The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Research infrastructure at PAU underutilised
By V.P. Prabhakar

INFRASTRUCTURE created for Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme in Punjab Agricultural University is under utilised to the extent of 52 per cent. As per norms the fixed by PAU, 10 per cent seats are reserved for nominees from foreign countries and 20 per cent for in-service students. The remaining 70 per cent are to be filled through the open category.

Against the intake capacity of 693 students in Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) during 1992-97, only 337 students (48 per cent) were enrolled, resulting in a shortfall of 356 (52 per cent) students. The shortfall in enrolment of foreign students was 97 per cent, in-service students 55 per cent and open category 44 per cent.

Similarly, there was a shortfall of 139 students against the intake capacity of 1571 students in enrolment in postgraduate (PG) classes during 1992-97. It was further noticed during audit that out of 337 students enrolled in Ph.D. and 1432 in PG programme, 84 students (25 per cent) and 302 students (21 per cent), respectively, dropped out.

The Registrar had stated in May, 1998, that the shortfall in enrolment was due to non-availability of candidates and there was no shortage of infrastructure and qualified staff. PAU, however, did not analyse the reasons for the consistent poor response from students.

As per the guidelines of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR), 6 per cent of the budget outlay should be provided for the development of the university library. A check of records, however, reveals that merely 2 per cent of the budget was spent on the library during 1992-97. The number of books purchased went down from 2538 in 1992-93 to 1758 in 1996-97.

Under the PAU rules, stocks in the library were to be replenished once every two years. No such exercise was undertaken for the period 1986-97. A sample verification of books (1005) conducted in 1990 covering a period up to 1986 reveals a loss of 1097 books (6 per cent) valued at Rs 0.33 lakh.

The Library Advisory Committee had recommended in November, 1997, that verification of books should be carried out subject-wise and a complete verification undertaken in five years. These recommendations of the Advisory Committee were not implemented till March, 1998.

PAU was required to prepare a financial statement indicating the visible loss or gain in running of the press. No such statement, however, has been prepared. Test check of records, reveals that during 1992-97, the press rendered services valued at Rs 0.34 crore against the expenditure of Rs 1.79 crore, resulting in a loss of Rs 1.45 crore. The PAU authorities say the loss is mainly due to non-availability of plate-making units and generator sets and low rates for printing.

Similarly, profit and loss account of the workshop has not been prepared though required under the rules. Test-check of records reveals that the workshop rendered services valued at Rs 0.26 crore against an expenditure of Rs 1.86 crore during 1992-97, incurring a loss of Rs 1.60 crore.

With a view to overcoming the shortage of veterinary graduates in the state, the state government decided in October, 1993, to open a college of veterinary sciences at Rampura Phul, Bathinda. The building college was to be constructed on forest land at Rampura Phul and pending its completion, the classes were to commence in the polyclinic building at Bhatinda.

A provision of Rs 1 crore was made in the budget estimates for the year 1994-95. Out of this, Rs 43 lakh was earmarked to meet the cost of compensatory afforestation for removal of forest cover for the building to come up (Rs 24.50 lakh) and purchase of laboratory equipment (Rs 18.50 lakh). Further, a sum of Rs 24.00 lakh was provided during 1995-96 by the state government for the staff salary.

It was observed that though Rs 27.28 lakh were spent (June and July 1995) on laying of the foundation stone (Rs 2.78 lakh) and payment towards the cost of compensatory afforestation (Rs 24.50 lakh), no action for purchase of equipment for the college laboratory and recruitment of teachers for running the college was taken, despite availability of funds.

Further, during 1996-98, neither any funds for construction of the college building were demanded by PAU, nor released by the state government.

Moral education must in schools
By Bimal Bhatia

COMPULSORY classes in moral education formed part of our curriculum in school. Now teachers and parents remain largely unconcerned about this vital area. Mostly unconcerned about personality development by strengthening the moral roots are the parents, who think that “education” is all about scoring high marks, obtaining degrees and getting their children into plum jobs.

