A test for those who think green
Vishal Gulati
ARE you a school-going student with a brain that thinks green? Here is an offer for such prodigies to get national recognition. The Ministry of Environment and Forests is organising competitions in schools for students without any formal education on the subject but who are sensitive to the issue. The ministry has appointed a nodal agency in each state and UT to assist schools in conducting these competitions.

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ADMISSION DEADLINE

A test for those who think green
Vishal Gulati

ARE you a school-going student with a brain that thinks green? Here is an offer for such prodigies to get national recognition.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is organising competitions in schools for students without any formal education on the subject but who are sensitive to the issue. The ministry has appointed a nodal agency in each state and UT to assist schools in conducting these competitions.

In Punjab, the nodal agency is the Punjab State Council for Science and Technology (PSCST), which has set up 1,700 eco-clubs in the state. "Our aim is to help youngsters understand sustainable development and events at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg from August 26," says Mr N.S. Tiwana, Executive Director of the PSCST.

He says these are open to schoolchildren of Classes V to XII. There are two levels. Level 1 is for students of Classes V to VIII with three categories — essay writing, poetry writing and poster making or painting.

For level II students (Classes IX to XII) these are essay writing, poetry writing, poster-making or painting and photography contests.

Each school will conduct the tests till April 30, for which, each school will set up a committee of judges comprising the school principal, two external experts, a teacher from the school and one educational administrator.

Topics, except for the photography contest, will be given on the spot. The school will authenticate that the photograph has been taken by the student.

In each category, three top entries will be eligible for certificates. The first-prize-winning entry in each category from the school will be sent for state-level evaluation. There, the best entries will be selected by a four-member panel for national selection. Finally, top entries will receive prizes on the World Environment Day — June 5.

Regarding the National Green Corps, Dr Satnam Singh Ladhar of the council, says 85,000 children have been enrolled so far for forming eco-clubs. These clubs have organised activities like seminars, discussions, awareness camps, rallies and street plays on themes related to environment.

Some of the themes were ‘Disposal of Household and Hospital Waste’, ‘Water and Air Pollution’, ‘Afforestation and Maintenance of Public Areas’.

Each club has been provided with books, manuals, pamphlets, posters and games based on environment conservation and produced by the Centre for Environment Education of Ahmedabad, the CPR Environmental Education Centre of Chennai and other agencies of the HRD Ministry.

Dr Ladhar says the council has asked all eco-clubs to conduct the competitions.

Mr S.K. Sharma, President, Environment Society of India, says 1,900 eco-clubs in Haryana; 1,200 in Himachal and 100 in Chandigarh have been set up.

A: The dynamism of the software industry coupled with the growing trend of outsourcing trainers has given birth to a new breed of software professionals known as software trainers. They are engaged by software companies for imparting training in the areas in which they (trainers) work. So the emphasis is now shifting from theoretical concept to hands-on experience.

On the trainer’s part, it is sheer love of teaching and the opportunity to keep abreast with the latest in technology. While choosing this career, a software professional should keep in mind two constraints. Firstly it requires considerable development experience in the concerned area. Secondly full-time software professionals may not choose this option due to time constraint.

But due to the closing down of many private training institutes and dwindling number of students for short-term courses the opportunities are not as widely available as before.

ART & DESIGN

A: Most of the good courses (and there are quite a few of them, that too in various aspects of art and design, including Contour Design and Design Management), require evidence of your talent i.e. a portfolio of your work, which British students typically prepare while doing their "A" levels or Foundation programme or a GNVQ qualification. If you have a diploma in Art from India that too would suffice as long as you submit your portfolio (in hard copy/CD/PDF/JPEG format). Another route for Indian students is to enrol directly into a 2-year HND (higher National degree) programme and complete your degree in the third year.

Some of the good colleges are: Goldsmith College, Anglia Polytechnic, London Institute of Art & Design, Kent Institute of Art & Design, Liverpool John Moore and Canterbury Christ College, De Montfort University.

A: Realising the need for formal training in the construction sector, the Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) has set up by the Planning Commission has entered into a partnership with IGNOU to conduct various open learning programmes for construction workers and artisans. These programmes (in Hindi plus 5 regional languages) have been structured to impart training through audio-visual and written material while the worker is working on the site. Presently two certificate courses are offered: Master/Trainer Craftsman for highly skilled workers and Craftsman for unskilled and semi-skilled workers. No prior qualifications are required.

