and any graduate with preferably one
or two years of experience can enter the profession. A certain level of innate empathy for patients, and an ability to decide under extremely stressful conditions are a must, opines Col. Gautam, Faculty, Academy of Hospital Administration. The latest entrant in the sector is an MBA degree with Hospital Management or Healthcare as a specialisation. As Dr. Uday Salunkhe explains in this issue (Page no. 34), the programme opens up careers in all segments of healthcare.
Corporate Hospitals ■■
Apollo Group
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Fortis Health Care
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Wockardt Group
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Aravind Eye Care
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Escorts Group
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Max Healthcare
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The great debate
To Dr. Devaprasad, Consultant Surgeon, Jayasekaran Medical Trust, only a trained medical doctor could be a hospital’s administrator. While Dr. Thulsiraj, a leading ophthalmologist, at Arvind Eye Care counters, “For a nation of the size of India, medical care must be standardized, broken into manageable steps performed by an efficient chain, so as to serve volumes with least cost.”
Where can you study?
The best of lot is on offer from AIIMS. But entry is difficult and if one is not a medical graduate, then one could only apply for a sponsored seat, and that after a minimum of seven years’ experience in responsible positions. Explains Dr. S.K Gupta, HOD, “Unlike a medical graduate, ordinary graduates would not spend long years in hospital. So it is imperative that they come
for healthcare Narendra Bisht/Outlook Group
with sufficient experience in a hospital, before they could be trained on the state-of-the-art in the discipline.” TISS with its long-standing engagement with developmental issues has also launched the programme recently. Nizam’s college, Hyderabad and Apollo Institute, are also very well known institutions (see select listing). Internationally hospital administration is a well developed field, and more than 450 institutions offer teaching and research programmes. USA has the most diverse offerings, and Europe is not far behind (see table).
What do they teach?
hospital administration combines empathy for patients with modern management principles
Top Indian institutes All India Institute of Medical Sciences www.aiims.edu Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham www.amrita.edu Apollo Institute of Hospital Administration www.apolloiha.ac.in Garware Institute (University of Mumbai) www.mu.ac.in/garware Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences [email protected] Peerless Hospital & B K Roy Research Centre www.peerlesshospital.com Sharda Group of Institutions www.sgei.org/colleges.htm Tata Institute of Social Sciences www.tiss.edu
A normal Master of Hospital Administration (MHA) is of two years’ duration, with a semester’s worth of internship in the case of some colleges. The first year course focuses on providing an in depth knowledge about the fundamentals of business administration with special emphasis on business environment, organization theory, quantitative methods, and computers in administration, but with an orientation towards healthcare. Some colleges like TISS, Loyola Academy and even Nizam’s offer inputs on public health issues and social aspects of health in the first year. The third and fourth semesters introduce students to subjects of hospital management, patient care, records maintenance, information systems etc. Since most of the hospital administration courses are on offer from institutes with medical colleges, substantial time during the second year is used to provide hands-on experience in the hospital. Man management and people issues are other aspects that are given substantial attention in an MHA programme.
MHA versus MBA (Healthcare)
The courses deal with aspects of healthcare, but their target audience is very different. MHA is primarily hospital management and is a relatively focused programme, wherein the primary objective is to train a set of people who would be able to run a hospital efficiently. On
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Leading foreign institutes Northwestern University (Kellogg) Oxford Brookes University SDA Bocconi School of Management, Italy University of Alabama — Birmingham University of California — Berkeley University of California — Los Angeles University of Leeds University of Manchester University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill, USA University of Nottingham University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), USA University of Washington, USA
the other hand an MBA (healthcare) is a management degree with a focus on healthcare sector. Thus , a passout, would find jobs not only in a hospital, but also in a range of allied sectors. What an MBA (Healthcare) loses in focus, it gains in diversity. As Prof. Parameswarn, Dean, Corporate Services, Amrita University says, “MHA is for people and who know and want to serve in a hospital, it is hands-on programme.”
Where would you fit in?
While medical graduates generally take care of the more technical aspects of hospital administration, non-medical graduates handle the operations aspects. The tasks would typically involve managing the staff, health services, technology decisions, IT management and performing under a given budget. The career path for a fresh MHA in a hospital would be managing one department or functionality as Asst. Administrator. And as they gain experience, the domain of control changes, but final authority on clinical matters will always rest with the medical professional. Salaries would range from about 3.5 lakhs rupees per annum in a medium hospital to upwards of one crore as an administrator in a super specialty 1000-bed hospital, as one moves up the value chain. The other avenues are in consultancy, IT firms, educational institutions and health insurance sector. Dr. Ramachandra concludes, “Money does matter, but the sheer thrill, in seeing a complicated patient get completely well and move out of the hospital is priceless”.
In depth
Economics
Obscure theories that determine national destinies Economics pervades all aspects of human existence, deciding what you earn and how you live. And for a keen practitioner, job opportunities are unlimited by Team Careers360
I
“
have always enjoyed curves and bottoms”. One forgives the twinkle in the eyes of Prof. Bengt Aak Lundvall, when he answers why he chose to be an economist. One of the pioneers in the field of innovation economics, Prof. Lundvall is very clear about the future. As long as there
is demand and supply, there would be economics to rationalize, theorize and allocate. So the future is bright for any one who cares to look, but look deep, Prof. Lundvall concludes.
Origin of Economics
Economics as a discipline evolved over the millennia, and one of the first known written text is our very own Arthasastra,
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and similar thoughts in other ancient civilizations predating it. Dr. Naubhar Sharif, Asst. Professor in Economics at HKUST says, “England’s treasure by Foreign Trade’ printed in 1663 is one of the first printed books on the subject”. In the span of three centuries, the discipline grew by leaps and bounds. Initially categorized as micro and macro economics, more than 65 sub-disciplines like
CAREERS FOR AN ECONOMIST Banking and Finance
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annual budget that touches the lives of all citizens is the public face of economics in India
Tribhuvan Tiwari/Outlook Group
Fast Facts Best schools: DSE, JNU,IGIDR, CDS, HCU and IIT’s Qualifications: BA, MA, MPhil, and PhD programme Career avenues: Academics, research, training and consulting
financial, ecological, industrial, innovation, behavioural studies etc. have come into being. Dr. Saradindu Bhaduri, a JNU faculty, jokes that each time a Professor gets a substantially large research grant, a new sub-discipline is born.
Ideology in Economics
Since it deals with human life, ideology forms the very core of economics, opines Dr. Sharif. The primary conflict was always between protectionists and free traders, only the scope and scale changed during different points in time. And interestingly Marxist economics in practice always lie at some point across
the continuum. Though its utility and relevance is under question, labour theory of value is a very useful tool. In the recent past, free market ideology permeated most of the economic thought until the last year’s crash, which has swung the pendulum to the other extreme. Prof. K J Joseph, Commerce Chair Professor at CDS, sums up saying, “Ideology must never govern and control your thought process, but must provide direction.” So as a student, he says it is imperative that one always understands different ideologies and the historical point they come from. Suman Beri, Director, NCAER concurs, “It is important to be aware, but it is crucial to deliver.” And finally an economist is only worth what his prescriptions deliver.
Major academic disciplines
Though traditionally micro and macro are the two broad areas within which the discipline is segregated, the issue and function-based sub division is what rules the roost. Monetary (issues of money, inflation and interest rates), Labour (one of the few sub-disciplines directly dealing with human aspects), Welfare (especially dealing with disparity and inequality), International (from mercantilism to free trade), Managerial (a 20th century creation dealing with the economics of business), Regional (has a geographical orientation) and Industrial (focussing on issues of production) are some of the traditional economic sub-
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disciplines, while some scholars would include Public Finance and industrial organisation also in the list. And in terms of economics dealing with particular sectors, agriculture and industry were the traditional favourites, with a host of other sectors appearing and disappearing in each decade, coinciding with the fortunes of the industry they seek to understand. But in the last few decades, Behavioral, Green, Development, Entrepreneurial, Informational, Institutional, Feminist, Environmental and Resource have also become issues of economic consideration. As Prof. Joseph, jokingly says, take any issue add economics to it and it becomes another economic subject. Of late, financial and informational economics have assumed tremendous importance, especially after the huge economic meltdown that swept most of the world economies in the past few years. “As material considerations take precedence, each aspect of society is increasingly taken over and monetized by the discipline of economics,” says Prof. Joseph. The ethical dimensions of such expansions are best left to economic philosophers like Amartya Sen.
Programmes on offer
Like any traditional discipline, economics offers the usual order of Bachelor’s, Master’s and doctoral degrees, broadly as a BA/MA. But increasingly, as the mathematics content in economic rises, a few universities, especially in Europe have begun offering BSc/MSc degrees as well.
In depth
Economics
FROM THE TRENCHES If you are a fresh economics graduate, there are a few practices that you must follow to become a good economist. a) Read widely. An economist is known by his ability to synthesise information from diverse sources. b) Never ignore peer queries. However silly they might sound, never ignore a query by a peer. Many foundational economic theories have come out of such queries. c) Get your maths right. Whether you like it or not, economists communicate through mathematics. So get a thorough understanding of calculus and algebra. It will stand you in great stead during your later years. d) Do what you like. It is a corny oft repeated cliché. But great economists do just that. (Source: Compiled from a series of self reflections by famous economists on how they work)
BA/BSc (Economics): This is a basic degree offered both in an honours version as well as a general degree. Prof. S.K.Laroya, Faculty, Delhi University opines that one of the best programmes at this level is on offer from DU. Barring a few leading colleges like St. Stephen’s, SRCC, Loyola, Presidency, St. Xavier’s, candidates cannot expect to get placed after a BA programme. The Honours programme curriculum balances between different sub-disciplines and candidates get a thorough grounding in mathematics. One of Prof. George Mankiw’s repeated advises on his blog to fresh economic graduates is to learn as much mathematics as possible. MA (Economics): The Association of Indian Universities lists out nearly 269 universities and their affiliated colleges that offer this programme. The courses are spread over two years and vary from 24 to 32 electives, depending on the university/institute. Many institutions offer the candidate the option of specializing in a particular area of economics and some of the institutions even offer named degrees. For example, 22 of the 26 developmental studies institutes in the country set up by ICSSR, offer an MA (Development Economics). The famous Indian Statistical Institute offers an MSc in quantitative Economics. But many other schools offer the students the choice of electives. Amit Kumar Goyal, an alumnus of Delhi
“Ideology must never govern and control your thought process, but
must provide the general direction”
School of Economics (DSE) says, “The MA programme here provides students the tools to analyse the contemporary economic problems.” 5 year MA (Integrated Programme): This is a new kid off the block. Initially on offer at the redoubtable BITS, Pilani, it is making waves in most of the Humanities departments of IITs. The idea, according to Dr. Thillai Rajan, a faculty at IIT, is to bring a certain level of integrity in the offering so that course duplication is avoided and the candidate is able to make much more informed choices at the master’s level. But a counter view of doing your basic and master’s degree from two different institutions, thus providing a better understanding of the subject, also has substantial merit.
What will you study?
In general, any master’s course would have a set of core courses in micro and macro economics, statistics, quantitative techniques and research methods. Some institutions also offer a course on
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history of economic thought. A course on econometrics is de rigueur in most of the Tier -1 institutes. Many of them will also offer a compulsory course on India’s economic development and policy. Dr. Joseph is an advocate of shorter modules with larger number of offerings in the first year. He advises students in the first year to go beyond the required number of courses that they must do in their programmes. “It is very important to create ‘back files’ in your mind,” he says. The discipline suffers from over specialisations. “We have lost our ability to look at the big picture.” And MA is the place to start.
Where to study?
It depends on what you want to study. For a BA, any good college which conducts regular classes would do, though colleges like Stephen’s, Loyola and Presidency do offer a certain intellectual milieu and social ambience which is hard to beat. But at the postgraduate level, the college matters quite a lot, since both in terms of research and career, the institution makes a huge difference. As Gunjan Satija, an alumnus of JNU says, “The best part about the faculty here is that, they not only teach quite comprehensively but also give you tons of freedom to pursue your own research interests.” The DSE probably is the best in the country, when it comes to MA programme, both in terms of intellectual
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campus placements Institution
Firm
Harvard University
USA
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McKinsey, GE, Grail Research, Absolute Data
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ABN Amro, Nestle India, FICCI, CII, Reliance, HSBC
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USA
IGIDIR
J P Morgan Chase, Citibank, IFMR, Deloitte, ICICI Bank, ICICI Treasury, CRISIL, Fidelity Investments
Yale University
USA
American Express, Barclays Bank, Goldman Sachs, Motorola, Morgan Stanley, Reliance Industries
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UK
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Genpact, CCIL, Boston Analytics, Tata Motors, The Hindu Business Line IFMR, Roulac, HSBC, HSBC, HP, Genpact,
ambience and academic rigour and some old timers do fondly recall the days of Amartya Sen and Jagdish Bhagwati. Among the ICSSR founded institutions, IGIDR, Mumbai, CDS, Thiruvananthapuram, Gohkle School, Pune are very good bets. University of Hyderabad, MG University, and all IITs are also very good places to pursue the subject. Among the new crops of privately funded-schools, the Madras School of Economics (MSE), with its focus on market-oriented programmes is doing very well. “I had a wonderful time at MSE. Even though the environment is competitive, it gives students time to pursue their interests,” concludes Shishir Gupta, who completed his MA from MSE.
International schools
Internationally economics has been a revered subject alongside politics and philosophy in the Oxfords and Cambridges’ of the world. In the early part of the 20th century, these two universities together, were the bastions of economic thought, though of diverse nature and political leanings. Even today their economics departments are world class in every sense of the term. In USA, economics is taught in almost all Ivy League institutions, though Chicago University and New School represent the two extreme ends of the ideological spectrum. Quite a few universities in Europe too offer good programmes. Outside the university system, institutions like NBER, and Rand Corporation do offer tremendous insights into the economic system.
Entering the portals
Each of the leading universities conducts its own entrance examinations for admission in their MA/Research programmes. Some, like University of Hyderabad, demand a basic degree in economics to apply for a master’s degree, many others like DSE also lets people with Maths, Statistics etc. to sit for the entrance. So the entrance examination format and structure varies. But in general they focus on testing a candidate’s understanding of micro and macro economics, mathematical techniques, economic issues, statistics and probability and some also test the candidate’s analytical and reasoning abilities. A general thumb rule is to prepare well from standard text books and these vary from test to test. Successful students suggest the following list of books as very useful resources: Public Institutions
Websites
Jawaharlal Nehru University
www.jnu.ac.in
University of Hyderabad
www.uohyd.ernet.in
Delhi School of Economics
www.econdse.org
IGIDR
www.igidr.ac.in
Indian Statistical Institute
www.isical.ac.in
Gokhale Institute of Politics & Economy
www.gipe.ernet.in
Dept. of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Madras
www.hss.iitm.ac.in
Centre for Development Studies
www.cds.edu
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●● Microeconomics – H Varian, John Gould and Edward Lazear ●● Macroeconomics – Robert Pindyck and Daniel Rubinfeld, W H Branson ●● Mathematics for Economics – Alpha C Chiang, Carl Simon and Lawrence Blume, D Wade Hands ●● Statistics for Economics – A L Nagar and Das, Freund Practising problem from the above textbooks will help in understanding various concepts. Creating problem sets on your own will be an enjoyable task and a very good way to sharpen your problem solving skills. Working as groups/teams will also make the process of learning very much enjoyable.
Skill sets for a good economist
Quantitative Abilities: As economics increasingly tries to be the physics of social sciences, mathematics has come to play an increasingly heavy role in the discipline. Use of high end algebra and calculus as tools for understanding economic events is on the rise. Logical Analysis: The logical thought process and analysis used in solving problems underscore an economist’s ability to make a sense of economic phenomena. This is all the relevant in the current era, when the complexity of issues on hand is diverse and interlinked unless issues are analyzed logically, most policy prescriptions would end up being counter productive. Observation and Inference from Data: Developing the skill in translating between mathematical
In depth
Economics
LEADING THINK TANKS OF USA
‘Deprivations are all complementary. And we should address all of them together’ Prof. Sen’s work on human development is a discipline changer models and observed economic phenomena is very essential. Especially important is the ability to understand the relationship between a set of variables with a causal connection. Oral and Written Communication Skills: The ability to create and interpret a chart and being able to write thoughtfully and clearly is the best way to show an understanding of economic theory and concepts and Private Institutions
Websites
Madras School of Economics
www.mse.ac.in
BITS Pilani
www.bits-pilani.ac.in
Loyola College
www.loyolacollege.edu
Sastra University
www.sastra.edu
Periyar Maniammai University
www.pmu.edu
Banasthali University
www.banasthali.org
Allahabad Agricultural Institute
www.aaidu.org
PSG College
www.psgtech.edu
American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research
Washington, DC
Aspen Institute
Washington, DC
Economic Policy Institute
Washington, DC
Economic Strategy Institute
Washington DC
National Center for Public Policy Research
Washington DC
American Institute for Economic Research
Massachusetts
Committee for Economic Development
Washington, DC
Corporation for Enterprise Development
Washington, DC
Council on Foreign Relations
New York
Group of Thirty
Washington, DC
National Bureau of Asian Research
Seattle, Washington, DC
RAND Corporation
Santa Monica, California
to present ideas. The ability to build an argument in the form of an essay and conduct oral presentations are also crucial for an economist. SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE: Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system, is one of most important abilities of an economist, and the one in short supply.
Opportunities for an economist
Teaching and Research: One of the best jobs in the world, the ability to influence minds, and at times even see one’s own ideas change national destinies is a huge high for any individual. Here an economist would invariably divide his or her time between designing and delivering courses, preparing research proposals for funding, directing research scholars and writing and publishing papers. Though an academic life appears glamorous, Dr. Sharif acknowledges it is a very competitive one too. It is a peer-approval-driven structure wherein only the best survive. Government: This is probably the best of the lot. Dr. Surajit Majumdhar who has worked in the Planning Commission, disagrees. The biggest hurdle is, one is constrained by the dictates of the political party in power. According to Surajit, what one gains by the ease of work, one loses by the lack of independence. But Dr. Joseph, who had served on many committees, has a different
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take. “As a professional, most of the policy makers value the economist’s input, and it gives a great high.” Think Tanks: Jobs here could be either great or really troublesome, depending on the level of congruence between your thought process and what the think tank stands for. If an economist with Marxist leanings joins the American Enterprise Institute, it would be pure hell. Think tanks by their very nature are partisan, and normally represent special interests. But if a researcher’s interest coincides with that of the organisation, it could be the most exciting place to work. Corporate Firms: This is a recent phenomenon in India. Until early 90s only the large conglomerates like Tatas and Birlas used to recruit economists. Since firms invariably operated in a sellers market, the need for an economist was never felt. Now, with globalisation imploding on the Indian marketplace, even small firms need economists to make sense of the changing contours of the state of the economy and craft appropriate solutions. A cursory look at the top economic schools shows a veritable who’s who as recruiters in these institutions. In sum, whether it is for good or bad, economics is entwined with each aspect of our existence. So work hard, prepare well, and who knows the next Nobel Prize might be yours. with inputs from Alex M Thomas, HCU
Teachers’ Talk
HeALTH CARE
Healthcare: The new sectoral MBA
G
rowing at an envious rate of 15 percent every year, the healthcare industry in India is expected to touch $40 billion by 2012. Existing healthcare organizations are expanding by opening hospitals in new service areas and new organizations are entering the domain. Consequently, competition in the healthcare sector is on the rise. The providers in turn need to be more innovative in their approach and offer quality services at competitive prices. All this necessitates a specially trained cadre of professional management graduates in healthcare. Until recently doctors without any professional training in management were managing hospitals. Thanks to rapid corporatisation, in addition to a lot of medical graduates, general graudates are also taking up health care as a viable career option. With manpower requirements in the sector projected to be about four million by 2012, it is imperative that new programmes come into being.
