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subject matter: women's studies
in conversation: aircraft maintenance engineering
Happiness @ work
CAREER HOTLINE
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Tread a different line online
Whether you are a student, a stay-at-home mom, working professional or on a sabbatical, upgrading one’s skill was never this easy, thanks to the boom in the number of companies, universities and websites offering online courses. The clear advantage of online courses is the fact that these can be tailored to fit one’s subject, skill set, time availability and pocket.
Rahul Wallia, Chairman and Managing Director, CIPL, Corporate Infocom says, “Anyone who aspires to touch the peak of his career graph has to constantly keep on upgrading his skills. The technique of upgrading any skill is crucial because it is what makes you stand out in a competitive crowd. This is where online courses come into play as they save time too.” Gaurav Pal, CEO ,Intelivisto Consulting India Pvt. Ltd. that is providing a number of online courses says, “The e-learning segment has been growing at a rapid pace of about 27.9 per cent for the past three years. As many as 100 new e-learning companies have been started in the last three years, taking the total number of companies offering online courses in India to over 140”. The popularity of e-learning has even reached corporate India and they are using it to train their employees, and the credit for this goes to the potential and efficacy of this platform. But before you plunge headlong into an online course, do some ground checks. Online courses require self-motivation, as adhering to strict deadlines for assignment submissions is one’s own call.
Technical support
As soon as you enrol for a course you will be required to check software and hardware essentials. Usually this will be done by way of a list given to the students with specific requirements. For a successful virtual course, one needs to have a functional computer system and all the software requirements. Webinars, audio instructions and queries form an integral part of any online course, therefore in order to take full advantage of the course stay updated about the technical requirements. Class assignment and projects or feedback for your course should ideally be stored in separate folders as a ready reckoner and preferably made into duplicate copies too. Don’t forget to keep the telephone numbers of the technical support staff handy!
Professionalism
The professional standards required to do a course in a regular mode, are applicable in a virtual classroom too. In fact, even more so as, the people one shares a virtual platform with are more often than not total strangers to the candidate, sometimes even belonging to different countries. The code of conduct while sharing your views, ways of addressing each other and asking questions should follow the pattern of standard etiquette and social conventions to make the proceedings of the course beneficial and not obstructive.
Instructional process
The nature of instruction in each online course varies from institution to institution. The onus lies on the student to follow the instructions given in the website and ask relevant queries regarding, credit or non-credit courses, fee, duration and nature of instructions. Going through the FAQs of the website helps answer the most esoteric queries sometimes. Repeating the course and the effect on fees, language options of instructions, tutoring aid etc. are some common queries that can be found on public forums also.
Authenticity and relevance
The onus of finding out the authenticity of the course that one wishes to pursue lies with oneself only. Read the course outline, requirements, certifications and fee regulations carefully before committing to it. Visit social networking sites on the relevant organisation’s page, grievances on websites, feedback and observations on public forums, word-of-mouth and reference check are also some of the steps that one must take to secure a hassle free future virtual course. With the ever changing professional environment that one inhabits now, there is a constant need for updating skills and knowledge. With time constraints owing to deadlines, work pressures and being constantly on the move, online course is the answer to your up skilling issues. The fee of different courses also varies from institute to institute and may be anywhere between Rs 4000 for a short-term course to Rs 15,000 for a certificate or diploma programmes. The boom of courses offers something for everyone. Take your pick from some of the sought after online courses. However, before committing your time and money to secure your virtual aim, don’t forget to read between the instruction lines of the website.
Courses to go for Learn French
Massive Open Online Course
These are the courses offered by top institutions in the US and some of these courses are free unless one wants to do them to earn credits. The advantage is that these are flexible. Information on these courses is on your fingertips on www.educationusa.info in the distance education tag. Contacting the location appropriate advising centre is also recommended for further information on these courses, across varied fields of study.
Online goes Hands-On!
www.Intelivisto.com, an online platform offers extensive learning tools for professional certifications like NCFM, NISM, MCCP and IRDA. Additionally, the company also understands needs and challenges of the financial market and trains users by providing CISI (Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment-an offshoot of London Stock Exchange), Internationally Certified Financial Market Professional (CFMP) and Certified Stock Market Professional
(CSMP) courses.
