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Subjects without boundaries
Poonam Dutta
RECENTLY, discussions have been held on the issue of introducing interdisciplinary courses at the postgraduate and undergraduate levels in state universities. For long, the rigid parameters of every academic discipline have been watertight that resisted any change in interdisciplinary studies. It was the rhetoric of the purity of the subject that continued to dominate the academic field and eluded every effort for studying other innovative and challenging subjects concurrently. Hence, the students were deprived of a chance to be familiar with the theoretical framework of other disciplines. Consequently, the students suffered as they were denied the opportunities of studying multi-faceted disciplines, which had both overt and covert relationship with other disciplines.  The approach outlining pristine character of the particular subject, promulgated by the formalist school of the early 20th century, was adopted, and the squeaky clean curriculum continued to dominate the academics. Therefore, learning had been cabined, cribbed and confined within the limited pedagogy of subjects.
In the early ’80s, there were some attempts to introduce an additional paper of Western philosophy for the students of English (Hons) at the undergraduate level. It was an attempt to expose the students pursuing English (Hons) to the subject of Western philosophy, which is intrinsically intertwined with it. But the attempt was scuttled as it was decided that it would be extremely cumbersome for the students of state universities to comprehend and appreciate the historical and sociological evolution of the Western philosophy. In fact, it certainly would have helped the students who were interested in pursuing higher courses in literature. It would have made a student of literature to relate to the larger issues of literary notion and correlate it with the theoretical complexities of intellect, emotions and aesthetics. Only after the completion of Master’s in Literature, the field of literary study expanded, and the students got introduced to various interdisciplinary genres, e.g., historical, socio-economical, psychological and philosophical, etc. It was a revelation to read Freud on ‘creative writers and daydreams’ and to explore the relationship of ‘fantasy’, ‘dreams’ and ‘myths’ in the works of creative writers. In other words, to examine the mutual relationship of psychology and literature in a theoretical context of literary criticism among other genres would have been of immense benefit to the students. Over the years with the proliferation of new courses, some courses have been designed mainly to attract students which surely have some interdisciplinary material yoked together. Some universities have been at the forefront in offering trendy nomenclature of subjects, which, in certain cases, imply the study of some disciplines pooled together. This inventive and attractive package certainly underlines the blurring of boundaries between certain subjects, but a closer inspection shows that the students still prefer traditional subjects, be it at the undergraduate level or the postgraduate level. In certain instances, the course material too has shed some of its rigidity and insularity. Now, what is being explored is whether the students should have the freedom to study subjects of other disciplines apart from the major discipline they are pursuing. The idea being explored and examined critically is in the context of fresh and innovative subjects and disciplines that have emerged in the course of time. Hence, there are two aspects to the whole debate: one, which deals with undergraduate studies and the other, which relates to the postgraduate level as well. The need is to keep the students abreast of the changing social, economical and political environment and extending them the opportunity to study issues regarding gender, climate change, biodiversity, computers, human and constitutional rights among others. One of the options available is to introduce the paper which has a certain direct or remote connectivity with the subject in the particular discipline, as in some curriculum of business management, the papers of corporate law, intellectual property rights, labour and cyber law are being incorporated. At present, the debate is going on to introduce interdisciplinary curriculum to study a particular subject and incorporate yarns of other disciplines. At the postgraduate level, in some leading universities, the students have to clear minimum eight papers, which are core papers, in the subject in which they have taken admission. They can also opt for optional papers (up to eight) from other disciplines. A recent initiative in this field has been taken by Bangalore University. Starting this year, the university and its affiliated science colleges have proposed to offer a four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) degree course. In such a multi-disciplinary approach, the students would be free to study pure sciences while opting for the ‘elective’ or ‘minors’ in political science, economics, arts, commerce, etc. This exercise not only ignites the interest but also widens the horizon of the students intellectually, offering them umpteen opportunities in future.