Programmes on healthcare
The specialist master’s in hosptial administration (MHA) is a programme that prepares professionals capable of efficiently running a hosptial. But healthcare sector, is now much more than hosptials and pharmaceuticals. It includes health insurers, third party administrators, medical technology organisations, health tourism, medical informatics, clinical reserach and so on. Most of the jobs in the sector would demand, in additon to sectoral knowledge, in depth understanding of functional areas such as marketing, production, finance, branding, new business creation and process reengineering. A specialized programme in healthcare in addition provides theoretical and practical knowledge of healthcare services. Hospital organization—operation and planning envisages: ●● Ablity to understand management principles and practices ●● Functional elements of management, business environment and its influence on organizations in the Indian context ●● Preparing, implementing business plans ●● Developing human relationship skills ●● Branding and benchmarking ●● People management skills
Complementary not supplementary
An MBA or PG Diploma in healthcare is not a replacement to an MHA. They cater to differnt segments of the sector, and are complementary to each other. Addressing issues specific to the Indian context with exposure to real life cases/technical know-how in the healthcare services sector, an MBA would give the the student an undeniable edge.
Career opportunities in Healthcare Management
There are bright opportunities even in the government sector. The National Rural Health Mission envisages appointment of healthcare administrators. The entire administrative structure is turning over a new leaf wherein the human resources departments are on a spree of hiring individuals between the age of 28-32 at middle-level posts to inject the much-needed innovation, energy and vigour in their organization. It is not only hospitals which require management professionals. A whole lot of specialisations exist in the following sectors: ●● Lifestyle clinics ●● Emergency medicine units ●● Pharmaceutical firms ●● Hospital information systems ●● E-health ventures ●● Credit rating firms ●● NGOs and health insurance ●● Specialised hospital administration Grading of healthcare institutions is another area with a lot of excitement and challenges for healthcare managers and they can learn newer concepts here. Rating agencies like CRISIL and ICRA have absorbed many freshers in the recent past as healthcare consultants. With the sector growing at a healthy 15% per annum, and with nearly 100 billion worth of investments planned in the coming years, healthcare sector is definitely looking up. Options are plenty and the work is exciting. So identify your interest area, select an appropriate course and work hard at getting the right qualifications. A good institution makes the package better. But remember, unlike the other sectors here neither the topline nor the bottomline matters as much as the crucial element, lifeline.
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Prof. Dr. Uday Salunkhe Group Director Wellingkar Institute of Management
In the healthcare sector manpower requirement is projected to be about four million by 2012 and it is imperative that new programmes come into being
Feature
Making the most of your college
College advice, from people w Eight acclaimed professors tell you how to make the most of the years you spend GO THE WRONG WAY
It’s easy to think that college classes are mainly about preparing you for a job. But remember: This may be the one time in your life when you have a chance to think about the whole of your life, not just your job. Courses in the humanities, in particular, often seem impractical, but they are vital, because they stretch your imagination and challenge your mind to become more responsive, more critical, bigger. You need resources to prevent your mind from becoming narrower and more routinized in later life. This is your chance to get them. Martha Nussbaum
A professor of philosophy, law and divinity at the University of Chicago, who has been teaching since 1975
The hunt for a good teacher
I would give entering freshmen two pieces of advice. First, find out who the good teachers are. Ask your adviser, poll older students, search the Internet, and consult the teacher-evaluation guides available at most colleges (as a professor, I am against those guides; too often they are the vehicles of petty grievances put forward by people who have no longterm stake in the enterprise. But if I were a student, I would take advantage of them). To some extent, your options will be limited by distribution requirements (in colleges that still have them) and scheduling. But within these limits, you should do everything you can to get a seat in the class of a professor known for both his or her knowledge of the material and the ability to make it a window on the larger universe. Years later you may not be able to recall the details of lectures and discussions, but the benefits of being in the company of a challenging mind will be yours forever. Second, I would advise students to
take a composition course even if they have tested out of it. I have taught many students whose SAT scores exempted them from the writing requirement, but a disheartening number of them couldn’t write, and an equal number had never been asked to. They managed to get through high school without learning how to write a clean English sentence, and if you can’t do that you can’t do anything. I give this advice with some trepidation because too many writing courses today teach everything but the craft of writing and are instead the vehicles of the instructor’s social and political obsessions. In the face of what I consider a dereliction of pedagogical duty, I can say only, “Buyer, beware.” If your writing instructor isn’t teaching writing, get out of that class and find someone who is. Stanley Fish
A professor of law at Florida International University and a contributing columnist to The New York Times, who has been teaching since 1962
Seek out the most intellectually adventurous of your fellow students to enrich your experience
GET LOST, IN BOOKS
More than ever in this time of economic troubles and societal change, entering upon an undergraduate education should be a voyage away from visual overstimulation into deep, sustained reading of what is most worth absorbing and understanding: the books that survive all ideological fashions. There is general agreement on the indispensable canon: Homer, Plato, the Bible, Virgil, Dante, Chaucer, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Montaigne, Milton. From the 19th century until now, keeping only to English and American authors, a slightly more arbitrary selection might include Blake, Wordsworth, Austen, Dickens, George Eliot, Hardy, Yeats and Joyce in England and Ireland. Among the Americans would certainly
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be Emerson, Thoreau, Melville, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Hawthorne; and in the 20th century, Faulkner and the major poets: Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, T.S. Eliot, Hart Crane. Many of these authors are difficult and demand rereading, but that doubles their value. A freshman may have read Shakespeare before, but the richest and most available of all writers is also the most profound and elliptical. Rereading “Hamlet” and “King Lear” should teach a student Shakespeare’s mastery of the art of leaving things out. To think well you must rely, in part, upon memory, and possessing Shakespeare and Joyce, Montaigne and Whitman means that you can recall much of the best that has been written. Whatever our current travails, we
ho have been there for a while
Photos: Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
in college. From politics to picking the right teacher, it is all there up for grabs
now have a literate president capable of coherent discourse, but too many other politicians are devoid of syntax and appear to have read nothing. Aggressive ignorance in aspirants to high office is another dismal consequence of the waning of authentic education. Harold Bloom
A professor of English at Yale and the author of the forthcoming “Living Labyrinth: Literature and Influence,” who has been teaching since 1955
DON’T ALIENATE YOUR PROFESSOR
Having survived the teenage years of two children, I know how foolhardy it is to offer advice to 18-year-olds. But, after more than three decades of teaching, I do have a few tips for college freshmen everywhere: Make sure you are in the class you
signed up to take. A week spent trying to figure out why the person you thought was your math teacher keeps talking about Renaissance art is a wasted week – for both of you. During class, do not: a) beat out a cadence on your desk while the teacher is lecturing; b) sigh audibly more than three or four times during a class period; c) check your watch more than twice during the hour. Do: a) practice a look of genuine interest in the lecture or discussion; b) nod in agreement frequently; c) laugh at all (or at least most) of the professor’s jokes. Do ask questions if you don’t understand the professor’s point. Do not, however, ask any of the following: “Will this be on the test?” “Does grammar count?” “Do we have to read the whole chapter?” “Can I turn in my paper late?” Finally, ignore the looks of scorn and amusement on the faces of the upperclassmen and women; remember that next year you will be able to laugh at the mistakes and confusion of a new freshman class.
shape will leap out at you. 3. Read, read, read. Students ask me how to become a writer, and I ask them who is their favorite author. If they have none, they have no love of words. 4. Seek out the most intellectually adventurous of your fellow students. Some are shy around “brains,” but you have proximity to young minds as they are developing. That is a great opportunity. Take it. 5. Do not fear political activism. I was once at an event where a student asked Jimmy Carter how he, formerly the guardian of American law, felt years earlier when his freshman daughter was arrested at a protest against apartheid. He answered: “I cannot tell you how proud I was. If you young people cannot express your conscience now, when will you? Later you will have duties, jobs, families that make that harder. You will never be freer than now.” Also, among the activists, you are more likely to meet the intellectually adventurous people mentioned in the last item.
Carol Berkin
Garry wills,
A professor of history at Baruch College and the author of the forthcoming “Civil War Wives,” who has been teaching since 1972
MY CRUSH ON DNA
PLAY POLITICS
1. Play to your strengths. Do not make random choices from a bewildering range of subjects for study. So far as you can, choose courses and write papers on topics where you already have (or think you will have) some interest, some knowledge, some enthusiasm. Do not fear that this will narrow you. The deeper you go into one thing, the more it connects you with other things. 2. Learn to write well. Most incoming college students, even the bright ones, do not do it, and it hampers them in courses and in later life. Read what you write to a friend, and ask the friend to read it back to you. Lack of clarity, coherence or
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A professor emeritus of history at Northwestern University, who has been teaching since 1962
october 2009
Fall in love! Not with that attractive person sitting three rows in front of you in calculus class, but with an intellectual vision of the future you probably can’t even imagine at the moment. A millennium or so ago I entered Harvard wanting to major in math. But in my junior year I heard a biology lecture by James D. Watson, the scientist who codiscovered the double-helical structure of DNA, the molecule that genes are made of. By the end of that lecture I was a goner – in love with DNA. Until then I had not known that a new science, called molecular biology and based on DNA, had already begun to unravel the secret of life.
Feature
Making the most of your college
Listening to Watson’s lecture, I could even imagine that molecular biologists might one day answer all the important questions I had about humans: How do you make a hand? Why do I look like my mother? How does a cell become cancerous? What is memory? I staggered breathlessly out of that classroom and started down the long, unpredictable path to becoming a professor of molecular biology at MIT. What I have learned is that passion, along with curiosity, drives science. Passion is the mysterious force behind nearly every scientific breakthrough. Perhaps it’s because without it you might never be able to tolerate the huge amount of hard work and frustration that scientific discovery entails. But if you have it, you’re in luck. Today, 45 years after Watson’s lecture, new discoveries in biology still take my breath away. For the next four years you will get to poke around the corridors of your college, listen to any lecture you choose, work in a lab. The field of science you fall in love with may be so new it doesn’t even have a name yet. You may be the person who constructs a new biological species, or figures out how to stop global warming, or aging. Maybe you’ll discover life on another planet. My advice to you is this: Don’t settle for anything less. Nancy hopkins
A professor of biology at MIT, who has been teaching since 1973
OFF-CAMPUS LIFE
Try to read a good newspaper every day – at bedtime or at breakfast or when you take a break in the afternoon. If you are interested in art, literature or music, widen your horizons by poring over the science section. In the mood for spicy scandals? Read the business pages. Want to impress your poli-sci prof ? Read columnists. The newspaper will be your path to the world at large. At Williams College, where I was a student in the 1930s, we read the alarming reports in The New York Times about Germany’s brutal onslaught against peaceful nations. In the spring of 1938, we burned Hitler in effigy – and made Page 11 of The Times! In June 1940, as France fell to Nazi
college classes are not just about preparing you for a job, it gives you a perspective on life
CHANGE COURSE
troops, hundreds of graduating seniors urged compulsory military training, and provided another Williams story to the paper. In addition, a great newspaper will teach you how to write: Most articles are models of clarity and substance – with no academic jargon! Pay attention to the writer’s vocabulary, see how many active verbs are used, file away striking new words for future use. Study how articles are structured – how the first paragraph tells the reader simply and clearly the subject and main points. Take a look at the last paragraph; it will often show you how to conclude an essay with a pithy phrase or a telling quotation. A great newspaper will help you in the classroom – and it will be your conduit to the real world outside the classroom. Become addicted. Another way to stay connected with the real world: Get to know your teachers outside of class. Chat and engage with them, perhaps on the walk away from class. Ask them not only about the course work but also about their own intellectual interests and research. Equally important to maintaining that lifeline to the universe beyond college is getting to know the janitors and housekeepers in your dorm, the security staff on the campus, the people who work in the cafeteria. Talk to them, ask them questions, and thank them.
The first thing freshmen should know is that college is never what one expects. The summer of 1950, before I went to Cornell, I was working as a bellhop at a hotel in the Adirondacks. One day the mail brought me a Cornell course catalog. Reading it between carrying guests’ bags was for me like reading the menu of a good restaurant would be for a starving man. The philosophy and humanities departments had classes that I was sure would make me wise. The physics department had courses given by famous physicists. The mathematics department offered a course on Hilbert space. Who knew that there were different kinds of space? It didn’t work out quite as I had anticipated. I didn’t know enough to participate in the exciting physics research that was going on at Cornell. I took German, in which the main thing I learned was that I have no head for foreign languages. My courses in philosophy left me puzzled about how ideas of Plato and Descartes that seemed to me absurd could have been so influential. I did not become wise. But I did graduate, and took away with me memories of several inspiring professors, of walks with friends under beautiful old elms, and of hours spent reading in the music room of the student union. I discovered that I loved chamber music and history and Shakespeare. I married my college sweetheart. And I did learn about Hilbert space.
James MacGregor Burns
Steven Weinberg
A professor emeritus of government at Williams College and the author, most recently, of “Packing the Court,” who has been teaching since 1947
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A professor of physics at the University of Texas at Austin, who has been teaching since 1958
-NYT
Cover Story Foreign Education
The journey of a lifetime
Corbis
At least a lakh of students go aboard to acquire a degree every year. Some do so to gain knowledge, many for a job and yet others to settle there
S
By Sumita Vaid Dixit
tarting September students and their parents begin to crowd airport terminals. As parents wave goodbye, they wonder what awaits their children in an unknown land, whether they would cope well and when they would see them again. But it’s also a sigh of relief as applying and getting admission in a foreign university is a long drawn affair. The first leg of the journey starts 12 to 16 months before. Trips are made to university for transcripts, recommendation letters, to the bank for education loan, to coaching institutes, while parents arrange for funds by either breaking their FD, selling land or mortgaging property. Since the colonial days we have looked to the western world for enlightenment. But now when there are more than 370 universities in the country, students still continue to go abroad. There are reasons for this. First, high quality institutions are fewer in number. Hence, many students fail to enter institutes of their choice, or miss getting the course of their choice as competition is intense and seats are few. Then, of late, a large number of private Indian institutes have started charging international fees. In the same fee, or with a bit more, a student can study in a good foreign university. And the last, of course, is the opportunity to settle abroad. Over the years, because of economy and migration laws, foreign education has got split into higher education and permanent residency (PR) markets. The USA and the UK are primary markets for higher education; Australia, New Zealand and Canada are the popular immigration markets. As there’s shortage of skilled manpower in these countries, it’s easier for Asians to join their workforce. This has led to a PR racket where local agents, for huge sums, get Indian students enrolled in third-rate vocational institutes abroad. The issue was recently brought to light by the racial attacks on Indian students in Australia. And let’s face it, after
USA UK Australia Canada France Germany
50 54 60 66 68 70
taking staggering study loans, you do think of working in that country, earning in that currency so that you can pay back the loan. But just keep in mind that not all foreign universities are good. Go through university ranking on US News, Times Higher Education or the Guardian. This will give you an idea of the better ones. And always find out about the university’s credentials from its website or the educational counsellor. We have provided a list of accrediting agencies for your reference. Sourcing information from reliable sources is crucial, as both money and life can be at stake. As for competitive exams for admissions, they vary from country to country. Some offer admissions on the strength of your academic record, others ask for GRE, GMAT, TOEFL or IELTS or proficiency in a foreign language. Universities’ websites furnish all eligibility criteria and required tests. So look it up. In case, you aren’t a scholarship holder, inquire about full or partial scholarship opportunities from the university that has offered you admission. Some have a quota of awards for international students. And while you are at it, ask the university for e-mail contacts of some Indian students. They can advise you on the cost of living, especially on accommodation. There’s home-stay, which is living with a family; university accommodation, which is safe and convenient but expensive and last, student flat, where three to four students rent a flat. This is the cheapest option as grocery bills to electric bills, all gets shared. In case, you wish to decide on the accommodation after you arrive at the university then book yourself in a youth hostel or a YMCA close to the university area. Keeping in mind what students seek while applying to foreign universities, we bring you the best each country offers. The selection is based on their popularity with Indian students.
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The Netherlands Switzerland Italy, Norway Russia new Zealand Singapore End note
Cover Story Foreign Education
studying abroad To be an alumnus of the world’s best institution is a dream for any student. To help you short-list, here are some country-wise listings
UNIVERSITY
COUNTRY
UNIVERSITY
COUNTRY
TOP INSTITUTIONS, SUBJECT-WISE
Australian National University
Australia
Karolinska Institute
Sweden
Arts & Humanities
COUNTRY
University of Melbourne
Australia
Lund University
Sweden
Harvard University
US
University of Sydney
Australia
Stockholm University
Sweden
University of Oxford
UK
University of Vienna
Austria
Uppsala University
Sweden
University of Toronto
Canada
University of Ghent
Belgium
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
Australian National University
Australia
McGill University
Canada
University of Basel
Switzerland
Free University of Berlin
Germany
McMaster University
Canada
University of Zurich
Switzerland
University of British Columbia
Canada
Imperial College Londonww
UK
SOCIAL SCIENCEs
COUNTRY
University of Toronto
Canada
University of Birmingham
UK
Harvard University
US
Aarhus University
Denmark
University of Bristol
UK
London School of Economics
UK
University of Copenhagen
Denmark
University of Cambridge
UK
University of British Columbia
Canada
University of Helsinki
Finland
University College London
UK
Australian National University
Australia
École Normale Supérieure - Paris
France
University of Edinburgh
UK
National University of Singapore
Singapore
University of Paris 6 (Pierre and Marie Curie University)
France
University of Manchester
UK
NATURAL SCIENCEs
COUNTRY
University of Paris 11 (Paris-Sud 11 University)
France
University of Nottingham
UK
Massachusetts Institute of Tech
US
University of Oxford
UK
University of Cambridge
UK
University of Sheffield
UK
University of Toronto
Canada
California Institute of Technology
USA
University of Tokyo
Japan
ETH Zurich
Switzerland
LIFE SCIENCEs & BIOMEDICINE
COUNTRY
Harvard University
US
University of Cambridge
UK
McGill University
Canada
University of Tokyo
Japan
National University of Singapore
Singapore
University of Strasbourg I (Louis Pasteur University)
France
Free University of Berlin
Germany
Columbia University
USA
Humboldt University of Berlin
Germany
Cornell University
USA
Technical University of Munich
Germany
Harvard University
USA
University of Bonn
Germany
Johns Hopkins University
USA
University of Freiburg
Germany
Massachusetts Inst. of Tech.
USA
University of Goettingen
Germany
Princeton University
USA
University of Heidelberg
Germany
Stanford University
USA
University of Munich
Germany
U. of California, San Diego
USA
Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Israel
U. of California, San Francisco
USA
ENGINEERING & IT
COUNTRY
Sapienza University of Rome
Italy
USA
Massachusetts Institute of Tech.
US
Kyoto University
Japan
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign
Japan
USA
UK
Nagoya University
University of Tokyo
Japan
Osaka University
Japan
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
University of Cambridge
Canada
Japan
USA
University of Toronto
Tohoku University
University of California, Berkeley
USA
Singapore
Japan
University of California, Los Angeles
National University of Singapore
Tokyo Institute of Technology Tokyo University
Japan
University of Chicago
USA
University of Groningen
Netherlands
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
USA
University of Leiden
Netherlands
University of Pennsylvania
USA
University of Utrecht
Netherlands
University of Washington
USA
University of Oslo
Norway
Washington University – St. Louis
USA
Moscow State University
Russia
Yale University
USA
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ABOUT THIS PAGE It is based on two sources namely, The Times Higher Education Ranking (THES) by QS Ltd (2008) and the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (2008). First two columns list out an indicative list of the top-ranked institutions. Best institutions in each of the broad subject disciplines has been adapted from THES.
Cover Story Foreign Education
USA
where
dreams still come true
The land of the immigrants has always welcomed students with open arms and the resultant synergies have made it a knowledge powerhouse
I
t is not uncommon to hear the refrain about the United States of America as the land of opportunities! Nearly one lakh Indian students are studying in the United States of America. Without any doubt the US continues to be a country with vast higher education opportunities for Indian students. Shevanti Narayan, country coordinator, educational advising services, United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF), says that the quality, choice, value and flexibility are some of the factors that make students choose USA over any other country in the world. The other advantage is the strict and rigorous accreditation systems that ensure outstanding facilities, resources and faculty and perhaps this is the reason why the country boasts of some of the world’s top-class universities.
Customise your qualification
Vinod Sharma, an MBA from University of Michigan, now vice-president, communications of a Singapore-based company, says that the education system in the US encourages one to think of what’s the next big idea. “And one has the freedom and flexibility to design one’s own programme, collaborate and network with other
departments,” says Sujata Yadav, a graduate student from Carnegie Mellon.