For details contact the nearest IGNOU Regional centre at:

I.T.I. Building, Bulepur, (District Ludhiana), Khanna 141401 (Punjab)

Ph: (01628) 29993/29994

A: Liberalisation of the economy combined with the proliferation of new products, services and the media namely the internet have spurred the advertising industry to such an extent that it has been consistently chalking a growth rate of over 30 percent pa.

All said and done, Advertising can be described as the business of reaching out to people either to influence their acceptance or purchase of an idea, product or service. The main areas of specialisation in an ad agency are Client Servicing, Copywriting, Art Direction & Visualising, Media Planning & Buying, and Production.

Depending on your skills and qualifications, you can opt for the area (or sometimes even a combination of areas) of your choice in the following departments:

Client Servicing Department: preference is given to executives with a formal management or advertising qualification at the entry level.

Creative Department: actually creates the advertisements that you see in the media. It is manned by two kinds of people - visualisers and copywriters. To join the Art department, a trainee visualiser must have a formal qualification in art (BFA), preferably commercial art. Increasingly, knowledge of computer graphics is becoming a must. While no specific qualification is required to become a copywriter, it helps to be well read and to have a good command over the language besides the ability to think creatively. You will be asked to take a copy test to evaluate your skills on this score.

Media Planning Department: You need a Master’s in Statistics or Maths with good working knowledge of computers. Besides number crunching and a keen understanding of viewer preferences, you also need to be good at desk research to plough through reams of complex data such as TRPs, costings, etc.

Those entering this field must be prepared to work under constant pressure and erratic working hours. Advertising is essentially a result-oriented industry and careers can be built very quickly through hard work, creativity and achievement.

After your Bachelor’s degree, you can do a postgraduate course in Mass Com offered by several universities or a specific course in Advertising.

A: With a doctorate in Chemistry you are actually in the traditionally correct avenue, namely research and teaching.

However you have not indicated whether you are indeed interested in teaching which is what you are doing at the moment. If you are, then the thing to do is to look for options in better colleges or universities. If, on the other hand, research interests you, you might look to switching over to industrial research. You must also probably be aware that there are several CSIR labs where Chemistry is one of the thrust areas. These include the Center for Bio-Chemical Technology, Delhi; Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow; Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, etc. From your question it seems that you are also probably seeking greater monetary rewards in which case an intelligent switch to a research job in industry might be the right steppingstone. Industrial Chemistry is a multi-faceted field, which opens up a wide range of options in pure research as well as commercial applications.

A: The following universities offer LLB courses for those with below 50% aggregate at the Bachelor’s level. However, do crosscheck with the concerned institutions to be doubly sure.

• Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 (UP). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

• Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University, Kalyanpur, Kanpur 208024 (UP)

• Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla 171005 (HP). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (40%).

• Jai Narain Vyas University, Jodhpur 342001 (Raj). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

• Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119 (Har). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

• Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Ajmer 305001 (Raj). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

• Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak 124001 (Har). Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (40%/50%)

• University of Allahabad, Allahabad 211002 (UP)

• University of Lucknow, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow 226007 UP Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

• University of Rajasthan, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur 302004 Eligibility: Bachelor’s degree (45%).

Recently, the Bar Council of India has ordered the closure of 118 law colleges for their failure to maintain minimum teaching standards. Most of the evening classes at various colleges have also been banned for the same reason.

So do find out the latest position before enrolling.

A: As soon as you complete your course, your first option should be to explore appropriate avenues in the marketing or customer-care department within your present organization itself. Speak to your immediate supervisor or HR manager about wanting to move up. Increasingly, companies are beginning to encourage lateral moves within the organization. In that context, your familiarity with the culture and working of the company should make you a valued employee.

Even if the money is not great to begin with, it will serve as a springboard for targeting better positions elsewhere in the services industry where your organisational and customer relation skills you have acquired over the years can be leveraged to your advantage. Besides networking extensively, post your resume on monsterindia.com.

A: The basic qualification for a web content writer is good communication skills and proficiency in English. Knowledge of online publishing skills like HTML, and other web development tools like JAVA is recommended.