Have you seen well-heeled men and women who pretend to be sophisticated? They turn rude at the slightest pretext, lack in manners and courtesy, have little care about the aged, ill-treat animals, degrade environment and wouldn’t bat an eyelid while resorting to half-truths.

Education is incomplete if it is not backed by personal integrity and ethics, which makes a person complete. A sound moral grounding enhances a person’s faculties beyond the three R’s and empowers one to achieve higher goals.

In any job that you get into, you will have a definite edge over your colleagues and competitors if you carry with you a bagful of ethics, even in business, a calling which usually “flourishes” with the lack of ethics. The phrase “business ethics” has been coined to make those in the profession shed inhibitions about adopting means that would make their cash registers ring.

But take the life of any businessman who has made it really big you will find a certain ingredient of adherance to principles and a moral code. Ditto with any other profession that you can think of — the academia, medicine, engineering, civil service, armed forces, journalism or anything under the sun.

Should you, however, stick to your principles only for the sake of using these as an instrument of vaulting ahead in your profession, that will be a sorry thought. As a principled person you may or may not get much success in what you do.

Moral education starts at home, but teachers and other educationists have an equally challenging task in building the moral fibre of our society.

This task, however, carries a tremendous challenge at a time when consumerism, drugs, violence, permissiveness and the negative effects of mass communication have struck at the very roots of our society and altered the complexion of “education”. Therein lies the challenge.

aCAREER HOTLINE
By Pervin Malhotra

I would like to do LLB from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore. Can you please tell me about the fees and admission procedure to this course? Are there other such 5-year courses?

Adarsh Sengupta, Bathinda

The National Law School of India University (NLSIU) imparts professional legal education and offers an integrated 5-year undergraduate course leading to BA LLB (Hons) degree. Admission is open to all 10+2 students with 50% (agg) below 20 years (SC/ST: 22 yrs). Entrance is through an all-India admission test held each year on the first Sunday of May at various centres. The main thrust of the test is on legal aptitude rather than knowledge of law.

You can order a copy of the last 12 years test papers in a volume by sending a DD for Rs 400/-. Beware: the nature of the test this year may vary significantly from the previous years!

The annual tuition fee is Rs 25000/-. Financial assistance/fee waiver/scholarship is available in deserving cases.

For further details, you could contact the Registrar, NLSIU, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore 560072.

The most prestigious institution in this category, NLSIU boasts of 100% campus placement in law firms, large corporate houses, investment banks, government organisations and NGOs.

The Annual intake of students for the undergraduate programme is 80 of which 22.5% is reserved for SC/ST. The deadline for receiving completed application forms is March 15.

A number of other 5-year Law courses are also available. For the complete list see Caring’s Guide to Careers in Law.

Could you please give me some information about the notification dates, examination centres and sale of application forms for AIIMS medical entrance examination?

Surya Srivatsava, Shimla

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), generally conducts its entrance exam for its MBBS course in July/August. The last date for receipt of application forms is mid-February. The forms can be obtained from the Assistant Controller of Examination, Examination Section, AIIMS, New Delhi 110029 or you can collect them in person from the reception counter of the Examination Section located in the Pre-clinical Block, (Ground Floor), or from the Itanagar branch of the State Bank of India.

The All-India Entrance Examination is conducted at Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai.

The Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) conducts an entrance exam for admission to its MBBS course in early May. Selected candidates are called for an Interview in June at Pune. The notification for this exam is issued in December and the last date for filling in completed application forms is generally in mid-February. You should have cleared 10+2 (PCB) in the first attempt 60% (agg). BSc graduates (Bot or Zool) below 24 years are also eligible. You must be single and medically fit.

Free accommodation and rations plus railway fare from college to home and back during vacations, book subsidy of Rs. 8000/-, a uniform allowance of Rs 2000/- on admission and Rs 500/- pa subsequently is given to each cadet.