Interdisciplinary programmes are catching on
Engineering, Business and Management, continue to be the top fields of study. Other popular fields of study include Life Sciences, Computer Science, Economics, and Health Sciences. In recent years, there has been a changing trend with a growing demand for career-oriented fields such as Environmental Science/Studies, Biotechnology, Media and Communication, Art and Design studies and Law, both at the undergraduate and graduate level. But today, Indian students want to keep their options open so as to switch from one field to another easily. Students
No. of Indian students in the US Year
Number
Percentage*
2007 — 08
94,563
15.2%
2006 — 07
83,833
14.4%
2005 — 06
76,503
13.5%
2004 — 05
80,466
14.2%
2003 — 04
79,736
13.9%
* As a percentage of total no. of foreign students in the US
are choosing interdisciplinary programmes such as Healthcare with management, Law with MBA, or MBA with Public Health.
Preparing for America
A good time to start preparing for the applications is 18 months before application deadline. Therefore, for October till January deadlines start preparing a year before in April. While there are websites such as www. education.state.gov that help you prepare for a life in America, the USIEF guides students at every stage of their application process and facilitates interactive sessions with a diverse panel of resource persons.
Beware of fraud consultants
Shevanti Narayan also puts in a word of caution that young students should be wary of small-time education consultants. USIEF is part of EducationUSA, a global network of more than 450 advising centres supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the US Department of State and therefore “a reliable source of accurate, unbiased, comprehensive, objective and timely information about educational institutions in the US.”
“Rigorous accreditation systems ensure outstanding facilities, resources and faculty in most of the institutions” 50
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International students services
While Saranpreet Kaur was preparing herself for America after obtaining admission at University of Tampa (Florida), she wrote to the university’s international students’ services seeking advice on what to carry, books, weather, medicine. “And I had made friends with quite a few even before reaching there!” TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, GRE and GMAT are some of the entrance tests you need to clear. But quite a few colleges are dropping the SAT requirements for undergraduate students. Also, many business schools have begun to accept GRE scores in lieu of GMAT score.
You can work, only on campus
The student visa does not allow students to work except for very limited hours on campus. Students are allowed to work 20 hours a week. The minimum wage is between $ 7-8 an hour which isn’t enough to manage living expenses, as the cost of living is anywhere between $10,000-30,000 a year, approximately $ 840 – 2,500 a month. However, places such as Texas, Ohio, Georgia, Iowa are
Popular among Indian students Field of Study
Percent
Business and Management
20
Engineering
17
Physical and Life Sciences
9
Social Sciences
9
Mathematics & Computer Sc.
8
Fine & Applied Arts
6
Health Professions
5
Intensive English Language
5
Education
3
Humanities
3
Agriculture
2
Source: USIEF India
comparatively cheaper places to live in. But you cannot work off campus unlike in other countries such as the UK, Canada and Australia. But there is a provision for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) for some students. CPT is an employment option available to F-1 students (academic students)
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Education avenues are vast in the US for engineering, business and management
where the practical training employment is considered to be an integral part of the curriculum or academic programme. According to the immigration regulations, this employment may be an internship, cooperative education job, or any other work experience that is either required for the degree (as defined in the course catalogue) or for which academic credit is awarded.
Financial aid for Master’s and Doctoral programmes
In general, financial aid opportunities are more for Doctoral and Master’s programmes than undergraduate programs. These could be in the form of teaching or research assistantships, graduate assistantships, fellowships, tuition waivers and internships. But there’s tough competition for all types of financial aid. The student should request financial aid information from the university at the initial stage of the application. One has to read very
Cover Story Foreign Education Visa Guidelines STEP 1 Pay Application and VFS Fees (Visa fee: Rs. 6,550 ($131 @ Rs.50 each) + Service Charge: Rs. 374/- Total Rs. 6924) at designated HDFC Bank. List of banks can be found at
USA
INDIAN STUDENTS IN US STATES AND POPULAR INSTITUTIONS State
No. of Indian students
Institutes popular with foreign students
California
8,299
University of Southern California, Los Angeles
Texas
7,637
University of Texas at Austin
New York
7,234
New York University; Columbia
Illinois
5,906
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Pay the $200 SEVIS fee (www.fmjfee.com). Students are required to complete Form I-901 before paying the fee.
Pennsylvania
4,504
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
Ohio
3,906
Ohio State University, Columbus
STEP 3
Massachusetts
3,327
Harvard University, Cambridge
Schedule an appointment and complete application forms at http://www.vfs-usa.co.in. Click on ‘Apply for a new Non-Immigrant Visa’. Follow the process and enter Barcode Sticker Code on visa receipt when asked. After successfully logging in four items are visible, complete them and take out the prints of the following:
Michigan
3,227
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
https://www.vfs-usa.co.in/ApplnForms/ HDFC/HDFCAddressList.aspx STEP 2
New Jersey
2,619
Rutgers, State of NJ - New Brunswick
Indiana
2,592
Purdue University, West Lafayette
Source: Institute of International Education (IIE) and inputs from USIEF
1) DS-156 2) DS-157 3) DS-158 4) SEVIS Information STEP 4 Appear for your interview at the appointed day and time. Bring the printed Appointment Letter, the Visa Application Forms (DS 156, DS 157, DS 158 and I-20), the SEVIS payment receipt, one recent photograph, and the original HDFC Bank Fee Receipt & barcode stickers. STEP 5 VFS courier delivers Visa if approved!
carefully the instructions and information related to financial aid. The student has to make it clear to the university that he/she is applying for financial aid while filling out the application forms for admission. The criteria for selecting applicants for the different forms of financial aid vary. Many US universities offer partial to full funding to outstanding undergraduate students. Need-based scholarships, merit-based scholarships and sports scholarships would be some of the options for undergraduate students.
Employment opportunities
Students completing degree programmes can go for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for 12 months. OPT has been increased from 12 to 29 months for qualified F-1 non-immigrant students in the field of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. But if you are a history student then chances of getting an OPT are few. And, of course, there’s no denying that companies across the globe recognise a US college degree.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Fulbright-Nehru Fellowships for Leadership Development www.usief.org.in
J-1 visa support; round-trip airfare from fellow’s home city and related costs; accident and sickness coverage
For Master’s program in the area of Business Administration, Communication Studies, Economics, Environment and Public Administration
Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral and Professional Research Fellowship
Monthly stipend, round trip air fare, applicable allowances, accident and sickness coverage
PhD scholars in various disciplines in India willing to conduct research and gain practical work experience in US
Source: USEIF
“Students can take up a job in any country of one’s choice,” says Narayan.
Still a land of opportunities?
There’s a noticeable change in the employment pattern of Indian students, says Narayan. “Now Indian students aren’t that keen to stay back, they want to come home. The standard of living in India is comparable to any western country.” Besides, there are plenty of jobs options in India and the country has not been hit as severely as the others by the meltdown. Also, this year it appears from media reports that recession has affected student applications. While last academic year (2007-08), 35,000 student visas were issued, according to the Council of Graduate School report there has been a 12 percent drop in the number of applications. Though the figures for academic year October 2008-09 are yet to be published, Narayan is quick to point
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out that USIEF is still getting a lot of queries. “This drop could also mean that students are applying to fewer universities to save money, while earlier they were applying to 6 or 8 universities.”
Student visa application
The university sends you an official Certificate of Eligibility which is form I-20 for the F-1 student visa and J-1 visa for exchange students. Visas can be issued up to 120 days before the scheduled date of departure. In order to make sure that you have your visa before the first day of class, apply as soon as possible and provide enough lead time to wait for processing, as well as interview.
Preparing for the Visa interview
The interview time is usually two to three minutes. That’s all the time you get to make an impression. But the idea is not to make an impression, just relax
“Never hesitate in asking questions from the teachers, or interrupting them; the point is that you are going there to study” Sheventi Narayan
Country Coordinator, educational advising services, USIEF
and be truthful. You could be asked what you had for breakfast that day, smile and say parantha, if you have had them. It’s just to strike a conversation with you. Of course, they will ask you why you are going to the US, why you have opted for a certain university and not the others. They might even ask you a little bit about the course you are planning to pursue. They may ask if you plan to work in the US after completion of a degree. Be truthful and say that at the moment there are no plans; that you plan to come back to your country, however, if you do get a good offer, you would like to work, gain experience and come back. An applicant might be further investigated in the case of certain courses such as Biosciences and Robotics. “The nature of the course is such that officers do want to verify applicants are genuine cases.”
Medical check and insurance
The medical examination is to be done before you leave. A general medical report including Manto, Hepatitis and MMR are required. However, an HIV test is not required Most of the universities include insurance in the total tuition fees as it is compulsory to have a health insurance; however, some universities do not offer this. So, it is advisable to buy medical insurance from India as it is three-times costlier in the US. For example, ICICI-Lombard offers a student medical insurance policy to Indian students that covers all medical and dental problems. Remember, if you do not take a medical
First Person MAYAnk GARG
My journey to UCLA Life as a student, especially in a developed nation, is a different ball game, but enjoyable says this budding lawyer
W
hen I left India, I didn’t have always like a conversation in class. any place to stay in the US. And let me make it clear, it’s imposIn the flight, I travelled with sible to pass here without reading. If an elderly Indian. He was probably you miss a day’s reading you will not my dad’s age. For some reason we understand anything in class. I am didn’t talk until an hour before we saying this because throughout my were going to land in Los Angles. To LLB in India, I didn’t read anything my surprise, he told me he has stayed during the semester, always studied in LA for thirty years, before the exams and and upon finding yet passed. But it “Actually, they out I had no place to can’t happen here. stay, he offered me By the way every don’t teach here. his place. I stayed Thursday, we have there for four days! a party in different I was touched by his nightclubs of Los hospitality. He got Angeles, which is ” me an accommoofficially mentioned dation, even a teleon the notice board phone connection! of our Law School, I was nervous on the orientation exclusively for Law students of day, wondering whether I would be UCLA. Isn’t it wonderful? There’s able to adjust or not, whether I would always something or the other to do make friends or not. I was 10 minutes here, starting from studying, partying late! But the week-long orientation to washing utensils or doing laundry. was great fun. In the end, I would say, it can never My first day of class and I realised be easy for an Indian to adjust here Americans teach differently. I have because in India there’s always somegraduated from a good law school one to do your job. Here you have to in India, but I was never exposed to do everything yourself! Mayank studies LLM at University of such interactive methods of teaching. California, Los Angeles Actually, they don’t teach here. It’s
It’s always like a conversation in class
insurance, no doctor or dentist in the US will entertain you.
When you arrive in the US…
Don’t get nervous. Yes, people are different, it’s a different country, but keep your cool. Just make sure that you have all your documents when your turn comes to see the immigration officer. And don’t forget to make eye contact.
Last word of advice
Plagiarism is beginning to become an issue. Unfortunately many Indian
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students and researchers have been caught plagiarizing. This puts us in a bad light. As part of the pre-departure session, USIEF warns Indian students on the consequences and the unethical aspects of plagiarism. “Students are under the impression that they can get away with it, as it’s easy to get away with many things in India.” And remember: never hesitate in asking questions from the teachers, or interrupting them, they would not mind. The point is that you are going there to study, and that should be the goal.
Cover Story Foreign Education
UK
multicultural experience
With chicken tikka being Britain’s national dish, immigration issues not withstanding, few other countries could match the welcome it provides
O
xford and Cambridge are synonymous with foreign education for thousands of Indians. Despite the USA taking over as the number one choice, for the 31,000 Indian students who went to the UK last year, an English education in law, sciences and management still holds its allure.
Just one-year degree
A big advantage of studying in the UK has always been the one-year Master’s programme, says Sally Goggin, director, education, British Council India and Sri Lanka. In other counties such as the US and Germany a Master’s degree takes at least two years. But in the UK, you can finish your Master’s programme in a year’s time and there are options of doing a Master’s programme in combination with a PhD which saves an additional year, points out a student from Bristol University. The assurance that the UK degree will get students a job anywhere, the quality of teaching, and of course, a multicultural society are the other reasons why Indian students still continue to come to the UK. The possibility of working there for a year, at least when you study cutting edge subjects, is another attraction.
Making education affordable
High tuition fee and cost of living have deterred many students from applying to the UK and incentives of partial scholarships and part-time work opportunities
Popular among Indian students universities The University of Nottingham The University of Manchester University of Leeds The University of Warwick Cardiff University University of Strathclyde The University of Sheffield University of Greenwich City University London Lancaster University Source: HESA Student Record
in American and Australian universities have had more students applying to these countries. For example, Shikha Kapoor preferred going to the US as chances of getting campus jobs and assistantships were better and this helped her pay part of her tuition fee. Shashank Shekar Tiwari, who is pursuing a PhD in Leeds as a Welcome Trust Fellow, counters. “Next to USA, the largest number of fellowships, especially for India, is in the UK. One has to move beyond the Chevening and Commonwealth programme and look at different trusts and college-level bursaries.” The UK is making education attractive to international students by reviewing the fee structure.
Finding merit in vocation
Experts argue that there’s going to be a shift in the education structure in the coming years. The focus will shift from general academic courses to vocation-oriented courses. At the moment, there’s a clear divide between academic education and vocational training, but that might change says Goggin. “More and more academic courses will have a vocational perspective.” The reason is that the future workforce is going to come from vocational colleges and not from the top 10 universities. A Chennai-based education counsellor says it is unfortunate that many students studying at the best of the universities have no clue of the kind of job they want after completion of study; it is good enough that they are studying in good universities. But when they graduate, often little of what they have studied helps them find a job. Though there are examples of degree courses with vocational use such as retail or nutrition, there ought to be more of these.
Borderless education
In fact, quite a few UK-based vocational colleges and universities are partnering Indian institutes to give that foreign experience and a global perspective. Under the UK-India Education Research Initiative (UKIERI), there have been tie-ups between Indian institutes and colleges in the UK in area of financial and creative industries. For
“In the near future, the centre of gravity would shift from general academic courses to vocation-oriented courses” 54
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(
first person Rohini Chopra
MSc, Management Psychology, University of Nottingham
It taught me to be independent M
Exciting prospects of valuable qualification with an emphasis on specialised courses await you there
example, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has tied up with universities such as Newcastle and Leeds Metropolitan. But Anup Arora, who’s keen on studying in one these colleges, wonders if Indian employers are familiar with the names of these institutes, and the advantages of such tie-ups. “You will be surprised that many Indian businesses are aware of the partnerships with the UK,” says Goggin. But students should be aware that under the Indian legislation the degree that is offered by the
India-based foreign universities is a single degree and recognised. However, if the student travels to the main campus of the foreign university to finish part of the degree that is being offered at the India-based campus, then the student gets a joint degree, one from the UK and another from India.
Working part-time is easy
Living in London, one of the most expensive cities, in the world is costly. The cost of living, including rent, in London
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y first impression through the bus ride from London to the countryside was that the UK was a melting pot of all cultures! You know, it’s what you learn outside the class that really makes you see things differently. I agree there’s no place like home, but living in the UK teaches one to be independent. My professor, Prof. John Richards, weaned me off the spoonfeeding style of being taught back home; I learnt to be an independent researcher. If you have an open mind there will be no disappointments; it’s all about the mindset. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know. There are so many students who are lucky enough to go to universities abroad. Enjoy your experience, and remember what happens in Uni stays in Uni! :) Since UK is expensive budgeting is important. Pool in your grocery bill with your flatmates; learn to cook as eating out is a tad expensive. But yes, you end up spending a lot in the first month of arrival, so it’s okay. And remember LONDON is not England, there is so much more to see: Edinburgh, Lake District, Stonehenge, Oxford and of course, the Cadbury Chocolate factory in Birmingham! There are so many things to do and there really is something for everyone. I think I have matured as a person with my experience of studying abroad, my parents can see that too.
Cover Story Foreign Education
UK Visa Guidelines Your visa letter from the university Any documents such as academic certificates that are listed on that visa letter; An ATAS certificate, if this is required for your course (this will be indicated on the visa letter) Your bank statements, letter of official financial sponsorship or confirmation of an official loan You must be able to provide evidence that you have sufficient funds, in addition to your tuition fees, to live in the UK Applicants now have to show that they have the required funds available at the time of application, and not the previous 28-day period You must also be able to prove that the money has been in an account in your name before you submit your application
Carry an umbrella River Thames flows through London, giving an old world charm to the bustling education destination
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Commonwealth Scholarships www.education.nic.in
University fees, travel, books, apparatus, travel, personal maintenance
Indian passport holders willing to pursue postgraduation, PhD in any university/ institution in the UK
Chevening Scholarship www.britishcouncil. org.in
Airfare, tuition fee and living expenses for most fellowships
Economic governance, sustainable development, finance, public administration, science & innovation
Source: Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India and British Council, New Delhi
would be £900 and in places farther from London, between £500-600. But it has come down in times of a global meltdown, says Goggin. One of the reasons for the renewed interest in the UK has been the opportunity for part-time work, which wasn’t the case earlier. The advantage foreign students have in the UK is that they can work both on and off campus, unlike the USA where students are allowed to work only on campus. In the UK, students are allowed to work 20 hours a week, however, one should keep in mind the commitments or demands the course makes on you cautions Goggin. The minimum wage has gone up to £5.80. Usually students do get jobs that pay £6-8 an hour. Therefore, a student can earn between £480 to 650 a month, which is decent enough to take care of monthly expenses.
Chicken tikka in the UK
Parents don’t have to worry about food in the UK. It’s a country whose national dish is chicken tikka masala and samosas are sold in local stores. The streets are dotted with Indian restaurants run by Bangladeshis, Indians, and Sri Lankans. Spices, pickles, papads or papadoms, masala, dals and basmati rice, everything is available in local stores. But you can easily budget by buying fresh vegetables from the farmer’s market – their vegetables are usually cheaper compared to grocery stores – and cook for the entire week on a Saturday or a Sunday, store the food in the freezer, take out small portions each day, heat and eat it. And on days you feel like jelbis, and live away from London, then take a tour of Southall. London or other cities in the UK are best explored and enjoyed on foot.
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UK’s weather is as unpredictable as its national sport. When you do go for these walks in the lovely countryside or Piccadilly Circus (London) carry an umbrella! One minute there’s sunshine, the next rain! And when it rains, it rains on and on.
Visa application
From March 2008 the immigration office has changed the visa application process. Now there’s a point system and those wanting to apply for student visa fall under the Tier 4 category. Now, the university that accepts your admission offers you a visa letter upon payment of the course fee. And only those universities that have been given the licence can issue a visa letter. This helps in ruling out the possibility of students being duped by unaccredited colleges. Based on this letter and a bank statement the Embassy issues a visa. Along with this you need to give a general medical report from any of the recognised medical institutes in India and a chest x-ray for Tuberculosis. No test is required for HIV. The visa for undergraduate students is 3 years with 4 months of extension after which the student has to return to India. In case of postgraduates, it is one year plus an extension of a few months. However, students can apply for the post-study work visa, which is for 2 years, towards the end of the degree.
Cover Story Foreign Education
“Transnational education is changing. Now you can do a course partly in India and partly in UK” Sally Goggin,
director, education, British Council India and SriLanka
These are for the highly-skilled, such as lawyers, doctors and engineers. For more information on visa go to www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/howtoapply/ infs/inf29pbsstudent or www.ukba. homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk/
Paying course fee up-front
Now international students have to pay the first year fee if pursuing an undergraduate course and full fees for a postgraduate degree in order to receive an unconditional acceptance letter and the visa letter. And of course, students on fellowships and full scholarships do not have to pay any fees. This may not be fair as students might not have seen the university or even travelled to the UK. Goggin agrees that while it is a risk, this ensures that there are fewer empty seats in a university. Students with offer letters from three universities decide only at the very last minute and in the process students in the waiting list suffer as by then admissions usually close. “Thus, to avoid this situation, we have decided to ask students to pay up before they arrive in the UK.” And in the event the student is disappointed with the university, he or she has the option of going to another university, provided the other university is willing to offer the student a place. In that case the fee will be transferred to the other university but the student will have to apply for a fresh visa, which he/she can do while being in the UK. Students can apply to the UK Border Agency for another visa. However, this is a huge risk, but then there are no returns without risks.