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UK may send students to India for better skills
Prasun Sonwalkar
British students could soon sit and study alongside Indians in lecture halls at universities in India as part of plans to make UK students more employable by giving them international experience of living in other countries. There is much hand-wringing among Britain’s education leaders and employers who seek to expand abroad but find that students here do not know the language and other life skills to live and function outside the UK. There are several student exchange programmes allowing British students to spend a period of time to study abroad, particularly in European universities, but there is less enthusiasm among the students. After returning from the recent visit to India, Universities Minister David Willetts wants to develop joint undergraduate and postgraduate courses between the UK and Indian universities that will allow British students to spend course time in India. Currently, more than 40,000 Indian students are studying in Britain, but only 500 travelled to India every year, Willets told the Daily Telegraph. “The number of students going to India at the moment is embarrassingly low. It is a scandal that only 500 British students currently go to one of the world’s fastest growing economies. I want to get it up to the thousands quite soon.” Under his plans, British students would be able to complete mainstream qualifications in India after starting them in Britain. The subjects in Indian universities of particular interest to Britons are maths, science and IT, subjects that have suffered considerably in Britain in recent decades due to lack of students and faculty members. Willetts’ move comes after business leaders claimed that young Britons were increasingly missing out in the workplace because of a poor grasp of foreign languages combined with a lack of experience of living abroad. A report from the Confederation of British Industry earlier this year found that almost three-quarters of companies were dissatisfied with students’ language skills while more than half warned of “shortfalls in their international cultural awareness”—potentially jeopardising trade with countries such as China, India, Russia and Brazil. “Businesses say there aren’t enough students with experience of languages, different cultures and the wider world,” Willetts said. He told the newspaper that “British companies want to export abroad but one of the problems they raise with us is that British students don’t have foreign languages and an experience of living in another country.” “One of my aims is to try and encourage our undergraduates and postgraduates to study abroad and the best way to do that is to ensure it counts towards a British degree.” There has to be time overseas doing a programme which a British university recognises and validates. It would enrich the outlook of British students and make them more employable, he said. Last week, Willetts led a delegation of university vice-chancellors and business leaders to India as part of David Cameron’s visit. He said a series of productive meetings had been staged with Indian education and employment ministers with a view to establishing joint projects between the two countries. Willetts said joint university courses could be established, allowing British and Indian students to switch time between the two countries. He said the courses would be a full undergraduate or postgraduate qualification developed by two universities. “We need a structure in place where there is a mutual understanding of qualifications,” he added.
— PTI
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Campus Notes
Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar
Honour for GND varsity don
DR Rakesh Kumar Mahajan, a Senior Professor in the Chemistry Department of Guru Nanak Dev University, has been awarded the Professor P.K. Bose Memorial Award, 2009, by the Council of the Indian Chemical Society in recognition of his contribution and research in the field of chemical sciences. Professor Mahajan will receive this award at the next Annual Convention of Chemists of the Indian Chemical Society, which is scheduled to be held from December 23 to 27 at Pt Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur (Chattisgarh). He will also present a research paper at the convention after receiving the award. Presently Dean, Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Mahajan did his Ph.D degree from the university in 1982 on “Study in Complexation Reaction of Metal Ions with some Peptide Systems". He has also guided 12 Ph.D and 40 M.Sc students till date. He has about 110 research publications in various national and international journals of repute to his credit. Professor Mahajan is a visiting scientist at the University of Trieste (Italy); Osaka City University, Osaka; Geongsang National University, Jinju (South Korea); Polytechnic University of Valencia (Spain) and Seoul National University (South Korea).
Handball coaching camp
Shortly, India will prove its supremacy in the field of sports as tremendous encouragement, better incentives and scientific training are attracting the youth to join sports at the early age. These views were expressed by S. M. Bali, general secretary, Handball Federation of India, while addressing a press conference organised at the ongoing All-India National Handball Coaching Camp for Women (Senior) at the Guru Nanak Dev University Sports Complex here. The camp is being organised by the Sports Authority of India (SAI). He said all the players in the camp were improving and gaining speed, endurance, strength, technical skills and motorability day by day. He hoped that the players would emerge winners in the Asian Games finals to be held in China. He also thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.S. Brar, for providing all essential support to organise this camp.