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smart strategy: sharing with co-workers
When you are part of an organisation, you will have colleagues and it is natural to be more close to some of those you work with. Confiding work issues and even personal problems generally happens between colleagues, but is not a good idea according to management gurus. Workplace is not the place to strike friendships. Whatever the relationship and bond that you share with your colleagues, you should never forget the fact that you work together. And at work, it is a rat race to get to the top. Your friend from work, who is actually your colleague would be aspiring to get to the top, just like you and this is why there should always be some barrier with regards to what you do share with your colleague.
You can talk about several things but there are certain boundaries that should never be crossed. This strategy will help you stay on top of things and keep your place in the organisation secure because you never know when your colleague might use your secrets against you to race to the top. A few things that you should never tell your colleagues are:
While confiding in a close friend at work is usually okay, sharing too much information isn’t. Be judicious about whom you talk to, particularly when it comes to discussing problems with your spouse or other family members. If you do decide to share personal information with your co-workers, make sure to do it away from where customers and clients can overhear you.
If you like your job, you should avoid dating with your co-workers. When work relationships don’t work out, awkwardness is usually the only outcome. Many people have been forced to quit their jobs or asked for a transfer due to this very reason.
Most people don’t realise the impact on their professional image when talking of these things. So stay clear of these to have a smooth career progression. Workplace is a social environment where, you are expected to be a professional. Remember that a cocktail of business interests and friendship can be fatal.
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subject matter: women's studies
The recent rape cases in the capital have left the entire nation in shock and horror, so much so that we saw people taking out their emotions come out in the streets.
Is this the answer? No, comes the reflex response. Then what is? We as a nation should be mindful of the rights of the fairer sex. In case you earnestly desire to rectify the lopsidedness of genders, you need to be aware of women’s studies as a discipline. Women’s Studies draws from several social sciences disciplines. It takes one back to the genesis of society, the way it was fabricated and how roles have been defined over a long period of time and how power dynamics changed.
Courses and institutes
Students can choose to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degree in this subject and further go in for M.Phil and PhD to find better opportunities, in universities and other educational institutions. Master’s in this subject can prove as a catalyst for cracking the Civil Services examinations. Many Indian universities offer women’s studies or gender studies as part of their under-graduate programme in social sciences. At the postgraduate level the scope for in-depth studies is limited to specialisation in specific gender issues. Avenues for research, however, tend to widen after the master’s level. To facilitate research, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has sponsored a number of study centers in universities these include:
Job scape
Businesses have realised that in order to add value to the corporate pie building better workplaces goes a long way in leaving a footprint in market. Understanding women and gender issues helps in significantly escalating a company’s brand and goodwill that, in turn, build the virtuous cycle of increased productivity and performance. So, today, employers are more than willing to hire those with a degree in this subject for different roles in their organisations. The following sector spectrum lies open to a student of this field: Arts and media: Women’s studies programmes teach written and oral communication skills, organisation and sensitivity to marginalised groups. These attributes can be used in visual arts and writing careers. Students may also venture into publishing or editing a feminist newsletter, working for a PR firm, grant-writing or advocating for positive images of women in the media. It has been observed that women tend to make the most of the buying decisions, often selecting the kinds of goods they bring into their households. Therefore, companies that want to maintain a positive relationship with their female customers have started recruiting PR professionals with exposure to this course. Education: Many colleges and universities are expanding their women’s studies departments to meet the growing. This increases the demand for teachers in this field. Law: As a graduate in this subject the knowledge of power relationships and social justice issues prepares students to work in law and government positions. Options are available in public and private sector organisations whose clients are primarily women and girls. One can get openings in government agencies, NGOs or practise as public interest lawyer, affirmative action lawyer, women’s advocacy group employee or as law enforcement officer. Many who major in this subject choose to advocate for social change. You may work for human rights organisations. You can also pursue a career that puts you in direct contact with the victims of domestic abuse, hate crimes, or other acts of violence. Attorneys who complement their law school studies with a concentration or a degree in women’s studies can unlock the potential to work with a variety of specialised cases. As the general public becomes more aware of long-term challenges such as sexual harassment, discrimination, and domestic violence, attorneys who build a reputation for handling sensitive cases can build strong specialty practices. Counseling: Your collaborative work skills, problem-solving, analytical-thinking skills can dovetail into counseling and can be used in careers such as parenting skills educator, drug and alcohol addictions counselor, director of teen mothers’ programme, director of domestic violence prevention agency, vocational counselor, elderly services worker and aide at a rape awareness and assistance center to name a few. Journalism: A degree in this subject can arm you with a valuable and unusual perspective regarding current events. You can use your writing, interviewing, and research skills to report on issues facing women, as well as on the ways that women impact society. Today’s journalists must assure their audience that issues facing women deserve as much respect and attention as issues facing men. Corporate Social Responsibility: Though there has been an increasing awareness and a sea change in the condition of women over the past few decades, the balance is still tilted in favour of the patriarchal world order. Many women still work in substandard conditions for unacceptable salaries. Women’s Studies majors work with labour organisations and identify employers who exploit women or otherwise fail to provide mandatory health and welfare benefits for their female employees. You can lobby for daycare facilities in factories, extended maternity leave, and other important benefits. You can work with private, government and International NGOs, community based groups or lead in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of public and private
companies. — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
Who is it meant for
This is a road that would take one on the path of a lucrative career besides helping one to be an evolved citizen.