UK
By Invitation kanika tandon
Bogus degree mills beware!
T
he idea of a foreign degree non-recognised institutions but conmight be alluring for all its sulting the Recognised bodies and understandable charms, but Listed bodies list provides official along with it lurks the danger of fall- information about the status of the ing into the trap of fake universities Higher Education providers abroad and colleges. ‘Degree mills’ or the as well. In the case of collaborabogus, unaccredited higher education tive provision at postgraduate level, institutions. In 2008, the BBC had students are advised to contact the uncovered the scam of the thriving awarding body for the degree for Irish International University (IIU) information and advice,” says another offering ‘worthless’ degrees, making government official. some 5,000 students US-based Council its victims during the for Higher Education Hall of fakes course of seven long Accreditation recentyears before getting ly released a report Irish International University (IIU), exposed by the media. called Toward EffecAmerican University of London The fake university tive Practice: DiscourLondon College of Technology had used the Oxford aging Degree Mills in European College of Medicine, UK and Cambridge facilHigher Education, Canterbury University, UK ities to enhance its which has identiBritain College of Management and Science, UK credibility and had fied pointers toward Chelsea University, UK a ‘highly illusional fakes. These include Fairfax University website’. lack of legal authority, Glendale University I n t e r e s t i n g l y, little requirement for Oxford International University reports suggest that of attendance or courseCalvary University the estimated 5,000 work, absence of higher education contact information St. Christopher’s College of Medicine institutions thought other than telephone Medical College of London to take foreign stuor e-mail address, Parkwood University dents, only 2,100 inability to provide a Summerset University applied to get their verifiable list of acacredentials verified. demic staff and their Of those 2,100 appliqualifications, and cations, 460 were rejected. It comes as publishing false or exaggerated claims no surprise then that authorities have of external quality review. estimated 2,000 sham colleges to face The British Council offices in India closure because of the new rules. are also a source of information and Off the records, a Home Office offi- advice on UK Higher Education procial suggests caution about approach- viders for would be students. Amit ing the institution “if you are even Chaturvedi, Head, Education UK, a bit unsure about the credibility of India, says “While selecting a unithe institute”. There are several rea- versity, do a thorough background sons for it. Sham institutes often use research. Search for details on accredcredible sounding names, sometimes itation, teaching standards, costing very similar to well-known institu- details of the programme, degree/ tions. It has also been seen that these qualification awarded, any media covfake institutions often claim to be erage and so on.” accredited even though they are not on the official list of registered insti(Kanika works with India Link tutions. “UK does not have a list of at Middlesex, UK)
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Cover Story Foreign Education
Australia
Good,
but is it safe?
One of the most popular destinations for Indians, especially for those with immigration interests, it is besieged with bad press. Read on for a clear picture
I
t is quite natural if parents and students think that Australia is unsafe. The recent spate of racial attacks on Indian students in Australia has exposed the ugly side of Australia’s thriving education industry—the under-regulated, lesser-known, private vocational education and training institutes. According to the Australian Education International, from 14,304 students in 2003 the number of students went up to 97,035 in 2008; of this an estimated 75 per cent are in vocational education and training (VET). The phenomenal rise in VET enrolments happened in 2006, when it shot up by 161 per cent (See graph alongside)
Immigration-led education
It’s not surprising why a large number of Indian students, go to these institutions each year. Its relatively relaxed immigration laws make Australia an attractive permanent residency (PR) destination. And vocational courses such as hairdressing or community welfare are students’ passport to PR. It appears that most of these students are from backward regions in Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat for whom PR is a golden chance to escape from a hard life in India. But it is unfortunate that these students then get attacked in Australia because of the colour of their skin. Most cases of racial abuses have been reported from parts of Victoria and Queensland states, popular for vocation training. It
is instructive to note that the attackers are from poor neighbourhoods in these states where there’s a large mixed population; and many are of Middle Eastern descent. As most of the Indian students take loans to study, they take up two to three part-time jobs to pay back the loan
The infamous four Schools that shut down recently Sterling College Melbourne International College ASBT College Sydney’s Global college Source: Newspaper reports
Indian Students in Australia 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
2004
2005
2006
2007
Private VET Public Higher Education
Private elicos Public VET
Others
Public elicos
2008
Source: Australian Education International cited by Christopher Ziguras, Associate Professor, International Studies in the School of Global Studies, RMIT, Melbourne
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and support themselves. Many end up working late nights, or returning home at a time when the streets or trains are deserted, thus making themselves vulnerable to attacks. Despite the fact that all Australian education qualifications are under one national system – Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), shoddy institutes have managed to prosper. No doubt, the Australian government has erred while scrutinising these institutes. However, the Indian government is equally culpable in failing to arrest the growth of fly-by-night agents who lure innocent students with PR promises. What’s ironical and pathetic is that the vocational institutes that were recently shut down in Australia were being run by
Interview Kelly RAJ
Counsellor, Education, Australian High Commission
“Australia is safe”
Q. What measures are being taken towards making Australia safe for Indian students? A. The Australian government has initiated visible police operations in both Victoria and New South Wales, targeting railway stations and other priority areas; increased public safety information sessions and briefings; enhanced community liaison through dedicated advisory and reference groups, and engaging law enforcement officials, students and representatives from the Indian community to work together to ensure that Australia is safe. A hotline has been established for students to raise concerns, anonymously if they wish.
sydney opera house. You may not go there to learn music but enjoy it when you study in Oz.
Indians. So be wary of unauthorised education agents. Avoid them and approach the Australian Education International for any information on education and admissions. Its centre might be far off from your city or town, but it is worth the effort.
All are not that bad
All vocational institutes in Australia are not bad. Try to get into the good ones. Do thorough checks of the institutes.
Doubly check the credentials of the institutes and please do not enrol in suspect institutes just because you are desperate to become a resident of Australia. Life could be worse there. Speak with alumni, they are a good source of unbiased information. But be sure to get the opinion of only those, you know personally before hand.
Don’t go by ranking, choose one that suits you
All Australian education institutions that provide courses and qualification to overseas students are registered on
Q. What advice would you give to Indian students ? A. Take the same measures you would at home. For example, in case of emergency, a person approaches the police or other relevant authorities; doing so will not affect his or her visa status. Another common feature in any country might be to make sure that someone knows where you are going and at what time you are expected to return. Try not to be out alone very late at night. Carry with you identification and emergency contacts numbers.
Do not enrol in suspect institutes just because you are desperate to become a resident of Australia 61
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(
Cover Story Foreign Education
Australia
Popular among Indian students universities Australian National University Monash University Deakin’s University La Trobe University Deakin’s University Source: Students inputs
Subject area Management and Commerce Food, Hospitality and Personal Services Society and Culture Information Technology Engineering and related disciplines Source: Australian Education International, Australian High Commission in India
Australian outback is the place to go when you get holidays between studies.
Commonwealth Register of Institutions for Overseas study (CRICOS) The Government does not rank universities in Australia. A student needs to select the institution keeping in mind various factors. Some of the parameters one should consider in trying to zero in on the best suited university or institution would be the balance of practical and theoretical learning in the course; the qualifications and experience of the academics; the facilities offered by the university; tuition cost and living cost (which will be affected by the location of the university). To get information on
the institutions which offer the desired courses in Australia, one can do a course search at www.studyinaustralia.gov.au or http://cricos.dest.gov.au
Part-time work opportunities
International students coming to Australia are required to declare that they have sufficient funds to meet their course, living and travel expenses for the duration of their stay as part of their visa application. In addition, international student visa holders are granted permission to work up to 20 hours per week while their course is in session (excluding
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Endeavour Awards (Postgraduate Awards and Research Fellowships) www.endeavour.dest. gov.au
Full support: AUD 4,500 as travel allowance; AUD 4,000 as establishment allowance; monthly stipend of AUD 2,500 and tuition fees of up to AUD 12,500 per semester. Research Fellowships do not cover tuition fees
To undertake a Masters or PhD either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia for up to 3 years
Award includes AUD 5,000 as travel allowance, AUD 5,000 as establishment allowance and a monthly stipend of AUD 2,500 for 1-4 months on a pro-rata basis.
For high achievers in business, industry, education or government from participating countries including India. Focuses on building skills/knowledge. Professionals with 5/10 years of work experience need to be nominated.
Endeavour Executive Awards www.endeavour.dest. gov.au
any work undertaken as a registered component of their course of study or training) and unrestricted hours during holiday periods. All paid, volunteer or unpaid work must be within the limits. If you have started a course at the Master’s or Doctorate level, your dependents may work unlimited hours. International students often find work in retail, hospitality and administration. You could expect to earn A$6-15 an hour, depending on the kind of work you do and your age. You may be paid more for working on Sundays or public holidays. Tutoring younger students in the field you are studying, or in your native language is also a good way to earn money. Student tutors can earn about AUD40 an hour. “But the primary purpose for going to Australia as a student should be to study,” says Kelly Raj, Counsellor, Education, Australian High Commission.
Tax File Number
Source: Australian Education International, Australian High Commission in India
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You should obtain a Tax File Number (TFN) from the Australian Tax Office if you are going to work in Australia. You may also need a TFN to open a bank account. In addition to supplying your name, current address and date of birth, you may also need to supply your date of arrival in Australia, your passport
Visa Guidelines
first person Sukun Chopra
An Offer of Acceptance from a CRICOS registered institute is required; visit www.cricos.dest.gov.au Financial support/Medical Check up – an applicant must demonstrate their financial ability to study in Australia and medical checkup is mandatory . More details on website, www.immi.gov.au
Psychology student at University of New South Wales
English language proficiency
Avoid unfamiliar
For further information refer to: www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/ StudyGuide_pdf.pdf). Study Melbourne Victoria website has information for students regarding safety which is accessible to parents and students alike. ww.studymelbourne.com.au/livin_in_melbourne/personal-safety.
and proof of enrolment. Your TFN is valuable. Don’t share it with friends and don’t provide it on the internet when applying for work. Keep it secure.
Cost of living
An average international student in Australia will spend about AUD360 a week on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport and telephone. Remember, this figure depends on your location, lifestyle and even your course. You should seek further information on living costs from your institution. Details on the tuition fee can be obtained from: http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/ Sia/en/StudyCosts/TuitionFees.
Visa requirements
Before you receive a student visa, you will have to show that you have enough money to pay for living expenses, education costs and travel for the duration of your course. You can offset your living expenses by working part-time while you study, but you shouldn’t rely on your wages as your only source of income.
Health insurance
Australia has a special system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). You will need to buy OSHC before you come to Australia. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires you to maintain OSHC for the duration of your student visa in Australia. Your OSHC will help you pay for any medical or hospital care you may
I
and isolated areas
have been studying in Sydney for the past one-and-a-half years. For me, it’s certainly been a great experience. Asians are in large numbers, but there are migrants from Europe and America, too. It’s a truly multicultural country. On a more casual note, Oz (Australia) is a pretty cool place and the Aussies are warm-hearted. It’s easy to get along with people here. Frankly, they respect you if you respect them. Oh yes, that reminds me in Aussie land we Indians are addressed as Currys! Please don’t take offence to that; it’s just a fun way of addressing us. Much like how we colloquially address our own brethren from different parts of the country: ‘Punjus’, ‘Gujjus’, ‘Bongs’! So, if you do come across someone calling you Currys, just laugh it off. The most important thing we Indians need to learn is to take less offence about light-hearted issues. Now, how do you tackle the issue need while you’re studying in Australia and it will contribute towards the cost of most prescription medicines, and an ambulance in an emergency. Also speak to the University or College.
Finally, is it safe?
“It is unfortunate that there are some who are always going to be boorish in every society. We cannot lose faith in a nation because of them. More stringent steps do need to be taken to ensure that they do not become the dominant force by the government and individuals in
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of recent racial attacks? Personally, I haven’t faced any sort of racism. Just to clear a misconception for people in India, there’s a tendency to blame the white Aussies, but what people don’t consider is that several other races reside here. In a majority of cases, the accused have mainly been Lebanese gangsters. Sydney is a reasonably safe place. As is with any city in the world, there exist some areas which might not be too safe. In ‘such’ circumstances try remaining calm, and not show fear since that is the opportunity ‘they’ look for! My personal advice would be to avoid unfamiliar and isolated areas in the first place. So, if you come to Australia make the most of it. Get sporty, become involved in water sports. There is a lot of water here! Remember, before you come here, keep your mind open and make sure you return with beautiful memories after making friends from all over the world! society who can stand up against these bullies. However, should we let a few boorish people dictate that the entire nation is racist? The choice is for you to make,” says Natasha Chopra, Managing Director, The Chopras, a New Delhibased education consultant. Kelly Raj says that Australia is safe and tolerant. But as with anyone coming to a new place or when undertaking any sort of travel, it is essential that international students are aware of the local conditions and customs and know what to do if there is a problem.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION UPDATE
THE NEW THE FACE NEWOF FACE PROFESSIONAL OF PROFESSION UEI Global, aims to provide globally recognized courses to the Indian youth. It provides an oppoCEO Vision rtunity to obtain Indian and UK Degrees offering We have all heard the conventional wisdom that career building and skill enhancing education. It’s education leads to employment. And, of course, program suite includes professional Degrees in every institute talks about “plac-ement assistance” BBA, Hotel Management (the student has an option and so on. But talking to the students passing out to choose from National & International Degree), from many such institutes often reveals a very diffeRetail Management, Aviation Management, English rent picture. At UEI Global, we don't just talk about for Communication and Life Skills and Persona placement. We guarantee it. We commit to providing Development. at least 3 interview opportunitiesfor each eligible For it’s Degree programs, UEI Global has alliances student who is pur-suing their graduation with us. with the top National & International Universities We are a partner of Osmania, Bharathiar and Pondiincluding Osmania University - Hyderabad, Bharacherry Universities. Our students earn these reputed, thiar University Coimbatore & Pondicherry UniveUGC approved degrees in fields ranging from Hotel rsity - Pondicherry, University College of BirmingManagement, Aviation and Tourism to Business ham, City College of Norwich and City College of Management. We know that you don't Nottingham based in UK. It also has developed projust study to get a degree, or even just a fessional International Certificate and Diploma in job, but a career. And our pro-mise to alliance with the Hotelschool the Hague, The Nethyou is an education and a career. erlands one of top hospitality management school - Chetan Mahajan and a member of the “Leading Hotelschools of The World”,Changi International Airport Services (CIAS), Singapore and the Finishing School, London. UEI Global has a unique program architecture which allows students to pursue a National Degree or opt for a pathway to an international Degree (after completing 2 year’s course with the institute in India). The faculty at UEI Global are judicial mix of hospitality instructors and professionals, management and technical experts. The core team on Hospitality Management has been trained at the Hotelschool The Hague, Netherlands and are being complemented by instructors from a number of adjunct faculties from industry and academia including project planning, finance, marketing and business development. The em-phasis on faculty selection is huge and they are handpicked from the industry and trained on international standards with global exposure. With world class infrastructure, UEI Global aims towards developing and honing the skills of their students through engaging learning methodologies. All the institutes are equipped with brand new labs, a state-of-the-art kitchen, a training restaurant, air-conditioned and WiFi enabled classrooms. Their faculty to student ratio is 1 to 30. UEI Global has a well defined placement strategy. Their affiliation with the renowned national & multinational companies ensures that the students gain practical experience while learning simultaneously. They have ensured that students enter the industry as soon as they have completed the course. UEI Global’s students are already working in top companies
NAL EDUCATION EDUCATION Like Taj Group of Hotels, Marriott Hotels, Reliance Retail, Intercontinental Hotels, Spice Jet and many more. UEI Global today has 19 institutes across 15 cities. The student has a flexibility to choose the location of convenience. UEI Global also offers transfer facilities to it’s students within these 19 locations. Their plan is to scale these locations to 60 by the year 2012. In today's competitive world, having a winning edge over the rest is of vital importance. UEI Global aims at bringing out the best in students who aim high in life. The unique offerings in the programs will instill the competitive advantage and confidence in the students to succeed on the international front. Placements with UEI Global
Academicians Speak....
“What our society will be tomorrow depends on what our children are Devyani International today”. Marriott Hotels Fortune Group of Hotels The mind set of Indian parents has always laid great emphasis on EducPalm Beach Gardens ation. One needs to realize that it is Kotak Mahindra not only Education that is important, Taj Air Caterers Intercontinental Hotels but what really counts is what one Citi Financials has learnt and how suitably it can be Taj Group Of Hotels applied. As the Greeks say “It is not KFC the quantity that makes the good, but Prestige Jet the quality”. Thus, we at UEI Global Café Coffee Day focus on Quality in Education and Hewitt Associates have directly correlated it to the style ITC Sheraton Hotels of instructions the students receive. Lifestyle Our emphasis is to compliment the Park Hotels technological change in management, Delhi Call Center Air India SATS curriculum, teaching & learning, with Encore Capital a cultural change related Hyatt Hotels to the beliefs, values and Spice Jet attitude towards education. Sparsh Park Sarovar Hotels Big Bazaar Indigo Reliance Retail Vanya Vilas Centaur Hotels West End Mall Tabularasa Mainland China India Bulls Quatrro WNS Aircel Muthoot Sky Chef Subhiksha
- Ashish Kesharwani Chief Learning Officer
Scholarships Available Limited Seats Rush Now!!!
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To Book Your Seat NOW visit your Closest Institute
SMS “UEI” to 9971084999 Call: 44151515
UEI Global Institutes Agra: 817/1 Kaveri House, Mau Khandari Crossing, NH-2, Khandari Bangalore: Plot No-17, 3rd Floor, 1st Cross Road, 5th Block, Koramangala Chandigarh: SCO 210-211, 4th Floor, Sector 34-A Dehradun: 1/10, Saharanpur Road Faridabad: Crown Plaza, Sector- 15 A, Delhi Mathura Road Ghaziabad: B-08, Rajnagar Distt Centre Gurgaon: Basement, Building No.6, SCO Complex, Sector 14 Indore: 1st Floor, Saket Tower, Geeta Bhawan Square, A.B. Road Jaipur: 3rd Floor, Durlabhji Chambers, Prithvi Raj Road, C-Scheme Jalandhar: 3rd Floor, Rampa Centre, Model Town Market Lucknow: TC-V-57, Shalimar Tower, 2nd Floor, Vibhuti Khand, Gomti Nagar Ludhiana: 4th Floor, Plot. No. 15, Feroz Gandhi Market New Delhi: Block 'C’, 5th Floor, Vikas Surya Mall, Sector 3, Rohini New Delhi: C-49, Peet Vihar Noida: B-221, Sector 16 Pune: 4th Floor Gera’s-77, Ramwadi Naka, Kalyani Nagar, Next Bishop School Raipur: 6th Floor, Ravi Bhawan, Jaistambh Chowk Thane: Plot No. 300-B,1st Floor, Arunodaya Bhawan, Next To Modi Motors, Service Road, Panchpakhadi Trivandrum: 1st Floor, T.N. Samrudhi Chambers, Vazhuthacaud, Near Women's College Log on to
www.uei-global.com
Cover Story Foreign Education
canada
VOCATIONAL
COURSES ARE IN With its welcoming policies and safe environment, Canada is an ideal destination for quality education
E
ducation in Canada is different in that more than 60 per cent of the 3,500 Indian students that went to Canada last year opted for postgraduate diploma courses, in other words, vocational courses. These courses are popular as most students have employment in mind. Maria Mathias, director, Canadian Education Centre, says that these vocational courses are highly specialised in nature. Pointing to the prospectus of a top college in Canada, she says that there are specialisations such as Networking and Business. “In India while there are many vocational colleges and institutes offering good courses, few Indian students apply to these courses. This is because in India vocational study is looked down upon, when in fact, it is one of the most job-oriented and useful education that parents can encourage their children to opt for.”
Doctoral studies are also on
“At the same time, there’s a slight rise in the number of students applying for postgraduate degrees,” says Mathai. Most of the applications are for engineering or MBA, hospitality and animation. And now the Canadian government wants to make research attractive. “You see not many are aware that Blackberry and Maple are inventions from Canada!” The Canadian Government has recently introduced The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships (Vanier CGS) programme to attract and retain world class doctoral students, offering them a significant financial award during their studies at Canadian universities.