The work involves developing, inputting, updating, and maintaining online and inline content, co-ordinating with freelancers and outsourcing content development. You will also assist senior writers and editors with research, channel development etc.

Starting out at a salary of Rs 7,000-10,000, you could move onto the position of a Senior Content Writer/Editor/Sr Editor 3-5 years down the line. At this level you will research develop and write editorial content for portals/websites which may also include newsletters/direct mailers, besides overseeing/revising the content to meet deadlines.

A few general guidelines for all budding web writers: Remember, writing on the web is somewhat different from writing for print.

It’s best to present the information in easy-to-digest chunks that allow browsers to dive straight in and locate what they require. Keeping the limitations of the medium in mind, tailor your content to hold the reader’s attention by keeping it short and writing as you speak.

As compared to the halcyon days of the dotcom boom, the number of jobs following the dotcom bust have reduced drastically.

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.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

School of Planning & Architecture, 4, Block B, Indra-prastha Estate, New Delhi 110002.

Website:www.indiawatch.org/spa

Jun 3

(i) BArch (5-yr); BPlanning (4-yr)

(ii) Master’s Programmes: Arch Conservation/Indsl Design/

Urban Design, Bldg Engg & Mgt, Landscape Arch, Planning (Environ/Housing/Regional/Transport/Urban) (2-yr)

Jun 11

(iii) Doctoral Program in:

Arch Planning/Urban Desg/Indl Desg/Arch Conservation/ Land-scape Arch /Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Environ Planning/Housing/Transport Planning/Bldg Engg & Mgt)

Elig: For i: 10+2 (Eng, Phy, Maths &one more optional subj 60% agg).

Class 10 (General Sc incldg Chem).

For ii: BArch/BPlanning or equiv.

For iii: Relev Master’s degree (55%)/Bachelor’s degree (Arch/Planning 55% agg) with 5 yrs Teaching/Research/Professional practice.

Selectn: For i: Test I (16 Jun) at 9 centres followed by Test II (17 Jul).

For ii: Interview and/or Test (1, 2 & 3 Jul).

Appln F: Send Rs 500/- by DD drawn on SBI/UCO Bank favouring

"School of Planning & Architecture" payable at New Delhi to the above add by 24 May (For i, ii) & 31 May (For iii).

May 13

Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Rd, New Delhi 110011.

Ph: (011) 385271/1125

Website: www.upsc.gov.in

National Defence Academy & Naval Academy Exam (II), 2002

Elig: Unmarried males born between 2 Jul’84 - 1 Jan’87.

For Army Wing: 10+2 (Pass).

For Air Force & Naval Wing and for 10+2 (Exec Br) Course: 10+2 (with Phys & Maths).

Selectn: Written Test (15 Sep) at 40 centres all over India.

Appln F: At HPOs/POs: Rs 20/- (cash).

Details: Employment News (13-19 Apr) or website.

June 30

ADG Recruiting, 10+2 TES, West Block-III, RK Puram, New Delhi 110066

10+2 Technical Entry Scheme

Elig: Single Indian males with 10+2 (PCM). Age: 16½-19½ yrs

(DoB: 1 Jul ‘83-1 Jul ‘86).

Selectn: SSB Interview followed by medical fitness tests.

Appln F: Send in prescribed format superscribing "Application for 10+2 (TES) Army Jan 2003" on envelope.

Details: Employment News (13-19 Apr).\

May 13

Centre for Electronics Design & Technology of India, CEDTI Complex, University Campus, Aurangabad 431004 (Mah)

Ph: (022) 400120/121

Website:www.cedti.com

i) MTech (Electron Desg & Tech, 18 mths)

ii) Dip (Electron Prodn & Maintenance, 3-yr)

(Recog by Dr B A Marathwada Univ, Aurangabad)

Elig: For i: BE/BTech/BSc (Engg) in Electron/Elect/Telecomm/Comp/Instru (55%) with 80 percentile in GATE.

For ii: Class X (Maths & Sc, 50%). Age: 15-18 yrs (on 1 Jul).

Selectn: Entrance Test and Interview.

Appln F: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring "Director CEDTI, Aurangabad" with stamped (Rs 37/-), self-add envelope (15 cm x 23 cm) to the Administration Section at the above add by 6 May. Superscribe name of the course on the envelope.

Details: Employment News (13-19 Apr).

May 31

Banaras Hindu University, Institute of Technology, Varanasi 221005

Website: www.bhu.ac.in

MTech

(Ceramic/Chem/Civil/Elect/Electron/ Mech/Metallurgical/Mining/

Inter-Disciplinary Courses: Indsl Mgt/Systems Engg/Biochem Engg/Biomed Engg/ Materials Sc & Tech)

MPharm (Pharmaceutics)

Elig: BTech/BPharm with valid GATE (2001 or 2002 only). For Inter-Disciplinary Course: Relevant MSc (60%) with valid GATE score also elig.

Appln F: Send Rs 500/- by DD favouring "Institute of Technology, BHU" payable at SBI, BHU (Code: 0211) with stamped (Rs 25/-), self-add envelope (23 cm x 10 cm) to the Assistant Registrar (Academic) at the above add by May 11.

Details: Employment News (13-19 Apr).

June 12

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (Punj)

Ph: 258852/02-09

BTech Sugar Tech (4-yr)

Elig: 10+2 (PCM & Eng, 50%)

Selectn: Entrance Test (29 June).

Appln F: Send Rs 230/- by DD favouring the "Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar" to the Coordinator, Entrance Test of BTech Sugar Tech, D/o Applied Chemical Sciences & Technology at the above add wef 6 may.

May 6

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (Punj)

BTech (Comp Sc/Elect & Comm Engg/Text Chem/Food Tech/Urban & Regional Planning)

BArch (5-yr)

MTech (Comp Sc & Engg, 5-yr)

Selectn: Entrance Test (24 May).

Appln F: Send Rs 575/- by DD favouring the "Registrar, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar" payable at Amritsar to the Coordinator, GET at the above add.

May 3

Semiconductor Complex Ltd, Phase VIII, SAS Nagar, Chandigarh (GoI-M/o Comm & IT)

Ph: (0172) 380464

Website: www.vedant.net

Adv PG Dip in VLSI Design (6 mths)

Elig: BE (Electron/Elect/Tele-comm/ Comp Sc)/MSc (Phys with Electron).

Selectn: Entrance Test (5 May).

Appln F: Send Rs 200/- by DD favouring "Semiconductor Com-plex Ltd" payable at Ch ‘grh to the above add.

May 3 IIT — Madras, Chennai 600036

Website:www.ee.iitm.ernet.in/mtech-dsp/app.html or www.tenet.res.in/mtech-dsp/app-htm

MTech Digital Signal Processing (3 sem)

(Sponsored by Philips Semiconductors, Analog Devices & Texas Instruments)

Elig: BE/BTech (Electron & Comm/Comp Sc & Engg/Elect & Electron/Elect /Electron & Instru/IT/Mech/Arospace) with 90 percentile in GATE.

Selectn: Interview (19 May).

Appln F: Download from website and send completed appln with Rs 300/- by DD favouring "IIT, Madras" payable at Chennai and passport size photograph to the Head, Electrical Engineering Department at the above add. Superscribe "Application for MTech-DSP" on envelope.

May 20

Institute of Informatics & Communications, University of Delhi, South Campus, New Delhi 110021

Website: www.iic.ac.in

MSC Informatics (2-yr), 2002-04

Elig: BSc/BSc (H)/B Appl Sc with at least 2 of these subjs:

Physical Sc/Chem Sc /Electron Sc/Maths/Comp Sc or BE/BTech.

Selectn: Written Test (9 Jun) at 5 centres incldg Delhi.

Appln F: Send Rs 600/- by DD favouring "Director, University of Delhi South Campus" payable at SBI, New Delhi (Code: 7687).

May 16

Guru Nanak Dev University Regional Campus, Basti Nau, Jalandhar 144002 (Punj)

All-India Law Entrance Test-2002

For BA, LLB (Hons) 5-year Integrated Degree Course

Elig: 10+2 (50%). Age: Below 20 yrs (on 1 Jul).

Test: 31 May.

Appln F: Send Rs 575/- by DD favouring the "Registrar, GND University, Amritsar" to the Coordinator, All-India Law Entrance Test-2002 at the above add.