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in conversation: aircraft maintenance engineering
What is the role and responsibility of an aircraft maintenance engineer? Aircraft maintenance engineer is solely responsible for the maintenance and overhaul of aircraft, aero engine, instruments, electrical and radio equipment and their accessories. He issues the certificate of flight release which declares the aircraft air worthy and fit for flying. How are technical training license courses different from a four-year degree course in this field? Unlike the four-year engineering courses which require approval from AICTE, Aircraft Maintenance Engineering — Technical Training License Courses are of three-year duration and institutes offering such courses need approvals from Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India. DGCA is the Indian regulatory body responsible for aviation safety issues and it coordinates all regulatory functions with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). What is the minimum qualification required to get admission to this course? One needs to have passed minimum Plus II/Intermediate with physics, chemistry & mathematics or its equivalent from any recognised board/university. What are the basic components of these courses? The period of training in the DGCA-approved training institute are counted as maintenance experience for the purpose of computing total aeronautical experiences. These training courses are primarily differentiated in Mechanical & Avionics streams and broadly come under: Mechanical stream (Aeroplane and Powerplants) —comprising Light Aircraft (LA), Heavy Aircraft (HA), Piston Engine (PE) and Jet Engine (JE). Mechanical stream (Helicopter and Powerplants) —comprising Rotary Wing Aircraft (RA), Piston Engine (PE) and Jet Engine (JE). Avionics stream— comprising Electrical System (ES), Instrument System (IS) and Radio Navigation System (RN). The AME training courses are designed to give the students a comprehensive knowledge of aircraft, its systems and good maintenance practices to enable the students to become skilled and competent aircraft maintenance professionals. The syllabi cover: Knowledge of Aircraft Manual (India), Civil Aviation Requirements, Airworthiness Advisory Circulars etc. Theoretical and practical technical knowledge of design, construction, maintenance and operation of aircraft, engines, systems and aircraft materials used in the construction of airframes, engines and accessories. Knowledge of engineering practices and skill in the use of various equipment, general and special tools used in aircraft maintenance. What are the main points that students should keep in mind before enroling for this course? These are very specialised training courses and one needs to choose an institution very carefully. While DGCA approval is a mandate, the institute’s campus infrastructure becomes vital for all practical purposes. The institutes offering such courses should have their own set of Aircrafts within the campus. The in-house On-the-Job Training is usually provided on the aircrafts like Bonanza A-35, Heavy pressurized Aircraft Hawker HS-125, Learjet-24, Helicopter SA-318C, and Eurocopter EC-120B. Teaching faculty should be highly qualified with extensive work experience in various airlines to impart quality. What are the job prospects for students who earn this degree? The sector is promising and placements are never a problem after successful completion of this course.
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Cool Counsel
Each engineering aspirant dreams of getting admission to the Indian Institutes of Technology and many slog for years to make this dream a rweality but it is just a handful that actually make the cut. So is not making to an IIT the nend of the road fro one’s dreams of being a top notch engineer?