“Vocational study in India is looked down upon. In fact, it is one
of the most joboriented offerings” Job opportunities are aplenty for students in one of the coolest places to study
Maria Mathai, Director, Canadian Education Centre, India
Cost of living and part-time jobs
This academic year, Canadian Education Institution is expecting some 4,000 students to enrol in Canadian universities and 15,000 students by 2014. “The United Nations has rated Canada as one of the best places on the globe to live,” says Mathai. “And a degree or a diploma from a Canadian Education Institution is universally recognized for its high academic standard.”
Visa Guidelines Letter of Acceptance from University plus valid passport. An education loan helps. However, if you do not take one then, carry: Bank Statement, latest Income Tax Return statement. Liquid assets, all investments, including Mutual Funds. It takes one to two days to get the visa; however, medical check-up could take longer. Indian students are expected to undergo Tuberculosis test. For more details log on to www.vfs-canada.co.in
The expenses are in the region of Rs. 3-4 lakh per year; however, in big cities such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver it could go up to Rs. 4.5 lakh that is 9,000 to 10,000 Canadian dollars. Therefore, keep a budget of 500-900 dollars a month. If you are planning to take private accommodation like many students, do rent a house close to the campus. There are plenty of on-campus and off-campus jobs available in restaurants, shops and libraries. Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week and full-time during vacation. Minimum wage is 8 dollars/hour. Therefore, if you work 20 hours you could earn 160 dollars a week. This can easily take care of food, travel and the rent. And even a visit to the local restaurant once a week! And this is nontaxable income
New work visa policies
Students in their final semesters should start looking out for a job as the postgraduate work visa takes 90 days to
(
Vocation-oriented courses offered in Canada are very popular as most students have employment upper most on their mind 66
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first person Faisal Nayeem
Clean Country
T
he best thing about my flight was Air Canada flying right over icy Greenland for hours! I could see the Greenland shore approaching towards my seat window like an approaching train station. Here, people are very kind and helpful. The university has a very beautiful campus with the picturesque Rideau river and canal on either side, some great buildings and of course, the lovely red O Train. Ottawa’s so clean as if it’s all been washed with Surf Excel:)!! But here’s the difficult bit: living here is expensive compared to India. A bus ticket for 150 bucks, a coffee for 80 rupees! How I miss BMTC, the autos and all the Shanti Sagars of Bangalore! Everyone works and studies and cooks here! I sure have a lot to learn and a long way to go.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship Plan www.csfp-online.org
Intends to cover full cost of education
Focuses on postgraduate scholarships at both Master’s and Doctoral level.
Trudeau Foundation Scholarships http:// www.trudeaufoundation.ca/trudeaufoundation/program/
Annual stipend of $40,000 to cover cost of tuition and reasonable living expenses; annual travel allowance of $20,000. Tenable for 3-years
Supports doctoral candidates pursuing research in any of the four themes: human rights and dignity, responsible citizenship, Canada in the world, and people and their natural environment.
Faisal is a BCom student at , Carleton University, Ottawa
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITIES University of Toronto
Source: Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India and British Council, New Delhi
University of Waterloo
process. However, now with two years of degree programme, the student can obtain three years of work permit to work anywhere in Canada, irrespective of the province.
Medical insurance
Most Canadian institutions offer mandatory health insurance which is inclusive in the fee structure outlined at the time of admission However, if a student has not taken a medical insurance from his/her institution, it is advisable to get one before boarding the flight to Canada. Some Indian insurance providers cover both travel insurance and medical insurance as part of their policies and are very advantageous for students travelling abroad. Students may also opt to get a Canadian Health Insurance upon arrival in Canada if he/she so desires.
Advice to Indian students
Don’t carry books. There are six-floor libraries there. Carry daily wear such as jeans and T-shirts and light woollens but do not buy heavy woollens from India. The Canadian winter is different from India’s. So save money to buy winter wear from Canada. However, socks, caps, gloves can be bought from India as they are much cheaper. Dry food items are allowed such as namkeens and biscuits but do not carry them in your hand-baggage, put them into your check-in baggage. You wouldn’t want sniffer dogs chasing you and the whole airport looking at you only to discover that there’s masala peanuts in your hand baggage. Write down the important dates on a calendar. This will take care of any unnecessary stress down the line. Use
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McGill University University of Alberta University of British Columbia VOCATIONAL COLLEGES Humber College Centennial College Seneca College Sheridan College Fanshawe College Source : Canadian Education Centre, India
study and research skills workshops, advisors, tutors, and course unions. Talk to your professor when you have questions about course material or assignments. This can save you time and frustration. Learn the basics of academic integrity and avoid plagiarism. Go to the library!
Cover Story Foreign Education
France
Romancing Sciences Language is a deterrent and the diaspora is small, but France stills holds a charm for many
F
rance is getting students’ attention with their number going up to 1,757 in the current year from last year’s 958. And the 150-odd scholarships did help. Part of President, Nicolas Sarkozy’s agenda during his visit to India last year was to treble the number of Indian students to 4,000 by year 2012, says Alain Perrier, press counsellor, Embassy of France.
Application online
One such initiative in this direction is that now students need to make only one electronic application to apply to up to 20 institutes of higher learning. Launched in 2007 it is a completely dematerialised process, in which the student sends no papers to France. Instead it is the nearest CampusFrance office (http://www.campusfrance.org/ en/index.htm) in India that checks the veracity of the e-file and validates the information for universities.
Grants and scholarships
The Indo French Consortium of Universities (IFCU) was created in 2008 to offer dual master’s degrees or joint PhD research projects. Today, joint degrees in nuclear technology, nanotechnology and synthetic chemistry are on offer. French and Indian companies also offer co-financed scholarships. French firms such as Thales, Orange, DCNS, Alten, Neemrana group, Michelin and Krishnakriti Foundation have offered scholarships to Indian students.
Learn French before you go
The medium of instruction for most French universities is French so learn French before you go to France. Even though your course may be entirely taught in English, it will help your journey of personal and professional advancement. A common advice to aspirants is to become members of the Alliance Française library and the French Information and Resource Centre. Both have a wealth of information on history, habits, art, cinema, comic books. A French tutor programme is also on at over 30 institutes of higher education in India. Though associated with arts, France is emerging as a popular destination
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITIES Madhu Kapparath/Outlook Group
ISEP Grenoble Graduate School of Business IESEG Lille ESCP-EAP
for management and sciences studies. And creative fields like architecture, design, cinema and animation studies also attract students to France.
ESSEC
Work opportunities
SUBJECTS Management Studies Science & Technology Life Sciences Fashion & Luxury Political Studies/International Relations Source : Inputs from Embassy of France in India
Perrier says that Indian students choose Grandes ecoles (elite universities) and these institutes generally have very good industrial placement services. In fact, students have the option of doing course internships in any of the 25 Schengen states. For example, a student who’s
(
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Interview JÉrÔme Bonnafont
ART STUDENTS flock to France, but science and management too are gaining popularity
studying in France on a long stay visa for a master’s course can choose to do his/her internship in Germany or Italy. Also, now students get a one year visa instead of three months’ visa that had to be converted upon arrival to a temporary residency.
Questions for visa interview
The interview is known as No objection certificate interview. Students are quizzed on basic questions such as study project, motivation to choose France, their future study project, their plans to continue into research, financial implications, and family background. Level of language proficiency is also assessed during such interviews.
Medication and insurance
The French state gives medical insurance through her social security system. Therefore, if a student falls sick, he or she is sure to get good treatment, and a reimbursement of up to 70 per cent of the medical expenditure is borne by the French state. However, it is advisable to get a three-month medical insurance from India as it is a mandatory visa requirement. After the three-month period, the student is covered by the French social security system.
Living and eating
Visa Guidelines An online application dossier Visa interview Submission of passport along with admission letter, financial statements, accommodation proof, medical insurance, academic records, travel itinerary, and processing fee
Depending on the city, the cost of living varies from 500 to 600 euros per month. Those with a student visa can work up to 20 hours a week. As salaries are good, they can earn around 600 euros a week. In fact, many Indian students cook their own meals. And on days when you wished to take a break from cooking, then there are plenty of French bakeries.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Scholarship Programme of the French Embassy in India. www.indiacampusfrance.org
Living expenses (615 Euros per month)/air ticket/social security coverage
Indian students enrolled in a regular programme in France mainly in Audiovisual studies, Design, Journalism, and French language
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship. http:// ec.europa.eu
Tuition fees (1,200-1,600 Euros per month) depending on joint master’s or doctoral course
For study in various programmes at partner universities in the European Union
Source: Inputs from Embassy of France in India
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Ambassador of France
France
grows on you
I
nitiatives taken by France to promote higher education for Indian students.
Q. Efforts are on, still only a few subjects are taught in English...
A. At this point it is not possible to
change the entire higher education system, but we do have the provision of using English as a medium of instruction for a few specialised courses. So my suggestion would be that Indian students should study French language for a year. Besides, learning French or any other foreign language opens up different employment opportunities. You can work in any French company in the world.
Q. The number of Indians working in France seems to be less.
A. Yes, the Indian Diaspora is small, I agree, but we are changing that by encouraging students to stay back and work. One such initiative in this direction is giving students a six-month extension on their visas to look for a job after completion of degree or course. And if they do find a job, they can stay back and work. Many come back and work in French companies. There are 100,000 Indians working with French companies in India alone!
Q. Any advice to the students? A. The first few months are always
tough for anybody, but France grows on people and they fall in love with the country, the people, and its culture!
Cover Story Foreign Education
germany
going the Research way
High technology students will get a cultural high too
T
Famous for its efficiency and precision, Germany boasts of some of the best institutions for fundamental scientific research
here are nearly 4,000 Indian students in Germany. Germany’s strength in higher education has been in combining education with research at the bachelor’s level. “In German education institutions both professors and students are involved in research right at the beginning of their course,” says Christiane Schlottmann, director, DAAD, Delhi. Only a few Indian institutions such as IIT and the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) at Pune follow this pattern. Right from school to master’s level education, Indian students are usually told what to do by their teachers or their parents, observes Schlottmann. Thus students tend to depend more on teachers than they should, and self-study is limited to a few hours in the library. Traditionally, German universities have been state funded, and hence
education has been free. It’s only since the last three years since some universities have started charging 500 euros per semester as tuition fee,
Close links between industry and academia
Most of the German education institutions are heavily funded by industries.
Visa Guidelines Cover letter from applicant School Leaving Certificate (Secondary School) Letter of admission Proof of paid study fees, if applicable University Certificates (Degree Certificates and Mark Sheets Proof of Language Proficiency TOEFL / IELTS, not older than 12 months) This document is mandatory for the visa process, even if it is not required by the German University. For details refer to: www.vfs-germany.co.in or www.new-delhi.diplo.de
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Another attractive feature of education in Germany is the active participation of small to medium enterprises in university research projects. Companies such as Siemens and Mercedes-Benz are involved in university research.
Mandatory internships
For science and engineering students, it is mandatory do to internships during vacation. “Industry experience is important, in fact, now, in many universities internships for humanities too have been made compulsory.” While students are expected to find internships opportunities on their own, the university supports them in their search.
German education in English
There are 300 International degree programmes which are entirely or partly taught in English. These courses are offered in various disciplines, especially
Working in Germany
Popular among Indian students Universities
Students
RWTH Aachen
134
University of Duisburg-Essen
119
Technical University of Berlin
93
University of Stuttgart
89
Technical University Dresden
82
Subject area
Students
Mathematics, Natural Sc.
1,393
Engineering
1,187
Law, Economics, Social Sc.
462
Medicine
195
Language, Cultural Sciences
164
Source: DAAD, New Delhi
in engineering, natural sciences, computer sciences and economics. There has been a growing interest in arts; however mathematics, engineering, biotechnology, renewable energy and ecology-related disciplines are among the popular courses. Though several Master’s and PhD programmes are being taught in English, universities are now introducing English as medium of instruction for a few Bachelor’s degree programmes, as well. But even then, Schlottmann says that it’s always good to know a bit of German language as it helps understand the culture of country.
Living in Germany
“Don’t base your decision entirely on rankings; the subject you want to study should decide the university you choose”
Germany is an expensive country. How high the cost of living is depends also on the city you decide to study in. Though most universities do not charge any
Christiane Schlottmann
Director, DAAD
If you come from a country which is not a part of the European Union, such as India, you are allowed to work for only 90 days in a year. And then in certain Federal states, foreign students are allowed to work in the semester vacation. Basically, it isn’t tough finding a job as a student, but students are advised not to work too many hours. The course and study is quite intensive, and since the tuition fee is subsidised by the government, students are expected to study well. As per migration law right now, after degree students can extend their visa by one year to look for a job, and if they find a job within that one year they can apply for a work permit.
tuition fees, you should still contend with spending about 660 euro every month. However, that is the minimum and hence keep in mind that the expenses could up to 700-750 euros. Students should carry prescriptions if they are on medication along with the basic first aid kit. Health insurance is compulsory. German as well as foreign students are basically insured with a public health insurance company. It costs less than 50 euro.
Visa interview
Saving money
Firstly, the visa. For students there are three types of visa: a language course visa, a study applicant’s visa and the visa for study purposes or the student visa. Only the last one entitles you to a longer stay in Germany as a student. What’s also important is your passport and other original certificates.
Each university town will have secondhand shops selling equipment, furniture, computers etc. Many students like to go to the flea market (Flohmarket) where you can rummage around in boxes of books or records, haggle over the price of a cupboard or leather jacket. If you refer to shop and barter from home, you can find small ads and auction portals on the internet as well.
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Master’s Scholarship for Public Policy and Good Governance http://newdelhi. daad.de/mainFrame/home/ PPGG.pdf
Stipend of Euro 750 per month; air fare; exemption from payment of university tuition fees; study and research subsidy
To pursue Master’s in select German Universities in public policy, governance, international relation, administration public management or civil society
WISE-Working Internship in Science & Engineering http:// newdelhi.daad.de/mainFrame/home/WISEfinal.pdf
A monthly stipend of Euro 650 to cover living expenses; Euro 600 for travel; health insurance
UG students from select Indian universities willing to do 2-3 months internship at education/ research institutions in Germany
Source: DAAD, New Delhi
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The purpose of the interview is to gauge communication skills and see how clear student is about his/her study plans. So answer to the best you can, and avoid limiting your answers to just a few words. They simply want to see how keen you are on studying in Germany. Appointments have to be scheduled with VFS Global Services (www.vfsgermany.co.in)
Documents for admission
On arrival
Register yourself at the Resident Registeration Bureau (Einwohnermeldeamt) and the Office for foreigners’ Affairs (Ausländeramt). At the Office for foreigners’ Affairs you must prove that you can bear the financial cost of your studies. The residence permit is valid for one year and has to be renewed every year. Usually the German authorities require officially translated documents done at specific offices. But make sure you do not hand in original documents, always provide certified copies instead. And do not forget to wish the authority Guten Morgen. Nothing like a little mother tongue to ease things.
Cover Story Foreign Education
the Netherlands
the dutch
odyssey
Different formats, diverse offerings
first person rohit gupta
Tulips in my life W
T
he Netherlands offers a wide variety of study options to students with 1465 courses being offered in English as medium. According to the Neso (Netherlands Education Support Office) Desk India, 500 Indian students went to the country for the September 2008 intake. The courses applied for in the order of popularity are engineering, management, biotechnology, architecture & urban planning, agriculture-related studies, dairy-related studies and social sciences. Adds Amita Patel, Education Promotion Officer, NBSO- Neso Desk India, “The Dutch universities are showing some interest in India and they are looking at the possibilities of starting programmes in Management and IT.”
Popular universities
Delft university is high on the popularity chart. “Out of the 14 students from Ahmedabad who left for the Netherlands, 12 went to Delft,” says Patel. The two scholarships which Indian students can avail of (set up by Nuffic) are NFP and HSP. Details of other scholarships can be found out from www.grantfinders.nl.
low lying country, high on education
Visa information
When a student applies for a course of study, he/she is given a MVV- which is given for a long stay (usually for the duration of the study). Upon completion of the course, they can get a one year extension by submitting the degree at the immigration
Popular among Indian students universities Maastricht University Fontys University, Venlo* Saxion University, Enschede* Delft University of Technology Zuyd University
Economics Behaviour & Society Technology Language & Culture Health care
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department. The average tuition fee for an academic year for a UG/PG course is 6.4-8.5 lakh rupees. Cost of living varies from 35,000-50,000 rupees per month.
Job opportunities
Subject area
Source: CFI, Nuffic
hen you arrive at Amsterdam airport you will realize that you can take a train to anywhere in the Netherlands, which is the most comfortable and economical mode of transport. An OV-chipkaart that lasts one year and gives you 40% discount on every travel is a must have. Come prepared for rains in the Netherlands. Buy at least one good raincoat. Having a bicycle is a necessity for students. If you want a second-hand bike, buy it from a shop selling one. A friend of mine got a bike from a ‘friendly’ gentleman for 20 euros but his happiness was short-lived when he was locked up for having a stolen bike. There are shops carefully hidden in Den Hag/ Rotterdam, that sell ‘imported’ stuff from India and the UK such as dals, spices, namkeen, Haldirams’ sweets and Maggi to satisfy your Indian taste buds. Always wear a smile and be prepared to say ‘hui’/ hi to people you meet. It makes your day brighter when people acknowledge it. Dui(Bye)….
*University of Applied Sciences
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Students holding a Schengen visa have a wider scope of finding a job. Students can work 10 hrs per week. However, academicians insist that the study programmes are very stringent and the students rarely get time to work while pursuing their education. For more info please visit www. nesoindia.org and www.studyinholland.nl
Cover Story Foreign Education
switzerland
Swiss dreams It is known for tourism and hospitality education
S
witzerland has 12 doctoral degreegranting research universities offering a wide range of educational opportunities to international students. Out of these, the two Federal Institutes of Technology are world leaders in science and engineering education and research. Apart from these, applied education programmes are offered by the seven universities of applied sciences and the 15 teacher training colleges. While the aim of the doctoral degree-granting universities is teaching and basic research, universities of applied sciences and teacher education place a stronger emphasis on knowledge that can be transferred to industry and economy as well as applied research and development. All these institutions are largely publicly funded.
Cost of education
Swiss tuition fees are comparatively low with higher education being publicly funded. Most Swiss Universities charge between US$ 800-1,200 per academic
year. The living expenses are between CHF 18,000- 28,000 per year (depending on the location of the university and personal demands)
Trends
Switzerland has for long been a preferred destination for students to pursue their education in Hotel Management. It has specialised institutes in the areas of international affairs, public administration, finance and hotel management as well. According to Mr. Mattia Celio, Science and Technology Consellor, Embassy of Switzerland, “The past few years have seen students going to the country to study sciences especially in disciplines such as biotechnology, photochemistry, biomedical engineering, material science and nanotechnology. Language studies is another popular area of study.” Over 500 Indian students were enrolled in Swiss Universities for Bachelor’s, Master’s and research programmes as of December 2008 (excluding those pursuing their education at the private schools).