All the 130 selected candidates (105 boys and 25 girls) are required to serve as commissioned officers in the Armed Forces Medical Service upon graduation. Based on merit 50% medical cadets will be given Permanent Commission, while the remaining 50% will be granted Short Service Commission after the final MBBS exam.

Both notifications have appeared recently in the press.

What is the scope in the insurance sector in the coming years?

Amit Pandit, Jammu

International insurance giants like DaimlerChrysler now joining the existing band of public sector players and Indian companies like Maruti, Reliance, Fiat and several others are all set to fuel a boom in the high-growth general insurance and financial services sector which is opening up in a big way in India.

The anticipated demand for insurance professionals is expected to cross the one lakh mark by 2003.

The industry will require professionals in diverse disciplines such as marketing, distribution, operations, financial experts specialising in investment, banking and mutual funds, accountancy, HR, software programming, technical and medical experts, agents, actuaries, underwriters, risk managers and surveyors to name a few. While some of these like programming, marketing, etc are common to other industries, the rest are exclusive to the insurance sector. Let’s take a look at some of these key slots.

Actuaries apply the mathematical theories of probability, compound interest and statistical techniques to finance with long-term implications, such as life insurance or pension schemes. To qualify as an Actuary, you have to clear an examination conducted by the Actuarial Society of India. Currently there are only a handful of them in India but the demand for these highly paid specialists will escalate in the years to come.

Insurance is never bought, it is always sold. Insurance Agents sell insurance policies for insurance companies. The IRDA has specified that all agents have to clear a written test.

Insurance Surveyors assess the losses and claims when a client claims compensation for loss of property etc., due to accident, damage, fire, arson, theft, etc. To practice as a Surveyor, you need a Surveyor’s licence issued by the Controller of Insurance (M/o Finance) for which you require the following qualifications: a degree or diploma in architecture/engineering/naval architecture or CA, ICWA or Fellowship/ Associateship of the Institute of Insurance Surveyors & Adjusters.

The Underwriter’s job involves is to filter the bad or sub-standard lives if operating in the Life sector and managing risks in the General insurance sector Ideal for those in medical and life sciences.

I want to pursue food technology as a career. Could you please tell me what options are available in this field.

Purnima, Chandigarh

In India, the developing food processing industry offers ample job opportunities. Food processing companies, food research laboratories, food wholesalers, retailers and restaurants employ candidates with degrees in home science and specialisation in food technology, nutrition or food services management. There is also scope for candidates with diplomas in dietetics, applied nutrition, food science and preservation, food services, or with a certificate in dietetics, or food and nutrition. Food technology laboratories and quality control departments of food processing industries provide openings for candidates with training in nutrition, pharmacology, bacteriology, toxicology, packaging technology, organic chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry. Each state has its own food testing laboratory. There are four central food testing laboratories:

* Analytical Quality Control Laboratory situated at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI), Mysore 570013.

* Central Food Laboratory, Pune.

* Central Food Laboratory, Ghaziabad, U.P.

* Central Food Laboratory, Calcutta.

Research and development departments in food research laboratories like the CFTRI, Mysore, and the Defence Food Laboratory at Mysore also require such specialists.

You could even try for a job in the public sector undertakings in the Department of Food (Govt. of India) including the Food Corporation of India, Modern Food Industries, Hyderabad, and the North-Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation.

Please send in your query preferably on a postcard along with your name, complete address and academic qualifications to:

Editor, Career Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh 160020.

DEADLINE

Armed Forces

Jan 15 Indian Air Force, Central Airmen Selection Board, Post Box No. 11807, New Delhi-110 010.

Airman in Technical Trades

Elig: 10+2 (50%) with Eng, Maths & Physics or Dip Holders (Mech/Electl/Electron/Auto/Comp Sc/Instrumentation Tech).

Age: Below 20 yrs.

Appln Format: Employment News 16-22 Dec.

Computer

Feb 01 Indian Instt. of Information Technology, 1st Floor, Innovator, International Tech Park, Whitefield Rd, Bangalore 560066.

www.iiitb.ac.in/admissions2001

PG Program in IT

Elig: BE (Ist class).