Absolutely not. If you fail to clear the exam, take heart; you just need to think beyond the IIT tag and explore the other opportunities waiting for you. Remember even in IITs there are a few branches that no one covets and many students who opt for these just to get the IIT tag struggle a lot in the job market later on as they don’t get the desired jobs even after having a degree from an IIT. So give space to your vision to look beyond the top IITs. There are quite a few colleges that are offering BTech courses. It is, however, imperative that the quality of the candidates passing out is good. There are many areas of specialisation available to students. A bouquet of technology institutes offer courses that are much in demand. Engineers are required in various sectors like IT, Electronics, Core sector, Research Field etc. India being a developing country is considered to be a popular destination to get good BTech graduates. The demand for these candidates is always high. The starting salaries might not be as high as those that IITians get, but with a BTech degree from these institutes, you’ll be set on a career path to rival that of any IITian. These institutes do not reflect the individual aptitude of the student going to these colleges, since most of the students study with the intention of getting into prestigious colleges, achieving a particular rank and then getting a highly paid job. Their main focus is not on being a learned individual or a smarter person. They are simply not aware that institutes such as the Indian School of Mines University (ISMU) in Dhanbad are as good as the IITs. Besides, in recent times, they have introduced a lot of fresh job-oriented courses. Just like the ISMU, a handful of other institutes offer coveted BTech degrees in subjects as varied as mining and petroleum engineering, leather technology, plastics technology, dairy technology and aerospace engineering. Institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIIT) in Allahabad, Gwalior and Hyderabad also offer courses in such popular subjects as information technology, computer science, electronics and communications engineering. There is a need to look at alternatives beyond the IITs, which offer a BTech degree in information technology, electronics and communications engineering. It is the lack of technical higher education institutions in India that leave students with little choice. This is probably why many people do not think beyond IIT. Even someone like Narayana Murthy is not an IIT graduate, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from National Institute of Technology, University of Mysore. Azim Premji recognised by Business Week as one of the greatest entrepreneurs is not an IIT graduate. How often do we talk about the thousands of IITians who did not make it big and are ordinary citizens in the country? Everybody who goes to IIT does not make it big. Vinod Dham, developer of the Pentium chip is not from IIT. Indira Nooyi, one of the world’s highest paid executives is not an IITian. Gurbaksh Chahal, one of the most successful Indian-American entrepreneurs is not an IITian. People go to IITs not only for good academic development but for complete all-round development. What is rewarded in life is hard work irrespective of where one is. All above mentioned achievers worked very hard to become the one of the most successful people. Being a topper in a good engineering college is always better than being an average student in an IIT. You have such opportunities in at least 30- 40 engineering colleges in India. It takes a lot of hard work and diligence to score well in IIT, if the same hard work and effort is put in some other institute, life can become easier and you manage better percentage. IIT is not the end of the world. Even if you do not get a good enough rank, do not get dejected. Most importantly don’t let failure take over you. Have an aim and be passionate about it. Dont fret... remember, sorrow looks back... worry looks around but faith looks AHEAD..! What is rewarded in life? From a world-class musicians like Pt. Zakir Hussain, to Infosys chairman Mr Narayan Murthy, to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, one thing stands true to all these greats, i.e. they worked for hours and hours and days and nights in their chosen fields. They were passionate about what they did. And that is how they became the
best. — The writer is Director, Aakash Educational Services Ltd
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work station
You go to cover a speech by a visiting dignitary. It’s a busy workday and you plan to head straight back to the office after the event. But you see some people that you’d like to talk to further as they could be beneficial future sources. So you spend an extra hour or two there instead of rushing back to work. Are you being professional? Would just an extra half hour spent in networking been enough, instead of two? The answer is open to interpretation and we start to enter the ‘grey’ area of shadows and mirrors.
And as usual, when in doubt turn first to the dictionary. Who is a professional? By a simple Merriam-Webster definition if you follow a vocation for gain or livelihood, you are a professional. And professional conduct? When we refer to someone as being professional, we usually attribute to that person the conduct and qualities that mark a profession. In addition, we perceive her or him to have a “courteous, conscientious and generally businesslike manner in the workplace”. Does the definition above really clear doubts about what exactly professional behaviour is? What does “generally businesslike” really mean and does this behaviour stop when one steps out of the workplace? A review of the opinions of various management gurus makes it a little easier to get a handle on this dilemma. For them, acting in a professional manner is all about being an expert at your job, being ethical in your dealings, being respectful to the professionalism of others and being responsible to society at large. But as real life shows, it’s virtually impossible to be100 per cent professional. Or even if it is possible to have such a definition. Professionalism draws on ethics and ethical behaviour as we’ve previously seen is mediated by the individual. You have to decide what is ‘professional’ according to the best dictates of your conscience. During my ‘professional’ years in the USA, I once attended a salespersons retreat where for a couple of days we attended training sessions, listened to motivation speakers and partook of the generous hospitality of the organisers. It was a good opportunity to mix and network with people who shared your career interests. While most participants conducted themselves professionally, a few had decided to take the ‘social’ element of the retreat a little too seriously. Usually to be found in the wine-tasting tents or hovering around the barbeque grills, these happy fellows bombarded one and all with tales of their sales prowess and tally of cars sold. Some among them were known ‘star’ performers with proven track records and definitely knew what they were doing. But could they be faulted for not being professional? After all, they were socialising and making new contacts at a social event. And isn’t a salesperson supposed to be social? The opinions on this may vary, but one thing is certain — professionalism definitely involves the ‘social context’, as opposed to the purely individual opinion. Every aspect of your bearing and conduct conveys professionalism, or a lack of it. Being respectful of others’ time and privacy at work, pitching in with a little extra work as a good team-player and avoiding (as much as possible) office intrigue all contribute towards professionalism. For a truly professional person these traits become a part of his basic personality.