Gatka championship
Guru Nanak Dev University will organise the Inter-College Gatka Championship for the session 2010-11 from August 18 on the university campus. According to Dr Kanwaljit Singh, Director, Sports, all essential guidelines have been forwarded to the related colleges in this regard. —
Contributed by P. K. Jaiswar
Admission Deadline
Armed Forces
Indian Navy, Post Bag No 04, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021
www.nausena-bharti.nic.in
Naval Armament Inspection Cadre of Executive Branch (Permanent Commission) – January 2011 Course
(At Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala)
Eligibility: Unmarried Indian men, BE/BTech (Electrical / Electronic / Mechanical) AICTE recognized / PG in (Electronics / Physics)
Age: 19 ½ - 25 years (DoB: 02 January ’86 – 01 July ’91)
Height & Weight: Min 157 cm with correlated weight.
Eyesight: 6/60, 6/60 correctable to 6/6, 6/12 with glasses. Should not be color / night blind.
Selection: SSB Interview; Medical Exam.
Application Form: Send application by ordinary post in prescribed format to the above address. Superscribe “APPLICATION FOR PC NAIC- JAN 2011 COURSE
Qualification…… Percentage……%” / Download from website
Details: Website
Application Deadline: 21 August 2010
Art & Design
Srishti School of Art, Design & Technology, PO Box 6430, Yelahanka, New Town, Bangalore 560064 (Kar)
www.srishti.ac.in/content/advanced-diploma-program-transcultural-design
Advanced Diploma in Transcultural Design (2 years)
Eligibility: Any Graduates in design / Innovative discipline
Application Form & Details: Website.
Application Deadline: 15 August 2010
Engineering
University of Pune, D/o Electronic Science, VLSI Design & Research Centre, Pune 411007 (Mah)
www.icitonline.org
PG Certificate Courses: (6-month)
1) VLSI Design
2) Embedded System Design
3) Advanced Computing
Eligibility: For 1 & 2: BE / BTech in (Electronics / Electronics & Telecommunication) / MSc (Electronics & Instrumentation)
For 3: BE / BTech (Any discipline) / BSc (Engg) / MCA / MCS / MCM (After BSc) / MSc (Electronics & Instrumentation)
Selection: Common Entrance Test: 13-17 August 2010
Application Form: Download from website.
Details: Employment News (24 – 30th July 2010).
Application Deadline: 10 August 2010
The Institution of Civil Engineers (India), Career House, Bindra Complex, Model Town, Ludhiana (Punj)
www.ice.net.in
1) Section A & B of Associate Membership Examination (equivalent to Degree in Civil & Architecture Engg)
2) Part I & II of Technician Engineering Examination (equivalent to Diploma in Civil & Architecture Engg)
Eligibility: For 1 (Sec A & B) Pass in 3-year Diploma Civil / Arch Engg from recognized technical education board with min 1-year relevant work ex; those with BE/BTech in other than Civil/Arch Engg or pass in Section A of AMIE (India) after diploma in Civil/Arch Engg are exempted from Sec A exam.
For 2: Class 10 pass with Maths & Science with min 1-year relevant work ex; those with Class 12 (PCM) pass are exempt from Part I exam
Application Form & Details: Website
Indian Plywood Industries Research & Training Institute, PB No 2273, Tumkur Road, Yeswanthpur, Bangalore 560022 (Kar) (M/o Environment & Forest, GoI)
www.ipirti.gov.in
PG Diploma in Plywood and Panel Products Technology
Eligibility: BSc / BE / BTech
Age Limit: 28 years (On 01 November 2010)
Selection: Merit
Application Form: Send Rs 250/- by DD favouring “Director, IPIRTI”, payable at Bangalore to the above address / Download from website
Details: Website
Application Deadline: 14 September 2010
Hotel Mgt
FHRAI Institute of Hospitality Management, Plot No45, Knowledge Park III, greater Noida-201306, UP
www.fhraiinstitute.com
Full-time Degree Courses from IGNOU:
1) BSc (Hons) : International Hospitality Admin (4 Years)
2) BA (Hons): International Culinary Arts (4 Years)
3) MBA: Hospitality management (2 years)
4) EMBA: Hospitality Management (1 Year)
5) Diploma courses: Hospitality Operations (1 Year)
Eligibility: For 1, 2 & 5): 10+2 (Any Stream)
For 3: Degree
For 4: Degree with work-ex
Application Form: Send Rs 500/- by DD favouring “FHRAI-IHM” payable at Greater Noida to the above address.
Details: Website
Management
XLRI, Jamshedpur, School of Business & Human Resources (Jhar)
www.xlri.ac.in/satellite / www.relianceworld.in
PG Certificate Programme in (Business Mgmt / HR Mgmt / Sales & Marketing Mgmt) (Part-time)
Eligibility: Bachelors degree with 2 years of full-time work-ex
Selection: Merit & Interview
Application Form & Details: Website
Application Deadline: 16 August 2010
Shailesh J Mehta School of Management, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay,
www.som.iitb.ac.in
Executive Programme in Management (Specialisation in Mktg & HRM) (Part-time)
Eligibility: Working Professionals
Application Form & Details: Website
Medicine
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, AIMS Ponekkara P.O, Kochi 682041 (Ker) (Deemed University)
www.amrita.edu
DM: Pulmonary Medicine
MCh: Cardio Vascular and Thoracic Surgery, Neuro Surgery, Plastic Surgery
Eligibility: MD / MS (MCI Registered)
Age Limit: 35 years (on 31 December 2010)
Section: Entrance Test: 7 August 2010
Application Form: Send Rs 1570/- by DD favouring “Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham” payable at Kochi to the Admission Co-ordinator at the above address / Apply online.
Details: Website
Application Deadline: 03 August 2010
MM School of General Nursing & Midwifery, Mullana, Ambala-133207 (Har)
GNM Courses (3 and Half years)
Eligibility: 10+2 with science (PCB with 45%) / 10 +2 Vocational ANM Course recognized by India Nursing Council) / ANM training (10th Pass with 1 half years training)
Age: 17-35 years
Selection: Merit
Application Form: Prospectus obtained from reception on payment of Rs 750/-
Application Deadline: 29 July 2010
Scholarship
Department for the Welfare of SC/ST/OBC/ Minority, IInd Floor, B-Block, Vikas Bhawan, I.P. Estate, New Delhi-110002
www.minorityaffairs.gov.in / www.scstwelfare.delhigovt.nic.in / jeevandelhi.gov.in
Merit-Cum-Means Based Scholarship for 2010-11 (Fresh/Renewal)
(For students of NCT belonging to Minority Communities (Muslims / Sikh / Christian / Parsi & Buddhist) for pursuing technical or professional courses at UG / PG level)
1) Maintenance Allowances (10 Months)
2) Course Fee
Scholarship: For 1: Hosteller: Rs 1,000/- pm, Day Scholar Rs 500/- pm
For 2: Hosteller: Rs 20,000/- per annum, Day Scholar Rs 20,000/- per annum
Application Form: Online Application / collect from the above address
Details: Course Details on Websites
Application Deadline: 23 August 2010
National Council of Educational Research & Training (NCERT), Sri Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi 110016
www.ncert.nic.in
National Talent Search Exam (NTSE-2011)
Eligibility: Class 8 students
Selection: Stage I: State Level Written Exam (MAT & SAT): 21 November 2010
Stage II: National Level Exam (MAT & SAT): 08 May 2011 + Interview for qualified candidates
Scholarship: Rs. 500/- pm.
Application Form: Contact Liaison Officer (LOs) at nearest Regional Center / Download from website.
Details: Website
Application Deadline: 31 August 2010
Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS)
http://www.barc.ernet.in/webpages/brns/brns_fellowship.html
DR. K.S.Krishnan Research Associateship (KSKRA) – 22nd Batch
(Post-Doctoral Fellowship (PDF) Programme in Engg / Sciences Disciplines)
Eligibility: For Science disciplines: PhD / Submitted PhD Thesis
For Engineering disciplines: PhD / MTech with 2 Years R & D Work Exp / Submitted PhD Thesis
Age: 32 Years
Scholarships: Rs 20000/- with benefits for (2 Years)
Application Form: & Details: Employment News (24-31 2010 July), Website
Application Deadline: 1 September 2010
Sciences Biology
Institute of Bioinformatics & Applied Biotechnology (IBAB), Bangalore Biotech Park, Electronics City, Phase 1, Bangalore 560100 (Kar),
www.ibab.ac.in
1) PG Diploma in Bioinformatics (1½ years)
2) PG Diploma in Cheminformatics (1½ years)
3) PG Diploma in Biotechniques (8–14 months, Internships)
Eligibility: For 1 & 2: UG / PG in (Science / Engg / Tech / Medicine / Agri)
For 3: UG / PG in Life Sciences Subjects
Selection: Entrance Exam: 18-20 Aug 2010 / Interview: 14-16 Sept 2010
Application Form & Details: Website
Application Deadline: 16 August 2010
Sciences - Social
MIT School of Government, S. No. 124, Ex-Serviceman's Colony, Paud Road, Kothrud, Pune 411038 (Mah)
www.mitsog.com
Master’s Programme in Government (1 Year, Full-time)
Eligibility: Graduates
Application Form &Details: Website
Sports & Fitness
Government College of Yoga Education and Health, Sector-23, Chandigarh, (Punj) (Affiliated to Panjab University, Chandigarh)
PG Diploma in Yoga Therapy (2010-11)
Eligibility: BA / BSc / BCom / equivalent with 50%
Selection: Merit
Application Form: Visit the above address
Application Deadline: 20 August 2010
Teaching & Education
National Institute for the Visually Handicapped, 116, Rajpur Road, Dehradun 248001 (Utt) (M/o Social Justice & Empowerment, GoI)
www.nivh.in
1) BEd Special Education (Visual Impairment) (1 Year)
2) MEd Special Education (Visual Impairment) (1 Year)
Eligibility: For 1: Any recognized Bachelors/Masters degree with min 50%
For 2: BEd Special Education (Visual Impairment) or equivalent with min 50% / BEd General + Diploma Course in Special Education (one year) recognized by Rehabilitation Council of India with min 50% in each course
Age: For 1: at least 20 Years on (1 October 2010)
For 2: at least 21 Years on (1 October 2010)
Selection: Entrance Test: 25 August 2010
Application Form: Send Rs.350/- by DD favoring ”The Director, NIVH” payable at Dehradun to above address.
Details: Website
Application Deadline: 13 August 2010
University
Ambedkar University Delhi, Sector 9, Dwarka, New Delhi 110077
www.aud.ac.in
1) MA Development studies
2) MA Environment and Development
3) MA Gender Studies
Application Form: Download from website.
Details: Website
Application Deadline: For 1 & 2: 2 August 2010
For 3: 9 August 2010
Jamia Milia Islamia, Maulana Mohamud Ali Jauhar Marg, New delhi-110025
www.jmi.nic.in
Distance & Open Learning Admissions for 2010-11 Sessions
1) BEd
2) BA
3) DEE
4) DPGE
5) MA (Hindi / English / Sociology / History)
6) PG / Advanced / Certificate Courses
Selection: For 1: Entrance Test
For 2: Merit
Application Form: Send Rs.500 for Bed / DEE / DPGE/ (with additional Rs-100) / Rs 300/- for BA (with additional Rs 100) / Rs 200/- for MA, BCom, BBI, / BIBF / PGDGC / DFCCE / ADCHNT / CCIT (with additional 100/-)-by DD favoring ”Jamia Milia Islamia” payable at New Delhi / at above address.
Details: Websites
Application Deadline: For 1: 3 Sept 2010
For 2: 8 September 2010
For 3 & 4: 9 Sept 2010
For 5: 24 Sept 2010
For 6: 30 Sept 2010
Vocational
Air Force Vocational College, 412 Air Force Station, Indian Air Force, Old Wellington Camp, Race Course, New Delhi-110003
Job Oriented Courses (Govt recognized)
‘O’ level Computer Courses (DOEACC) / Early Childhood Care & Education (SCERT) / NIOS (Secretarial Practice / Cutting, Tailoring & Dress Making / Textile Designing0 / Travel, Tourism, Ticketing Mgt / PG Diploma in Computer Applications / Beauty Culture By Shehnaz Hussain / Foreign Language / Personality Development / English Conversation / Certificate Courses in Computers
Application Form: For further details visit the above address
Indian Institute of Handloom Technology, Chowkaghat, Varanasi, 221002 (UP) (M/o Textiles, GoI)
PG Diploma in Textile Processing (2010-11) (18 Months)
Eligibility: Degree/ Diploma (3 years) in Textile / Handloom Technology / Textile Chemistry / Home Science (with Textile / Clothing / Fibre Science / Man Made Fibre Technology / Man Made Fibre Manufacturing) / BSc Chemistry (Hons) with 55%, 50% in Textile Chemistry / Final Year Diploma Holders in Handloom Technology
Selection: Merit
Scholarship: Rs 500/- PM
Application Form: Send application in prescribed format with attested copies of mark sheets of all 3 years with caste certificates, Transfer certificates of institutions last attended.
Application Deadline: 14 August 2010
MSME Tool Room, Central Institute of Hand Tools, GT Road Bye Pass Jhalandar-144008 (Punj)
www.ciht.in
Training Courses
1) CNC Milling Machine (3 Months)
2) CNC Lathe Machine (3 Months)
3) Machinist (6 months)
4) Fitter (6 months)
5) Welder (6 months)
6) Electrician (6 months)
7) Auto Cad (60 hrs)
8) CAD/Cam (2 months)
9) Computer Hardware & Networking (1 Month)
10) Programmable Logic Controller & Applications (1 Month)
11) Micro-Controller Embedded Systems & Applications (1 Month)
12) Personality (1 Month)
13) Chemist Analyst of Iron & Steel (1 Month)
14) Measurement & Calibration (1 Month)
Eligibility: For 1&2: ITI pass in Mech Trade
For 3: ITI pass in specified trade
For 4: Class 10 / 10+2 / ITI pass
For 5&6: Class 8 / 10 / 10+2 / ITI pass
For 7: Degree / Diploma / ITI
For 8: Degree / Diploma in Engg / ITI
For 9,10,11,12,13,14: BSc / Degree / Diploma / ITI / 10+2 / 10th
Application Form & Details: Website
Application Deadline: 16 August 2010
Central Tool Room & Training Centre, B-36, Chandaka Industrial area, Bhubaneswar-751024 (Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, GoI)
www.cctc.gov.in
1) Condensed Certificate Course in Tool & DIE Making (1 Year)
2) Certificate in CNC Machining (1 Year)
Eligibility: For 1: Matriculation / 10+2 / ITI Fitter
For 2: ITI pass in trade of Machinist / Turner
Section: First come first serve basis
Application Form: Application Form: Send Rs 1000/- by DD favouring “Central Tool Room & Training Centre”, Bhubaneswar, with Bio-Data, Copies of Mark Sheets, Certificates and two passport size photographs to the above address.
Details: Website
Application Deadline: For 1: Course Starting 10 August 2010
For 2: Course Starting 1 September 2010
Pervin Malhotra,
Director, Career
Guidance India (CARING)
(www.careerguidanceindia.com)
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