Scholarship for Indian students in European Union Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
Erasmus Mundus Scholarship http:// ec.europa.eu/education
Tuition fees and living expenses depending on type of programme: joint master’s or doctoral
Various programmes at partner universities in the European Union
Netherlands Fellowship Programme www.nuffic.nl/nfp
Intends to cover the cost of living, visa fee, travel, insurance and such expenses
Masters’, PhD and short-term courses. Target group, however, are mid-career professionals
Italian Government Scholarship (normally under the cultural exchange programme) www.education.nic.in
Euro 700 per month (approx) is given for both staying expenses and course fee for a 12-month course. 50% reduced support for courses of 3 or 6 months
To pursue specialized PG courses in Fashion Design, Italian language, Economics & Management, Cultural Heritage & Restoration, ICT, Environment, Energy and Biotechnology
Swiss Government University Scholarships www.swissuniversity. ch/info-3.htm
CHF 1920 per month for PG students. Generally, Swiss academic institutes exempt term fees, but not necessarily enrolment fees
Graduates from all disciplines with the opportunity to pursue postgraduate studies or research in Switzerland
Young Guest and Doctoral Researchers’ Annual Scholarships or YGGDRASIL mobility programme www. forskningsradet.no
NOK 12,000/15,000 per month for PhDs/post-doctoral researchers: Also settling-in expenses of NOK 10,000. Indian grant recipients may apply for up to NOK 7,000 for air fare
PhD students and younger researchers from 25 countries, including India for research stays in Norway of one to ten months in all subjects and disciplines
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Swiss alps provide a pristine atmosphere not just for skiing but learning as well
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSIties University of Bern University of Basel University of Fribourg University of Geneva University of Lausanne SubjectS Biotechnology Photochemistry Biomedical Engineering Material Science Nanotechnology Source: Inputs from DFA Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Switzerland
Scholarships, living expenses
Through the Federal Commission for Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the Swiss Government grants foreign students scholarships to pursue their Higher education (master’s, PhD or post-doctoral) at Swiss Universities. This opportunity is also offered to Indian students. The living expenses may range from US$ 14,000-23,000 per year, depending upon the location and individual requirements. For foreign students, the number of weekly work hours is generally limited to 15, but this depends on the canton (in Geneva, for example, you can work up to 30 hours per week). Notwithstanding this, studies in Swiss universities are very demanding in time and require dedication. Thus students do not generally have time for work alongside their studies. As far as visa formalities are concerned, students can get more information by visiting www. eda.admin.ch/newdelhi .
Cover Story Foreign Education
Italian DElights Land of creativity welcomes technology as well
T
italy
Popular among Indian students universities Polytechnic of Turin Polytechnic of Milan
hough known as fashion’s mecca, Italian universities traditionally have been intellectually diverse. In fact, the world’s oldest extant university still stands tall at Bologna. Thanks to globalisation, Italian universities are now offering new courses in English in fields such as design, fashion technology, architecture and urban planning, bioinformatics and biotechnology, business administration and economics. Polytechnic of Turin and Milan, Universities of Bologna, Perugia and Venice have the maximum number of Indian students. Life in Italy, is animated and eventful. “The country innately stylish and it kind of rubs on to you,” says Surender Chauhan, who studied in Polytechnic of of Milan. Italy is still not in the horizon of Indian students and only 300-odd
student visas were granted for studying in Italy last year. Students are increasingly going on scholarships for subjects such as biotechnology and bioinformatics (33 last year and 80 this year) besides specialised master’s courses in economics, engineering and science and technology. Most of them were in the Faculties of Architecture, Urban Planning and Engineering (Chemical, Civil, Systems Engineering). Only a few of them have received Italian Government scholarships. To make the country more attractive to students, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs offered scholarships under the Cultural Exchange Programme to aspiring young Indian students in the fields of biotechnology , economics and management, fashion technology, environment
onwards Norway Cold country, warm people, fascinating programmes Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITies Norwegian University of Sciences (NTNU) University of Adger (UiA) University of Bergen (UiB) Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB) University of Oslo (UiO) Subject area Agriculture Language Philological Science Communications Information Science Source: Inputs from Royal Norwegian Embassy in India
K
nown as the Land of the Midnight Sun, with its winters stretching to four-five months, Norway could be very forboding for an average Indian student. But the quality of education far exceeds the discomforts. “It is one of the few countries in the world where one has the freedom to pursue even not so popular research issues,” says Prof. Govindan Parayil, until recently professor at University of Oslo. Out of the 12257 international students, just about 59 are of Indian origin. But Indians form the third biggest group of foreign PhD students in Norway. The Norwegian higher education sector consists of seven universities, six specialised university institutions, 24 state university colleges, two national academies of the arts, and 29 private colleges.
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University of Bologna University of Perugia University of Venice Subject area Design, Fashion Technology Engineering Business Administration Architecture & Urban Planning Bioinformatics, Biotechnology Source: Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in India
and Italian language and culture (1 each of 700 euros/month for a year). The cost of living depends on the town. In Milan, for instance, the costs are very high, but with a scholarship of 700 euros a student can afford it.
University of Oslo (www.uio.no) and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (www.ntnu.no) are the highest ranked universities in Norway. Others include Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), University of Agder (UiA), University of Bergen (UiB), University of Stavanger (UiS) and University of Tromsø (UiT). However, students should chose their university depending on their field of subject. Norway offers master’s programmes in disciplines such as agricultural sciences, language and philological sciences, communications and information sciences, to name a few. As a welfare economy, Norway Universities do not charge tuition fees. Through various fellowship programmes, scholarship schemes or student loans, international students can receive funding for a full degree or a limited number of semesters. However, living expenses in Norway, especially in Oslo, are higher than in many other countries. For more information visit www.studyinnorway.no
Cover Story Foreign Education
russia
For that MBBS degree
Known for teaching Marxism for generations, it is medicine all the way now
E
ach year nearly 1,000 students go to Russia to study, and of that more than 800 to study medicine. The other very popular subject of study is aeronautical space engineering.
Indian students prefer Russia for MBBS
No work visa but still can work
The student visa does not allow students to work unless the work is related to the student’s field of study. For example, after the third year, medicine students can work as doctors’ assistant and are paid a weekly salary.
Go to state universities only
Elena Barman, head of education section, Russian Centre of Science & Culture (RCSC) says, go only to state universities, the private ones are expensive. The state universities’ fees are subsidised by the government. The average tuition fee for medicine is Rs. 2 lakh per annum and as MBBS is for 5 years and 8 months, the total fee comes to around Rs. 12 lakh. The tuition fee includes hostel stay and health insurance, which includes treatment and consultation.
HIV test
Indian students have to undergo an HIV test before applying for the visa, and on arrival at the academy the students have to undergo Tuberculosis and Hepatitis tests.
Moscow and around
Moscow is a major tourist attraction and thus expensive, which is why the RCSC advises students to go to universities closer to Moscow but not in Moscow. In places farther from Moscow the cost of living is around $100 while in Moscow it would be $250-300 per month.
When to apply
A good time to start applying is May of the same academic year as there are no qualifying examinations or competitive tests. The academic session starts in September but some universities start as late as December.
How safe is Russia?
Just your class 12 mark-sheet
Admissions are based on the 12th standard marks for bachelor’s degree programmes. The minimum eligibility for medicine and engineering is 50 per cent in PCB (Physics, Chemistry and Biology) and PCM (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics).
Register at the Medical Council of India
Dr Dinesh Singla, a graduate from Tver State Medical Academy, says that Indian students should register themselves with the council when they get the admission letter from the academy. For registeration you need to bring along your letter of acceptace issued by the university and the mark-sheet. Once the degree course is finished, you can appear for the exam to qualify to practise in India. As all the Russian universities are listed in the MCI Act 1956 and World Health Organisation, Indian students
Popular among Indian students universities Tver State Medical Academy Tver State Technical University Kazan State Medical University People’s Friendship University of Russia Russian State Medical University Source: Russian Centre of Science & Culture, India
are eligible for registration with the Medical Council of India.
Degrees taught in English
Since 1991 many Russian state universities have been using English as medium of instruction, but Indian students can opt for Russian medium if they wish to, the advantage being the Russian medium course costs less.
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As there have been instances of racial attacks in Russia, RCSC advises students on the dos and don’ts to follow when in Russia. In fact, once students arrive at the academy they are briefed on safety issues. Students should return to the hostel premises latest by 9 p.m., and not to step out after 10 p.m., and avoid desolate patches. “When the colour of your skin is different there can be issues. I am here in India and I know the places to avoid after dark. So it is better to be careful,” says Barman.
Salads, Borsch and coats
There’s plenty of variety of breads which students must try. Salads and borsch (vegetable) soup are good options for vegetarians, though Indian food is available. As for winter clothing, buy it only from Russia. “Russian winter can get as cold as -25 degrees, India’s winter in comparison is pleasant,” says Dr. Singla.
Cover Story Foreign Education
new zeland
Catching up
with high technology
F
Known for its immigrant–friendly image, the country is increasingly becoming popular as an affordable education destination
or nation associated with a laid back life style and located far and beyond, New Zealand has fired up the Indian students imagination by being an accessible country for immigration purposes. According to the New Zealand Ministry of Education statistics, there are 6,040 Indian students studying in the country in 2008 and this year it will be 7,000. Jugnu Roy, Business Development Manager, New Zealand Trade & Enterprise says while for the past few years, primarily applications were for postgraduate courses, of late, there’s been a rise in the number of applications for undergraduate courses, as well. Nearly 50 per cent of the students opting for New Zealand are now class 12 pass outs. As the numbers have risen unexpectedly, it is taking more time for issuing visas, explains Roy.
Strict regulatory norms
New Zealand has a safe and friendly environment to study and parents do not need any kind of assurance, says Roy. Also, higher education is inexpensive compared to other countries, where the average tuition fee costs between Rs 3 lakh to 7.5 lakh (NZ$ 10,000 – 25,000) per annum. Besides, there’s a well established Code of Practice for the pastoral care of international students. All universities are recognised by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), barring a few colleges. Student must go to website www.nzqa.govt.nz for a full list of the recognised education institutions.
Popular among Indian students universities
New Zealand, an island nation, offers a lot to explore for an inquisitive student
Investing in doctoral studies
AUT University Lincoln University Massey University The University of Auckland The University of Canterbury Subject area Engineering and Related Technologies Health Natural and Physical Sciences Business, Management and Commerce Information Technology Source: New Zealand High Commission, India
To make doctoral studies attractive, there is a PhD policy which sets tuition fees for international students studying PhDs (and their families) at the domestic fee rate, making doctoral study in New Zealand much more affordable for those studying at this level. The tuition fee comes to Rs 3-4 lakhs per annum and the upper limit to finish a PhD is four years. The government funds the New Zealand International Doctoral Research (NZIDRS) Scholarships. More information is available at www.newzealandeducated.com/scholarships
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(
Evidence of sufficient funds
to August, and spring runs from September to November. In winter you’ll need warm footwear for wet weather, woollen sweaters or other warm garments and a windproof jacket and waterproof coat. In summer, you’ll need a sunhat or cap, a long-sleeved shirt or blouse made of cool fabric suitable footwear for outings to the beach and the bush. And people are encouraged to ‘slip, slop, slap’ - slip on a long-sleeved shirt, slop on some sunblock, and slap on a hat - to protect them from cancer-causing sunburn. It’s easy to get sunburnt in New Zealand, even on cool or cloudy days, as the sun in New Zealand has strong UV rays. People are warm and welcoming. The cost of living is anywhere between 4.5 lakh to 6 lakh (NZ$ 15,000 – 20,000) per annum. Dairy products, fruit and vegetables are abundant and inexpensive so you save money by planning your food budget. More information can be found at www.newzealandeducated.com
A return air ticket to your country, or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one
Health services
Scholarships Flagship Scholarship
Award/Key Benefits
Remarks
New Zealand International Doctoral Research Scholarships www.newzealandeducated.com
Full tuition fees for 3-years full-time doctoral study; living allowance of NZ$20,500 per annum
International students who must ensure that academic supervision for doctoral studies is available
New Zealand Government Scholarship
Air Travel, study material, tuition fee, internal travel related to studies and medical care
Those willing to pursue PhD in opted subjects: education, primary health, and sustainable rural livelihood
Source: Inputs from New Zealand High Commission in India
Management on top
The most popular subject choices for Indian students in New Zealand are Business, Management and Commerce. Other popular subjects include Information Technology; Engineering and related Technologies; and Health courses. Food, Hospitality and Personal Service courses are also relatively popular. The last two years have seen applications for Nanotechnology and Biotechnology going up.
Paying fees in advance
You’ll need to pay fees in advance because proof of payment is required to get a student visa or permit. However, if you cancel before the course starts, most or all of your fees will be refunded. This may apply if your visa is not granted or you are transferring to another institution. If you cancel in the first week or so of the course, only part of your fee will be refunded. Beyond the first week or two, you probably won’t get any refund.
Part-time work
Students are able to work part time if they are enrolled in a long term course. Number of hours a student can work on part-time basis is 20 hours per week during term time and full-time during vacations. Student Job Search is a national organisation that helps students find work. It has offices on most campuses. For jobs such as working in a restaurant or bar, you could expect to earn about NZ$10.25 to $15 an hour, before tax, which is Rs. 307.5 to Rs. 450 an hour. You must pay tax if you stay in New Zealand for more than 6 months (183 days) in any 12-month period, even if
Visa Guidelines A recent passport-size photograph Letter of Acceptance Evidence of payment of the fee or exemption from the fee (not necessary if your application is being approved in-principle) A written guarantee from an institution or person that suitable accommodation is available to you in New Zealand Temporary Entry X-ray Certificate and your chest X-ray plate
Valid passport If your application is approved, your passport must be valid for 3 months after your planned date of departure from New Zealand. Complete list is available on www.immigration.govt.nz For more information: http://newzealandeducated.com/in/
you’re a student. Employers will deduct PAYE (pay as you earn) tax from your wages or salary. You may be entitled to tax rebates. For full tax information see http://www.ird.govt.nz/.
Working after finishing degree
The duration of a student visa is initially for one year and extended for the duration of the course. International students can avail of a 12-month job search visa after completion of course and they usually get a two-year work permit if they get a job in the area of their course study.
Clothing and cost of living
It is advisable to carry light woollens from India. New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, so January and February are the warmest months, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June
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For courses longer than 24 months, you’ll also need to provide medical and x-ray certificates, including tests for tuberculosis that are less than 3 months old. If you’re over 17, you’ll need a police certificate to show that you are of good character. There is usually a charge for international students to access health services in New Zealand.
Preparing for New Zealand
There’s a lot to explore in New Zealand. “It offers the best adventure sports in the world,” says Roy. Water sports and tramping (hiking) are very popular. As New Zealand is a small country with only four million population distances aren’t much. Being an island country, there are mountains and beaches everywhere. Students can avail of discount cards for travel and travel cheap. You might like to bring your national costume to wear at functions organised by your educational institution or local community. Even recipes for traditional dishes from your country are a good idea. Peaceful, clean and unaffected by the recent bourghoua about racism the country is a very attractive destination for Indian students.
Cover Story Foreign Education
singapore
global courses near home This small island is dotted with world class universities and institutions
V
anita Sinha got through INSEAD, of course, she was thrilled to bits, but she wasn’t offered a place in France its primary campus, but in the satellite campus at Singapore. Now her parents were thrilled to bits. Singapore is just four hours from India. At the moment, there are nearly 97,000 international students from 120 nations studying in Singapore. While there are only three local universities 16 leading international universities have set up their centres in Singapore.
Industry-relevant education
Singapore’s education institutions maintain strong links with industry to ensure that courses stay industry-relevant. For example, DigiPen Institute of Technology that offers animation courses has a tie-up with LucasArts.
Low cost of living
School and tuition fees in Singapore are competitive and the cost of living in Singapore is significantly lower than that of many developed countries. And to make education more affordable, the government provides tuition grants to
Popular among Indian students UNIVERSITies National University of Singapore (NUS) * Nanyang Technological University (NTU)* Singapore Management University (SMU)* Foreign campuses INSEAD Duke University SP Jain Centre of Management Source: Singapore Tourism Board * State Universities
international students enrolled at the public universities and polytechnics. Scholarships too are available but in limited numbers.
Part-time work and work permit
A work permit is not required but students are only allowed to work a maximum of 16 hours a week during term time. Students start looking for jobs while studying, however, in the event a student does not get a job by the time he or she finishes his degree, the student can apply for a one month Social Visit
Pass to the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) in Singapore. This gives a student a month to look for a job. Granting of social visit pass and the duration is at the discretion of ICA and varies from case to case.
Applying for Visa
The institute will assist the student in applying for the student pass. The Student Pass application must be submitted at least two months before the course commencement date. The student will have to log on to the SOLAR system from the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) website with your assigned SOLAR application number. The SOLAR Application number will be issued to the student once the student has been accepted by the school. Student’s Pass applications submitted via SOLAR are processed in three to 10 working days. Upon the approval of the Student’s Pass application, the student will receive an In-Principle Approval letter from the Department of Student Development. For more details log onto www.ica.gov.sg/services_centre_overview.
ACCREDITATION AGENCIES AT A GLANCE COUNTRY
Name of the agency
Website
USA
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
www.chea.org
UK
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education
www.qaa.ac.uk
Australia
Commonwealth Register of Institutions (CRICOS)
cricos.dest.gov.au
New Zealand
New Zealand Qualifications Authority
http://nzqa.govt.nz/
Canada
Association of Canadian Universities + Provincial Charter
www.aucc.ca
Germany
Agency for Sciences and Engineering
www.asiin.de
The Netherlands
The Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands
www.navo.net
Russia
Education Ministry of Russia
http://eng.mon.gov.ru/
Singapore
No central authority (Singapore Class- a private initiative)
www.spring.gov.sg
Switzerland
The Conference of Cantonal Education Ministers
http://edkwww.unibe.ch
Italy
Department of Education and Sciences
www.irlgov.ie/educ
France
Education France
www.education.fr
Norway
Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education
www.nokut.no
Source: Respective country web sites and inputs from embassies
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Cover Story Foreign Education
...And finally we thought this might be of use when you arrive
Corbis
W
e tend to seek compatriots wherever we go, so try and mingle with people of different nationalities. You become more tolerant. And if some of your non-Indian flat-mates don’t offer what they have cooked, it’s okay. That’s how they have been brought up, but being an Indian, you can always offer what’s on your plate. And parents needn’t worry that their child will get spoiled by the open societies of foreign countries. Studies are so rigorous that rarely does a student get the chance to become spoiled. If the student is working part-time, then life can be hectic. Besides, you would have to do everything yourself, right from cooking to making your bed, to laundry. Yes, you will get vegetarian food; daals, rice, atta, pickles, are available everywhere in the world. And yes, you can carry a pressure cooker. But carry a small one. When you arrive at the airport, just be calm. There have been instances of students forgetting the name of their university or tripping over their luggage. The unfamiliar sights and sounds may make you
nervous. Take a deep breath, and keep all your documents ready for the immigration officer. And, let’s face it; the first few months are tough. It’s not easy living in a foreign country. It’s the time you regret your decision the most and you miss home. Such reactions are natural, as you are away from home probably for the first time. But within months the perspective changes, you get excited about your new life, the new place, new friends. But make sure you don’t miss the orientation day at the university, no matter how low you are feeling. It’s a wonderful chance to know your classmates and professors. Take full advantage of the facilities at the university, it’s included in the fee. Go to museums, the cultural centres, theatre, and picnic in the parks. Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr. Manmohan Singh, all went abroad to study. It changes your worldview. So good luck and safe journey! With inputs from Dr Nimesh Chandra & Shalini Gupta,
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
Jockeys: The Movers And Shakers by Urmila Rao
I
t was a totally different era when radio listeners tuned in to All India Radio’s (AIR) musical programmes on Vividh Bharti. Binaca Geet Mala ke doosre paidan per… Ab suniye Chitrapat Sangeet, Fauji Bhaiyo ke liye….. Presenters intoned formal scripts, talked bare minimum, never joked on air or talked about local issues. But the year 2003 changed the radio listening habits of people. That year three private radio stations were launched in Delhi whose character was phenomenally different from AIR’s austere nature.
radio jockeying
High on entertainment, the new FM stations were and still are chatty, informal, play latest numbers and distribute gift hampers at the drop of a hat. Presenters are perky. From show hosts they have graduated to a fancy label, Radio Jockey’s or RJs. “Now the entertainment quotient has gone high,” says Rana Barua, National Head, Marketing and Programming, Radio City. Mehak Ankar, a Radio Meow RJ, echoes the same sentiment. Regarding the temperament of the FM channels, she says, “AIR was simple but private stations are about glamour, show biz and run as a business house.” And she has been on the job for five years.
The new format, flavoured and funky, seduced listeners to such an extent that radio listening is back in vogue. The glamour, monetary benefits and the fame attached is so strong that quite a lot of youngsters now seek a career in this profession. If you are one of them, then the first question on your checklist ought to be: Do I have the required aptitude, attitude, voice and the skill to be an RJ?