— The writer is an Organisational Identity and Personnel Development Consultant
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Canada opens skilled worker programme
Canada has re-opened the Federal Skilled Worker Programme (FSWP) allowing people enlisted in 24 occupations’ list released few days ago.
The Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister made an announcement to this effect last week under which the maple country will start taking applications from the enlisted people from May 4 onwards.
Commenting on the new development Col B.S Sandhu, CMD, World Wide Immigration Consultancy Services (WWICS) said, “The Canadian government’s focus is on specific occupations, which are experiencing labour shortages in Canada, to boost its economy. The country is now looking for immigrants who come skilled and can gel with the work culture of country as soon as they arrive. As only 5,000 applications will be entertained, it will mean 300 applications in each of the 24 occupations on the list will be accepted. Elaborating on the newly released list Colonel Sandhu added that four organisations had been designated to conduct educational credential assessments (ECA), which is mandatory for applicants submitting foreign educational credentials. Applicants must show proof that they meet the minimum threshold of Canadian Language Benchmark 7 in all four language skill areas: speaking, reading, writing and oral comprehension. The four organisations given ECA task include Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, International Credential Assessment Service of Canada,World Education Services and Medical Council of Canada. These have been designated to provide now-required independent third party assessments of foreign educational credentials for applicants who studied outside of Canada. The ECA process will help determine if the foreign educational credential is authentic and equivalent to a completed credential in Canada,” he said. Aspiring applicants must start process of getting an ECA before May 4 if they are planning to submit a foreign educational credential.
List of occupations
Engineering managers, financial and investment analysts, geoscientists and oceanographers, civil engineers, mechanical engineers, chemical engineers, mining engineers, geological engineers, petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, computer engineers (except software engineers /designers), land surveyors, computer programmers and interactive media developers, industrial instrument technicians and mechanics, inspectors in public and environmental health and occupational health and safety, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical laboratory technologists, medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants, respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists, medical radiation technologists, medical sonographers, cardiology technicians and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists, n.e.c. (not elsewhere classified).
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Doctorate programmes
Teri University is inviting applications for enrolment to its PhD in Research Themes — Natural Resources, Human-Natural systems, Policy and Governance, Sustainability Management, Plant Biotechnology, Renewable Energy, etc. Eligibility: Master’s degree in relevant field or BE/BTech Selection process: Written test and personal interview How to apply: Download application form from University website (www.teriuniversity.ac.in); apply online or obtain form from campus. Tuition Fee: 12, 000 per semester Deadline: May 31, 2013 Check out: www.teriuniversity.ac.in MSc mechanical engineering The University of Sheffield, UK, invites applications for MSc Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management course The course: This one-year full-time course aims to create engineering professionals with strong technical and leadership skills and is intended for all those engineering students who are interested in pursuing a management career within the industry. The course is divided into two semesters and combines advanced mechanical engineering subjects with management modules which have been specially designed for engineers. Eligibility: A four-year bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related course with a minimum of 60 per cent or first class from a reputed university will be considered. Excellent qualifications in other Science or Engineering subjects such as physics or maths, or an appropriate professional experience, will also be considered. IELTS is the preferred test of language. Students with IELTS score of 7 and TOEFL score of 95 will be given preference. However, applicants with IELTS 6.5, with at least 6 in each of the component tests or a TOEFL score of 91 (IBT) with at least 22 in reading, 23 in speaking and 21 in listening and writing will also be considered. Fees: The fee for the programme is £16, 750 Deadline: June 31, 2013. Check out: www.shef.ac.uk/mecheng/prospectivemsc/indman.
