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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE |
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Doctorate still a distant goal Change teaching methods, exam system
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Doctorate still a distant goal There are many applicants for the M.Phil course through distance education, but only a few make it to Ph.D, says Ambika Sharma Even
as the Himachal Pradesh University’s move to start M.Phil course through distance education has facilitated admission to this prestigious course, the fact that very few have made it to Ph.D in itself speaks volumes about its quality. The university had given its nod to start this course through distance education in 2003. This move attracted a huge number of aspirants. Initially, the facility was available for Hindi, English, commerce, history, political science and economics subjects. Each subject drew aspirants from far and wide, including Haryana, Delhi and neighbouring Punjab. The relaxation gains significance in the light of a recent University Grants Commission decision, where M.Phil candidates have been exempted from NET, which was mandatory for lectureship at the undergraduate level. This would further increase the number of candidates wanting to pursue M.Phil through correspondence. As the course was open to aspirants from all over India, each subject attracted a huge rush of candidates. The university had not anticipated such a huge rush. Thus, it could not handle the situation. Aspirants rued that, “Neither was the study material made available nor was there adequate staff to guide us. Even notes were delivered after the first semester examinations and we were not allowed to use the main library facilities on the campus.” The university conducted its second semester examinations of its first batch within 20 days of the declaration of the first semester examinations results, giving barely any time for students to arrange study material. While the students were harassed, it served little purpose to encourage proper research. The case of history subject sums up all, where about 150 students had sought admission in the first year, but merely seven managed to scrap through in the first semester examination. Though the remaining fared better in the second semester, only a few made it to Ph.D. The situation was so grim that the annual meeting of university’s standing committee, which finalises admission to Ph.D, had to be delayed by more than six months in the absence of sufficient number of applicants. The relaxation has, however, granted an opportunity to the meritorious students to gain something. Interestingly, the results of some students pursuing M.Phil through correspondence were far better than those doing it as a regular course. This distinction was more pronounced in the Department of Political Science, lending credence to the fact that the laborious ones make the most of this opportunity. V. D. Kaushik, director, International Centre for Distance Education and Open Learning (ICDEOL), HPU, while terming it as a positive step, said: “There was nothing new in this correspondence mode as Kurukshetra University had been operating it since long. Since ICDEOL enrolls thousands of students for post graduation but only few make it to the M.Phil, which provides chance to more students.” “Since it is a research-oriented course and dissertation submission itself entails research work, the university has fixed the number of seats. Two new subjects, public administration and Sanskrit, have also been introduced from the current session. “The university has tied up with various neighbouring universities to enable our students to avail library facilities in their respective states. At times, fund constrains force us to call faculty members from neighbouring universities like MDU, Rohtak, for viva. But we ensure that the evaluators belong to top universities like Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Punjabi University, Patiala.” Students, however, allege that the evaluation is done by evaluators from those universities that fare much lower than HPU. At times, professors from such universities are called for viva. Though HPU is rated B+++ by NAAC, assigning evaluation work to those universities that are faring lower adversely affects quality in research. Academicians, however, opine that the selection should be made through an entrance examination, as it would weed out the non-serious aspirants.
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Change teaching methods, exam system The
examination-oriented Indian education system coupled with heavy-handed domination by teachers are the major reasons for the growing number of suicides among school students, say noted educationists. “Our education system has been overwhelmed by the examination system. The whole purpose of education is getting diluted, leading to more stress and suicide,” said Brenden MacCarthaigh, who advocates educational reforms in India. MacCartheigh, an Irish by birth, has lived in Kolkota for over 45 years. He said aping the British educational system in India had worsened the situation. “There is excessive domination by teachers in classrooms. Though parental pressure is growing, it’s the teachers who are mostly responsible for the impoverishment of school kids,” MacCartheigh told IANS. MacCartheigh, who has written a book, Where the Child is Without Fear, was recently in the Capital to deliver a lecture on student suicides. Quoting West Bengal government data, he said: “Of all the reasons, 24 percent of suicides take place due to failure in examinations. “It’s time to reorganise the technique of pedagogy by bringing in more participation of students,” he added.— IANS |
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HAU, Hisar Veterinary graduates take oath Fifty-one veterinary graduates of the 2001 batch of Haryana Agricultural University (HAU) took oath of profession at a ceremony held at the College of Veterinary Sciences Auditorium on the university campus on July 31. A solemn function to mark the occasion was organised for the fresh BVSc and AH graduates. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr J. C. Katyal, who chaired the oath-taking ceremony, congratulated the outgoing veterinary graduates and wished them a bright and prosperous future. He exhorted the students to imbibe each and every word of the oath in their professional life. The oath was administered by Dr S. K. Nagpal, the Dean of the College of Veterinary Sciences, while Dr Jeet Singh, Additional Director (Research), delivered the welcome address. GJUST, Hisar The authorities of Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology (GJUST) have begun the selection process for appointment of faculty members for various teaching departments of the university. The interviews for guest faculty members are being held from July 31 to August 2, while the selection process for regular posts of Lecturers, Readers and Professors will begin on August 5 and continue till August 17. The GJU Registrar, Mr Y. P. Goswami, said as many as 115 posts of regular faculty members would be filled, apart from holding interviews for the promotion cases under the Career Advancement Scheme (CAS). He said for the time being, guest faculty members were being appointed so that the students did not have to suffer. It may be pertinent to mention here that the university administration had started several new specialised courses, for which teachers were required. Besides, several teachers serving at the university had been demanding promotions under the CAS for a long time. —Contributed by Sunit Dhawan
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ADMISSION DEADLINE Agriculture Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Krishak Nagar, Raipur 492006 (CG).
www.igau.edu.in Common Entrance Test 1) MSc Agriculture (Agronomy / Plant Breeding & Genetics / Soil Science / Horticulture / Entomology / Agricultural Extension / Plant Pathology / Agricultural (Economics / Statistics) / Plant Physiology / Agrometeorology / Biotechnology / Microbiology) 2) MSc Forestry
3) MFSc Inland Fisheries 4) MTech (Agricultural Engg) / Farm Machinery & Power / Soil & Water Engg / Agricultural Processing & Food Engg) 5) MTech (Dairy Engg / Dairy Technology) 6) MSc Dairying (DM / Dairy Chemistry) Selection: Entrance Test: 8 September 2006 Application Form: Send Rs 150/- by DD favouring “Indira Gandhi Agricultural University, Raipur (CG)” payable at Raipur with self-addressed stamped (Rs 20/-) envelope (12 cm x 21 cm) to the Registrar at the above address. Details: Website Application Deadline: 25 August 2006 Architecture Jamia Milia Islamia, F/o Architecture & Ekistics, Maulana Mohd Ali Jauhar Marg, Jamia Nagar, New Delhi 110025
http://jmi.nic.in M Ekistics / MArch Eligibility: BArch with 6.75 grade on a 10 point scale (or 60%) Application Form: Download from website Details: Website Teaching Jharkhand Public Service Commission, JPSC- JET Cell, Ranchi (Jhar) Jharkhand Eligibility Test (JET) for Lectureship-2006 Test: 15 October 2006 Application Form & Details: Website. Application Deadline: 19 August 2006 Recruitment: UPSC Union Public Service Commission, Dholpur House, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi 110069 Limited Departmental Competition Examination 2006 Application Form: Send Rs 20/- by MO to the Secretary at the above address. Suprerscribe “S.Os’ / Stenographers’ Grade `B’ / Grade-1) Limited Departmental Competitive Examination 2005” on MO coupons along with your name & address. Details: Website Application Deadline: 18 September 2006 Engineering Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology, D/o Mechanical Engineering, Hisar 125001
(Har) www.gju.ernet.in MTech (Integrated Product Design & Mfg) Eligibility: BTech / BE in Mechanical / Production Engg Selection: Merit Counselling: 4 August 2006 Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur 208002 (UP)
www.hbti.edu MTech (Chemical Engg / Chemical Technology / CAD / Electronics & Communication Engg MTech (Chemical / Civil / Electrical / Mechanical Engg) Part Time PhD (Basic Sciences / Engg / Applied Chemistry / Chemical Technologies) Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 5 August 2006 Model Industrial Training Institute, Nainital Road, Haldwani PO Kathgodam, Distts Nainital 263126 (Utt) (M/o Labour & Employment, GoI) Mechanical Trades (Restructured Pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme) (2-years) Application Form & Details: Employment News (22-28 July 2006) Application Deadline: 18 August 2006. Model Industrial Training Institute Eravathukunnu, PO Govindapuram, Calicut, Kerala State 673016 (Ker) (M/o Labour & Employment, GoI) Electrical & Electronics Trades (Restructured Pattern of Craftsmen Training Scheme) (1-year) Application Form & Details: Employment News (22-28 July 2006) Application Deadline: 18 August 2006. Hotel:
Management Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Room No 20, 1, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001 Hotel Management (1-year, Part-Time, Evening) Eligibility: 10+2 with English. Graduates / Postgraduates with work experience preferred. Application Form & Details: Website Language Central Institute of English & Foreign Languages (CIEFL), Hyderabad 500007 (AP) 1) PG Diploma in Teaching of English Application Form: Send Rs 300/- by crossed DD favouring “Registrar, CIEFL, Hyderabad-500007” payable at Hyderabad to The Chairperson at above address by 15 October 2006. Application Deadline: 31 October 2006 Management Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, University School of Management Studies, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006 www.ipu.ac.in MBA (Real Estate) 2-year, Weekend (In collaboration with School of Planning & Architecture, Delhi) Selection: Merit / Personal Interview Application Form: Download from website. Application Deadline: 12 August 2006 Indian Institute of Management (IIM-A), Vastrapura, Ahmedabad (Guj) www.iimahd.ernet.in/pgpabm / www.iimcat2006.com PG Programme in Agri-Business Management-2007 (2-year) Eligibility: Bachelor / Masters degree (Agriculture Sciences & allied subjects (50%). Selection: CAT: 19 November ‘06 Application Form:.Send Rs 1200/- by DD favouring the respective IIM by 21 August ’06 or apply online. Available at various UTI branch (in cash) Rs 1100/- till 17 August ‘06 Application Deadline: 9 September 2006 Mass
Communication Pioneer Media School, 6, Todar Mal Lane, Bengali Market, New Delhi 110001 Bachelor of Journalism (3-year) PG Diploma in: (1-year) i) Journalism (Print, Radio, TV & Internet) Certificate in Radio & TV Production (6 months, PT) Details: Website Course commences: 17 August 2006 Medicine Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training & Research, Olatpur, PO Bairoi, Dist. Cuttack 754010 (Oris) (M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, GoI) 1) Master of Physiotherapy (Rehabilitation / Musculoskeletal Conditions) 2-year Eligibility: For 1: BPT / BSc (FT) + internship Selection: Entrance Exam: 26 September ‘06 Application Form & Details: Website Application Deadline: 8 September 2006 Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot 151203 (Punj) www.babafariduniv.com Punjab Para Medical Entrance Test (PPMET-2006) Test: 3 September 2006 Application Form: Send Rs 850/- by DD favouring “Registrar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences” payable at Faridkot at the above address. Details: Prospectus / Website. Application Deadline: 17 August 2006 Recruitment Haryana Staff Selection Commission, Bays No 67-70, Sector 2, Panchkula (Har) Recruitment of Lecturer (School Cadre) in Various Subjects Age: 18-40 years Selection: Written Exam / Interview Deadline: 21 August 2006 |