Test: Mar 04 at Bangalore, Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad & Mumbai. Interview: May 7-9.

Appln F: Send 800/- (inclusive of guidelines & test fee) by DD favouring "Indian Institute of Information Technology" payable at Bangalore, along with self-addressed envelope (9x12") to the Registrar at the above add.

Feb 16 Pondicherry Engineering College, Pillaichavady, Pondicherry 605014

MCA

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (55%): BCA, BCom, BBA, BA (Eco)/ Corporate Secretaryship with Maths/Busi Maths/ Stats/ Comp Appln as a subj OR BSc with Maths/ Stats. (Only pass for SC/ST)

Seats: 30 (85% for residents of Pondicherry, 15% for others).

Test: Mar 25

Appln F: Send Rs. 400/- (SC/ST: Rs. 100/-) by DD favouring "The Principal, Pondicherry Engineering College" payable at Pondicherry and drawn on Canara Bank along with self-add, stamped (Rs. 25/-) envelope (25x18 cm) to the above add.

Law

Mar 15 National Law School of India University, Nagarbhavi, Bangalore-560072.

Integrated BA LLB (Hons). (5 yrs)

LLM (2 yrs)

Elig: (1): 10+2 (50%). Age: Below 20 yrs (SC/ST: 22 yrs) on 1 July, 2001.

(2): BL/ LLB/ BA LLB (H) (50%).

Test: 6 May, at Bangalore, Chhenai, Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kochi & Calcutta.

Appln F: Send Rs. 200/- by DD favouring "NLSIU, Bangalore" before 1 Mar. (For last 12 yrs Test Papers send DD for Rs. 400/-).

Management

Jan 10 Apeejay Institute of Management& Information Technology, Sector-8, Institutional Area, Dwarka, New Delhi 110045

Ph: 5087276/77

asm.dwk.del@apj.edu

Master of Business Economics (2 yr FT)

(Affl to GNDU, Amritsar)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (50%).

Selectn: GD & Interview Jan 25

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring "Apeejay Instt of Management & Information Technology" payable at New Delhi to the above add. At counter: Rs. 500/- cash.

Jan 14 Instt. of Management Technology (IMT), PB No. 137, Raj Nagar, Hapur Road, Ghaziabad 201301.

Telefax: 91-4724664. mathur@imt.ac.in

PG Dip in Executive Management (15 mths)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree. Mid-level execs preferably from govt, PSU’s, pvt sector, family owned business with 5 yrs work ex. preferably 3 yrs at managerial level.

Selctn: Test followed by GD & Interview.

App F: Send Rs. 500/- by DD favouring "Institute of Management Technology" payable at Ghaziabad with 2 self-add stickers (include tel no). At counter: in cash.

Jan 22 National Institute of Personnel Management, 45, Jhowtala Road (I Floor), Calcutta 700019.

Ph: 033-2475650, 2801759. Email: nipm@cal2.vsnl.net.in

PG Diploma in Personnel Management (3 yrs, Dist)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree. Those possessing Master’s/ Law/Engg/ Medi/ Agri MBA degree OR Chartered/ Cost/ Mgmt Accountants are eligible for direct admission.

Test: Feb 18 at 21 centres.

Appln F: Send Rs. 330/- by DD favouring "National Instt. of Personnel Management" payable at Calcutta to the above address. At counter: Rs. 300/- cash.

Note: Application deadline for Direct Admission: 28 Feb.

Jan 27 Symbiosis Instt. of Telecom Management (SITM), 5th Floor, Atur Centre, Gokhale Cross Rd, 1068 Model Colony, Pune 411016.

www.symbiosistelecom.com

PG Dip in Telecom Management (2-yr, F/T)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree in Sc (Phy, Maths, Stats, Comp Sc, Electron), Commerce, Manage-ment or Engg (50% agg).

Selectn: Test: Feb 4 at 9 centres including Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai & Delhi. GD & Interview: 14-15 Feb.