PG Diploma in economics
The Indian School of Business and Finance (ISBF) invites applications for admissions to the one-year PG Diploma in Economics from the University of London – London School of Economics. ISBF is an affiliate centre of the University of London (UoL). with academic direction from the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE). Eligibility: Three-year full time graduation degree. Students appearing for their final year exams in 2013 may also apply. All applicants must demonstrable proficiency in English and mathematics. Selection process: Admissions are based on good prior academic record and performance at the Personal interview conducted by the ISBF Admissions Committee. How to apply: Online Check out:
www.applytoisbf.com
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Computing for Business course
The University of Stirling in central Scotland will be launching a new postgraduate course in Computing for Business this September. The course, offered as a post-graduate diploma or MSc, will allow participants to prepare for a successful career in IT management. The course director, Dr Mario Kolberg, said, “This programme has been designed with the demands of the job market in mind. The combination of business and computing skills is highly sought after and will equip students for a highly successful career in IT management.” Computing for Business comprises two 15-week semesters of taught modules, a winter programming assignment over three weeks in January, and the MSc project over three months at the end. Practical work is a key component in this course. It builds from self-contained tasks in Semester 1, over the larger winter programming assignment, to a group project in Semester Finally, the dissertation project is the largest piece of work, which leads to the MSc dissertation. During the course students will gain specific vocational skills in the design and development of computer applications and networks, plus expertise in managing teams and projects as well as business processes. Students will be offered a choice of computing and business modules, so that they can adapt the course to their previous experience. Interested students can get further details on http://stir.ac.uk/by.
— TNS
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Offer for bio students
University of Queensland offers postgraduate coursework scholarships for Indian students in the field of biotechnology, bioinformatics or molecular biology. These scholarships are intended for new students and are not available for students who have already commenced studies at the university. Eligibility: An applicant is eligible for the scholarship, if the applicant -
Number of award(s): Two Details: Approximately AUD$ 14800 per year, based on an indicative annual fee of AUD$ 29600. Selection criteria: The successful applicant will be selected on academic achievement as well as the quality of their 500-word expression of interest How to apply: Download an application form via this link (Word) or this (PDF) and send by electronically. Deadline: October 31, 2013 for a semester 1 (February) commencement. Check out: www.scmb.uq.edu.au/scholarships
Young women in science initiative
L'Oréal India invites Class XII candidates from Delhi, NCR, Maharashtra and Karnataka to apply for the 11th edition of the 'For Young Women in Science' scholarship programme. L'Oréal India will award scholarships worth Rs 2.5 lakh each to 30 young women, granted over a period of four years for graduate studies in a scientific field from a recognised college or university in India. This scholarship is open for study in any field of science: medicine, engineering, information technology, pharmacy, biotechnology, and other graduate courses pertaining to science (BSc). The programme is an extension of the international L'Oreal UNESCO for Women in Science partnership. Eligibility: Young women who have passed their Class XII exams from Delhi/ NCR(Gurgaon, Ghaziabad, Noida, Faridabad)/ Maharashtra and Karnataka, in the current academic year (ended March 2013), with a minimum of 85 per cent in PCM/PCB and not over 19 years of age on 31.05.2013 are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Procedure: Application forms can be downloaded from www.foryoungwomeninscience.com or can be collected from L'Oréal India Pvt. Ltd., A - Wing, 8th Floor, Marathon Futurex, N.M Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400 013. Deadline: June 30, 2013 Check out: www.foryoungwomeninscience.com
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Gems of ancient wisdom Just do it
On getting the job of a naturalist at the museum, Bird Man of India Salim Ali realised he needed to “study birds properly”. On an impulse he wrote to Berlin University. The offer was accepted and he got an opportunity to study birds with Prof Erwin Stresemann at Heligoland, a small island in the North Sea. Narendranath’s ardent desire to see God first took him to Devendranath Tagore, leader of the Brahmo Samaj. He simply asked Devendranath Tagore, “Have you seen God?” On getting an unsatisfactory answer, he approached many parsons and pundits. Finally, he asked Ramakrishna Paramhans the same thing. The seer answered, “Of course. I see Him more clearly than I see you. You can also see Him.” Under Ramakrishna’s guidance, Narendranath became Vivekananda. When scientist Jagadis Chandra Bose heard that the Royal Society was publishing his papers, he desired to go to Europe to observe the work going on in his field. So his wife Abala suggested to him to write to the authorities. A few days later, the British Association of Scientists invited him to speak at their Liverpool session. One morning, Sher Afghan, an officer in the Mughal army, saw a beautiful woman on a “runaway” horse and “saved” her. But the woman — Mehrunnisa who later became Empress Noor Jahan — clarified that the horse’s gallop was part of the morning exercise. Later, Sher Afghan presented a tiger to Mughal Emperor Akbar. A strong wind blew away the veil of Mehrunnisa, who was accompanying Akbar, into the tiger’s enclosure. Without a moment’s delay, Sher Afghan “rescued” the veil. On seeing his officer’s bravery, Akbar allowed him a request. As he was already smitten by Mehrunnisa, he asked Akbar for her hand in marriage. From their wedding, Sher and Mehrunnisa had a daughter called Ladli. Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find, promises the Bible (Mathew 7.7). — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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CAREER HOTLINE
Options for doctorate in management
A. Doctoral programmes in management and related disciplines are offered at all leading B-schools and also at several premier Technology Institutions and universities. The programmes are ideally suited for the academically inclined who have some professional experience, intellectual curiosity and discipline, which are the prerequisites for any scholarly inquiry. These programmes are not limited only to management students, and, in fact, they encourage students from diverse backgrounds to apply and join. These are ideal for those who wish to go into teaching, advanced research or training as well as for those looking at consulting or post-research benefits abroad. While, universities (and affiliated colleges) and degree-awarding institutes like the IITs offer a “PhD” in Management, IIMs, XLRI, ISB and other stand-alone institutes offer a Fellow Programme in Management (FPM). The difference between a PhD and FPM is similar to the distinction between an MBA and PGDM. Arguably, the number of prestigious FPMs may be higher than that of PhDs. Do keep in mind though that for securing teaching positions in universities and colleges, UGC mandates that you have a PhD, while a private B-School and even the IIMs will readily appoint both an FPM and a PhD. Regardless of nomenclature, doctoral programmes in management are structured so as to introduce students to major functional and general management areas and provide a thorough understanding of the concepts and theories underlying management practices. The first two years of the programme are devoted to course work and the rest to qualifying exams followed by dissertation work. Where to study
Typical eligibility criteria: Master’s degree (any discipline) or a professional qualification (e.g. CA, ICWA, CS) with at lease 55 per cent, or a BE/BTech (4-yr) with at least 60 per cent marks or equivalent GPA Typical selection procedure: The selection to a doctoral programme is based on assessing the suitability of a candidate for research work based on the candidate’s portfolio and performance in the interview. Consistently
good academic record, professional accomplishments, research interest etc are of particular importance. Most institutes will use the scores of any of the following exams as the first-level of screening: CAT / XAT / GMAT / GRE / GATE, with some institutes also accepting UGC-CSIR NET scores. Specialisations offered: While specialisations offered will vary from university to university and B-school to B-school, the typical areas usually offered are Behavioural Sciences, Finance & Control, Human Resource Management, Management Information Systems, Strategic Management, Marketing, Operations Management, Public Policy & Management, Economics, Operations Research & Systems Analysis.
What is the scope after graduation in microbiology?
A. Microbiology occupies a central place in life sciences as it seeks to explain all phenomena of life at the molecular level. A microbiologist investigates the role of micro organisms in human and animal diseases, seeking ways to prevent and cure them. This is a highly challenging and fascinating interdisciplinary science which overlaps with other areas of biology, and chemistry like microbiology and particularly genetics and biochemistry. The general study of microbiology entails the study of the basic features of micro-organisms i.e. ecology, genetics, metabolism, physiology and structure. Cell biology studies the properties of cells, including their physiological properties, their structure, their organelles, interactions with their environment, their life cycle, division and death. Molecular and cellular biology are interrelated, since most of the properties and functions of a cell can be described at the molecular level. Like all other life sciences, it examines and solves a broad range of critical biological problems i.e. designing, producing and testing new drugs to treat AIDS, cancer, asthma, diabetes or new peptides to fight bacterial infection. A lot of work is under way in new areas such as gene mapping, gene therapy and drug delivery systems using advanced DNA technologies. Starting from the evolution of the cell and small molecules, your study of microbiology at the bachelor’s level would have covered energy, biosynthesis, macromolecules, protein function, basic genetic mechanisms, recombinant DNA technology, control of gene expression membrane, ionic basis of membrane excitability, intracellular compartments and protein sorting, cell signalling, the cytoskeleton, maintenance of tissues, and the immune system. At the master’s level you’ll learn various computational methods, including molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, pharmacophore mapping and modelling (plotting the spatial arrangement of a small number of atoms or functional groups) and some software packages. Theory will be complemented with considerable lab work and experiments. Some of the specialisations in microbiology are:
If you’re fascinated by the beauty and intricacies of the tiniest life forms and are prepared to work hard, this can be an extremely challenging and promising field. You will essentially work on research programmes at institutes, pharmaceutical and agri-biotech firms and universities to provide accurate and reliable diagnostic data based on modern molecular methods to cure various diseases and develop new and high yielding breeds of plants. You could even work as a DNA fingerprinting expert or work on research projects at the global level. Be prepared to study till PhD-level though, if you want to be involved in serious, ground-breaking research. This will also open up options for you to work in research and development (R&D) departments in industry, public sector laboratories, universities and hospitals. Research organisations like CSIR, ICMR, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Institute of Science, Bhabha Atomic Research Center, Institute of Microbiology, Center for Cellular & Molecular Biology and defence labs recruit microbiologists. The food processing industry, biotech and bio-process based industries also require microbiologists in large numbers.
Is chemistry
a dull subject?
A. Just about everything we consume is obtained through a chemical process, all medicines are chemical derivatives and so are most cosmetics. Being a core or central field of science, chemistry overlaps physics at one end and biology at the other besides constituting basis for the material sciences. The greatest excitement for those involved in chemistry lies in formulating new substances and new combinations or properties like nylon or spandex (fibers that can be stretched from New York to London) or a solid that’s lighter than air or plastics that conduct electricity or hitting upon a simple cure for a dreadful disease or discovering the implications of the established laws of physics. Regardless of what the curriculum offers, what the present job market essentially requires are researchers trained in instrumentation based on chemical analysis. And like any pure science, chemistry is by no means an easy subject. However, a background in this subject will equip you to enter a wide spectrum of specialist applied fields, e.g. polymer science, food processing, environmental monitoring or the increasingly relevant area of biotechnology.
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This summer enrol for the free online French course like the one offered by www.bbc.co.uk under their languages section. With online lessons replete with audio, games, vocabulary, grammar explanations and exercises, this resource is hard to match up to so far as the convenience and the language experience it offers. The website boasts of online video lessons too. A storehouse of activities, worksheets and real time language experience to make your French near perfect!
In case you are wondering that this discipline is a ‘soft’ discipline, appropriate only for women, then you are mistaken. A deep sensitisation and a sense of responsibility is highly imperative for all of us regardless of gender, age or economic echelon. Taking Women’s Studies as an elected subject can help students hone skills for developing gender sensitivity and also clear the ground for sound public policy work.
The government’s green signal to FDI in aviation, the excitement and anticipation over Air Asia getting clearance to operate in India, growth of cargo and passenger traffic, and the Airport Authority of India’s robust performance in upgradation of airport infrastructure, especially in Tier II & Tier III cities, are just some of the factors that the aviation industry has to cheer about. Future prospects of this sector are very bright as Indian metros are strategically positioned to act as regional gateway and transit hubs between Eurasia and the Asia Pacific. The Airport Authority of India through its PPPs and JVs is continuously engaged in modernisation of 125 airports it manages to upgrade theseto world standards. All these factors have lead to an increased demand for trained manpower in the field of aircraft maintenance. However, the number of passouts with this qualification is much less than the demand. Besides the four-year BTech courses in aeronautical and aerospace engineering, there are short-term degree and diploma courses that students interested in getting into this industry can check out. In an interaction with J&C Vishwanath Singh, Director, IIA Group of Institutions talks about the three-year technical training courses in aircraft maintenance that can be an ideal platform for those wanting to make a career in this growing field. Excerpts:
Sometimes things don’t go your way because you hesitate — for the fear of rejection or failure — to take the first step in that direction. As the situation anyway is not conducive to you, a sincere effort may — at worst — be a status quo.
Q. Could you please help me out with some information about the colleges, institutions offering PhD in management and their admission procedure. —
Shaheen Khan 
Q. I am in the final year of BSc (microbiology) course and would like to pursue a master’s-level course in this field.
Can you guide me about the prospects and different specialisations in this field? —
Karan Sharma 
Q. What are the prospects for someone specialising in Chemistry? Is it a dull subject involving endless mugging up of formulae as we’ve been doing in school? —
Gauri Sharma