Talent holds the key
“A good voice is a fundamental necessity,” says Barua. Besides, a pleasant voice, spontaneity, wit and humor are the other essentials. But are they enough? No, knowledge of music is extremely important. One also has to be adept at voice modulation, diction as well as in handling radio consoles. “Being yourself while you are presenting the show is a characteristic central to a good RJ,” maintains Delhi-based RJ Sid a.k.a
Rocking RJs make it a much sought after
and highly paid job as lakhs of
listeners tune into FM radio
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Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
Did video kill the radio star? Definitely no. FM radio is on a high, but there is equal space for RJs, VJs and DJs
Siddharth Vohra of Radio City. “How long can you pretend to be someone else?” he asks. Each show slotted at a specific time carries a personality of its own because of the listeners’ profile. So the content, tone and tenor of an afternoon show are different from one in the evening, which targets office-goers. So, in order to sound natural, it is important that an RJ should host a show closest to his or her temperament. Being an RJ involves a lot of hard work, commitment and active mindset. “There is lot of money riding on RJ.”
You will have to record a couple of links and appear for an interview. “We check the voice quality, the body language, demeanour, spontaneity and originality of the candidates,” says Barua. Once the RJ is selected, he or she has to undergo a minimum of 4-8 weeks of training. Sitting in the studio and striking a conversation with lakhs of listeners is a cultivated habit which requires grooming. Before going live on air trainees record dummy shows and later graduate to pre-recording stage. Once the interns acquire enough confidence, they are, at the outset, entrusted with only graveyard shows or with small slots when the listenership is minimal.
Prime time radio stars
The star RJ of the station gets to host the super prime time show, the slots of which are 7-10 in the morning and 5- 9 in the evening. The prime time or the drive time is the time-band when listenership peaks. Sid speaks of his choice of timing. “Rather than morning, I prefer doing evening drive because then I get attentive listeners,” confesses the evening jockey of Route Number 911 show.
Going up the ladder
siddharth vohra
Super prime time jockey, Radio City. Spontaneity and originality is a must for RJ
How to land the right job
To join the pack, here’s what you need to do: make a demo CD, the duration of which should not exceed 3-5 minutes. Distribute it to the radio stations of your city. Choose a current topic for the demo CD. “The recruiters basically want to see your presentation style,” says a popular RJ. Make follow up calls. If there’s an opening or you are an outstanding talent, you will be called for an audition.
The key ambition of a jockey is to host the super prime time show. Once the RJ has done that, he can move on to become a producer and then executive producer of the shows. The following stop is that of a Programming Head after which the target could be that of the Regional Head. National Programming Head is the top position that an RJ can move up to. However, even in their current jobs, RJs don’t let monotony set in. They are free to take up independent assignments. It could be dubbing, lending voice for adverts and jingles or doing voice-overs, or even emceeing for a show. But such assignments need company sanction.
It pays to be garrulous
The freshers are paid anywhere between Rs. 10,000- 15, 000. The salary is parallel to any basic industry, says Barua. It can go as high as Rs. 100,000 or above for the exceptionally talented. Sid remembers the exact net figure of his first salary while he was in Kolkata with another FM station. “Rs. 5, 618,” he smiles.
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check list
for dj aspirants Questions to ask if you want to make Djing as a profession. ■■
Do you have passion for music? Music that goes beyond Bollywood songs?
■■
Are you the networking kind? Do you have the ability to chose and network the right people who can advance your career?
■■
Do you possess the knack of judging the guests, their would-be song tastes, in order to play the right kind of music for them?
■■
Do you have enough fluency in conversational English and the confidence to connect with the crowd and handle them?
■■
Are you ready to invest big? Five lakh rupees on equipment for starters and in return a mere Rs. 5,000-6,000 per night?
Pains and gains
Like any other work, RJing too packs in sweet and sour punches. “I once got a 10 per cent discount on apparel shopping,” recounts Sid remembering the salesman who recognized him by his voice. Getting up in the morning for super prime time show is a challenge for a lot of RJs, especially during winters. While an envious salary is quite an attraction, the preparation for a show which lasts hours can be exacting.
The professional schools
Going to an institute for RJ training is helpful only to the extent of getting some exposure. “Some of the institutes are run by ex-programming heads or ex-RJ’s so the learning is there,” says an insider. But institutes can’t promise placements. However, the chances of getting a job as an RJ are higher when compared with aspirants with no exposure. Sid, a mechanical engineer by qualification, says that undergoing a 15-day of course helped him to get hold of the right industry people. “It gave me confidence to speak publicly.” Once in a while a promising candidate gets picked up from a professional school on recommendation.
Disc Jockeying
It’s mega reunion of one of the Delhi’s popular schools, Air Force Bal Bharti. Guys donning casuals and women in their cocktail dresses shake themselves
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
to the throbbing music. Some gyrate, others flail their hands, a few twist out of sync. And amidst the whirling, swirling and head bobbing, some attempt group dancing. This is what DJ Karan’s music can do to people. They just can’t remain seated. Almost everybody from the crowd of more than 200 wants to be on the dance floor to the pulsating music he is playing. He switches pace seamlessly from Bollywood’s latest numbers to retro Dekha na hai re socha na hai re, of the ‘70s. English music, Punjabi hip hop, rock, trance and other music forms find place in between. Without a pause, he blends some music while playing a few others exclusively. There isn’t a song demand. Now, that’s a compliment to a DJ who seems to know the taste of his wide-ranging audience. “Knowledge of music should be intrinsic to a DJ,” emphasizes the 29-year-old Karan Rane who started in UK as a DJ way back in ‘96.
The underscoring qualities
The profession seems fascinating; rocking night life spiked with heady cocktails and jovial company. Not really. If you don’t have the natural inclination, then the spill over on your long-term career will be disappointing. Your interest should go far beyond Bollywood music says Karan. “That provides a DJ the cutting edge,” he says. Equally important in this profession is to be technically sound. A DJ should be able to play at right decibel levels without being obscenely loud. A good verbal skill with fluency in English is yet another underscoring factor. When a DJ has to address the crowd, he should be able to speak without fumbling. Ability to judge the party crowd, play music according to their tastes and handling the not-so-sober crowd with ease are all characteristics that a DJ should be endowed with. Having played in a host of countries including the UK, US, Holland, Belgium, France, Luxembourg and Malaysia, Karan isn’t
coaching
Myth and reality This is a jockeying of a different kind, one that doesn’t require equestrian skills but capabilities probably tougher than that. Would enrolling in an institute make you a popular. Well, only if you bust the popular misconceptions. The institute will get me a job: No. It will not. Institutes will train you in basics, will familiarize you with the concepts and help you in contacting people and may arrange for some interviews. Higher the course fee, greater the learning: Not necessarily. The questions, therefore, to be asked are; who is the faculty, how much time will he devote towards teaching, what extra exposure is being provided with increased fees? Do your research and go for reputed institutes which are famous through word of mouth. A lot of schools opened by ex-industry people provide quality learning. I will be completely groomed: Schools will not do that for you. In order to groom your personality or inculcate the traits intrinsic to jockeying, you have to put in your effort too. For instance, how to write a relevant script, how to modulate your voice, when to sound sombre and when to take a jibe without sounding offensive and so on, all this comes from you. Institutes will introduce you to basic do’s and don’ts. Heavily advertised institutes are good: Most students tend to believe that institutes that put up flashy adverts in newspapers or hoardings are more credible than the ones which don’t tom-tom. Avoid getting smitten by tall claims or impressive-sounding faculty names. Most of the time, famous names are incorporated only with the aim of drawing the students. Check if these big names really take classes or are mere trophy guests. The courses are accredited: Most of the courses are neither accredited nor recognised for further studies in the country or abroad. However, some of them may be industry–recognized, which will help you in getting a break.
dj KAran Rane Freelancer Knowledge of music is intrinsic to a DJ
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shy admitting that the crowd in Delhi needs special handling skills.
Work is music
A DJ plays in a club or in a private event. Usually the club provides the stage and the required paraphernalia, in which case the only investment required from the DJ is music CDs. Amateur DJs should carry as many song numbers as possible, with as many varieties as possible. Any kind of demand may crop up anytime from the audience. “One person may want Electronica to be played, the other Punjabi music.”
High end investment
In order to get started, what one needs is the start-up equipment. The starter kit required for Djing includes a sound system, two turntables, lighting equipment, a wide-ranging music library, a mixer, a microphone and headphones. The minimum investment for this basic setup runs up to three-four lakh rupees. The cost can escalate if one chooses to buy premium equipment, upgrade the kit or add more accoutrements.
Be the best
A certain image is part and parcel of this profession. A DJ’s dress sense should manifest that he is stylishly different. Keep your eyes and ears open to what is happening at your competitor’s den. “So, go clubbing,” advises Karan. Networking is another aspect native to this profession. The concept of out of sight, out of mind works full force in the intensely competitive industry. There is really no fixed salary; therefore good social networking skills become imperative to a professional’s survival. A DJ should always play in good clubs as it gives him good name and instant publicity.
Feature
RJ, DJ & VJ
Attributes of a good VJ
JUhi pande VJ, Channel V Shelf life is not limited anymore for a VJ
Lucrative sector
At the entry level, the income is Rs. 6,000- 8,000. But after three-four years of experience, the earnings can go up to Rs. 20,000-25,000. A DJ extraordinaire can charge even up to Rs. 50,000100,000 or more per night. “This is just the fee, minus the equipment,” apprises Karan.
DJ schooling
Sadly, no professional course may help you make a mark in this industry. The training institutes are mostly run as business entities; any one is free to enrol. There is no entrance exam or interviews to screen the right candidates. A guaranteed job is not on the offer list. The expense of a DJ course is anywhere between Rs. 15,000- Rs. 50,000 for a three to six months course.
Video jockeying
She was 24, model manager with Elite Model Agency, Mumbai when she was pursued relentlessly by Channel V to join them. After much persuasion and cajoling, Juhi Pande left her job to turn to be a video jockey or VJ. Five years later, 50 and more shows old, this peppy VJ is a household name, popular among youngsters and every bit as enthusiastic regarding work as she was on day one. Luck provided her entry into the coveted
field but if you want to become a VJ, then read on.
Must-haves for a VJ
“It important that you have social skills, are able to talk effortlessly and comfortable with people,” says Juhi, narrating the must-haves. Not a bit exhausted after completing her latest show Exhausted, she goes on to describe the other attributes. Having common knowledge about everything helps as one is able to manage an easy conversation with guests and callers, she says. But what differentiates a good VJ from an outstanding VJ is his or her comfort level with the camera, superior verbal skills, ability to handle phone-in callers, interviewees and people in general. “Sometimes one has to be ready to put in 16-18 hours a day as well,” Juhi tells VJ aspirers. Since there are no institutes which grooms aspirants with
There is really no fixed salary; therefore good
social networking skills become imperative to a
professional’s survival
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■■
Have some knowledge of interesting topics, events and happenings around you.
■■
A deep familiarity with Bollywood music; additional information of the film industry, interesting anecdotes and trivia help to build up a great show.
■■
Fluency in Hindi and English. A superior verbal skill helps maintain a fluid show.
■■
Ability to handle people smartly. Be nice, snippy without being offensive.
■■
An overall groomed personality. It means you should have the right measure of confidence, you are appealing and your networking abilities are strong. “It is extremely important that a VJ finds comfort in his/her own skin in front of the camera.”
these attributes, the cutting edge can be drawn only with self-teaching. The rest comes with experience. However, magic comes in to play only if one has innate abilities. The competition is cut-throat, as ‘everybody wants to get recognized on the streets’, says Juhi.
Limited shelf life?
As age and looks are two major aspects in this glamorized profession, how long can one continue? With VJs now turning into show hosts the career span of the professionals has widened, says Juhi. “The shelf life is not limited anymore.”, she says. With channels opting multiple show formats, work for talented VJs abound. There are shows based on reality, travel, cookery and shows for children and others. This has given a boost to VJs who double up as presenters.
Salary levels
At the entry-level the income is anywhere in the range of Rs. 30,000 or more. There is no upper limit. “If you appeal to viewers, are high on popularity chart, your performance is exceptional, then channels have the ability to pay exceptionally well,” says Juhi. Her advice to the wannabe VJ’s? Go for it only if you have the required qualities, live your dream but have patience. Most importantly have plan B ready. As for her, “It’s been a great ride so far. I am havin’ a blast,” chirps the VJ in her archetypal conversation lingo.
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Associate Sponsors
Campus Review
IMT, Ghaziabad
Where management remains at the core Consistently ranked among the top 20 B-schools of the country, this 30-year-old delivers bankable education in management and information technology
Courses: PGDM, PGDM (IB), PGDM (Finance), PGDM (HR), PGDM (Executive), PhD No of Seats: PGDM: 120 others: 60 each Campuses: Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Dubai, Hyderabad (2010), Admission: CAT/GMAT, GD, Interview Placement Services: Available (claims 100% placements) Collaborations: 45 active MoUs Fees: Rs.6-8 Lakhs
There are four named specializations as well, in Finance, International Business, Human Resources, and Information Technology. Anuj Kalra, a first year student proudly claims they are one of the few management institutes that offer Operations Management as a specialisation; though he concedes the number of takers are relatively less. The offerings in different campuses are provided in the table below.
an MBA aspirant’s propensity to postpone to next week what can be done tomorrow, the library is open 22 hours a day, 365 days a year. And a running feud between a sleep-deprived (mostly self inflicted) MBA and the librarian is visible from the stern warnings in the notice board threatening dire consequences in case students walk into the library in unacceptable wear and use it as an emergency sleeping pad.
by B Mahesh Sarma
Infrastructure and resources
Academics and beyond
Fast Facts
“W
e have a certain competence in postgraduate management education only, as of now,” said Dr.Anwar Ali, Director, IMT when I quizzed him why they have not joined the chorus to be a ‘Deemed University’. It is this ability, at least so far, to appreciate and stick to its core competency that makes IMT score consistently among the B-Schools of the country. Launched in 1980, as a stand-alone AICTE approved B-school at Ghaziabad, under the aegis of “Lajapat Rai Educational Society” with a PG Diploma course (both full-time and part-time) IMT in a span of 30 years, has grown to three campuses, with multiple programmes, but all within the realm of management.
What is on offer?
The flagship course is the Post Graduate Diploma in Management, with 120 seats. Following a trimester system, the course demands completion of 240 credits to earn a PGDM. The students have the possibility of focusing on either marketing or operations research streams.
The campus at Ghaziabad is the oldest and the most well known. Built over 30 years, it is a conglomeration of buildings, developed as and when the need arose. Agrees Dr.Ali, “Unlike the Nagpur campus, which is built recently and hence is integrated in every respect here we have evolved with time.” So classrooms are spread out, exam halls co-exist with dorms and hostels sport a very livedin look. Says Manav Metha, a second year student, “We wouldn’t have it any other way. Compared to the soulless glass and chrome edifices our place has character.” But plans are afoot to build a totally integrated academic complex, with “state-of-the-art facilities,” Prof. B.D.Singh, Dean, MDP, intones. In terms of learning resources, the campus is well endowed and being aware of
Programmes /Seats at a glance Campus
PGDM*
PGDM (Exe)
PGDM (PT)
Ghaziabad
360
60
60
Nagpur
300
Dubai
MBA
60
*PGDM also includes named awards in IB, IT etc.
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Teaching at IMT is primarily lecture-based, and like any other good B-School, it has its share of projects and case-based learning. With about 56 out of 58 faculty having a PhD, IMT does appear to meet the criterion for a good school. When queried about the need for a PhD, the responses came thick and fast. Manav was first off the block, to vociferously assert that it is not the right question. Learning from practioners, someone from the trenches, as Neha Goel a HR student puts it, matters a lot to them. “Have a balance between academics and practioners,” says Ashish. But as everyone acknowledges the actual learning happens with the ‘crowd’, the kind of peers one has, and students are proud of their peers. With over 80 percent of the student population dominated by engineers, though diversity does appear lacking, the learning seems great at least with those I met.
Getting on board
Entry into IMT is slightly difficult. With over 15,000 applicants vying for nearly 800 plus seats, they have a success rate of 1:19. Routinely only 90 percentile or above scorers in CAT are invited for
Rajesh Thakur/Outlook Group
On their way for the day’s worth of management gyan. Classes at IMT run throughout the day
the selection process and are assessed on the basis of a Group Discussion and Interview. Says Dr. A.M.Sherry, Director, Admissions, “The fact that more than half of my last year’s batch has at least two or more years of work experience is proof enough of the value that an IMT degree offers.”
Collaborations
“We are doing innovative projects, which even IIMs don’t consider.” The excitement in the voice of Dr. Jayanti Ranjan, chairperson, International Collaborations, is palpable. With over 45 operational MoUs, and 20 more in different stages of completion, she has reasons to be proud of. “The ability to experience for oneself the reality of a foreign business environment is priceless.” says, Rajeev Viswanath But only some things in life are priceless. Though tuition is free, you do pay for living, travel and incidental expenses. The experience would set a student back by anything between 2 lakhs to 8 eight lakhs depending on the city and location you choose to go.
Where does it all lead to?
The most crucial benchmark for a B-School is its placements and the average salary. IMT scores on both counts.
Erasmus Mundus Individual Mobility Programme IMT, a member of a consortia, led by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium, was recently awarded a multi-year project, to facilitate flow of researchers at various levels to promote joint academic collaboration. Spread over four years (2009-2013), the project envisages nearly 240 individual mobility flows at all levels of academia from undergraduates to teaching staff. Prof. Jayanti Ranjan is very proud of the fact that IMT won the project in the face of stiff competition from the likes of IIM,B. According to Prof. Ranjan, the project would allow nearly 15- 20 researchers, both at Master’s and post doctoral levels to pursue either a study/research programme in any of the 63 partner institutions.
Even in a bad year like 2008, they claim to have achieved 100 percent placement and the average salary is Rs. 8.09 lakhs. The number of MDPs too is an indicator of the output and standing of the institute. And MDPs too have posted a decent growth rate with nearly 2 crores of rupees worth of earnings expected in the current academic year.
Good is the enemy of great
IMT, Gaziabad, has the unique distinction of being a consistent Tier- 1 School.
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Take any ranking, it would always be between 10- 15 in the general category and within the top 5 in the private school category. With an average salary hovering around 10 lakhs, it is a good school to be in. Are they happy being where they are, I query. A pensive Director, after the customary comment about how rankings are just a number, acknowledges they would prefer to be at the top at least among the private schools. But to do so, would mean they have to overtake the likes of XLRI, SP Jain, MICA and NMIMS. But more than that it would also mean overtaking some of the new IIMs, that have retained the brand value, just by association. Such a vision would demand quite a bit of restructuring and changes on all fronts, some of it more subjective than objective.
Previous Campus Reviews Amrita University Jadavpur University, Jadavpur IIIT, Bangalore TERI University, New Delhi Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata Manipal University, Manipal
www.careers360.com
Scholarships
japanese Fellowships
In the name of the Rising Sun The only scholarship in the world that permits scholars to stay and study with their families in tow Fast Facts Participating Instituions: All National Universities and some private universities For: Students, researchers, teacher training Website: www.in.emb-japan.go.jp/, Study in Japan, Selection process: Screening of applications by the Embassy of Japan, English test by Ministry of Human Resource Development, interview at Ministry of Human Resource Development of candidates followed by final interview at the Embassy of Japan
by Bharti M. Borah
I
“
must thank Radio Japan,” Shamshad Ahmad Khan is very emphatic. The research officer at IDSA, did part of his PhD from Tokyo University on a Mombosho scholarship. Staying in Samastipur, before the advent of TV, Shamshad used to listen to Radio Japan and write to them regularly, an expensive hobby at that time. But the interest stuck on, he enrolled for a PhD at JNU and got a full fellowship to study at Tokyo. Interest in Japan is a crucial element they look for, Shamshad says. And in this case Radio Japan was the connect. Monbukagakusho, commonly referred to as Monbusho or Mombusho, is a Japanese government scholarship through which 72,000 foreign students from over 160 countries have benefited. Out of a total 62 fellowships available for Indian scholars, 33 are for research. At the undergraduate level there are 3, technology studentships (about 3), professional training college —Senshugakko—(about 8), Japanese studies (about 8) and teacher training (about 2). The newly launched Young leaders’ programme me has six places at the master’s level.
How to begin?