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring "Director, SITM" with 2 self-add stickers.

Feb 04 Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, KG Marg, New Delhi 110001.

Ph: 3386617, 3389942, www.bvdbdelhi.org

Master’s Level Program in Management (P/T) (3 yr)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree

Appln F: Rs. 300/- cash.

Indian Instt. of Health Management Research, Opp. Sanganer Airport, Jaipur-302011.

Ph: 581431-4. www.iihmr.org

PG Programme in Hospital Health Management (2 yrs, F/T)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree (55%), Scores in MAT/ATMA/Special MAT.

Direct admission for mid-career med professionals, nursing & pharma grads with 2 yrs wk ex.

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/- by DD favouring "IIHMR, Jaipur". At counter: in cash.

Mar 31 Indian Instt of Forest Management, PB No. 357, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal 462003.

Ph: 775716, 775918. www.iifm.org

Post-Masters in Natural Resource Management (equiv to MPhil) (1-yr, F/T)

Elig: Master’s or equiv degree/ diploma in any discipline (55%), fluent in English. Sponsored by employer. Work ex in forestry, environment and related fields preferred.

Selectn: Seminar & Interview

Appln F: Send Rs. 250/- by DD favouring "Director, IIFM", payable at Bhopal along with request letter to the Coordi-nator-MRM Admissions, at the above add.

Medicine

National Board of Examination, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110 029.

Postgraduate Degree in Family Medicine

Elig: MBBS.

Selctn: Primary Examination. (PG Degree/diploma holders in certain specialities are exempted).

Appln F: Send appln on plain paper, with stamped (Rs. 18/-) envelope (11"x 6") to: the Executive Director, at the above add.

Feb 21 Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune 411040.

MBBS

Elig: Class XII (passed in 1st attempt) with PCB & Eng as subjects (60% agg). BSc PCB (Bot or Zool) also elig.

Age: 10+2: below 22 yrs. BSc: below 24 yrs.

Selectn: Written Test: 6 May at 34.

Appln F: Send Rs. 155/- by DD drawn on any nationalised bank payable at Pune favouring "Commandant, AFMC, Pune" along with 2 self-add slips (9 x 5 cm) to reach before 01 Feb. Write name & add on reverse of DD. Enclose an Application for obtaining Prosp & Forms stating particulars, address plus a self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 45/-) envelope (11" x 13").

Forms also available for Rs. 155/- in cash at designated General/ Head/ Central/ Main Post Offices across the country.

Research

Feb 28 Indian Council of Philosophical Research, 36, Tughalakabad Institutional Area, MB Road, New Delhi 110062.

Fellowships 2001-2

Senior, General, Junior. Research, Short Term, Residential Fellowships and for eligible scholars to prepare learning material.

Appln F: Send self-add, stamped (Rs. 6/-) envelope (25 x 11cm) to the Programme Officer at the above address before Jan 31.

Sciences

Mar 30 Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad-826004.

www.ismdhanbad.org

MSc (2 yrs):

a) Applied Geology, b) Mathematics & Computing.

MSc Tech (3 yrs):

a) Applied Geology, b) Applied Geophysics

Elig: Applied Geology: BSc with Geol as Hons/Major/Equiv subj & 2 subsidiary subjs from Phy, Chem, Math

Applied Geophysics: BSc with Phy or Maths as Hons/ Major/ Equiv subj. Phy (Hons/ Major/ Equiv) must have maths as subsidiary.

Mathematics & Computing: BSc with Maths as Major/Hons/Equiv and Phy as subsidiary.

Exam: Jun 17 at Calcutta, Chennai, Delhi, Dhanbad & Nagpur.

Appln Form: Send Rs. 500/- (SC/ST: Rs. 200/-) by crossed DD favouring "Registrar, Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad," payable at SBI (Code No. 1641), to the Asst. Registrar (Academic), Dhanbad-826004 along with self-add envelope (25 cms x 12.5 cms) before March 15.

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi