ADMISSION DEADLINE

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-160

Lesson in English

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE
What are the job prospects in optometry?

Q If I do a course in optometry what sort of work will I be doing and what are the job prospects?

Neha Seth

A As an Optometrist you will test the eyesight (visual acuity) and prescribe corrective lenses. The work requires professional training in using eye-testing equipment to examine a person’s vision, then fabricate lenses to prescribed specifications and fitting the lenses to suit individual tastes. As an Optometrist you will also operate hi-tech machines to polish and harden lenses.

You could also specialise in Orthoptics which is the science of correcting defective vision through exercises for strengthening weak eye muscles.

Optometrists (also known as ophthalmic technicians) are usually employed in eye hospitals, clinics and in optician outlets. You may also specialise in particular types of vision disorders. After gaining experience in a private establishment or with a lens manufacturer, you can open your own business. With most people over 40 (and even earlier) requiring glasses/lenses, a skilled and experienced Optometrist is always in demand.

You could opt for a BSc Optometry which is offered at a handful of universities or a Diploma in Opthalmic Technology/ Optometry/Opthalmic Assistance which is more commonly offered.

Q I am keen on pursuing higher studies in the USA. I have been working for three years after completing my graduation. Can I join a Master’s programme after a break?

Praveer Bhatia

A Unlike in most Asian countries, the Idea of working for a couple of years or even more, is actually a much accepted and encouraged idea in many American colleges. The practical experience gained along the way will not only enhance the chances of your admission but will also help in boosting your chances of getting an assistantship.

You haven’t mentioned the course you would like to pursue but it is a fact that several schools stipulate work experience as a must-have before you are fully eligible for a Master’s degree, particularly in areas such as business management. The practical experience you’ve gained on the job backed by your employer’s recommendation letters will considerably enhance your chances of success.

Q I am a Class XII student. Can you please suggest some of the good institutions offering courses in architecture and also their selection procedure?

Shubham Anand

A A Bachelor’s degree course in Architecture (BArch) is usually a 5-year or 10 semester programme. This course is open to students who have passed Class XII (PCM). A few institutions, however, i.e. those under to Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi only require Mathematics. Which means even non-science students can apply.

There are 90-odd schools of architecture in India, affiliated to their respective universities. Here are some of the better-known ones:

Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh 202002 (UP).

Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Hoshangabad Road, Bhopal 462026 (MP).

Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra, Ranchi 835215 (Jhar). Website: www.bitmesraranchi.org

College of Architecture, Sector12, Chandigarh 160012. Website: http://cca.nic.in

Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, Nalanda Parisar, Nalanda Parisar, 169, Ravindra Nath Tagore Marg, Indore 452001 (MP).

Government College of Architecture, Tagore Road, Lucknow 226002 (UP).

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate Delhi 1100006.

Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005 (Punj).

IIT, Kharagpur 721302 (WB)

IIT, Roorkee 247667 (UA)

Jamia Milia Islamia, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025. Website: www.jmi.nic.in

Jiwaji University, Vidya Vihar, Gwalior 474011 (MP)

MS University of Baroda, Shastri Bridge Road, Fatehganj Vadodara 390002 (Guj)

Maharshi Dyanand University, Rohtak-124 001 (Haryana)

Panjab University, Sector-14, Chandigarh 160014

Pt Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur-492 010, (Chhattisgarh)

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar 144011 (Punj)

Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar 388120 (Guj)

Saurashtra University, Rajkot-360 005 (Guj)

School of Planning & Architecture, 4, Block-B, Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110002

School of Planning, Centre for Environmental Planning & Architecture, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009 (Guj). Website: www.ceptindia.com

Sir JJ College of Architecture, University of Mumbai, 78/3, Dr. D.N. Road, Mumbai 400001 (Mah)

South Gujarat University, Faculty Of Arts, Post Box No. 49, Udhna Magdalla Road Surat 395007 (Guj)

University of Lucknow, Lucknow 226007 (UP)

University of Rajasthan, Gandhi Nagar, Jaipur-302 004 (Raj)

Uttar Pradesh Technical University, Sitapur Rd, Lucknow-226 021 (UP)

Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi:

Sushant School of Art & Architecture, Sushant Lok, Distt Gurgaon 122001 (Har) (affiliated to GGSIPU)

Tulsi Vidya Bhartiya (TVB) School of Habitat Studies, Sector-D, Pocket-II, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi 110070 (affiliated to GGSIPU)

Vastu Kala Academy, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi 110002 (affiliated to GGSIPU)

Besides these, there are other private schools and government-run polytechnics that offer diploma-level courses in Architecture.

Admission to most of the BArch courses is through an entrance exam comprising two types of tests.

Test-I: The main aim of this objective-type test is:

to assess your general awareness

to measure the level of your scholastic achievement and

to assess the general level of your intelligence.

Test-II: Separate aptitude tests are conducted to judge visual and spatial perception, creative ability, drawing skills, aesthetic sensitivity (for architecture), ability to comprehend, ability to write and your general awareness of society, environment and human habitation (for planning).

Q I’m keen on making a career in the armed forces. Can you please tell me about the tests conducted by the Services Selection Board (SSB).

Surjeet Singh Arora

A Our Armed Forces really need bright and committed young men and women who are ready to take up the adventure and challenge of serving one of the world’s largest and finest forces. The unique feature is that they have always been a voluntary force. There has never been national conscription or obligatory military service in India.

Selection to a Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission job in the armed forces is mainly through a written test, interview and medical examination.

If you clear the written exam, you are called for an interview before the SSB where you are administered a series of intelligence, psychological and physical tests in addition to group discussions and individual interviews. The SSB comprises the interviewing officer, The Group Testing Officer (GTO) and a psychologist.

The main purpose of SSB is to assess the overall personality and identify potential leadership qualities in prospective candidates. Though 15 main officer-like qualities are tested, the more important ones are planning and organising, social adjustment, social effectiveness and dynamism or leadership.

The Selection Board is composed of experienced officers specially trained for the task. They can immediately spot candidates who are dishonest or those who try to be too clever. On the other hand, if you are straightforward and sincere and not shy of admitting something you do not know, you are more likely to earn the respect of the Board.

Q I am interested in doing a course in rubber technology. Can you please tell me about the undergraduate and postgraduate courses in this discipline.

Priyanshu Chopra

A The following institutions offer courses in Rubber Technology:

Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009. Course: BE Rubber Engg(4 years). Eligibility: Class XII (L D College of Engineering).

Eligibility: Class XII (55%) in PCMB.

Anna University, Sardar Patel Road, Guindy, Chennai 600025 (TN). Course: BTech Rubber Tech (4-yr). Eligibility: BSc/BSc (Applied Sciences).

Cochin University of Science & Tech, Kochi. Course: BTech Polymer Science & Rubber Tech (3-yr).

Mahatma Gandhi University, Priyadarshini Hills PO, Kottayam 686560 (Ker). Course: BSc Rubber Tech (3-yr). Eligibility: Class XII (55% agg).

IIT-Kharagpur, (WB). Course: MTech Rubber Tech (2 years). Eligibility: BTech/BE/MSc/AMIE with valid GATE score.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

AGRICULTURE

Jul 10 Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana

BTech (Agri Engg, 4 yr)

Elig: Class 12 (PCM, 50% agg). Residents of Punjab & UT of Chandigarh. CET-2000 (PTU, Jalandhar) scores.

Selectn: Merit in CET-2002.

Appln F: Send Rs 450/- by crossed DD favouring "Additional Director of Extn Education (Communication Centre), Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana" payable at any scheduled bank at Ludhiana. At counter: Rs 400/- cash.

ARMED FORCES

Aug 24 Indian Army, Army Education Corps

Recruitment of Havildar Education

(Gr ‘X’ & ‘Y’) in

i) Science Stream

ii) Arts Stream

Elig: For Gr ‘X’: BA, BEd/BSc, BEd/MA/MSc; Gr ‘Y’: BSc/BA. Age: 20-25 yrs on 22 Mar. Working knowledge of Eng, Hin or both & two subjs in a) BSc: i) Maths, ii) Phys, iii) Chem, iv) Bot,

v) Zool, vi) Electron, vii) Comp Sc;

b) BA: i) Eng Litt, ii) Hindi Litt, iii) Urdu Litt,

iv) Hist, v) Geog, vi) Pol Sc, vii) Eco, viii) Psy, ix) Maths, x) Sociol.

Selectn: Screening, written exam Dec 15, teaching aptt tests/interview.

Details: Employment News (15-21 Jun) or contact nearest Recruiting Office before Aug 20.

Jul 8 Defence Research & Dev Organisation (DRDO), Recruitment & Assessment Centre (RAC), Lucknow Rd, Timarpur, Delhi 110054

Website: www.drdo.org

Entry into DRDS as Scientist - ‘B’

Elig: BE/BTech (Engg disciplines)/MSc (Sc. Disciplines).

Selectn: DRDO SET (Sep 1) at 20 centres incldg Ch’garh & Delhi.

Appln F: Download from website.

Details: See Employment News (15-21 Jun).

CIVIL SERVICES

Jul 15 Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, New Delhi 110011

Ph: (011) 3385271, (011) 3381125

Website: www.upsc.gov.in

Indian Economic Service Examination - 2002

Elig: Master’s degree in Eco/Appl Eco/Bus Eco/Econometrics. Age: 21-30 yrs on Jan 1, ‘02

Details: See Employment News (15-21 Jun) or Website.

CORRESPONDENCE

Oct 3 Kurukshetra University, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Kurukshetra 136119

Website: www.kuk.ernet.in

Admission to various Practical/Professional/PG Professional & Lateral Entry Courses

Undergrad: BCA, BBA, BCom, BA, BLib & ISc, BInfo & Mgt

PG: MA (Masscom), MCA, MBA, MSc (Comp Sc), MCom, MFM, MLib & ISc, LLM, MMM, MHRM, MPhil

PG: Lateral Entry

Various Cert/Dip & PG Dip Courses

Selectn: Direct admission.

Appln F: Send Rs 250/- by DD favouring "The Registrar, K.U., Kurukshetra" payable at Kurukshetra/Thanesar with two self-addressed slips superscribing "Code No. CC-02", to the Manager (P & P) at the above add or download from website after 15 July 2002.

ENGINEERING

Jul 25 Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering & Technology, Longowal, Distt Sangrur 148106 (Pb)

Ph: (0167) 3283609

Website: www.sliet.org

ME (Manufacturing Sys Engg/Food Engg & Tech)

Elig: BE/BTech relv.branch (50%).

GATE scores preferred.

Selectn: Written test/interview (Jul 29).

Appln F: Send Rs 350/- by DD favouring "Director, SLIET" payable at Longowal to the Co-ordinator, PG Cell, above add or download from website.

Jul 19 Technical Teacher’s Training Institute, Sector-26,

Chandigarh 160019

1. Master of Engg Edn (2-yr)

2. ME (Mfg Tech)

3. Constr Tech Mgt, Comp Sc & Engg, Elec & Comm Engg and Instr & Control (2-yr)

Elig: Courses 1 to 4 excl. for sponsored teachers & including professionals; 5 & 6 also open to general candidates.

Appln F: Send DD Rs. 275/- favouring "Principal, TTTI, Chandigarh", payable at Chandigarh with a self-add envelope (23 cm x 18 cm). At counter: Rs 250/- (cash).

HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Jul 4 Food Craft Institute, Badkhal Lake Chowk, Faridabad 121001

Ph: (91) 5412115.

E-mail: fcifbd@nda

Job Oriented Dip Courses (1½-yr):

1) Food Prodn

2) Bakery & confectionery

3) Food & Beverage Service

4) PG Dip in Accommodation, Operation & Mgt

Elig: For 1, 2 & 3: Class 12 (with Eng). Age: 22 yrs (on Jul 1).

For 4: Bachelor’s degree. Age: 28 yrs (on Jul 1).

Appln F: (Free) from Principal, at the above add with self-add, stamped (Rs 5) envelope (10" x 4"). Send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "Food Craft Institute" payable at Faridabad with duly filled appln form to the Principal at the above add. Write name & add on reverse of DD.

MANAGEMENT

Jun 30 Symbiosis Centre of Health Care (SCHC), Senapati Bapat Rd, Pune 411004 (India)

Ph: (020) 5655362, 5655023

Website: www.schcpune.com

1) PG Dip in Hospital & Healthcare Mgt. (PGDHHM) (1-yr)

2) PG Dip in Medico-Legal Systems (PGDMLS) (1-yr)

3) Cert Course in Medico-Legal Systems (CCMLS) (6-mths)

Elig: For 1: Bachelor’s degree (50% agg). For 2: MBBS/BAMS/BHMS/BDS & all registered medical practitioners. For 3: BPNA/ANM/equiv.

Appln F: Send Rs 550/- by DD favouring "Symbiosis Centre of Health Care" payable at Pune to above add. At counter: Rs 500/- (cash).

MEDICINE

Jul 18 M.D. Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Foundation, Ludhiana 141009

Ph: (0161) 670182

Diploma in General Nursing & Midwifery (3 yrs)

Elig: Class 12 (45% agg). Unmarried Punjab domicile females. Age: 17-25 yrs (on 30 Sep)

Appln F: Send Rs 175/- by DD in favour of "MDOCT & RF, Ludhiana" to above address. At counter Rs 150/- (cash).

Jul 4 Punjab Technical University, GT Road, Jalandhar-144011

Website: www.ptujal.com

BPharm (4 yrs)

Elig: Class 12 (PCM/B, 50% agg/DPharmacy (50% agg)

Selectn: Entrance Test.

Appln F: See brochure or download from website.

Jun 28 Rural Health Training Centre (GoI), Najafgarh, New Delhi 110043

A.N.M. 10+2 (Vocationalisation) training scheme of CBSE (2-yr)

Elig: Class 10 (50% agg) unmarried female Delhi/New Delhi residents. Age: 16-20 yrs (on 1st July 2002).

Selectn: Written Test (Jul 17).

Appln F: Send in prescribed format with reqd. documents by registered post with acknowledgement due to ‘the officer in charge’ at above add.

Jun 20 Nehru Homoeopathic Medical College & Hospital, B- Block, Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024

Bachelor of Homoeopathic System of Medicine & Surgery (BHMS)

Elig: Class 12. Age: 17 yrs.

Appln F: Send Rs 125/- by DD favouring "Registrar, University of Delhi" payable at SBI (Code 7687) to Faculty of Medical Sciences, 6th Floor, V.P. Chest Institute Buildin, University of Delhi 110007.

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-160

1.What is the name of Afghanistan’s decision-making institution/grand assembly that has been around for nearly 1000 years?

Lesson in English
W.L. Gordon

Words often misused:

An impostor is one who imposes upon others for the purpose of deception.

An Imposture is the act or conduct of an impostor.

Often mispronounced:

Blase (sated with pleasure). Pronounce as blah-zay with accent on the second syllable.

Often misspelled:

Innumerable — observe the two "ns".

Inundate — only one "n".

SYNONYMS:

Loud (adj) — boisterous, clarion, clamorous, deafening, resonant, stentorian, noisy, audible, vociferous.

WORD STUDY:

"Use a word three times and it is yours." Let us increase our vocabulary by mastering one word each day.

Today’s word: MIASMA (noun) — heavy, gaseous vapour ; any harmful influence or atmosphere. Pronounce as migh-az-ma with accent on the second syllable. E.g. "The citizens were displeased by the miasma of smog."