In order to apply for this scholarship you
would have to get in touch with the local Embassy of Japan/Japanese Consulate. Students from western India would head on to Mumbai. Chennai is the place for southern India. Students from eastern parts must head to Kolkata and rest of India must approch New Delhi. The scholarship amount changes every year, so watch out for the exact amount you would receive. You can opt for the academic session beginning in April or October. You must submit the preliminary application in the month of April, with June being the time when you appear for the written test and interviews. In September your application is sent to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and by January/February students are informed whether they have been granted the scholarship or not. Usually in the first week of April selected students head to Japan. Some opt to join the session in October as they still need to appear for examinations in the month of April and await their results from Indian Universities. For the categories of Japanese studies, Teacher
Calendar for 2011 April 10
Apply
June 10
Written test
September 10
Final evaluation in Japan
February 11
Results
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training, students and Young Leader’s programme, the application periods differ (See Table).
Qualifications required
Nationals of any country that has diplomatic relations with the Japanese government, can apply. Age is dependent on the category in which you apply, but generally you must be less than 35. Applicants need to have completed 16 years of schooling for all graduate courses and 18 years for a doctoral course. Subject and fellowship details are available at www.jasso.go.jp/cgi-bin/user/univ_ search.cgi.
Selection and recommendations
Selection is done in various stages and suitable guidance would be provided throughout. Be clear on all the information, sites are self-explanatory Remember, when you have been granted the Mombusho, you would receive the money after opening an account in the Japan Post Office after reaching Japan. Ensure you carry $1,500 when you land in Japan so that you can bear the initial costs smoothly, this process takes anywhere between 15-20 days after arrival.
Courtesy: Osaka University
Monbukagakusho Scholarship according to categories
International students in Japan College/University Website
No
Tokyo Institute of Technology
www.titech.ac.jp
1038
Tohoku University
www.tohoku.ac.jp
1149
University of Tsukuba
www.tsukuba.ac.jp/ 1222
Nagoya University
www.nagoya-u.ac.jp 1253
Kyoto University
www.kyoto-u.ac.jp/ 1291
Kyushu University
www.kyushu-u.ac.jp 1297
Osaka University
www.osaka-u.ac.jp
1390
University Tokyo
www.u-tokyo.ac.jp
2138
Airfare is provided from the nearest international airport in your country to Narita International Airport. Travel to the airport in your country and to your university in Japan is not borne by the scholarship amount. A visit to Mombusho Scholars Association of India is advisable, and their guides are quite useful. Some Japanese universities require you to sit for an Examination for Japanese University (EJU) test is conducted twice a year in June and November in New Delhi. Write to the university directly, find out if you need to appear for EJU and take shortterm courses in Japanese language.
Classroom experience at Osaka University, Toyonaka Campus, Japan
Additional fellowships on offer
The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) provides programmes for short-term study and student exchange programmes. The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) promotes an avenue for young researchers to explore joint research with colleagues at Japanese universities and research institutions. People belonging to any country that has diplomatic relations with Japan can opt for post doctoral fellowships for foreign researchers.
Why Japan?
Dr. Jai Gopal, presently a scientist at the Ministry of Earth Sciences in Japan, had the opportunity to study at Kyoto University. The civic sense, cleanliness and safety of living in Japan is a cherished memory for him. Dr. Gopal said, “Japanese are wonderful people, there is no tension in living in Japan even if you don’t know the language.” The sheer efficiency is a lesson in itself, but more than that the ability to merge eastern and western values is their true message asserts Shamsad.
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Value (Yen/ month)
No.
Application period
Below 35
152,000
33
May-June
Category
Age
Research UG
17- 21
125,000
3
May-June
Technology
17- 21
125,000
3
May-June
Professional Training
17-21
125,000
8
May-June
Japanese Studies
18-29
134,000
8
JanuaryFebruary
Young Leaders’ scheme
Below 40
257,000
8
AugustOctober
Students who have been selected as Mombushu scholars require to acquire a College Student (ryuugaku) visa prior to arrival in Japan. In addition, it is advisable to get health insurance since medical treatment in Japan can be costly. You cannot apply for scholarships if you happen to belong to any of the following categories: ●● Being active in military ●● Unable to travel on the alloted days ●● Awardees within the last three years.
An experience to remember
Choose Japan as a country for higher studies, to have a glimpse into a rich culture. You might face difficulties in terms of eating habits but cuisines of all kinds are available. An unique feature is that a Mombushu scholar can also take dependents including parents to Japan, though no additional amount is paid. Most universities offer childcare facilities and Japan offers a lifetime learning experience.
Previous Scholarships Charles Wallace India Trust Fulbright fellowships for studies in US Swedish Institute Scholarships DAAD fellowship for studying in Germany
www.careers360.com
Book Review
the Professional
Manifesto for managing work Ideas, tools, and issues that contribute to the making of a perfect professional
The professional
Subroto Bagchi Penguin Rs. 399 217 pages
by B Mahesh Sarma
T
ruisms distilled out of a lifetime’s experiences come out as a collection in The Professional. The sanctimonious tone it assumes in some places is jarring but it is Bagchi’s by right, due to the sheer diversity and depth of experiences and views that he marshals before us. The book looks at professionalism, as a sum total of attitudes, attributes and skill sets, all built over the bedrock of integrity. Spread over eight sub-sections, the author warns us that it has to
be read in the order it is written. It can be read in any order, reading Bagchi is such a pleasure. Though there are done to death advices like ask questions, do research, and manage time, there are gems galore. Being comfortable with limitations, doing what you are good at, taking charge, value of dissent and transparency and dealing with personal pain are some of the exciting reads. Most of what Bagchi brings to the table is not new. But the authenticity he imparts to those ideas, by way of personal practice is what makes the book worth a read. One of the best pieces is about being committed to commitment. Reading The Professional, I instinctively remembered Ayn Rand and her favourite icon Howard Roark. Bagchi’s professional is almost like him, fanatical about integrity, professionally competent, highly efficient, supremely confident, totally self-aware, but unlike Roark, humane and politically correct. One segment, managing complexity, also shows Bagchi’s erudition. All the seven pieces are worth a second reading. The piece on dealing with personal pain is vintage Bagchi. If you have very little time to read, then the 18 pages dealing with New World is the section you must go for. Each piece here illuminates the complexities involved in today’s world. And that brings me to Bagchi’s raison d’être, integrity.
Bagchi’s ten top attributes 1. Integrity 2. Commitment and ownership 3. Action orientation and goal seeking 4. Continuous learning 5. Professional knowledge/skills 6. Communication 7. Planning, organizing and punctuality 8. Quality of work 9. A positive attitude, approachability, responsiveness 10 Being an inspiring reference to others
Integrety is the bedrock of professionalism to Bagchi, and he would only see it in black and white. There appears to be a singular lack of context in Bagchi’s narrative. To him it is an absolute concept. But values, morals and principles evolve and they evolve in tandem with the society. How much land at what price is fair for a firm and the society? How much of affirmative action is essential? How far should a firm go, in protecting jobs? What profit levels are fair profit levels? The above questions are not amenable to answers in black and white. Grey dominates our life, and it rubs off on matters of personal integrity as well. Equating an inflated bill or claiming a false tax break to sexual harassment and punishing all similarly might look very seductive, but has no use in the outside world.
Recommendations Rise of professionalism; A sociological analysis
Ethics and professionalism
Paperback: 327 pages
Univ. of Pennsylvania Press (February, 1988)
Univ. of California Press (December 1979) Bit dry, but impossible to ignore its analysis of evolution of the idea.
Professionalism, the Third Logic: On the Practice of Knowledge
Paperback: 408 pages
Paperback: 240 pages
A classic, it deals with the ways morality and professional ideals are intertwined, rules and ideals.
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Univ. of Chicago Press (June, 2001) Is professionalism an alternative to consumerism and bureaucracy?
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october 2009
True Professionalism : The Courage to Care About Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career Paperback: 224 pages Free Press (May, 2000) A how to do book in American style.
Ask Us
Career choice
Research labs prefer people with master’s in engineering Q. I am a final year student of BE (CS), is it
a judicious decision to do MTech? A. It is indeed, subject to your interest in pursuing specialized and focused study. Look for good educational institutions having research facilities.
Q. What is the scope for food technology? A. You are employed mostly by small and
medium enterprises if you earn a diploma. Larger corporations seek higher qualifications. Responsibilities of the food technologist generally centre on food safety, quality control, packaging; food preservation and so on. There are emerging fields such as Food and Bioprocess Technology that offer jobs in agri-food industry to improve process efficiency, enhance product quality and extend shelf-life of agri-food products. Openings are also there in research laboratories where one could evaluate and analyze the food ingredients present in the products. In the government sector/PSUs, department of food also recruit people.
Q. I am doing CA while working as an internal auditor in the treasury department of a leading private sector bank. Please guide me. A. Having gained experience in select financial instruments, you may excel in corporate finance, advising clients on business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, business improvement, or dealing with insolvency. With many MNCs/TNCs having global transactions, you may also develop interest in transfer pricing or industry pricing regulatory reviews, business process reviews etc. or for that matter in futures and options. Q. What are the jobs available for an IT fresher?
A. The requirements at the entry level are as
programmers or engineer/manager trainees. Firms with their core activity in engineering, R&D, networking, semiconductor et al. look for fresher (s) sound in theory and practical knowledge of ICT. The other jobs are in startups, internet companies, EDAs and in FMCG and Banking for their systems operations.
Q. what’s the procedure to join air force after BE? A. Recruitment possibilities are there in the Indian Air Force in Flying Branch where you are trained as a pilot; in Technical Branch where you would deal with sophisticated equipment at the Air Force station/Aircraft etc. Also available are positions in Ground Duty Branch as an officer in the Meteorology Branch. Q. Is there a future for MCA? A. The scope is vast in software and IT ser-
vices. One can render his/her services as a programmer, analyst, software engineer, developer, database management specialist, software application architect, software specific specialist and a consultant. However, one is often restricted to move further in areas such as decision support systems where you need additional qualification.
Q. I have finished my BE and looking forward to do my ME Is it good?
A. This would depend on the specialization
you choose. For instance if you focus on metallurgy, the options increase for you to find a suitable job in alloys, thin films or specialized metals, mechanical metallurgy or ceramics. The national laboratories and strategic sector organisations are also recruiting people with Master’s in engineering.
Q. I am an undergraduate. I want to study filmmaking and acting in US.
A. While the course fees in the US at institu-
tions such as Harvard, Colombia, Boston, Nortwestern or John Hopkins University is anywhere between US$25,000-$35,000, there are universities where the course fees is less than US$10,000. These include: Mississippi State University, University of North Dakota, Bloomsburg University, College of St. Joseph and Pittsburg State University among a host of others. In India, however, you could consider your options at FTII, Pune where you have a Two Year PG Diploma in Acting (Rs. 1.5 lakhs) and three-year PG Diploma in cinematography, direction, editing separately at Rs 30,000 each.
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Careers360, receives hundreds of questions every month. Some select answers are published here. All the queries are answered on our website. Visit www.careers360. com and post your queries to us
UN JOBS
PSU
mdp
Ready Reckoner A compilation of actionable information, segmented and presented on a thematic basis and sorted out according to their deadlines UN JOBS Programme
Institution
Location
Deadline
Consultant – Documentation of ‘40 years of UNDP in India’
United Nations Development Programme
New Delhi
02/10/09
www.undp.org.in/jobs/
Nairobi
04/10/09
www.unep.org/vacancies
Programme Officer (Environmental Law United Nations Environment Programme and Conventions)
Website
United Nations University, International Institute for Global Health
Kuala Lumpur
06/10/09
www.unu.edu/employment/
Temporary National Professional
World Health Organization
New Delhi
06/10/09
www.whoindia.org
Executive Officer
Department of Public Information — UN
New York
10/10/09
https://jobs.un.org
Deputy Programme Director — International Mobilization Programme
Amnesty International
Anywhere in UK
11/10/09
www.amnesty.org/jobs
Human Resources Assistant
UNAIDS
Geneva
16/10/09
https://erecruit.unaids.org
Humanitarian Affairs Officer
Office for coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Multiple
17/10/09
https://jobs.un.org
Regional Programme Adviser
UNAIDS
Bangkok
17/10/09
https://erecruit.unaids.org
Scientist (Environmental Health & Climate Change)
World Health Organization
New Delhi
17/10/09
www.who.int/employment
Project Coordinator, India
DanChurchAid
New Delhi
25/10/09
[email protected]
Programme Officer
United Nations Environment Programme
Bangkok
26/10/09
www.unep.org/vacancies
GOVERNMENT JOBS
Editorial Associate - Medicine and Health Journal
Company/Organisation
Position (Vacancies)
Deadline
Website
JIPMER, Puducherry
Staff Nurse (90)
05/10/09
www.jipmer.edu
Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode
Faculty & Non-faculty positions
05/10/09
www.iimk.ac.in
Jawaharlal Nehru University
Faculty (149)
05/10/09
www.jnu.ac.in
United Bank of India
Officer (Credit/Forex/IT) & others (total 240)
06/10/09
http://recruitment. unitedbankofindia.com
Brahmaputra Valley Fertilizer Corporation Ltd
Managers/Engineers/Administrative officers/ Trainees (61)
10/10/09
http://www.bvfcl.com
Brahmos Aerospace
Managers/Engineers/Trainees/Assistants/technicians
12/10/09
www.brahmos.com
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited
Management Trainees: Telecom Operations (250); Finance (50)
14/10/09
www.bsnl.co.in
Uttarakhand Public Service Commission
Assistant Prosecuting Officer (38)
14/10/09
www.gov.ua.nic.in/ukpsc
Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs
Assistant Central Intelligence Officer-Grade II/ Technical (52)
18/10/09
Employment News (19-25 September)
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Customer Relations Assistant (318)
19/10/09
www.delhimetrorail.com
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation
Maintainers (961)
19/10/09
www.delhimetrorail.com
Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force, Ministry of Home Affairs
Sub-Inspector (Overseer) (61)
20/10/09
www.itbpolice.nic.in
Pondicherry University, Puducherry
Faculty (162)
30/10/09
www.pondiuni.edu.in
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UN JOBS Name of programme
Oct ‘09
Fees (Rs.)
ISB Hyderabad
ISB-Kellogg Global advanced management prog
03 – 10
600,000
IPIRTI Bangalore
Trouble shooting in plywood manufacture
05 – 06
2,000
XIM Bhubaneswar
Role efficacy in managers
05 – 06
8,000
IRMA Anand
Team building
05 – 08
—
ASCI Hyderabad
Leadership for managing change
05 – 09
30,000
IIM Bangalore
Finance for decision making (non-finance mgrs)
05 – 09
60,000
IIM Ahmedabad
Infrastructure development and financing
05 – 10
70,000
CFTRI Mysore
Thermal processing in food applications
12 – 14
4,494
NITIE Mumbai
Knowledge management
12 – 16
20,000
IIM Indore
Data mining and business applications
19 – 22
25,000
IIM Calcutta
Mergers and acquisitions
24 – 29
30,000
EDI Ahmedabad
ICT skills for small enterprise operations (*Dec)
26 – 04*
ITEC
IMI New Delhi
Supply chain management
26 – 28
25,200
MDI Gurgaon
Leadership: building high performing teams
26 – 30
40,000
XLRI Jamshedpur
Professional sales management
26 – 30
35,000
IPE Hyderabad
Digital image processing
27 – 30
-
IIFT New Delhi
Cross-cultural comm & business etiquette in IB
28 – 29
8,500
IIM Kozhikode
Accelerating salesforce performance
29 – 31
15,000
NMIMS Mumbai
Situational leadership for personal effectiveness
30 – 31
6,000
mdp
In detail
Managment deveLopment programmes
Institution
PSU
National Institute for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Hyderabad 19-23 October 2009, Competitive Advantages for MSMEs of IPR, Fee: Rs. 15,000 Programme is aimed at all those willing to know more about Intellectual Property Rights with special reference to Trade Marks and Copy rights.
[
]
Watch out for Management Development Programmes (MDPs) in November 2009 Institution
Name of programme
Dates
Mainly for whom
Fees in
XIM Bhubaneswar
Logistics & Supply Chain Management
03 – 05
Senior & Middle-level Managers from any function
12,000
EDI Ahmedabad
Entrepreneurial Management
09/11 – 18/12
Policy makers/Entrepreneurs/Executives incl. from Chambers of Commerce and Industry
ITEC support
NITIE Mumbai
Statistical Skills for Managers
09 – 11
Person with relevant experience & responsible position
12,000
XLRI New Delhi
Transformational Leadership
09 – 11
Senior and top management executives with independent responsibility for divisions or SBUs
27,000
CFTRI Mysore
Innovations in processing of rice & rice products
09 – 13
Knowledge of the subject, preferably a basic degree
6,742
IIP Hyderabad
Programme on Flexible Packaging
09 – 13
Anyone engaged in packaging industry
5,000
IIM Ahmedabad
Small and Medium Enterprises Programme
09 – 21
Entrepreneurs/owner-managers/executives of SMEs
100,000
XIM Bhubaneswar
Lab on Entreprenuership
11 – 13
Business ideators/family business members/ ex-servicemen/homemakers keen to start own venture
12,000
IIFT New Delhi
IT Applications in Global Business Environment
12 – 13
Executive officials in international trade using ICT tools
8,500
NMIMS Mumbai
Analytical Tools for Marketing Intelligence
13 – 14
Marketing exec willing to learn quantitative techniques
6,000
MDI Gurgaon
Competency Building for Leadership Roles
16 – 20
Sr/middle professionals involved in decision making
40,000
IMI New Delhi
Workshop on Presentation Skills
16 – 17
Professionals willing to improve their negotiation skills
18,400
ISB Hyderabad
ISB Kellogg Global Advanced Management Prog
22 – 27
CEOs, SBU heads having global business exposure
NMIMS Mumbai
Emotional Intelligence - How to Make It work
IIM Calcutta
E-Commerce and BPR for Successful Business Transformation 93
careers
27 28 – 29
360
600,000
Those interested in improving emotional Intelligence
3,000
Executives/decision makers from government/ E-business entrepreneurs in E-transforming
22,000
october 2009
Up Close
Sanjay Leela Bhansali
I am brutally honest with myself
Vinod Chopra… directing the songs of his film 1942. Even before that I got a salary from Shukla Das who was with O&M working on a documentary… Rs. 1,000/- per month.
Q. How did you spend it? A. I don’t remember. I don’t spend
money though.
Q. How do you cope with failure? A. Oh! I get very depressed. I keep
Atul Loke/Outlook Group
thinking about it. Then I learn so fast and so much after I’ve accepted it that it becomes a learning experience for me... In Khamoshi critics gave me 5 stars etc. But the common man didn’t accept it and I knew something was wrong. That made me think hard over it. I never sit on a failure. I learn from it. I analyse within myself what went wrong. I figure it out because I am brutally honest with myself. Once I know what’s wrong I move on. I am a terrific learner. I search for it inside me. I do not discuss it with others. There’s a tremendous thought
A rare glance into Bollywood filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s emotional make-up Q. How far have you studied? A. I am a graduate in commerce. Q. Commerce-why on earth? A. [Laughs out] Good one. I’ve been
asking myself this question for ever. Those days Arts was considered a strict no no. Commerce was the stream which would get you a job. That was the only criterion. But honestly I just didn’t understand it –It was just a waste of five years… I just don’t have that side to my brain that economises and plans and does credits and debits. It all went haywire. I just sat outside and watched the sea at Haji Ali... I was at Lala Lajpatrai college.
Q. Did you have any career plans when you were in college? A. No. I was only studying to get into the FTII because they asked for graduates. That was my only purpose of joining college but then I discovered that I’d made a wrong choice in going for Commerce. Q. Did you try out anything else to
earn an income? A. I assisted Deepak, my sister Bela’s husband in editing documentaries and advertisements...
Q. What was your first salary? A. It was one and a half thousand with 128
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360
october 2009
“A tremendous thought process, an electric
current of thought runs through me. I sit and stare into space for days to think out what has happened”
process, an electric current of thought that runs through me. I sit and stare into space for days not in bitterness, not in self pity but only to think out what has happened.
Q. What do you fear the most? A. Failure and wrong doing, it always rebounds on you.
Q. Is life fun or is there a purpose? A. For me it’s only making movies- my
fun and my purpose. That’s the only reason I am alive… the only thing absolutely, nothing else matters.
RNI NO. DELENG/2009/27635
DL-SW-01/4139/09-11
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