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DU 4-Year Undergraduate Programme
work station
hiring scene
Free Massive Open Online Courses
scholarship roundup course cruising
Happiness @ work
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DU 4-Year Undergraduate Programme
Changed scenario
So what is the difference and how do students benefit from this new programme? To begin with, the new format replaces the three-year graduation programme in that the student has a choice of two subjects, a major subject along with a minor in another discipline for additional knowledge. Other than the two subjects there will 11 Foundation Courses which are compulsory and which will give a broader inter-disciplinary learning perspective to the students. There are also a number of application courses for each subject of choice which will help students to apply their learning in the job market. The new programme will continue to be semester-based and will have two semesters every year, totalling eight semesters in four years. The assessment system is also likely to remain the same. The second revolutionary aspect of this programme is that the course offers several exit options. If you are unable to complete the course and decide to leave at the end of two years you will be given a Diploma for your two years of study. If you decide to leave after three years, you will get a Bachelor’s degree, while at the end of four years you will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree with Honours or a BTech degree. Interestingly, any student exiting with a Diploma ( two years) or Bachelor’s degree ( three years) can rejoin the course within 10 years and complete the Honours programme. Degree awarded: Students can select any subject which will be their main or major subject for Bachelor’s of Honours/BTech degree. All humanities, commerce and science, including applied sciences and mathematical science , subjects are covered in the Bachelor’s with Honours, while technical subjects like computers, electronics or polymer science will lead to a BTech degree. Psychology has also been brought into the realm of the BTech which means that if you take up the study of psychology you will qualify with a BTech in Psychological sciences. Major & Minor subjects: Students will study 20 papers of their major subject called Discipline I ( DC-I) through theory, methods and research based projects, and six papers in minor subjects of their choice called Discipline Courses-II (DC-II). An interesting part of the programme is that students, irrespective of their stream of specialisation, can choose from any of the inter-disciplinary options for their major and minor subjects. So a student of micro-biology can choose to pursue political science or history as Discipline II, while a student of English literature can choose to study physics, or even mathematics as a minor. Foundation Courses: Students will also be doing 11 Foundation courses which will add to their understanding of the country and the challenges of the work place and help build communication, IT and data-analysis skills. The foundation courses consist of language, literature, and creativity (Hindi/language/English); information technology, business, entrepreneurship, and management; governance and citizenship; psychology, communication and life skills; geography and socio-economic diversity; science and life; history, culture and civilisation; building mathematical ability and environment
and public health. These courses are designed to strengthen the educational base of students with a greater understanding of the challenges facing India. Through lectures, group projects and class presentations, it is expected that students will acquire both knowledge and ability in the areas being addressed. Application courses: From second semester onwards up to the fourth semester, there will also be four application courses (one per semester). The Applied courses are skill-based courses that will give practical knowledge which they can use in the work place. For instance, if a student chooses Bachelor’s in psychology, he will also be taught papers in stress management, decision-making, effective leadership and competence in communication. Applied courses will be useful for students who exit after two years with a Diploma.
What will you be studying ?
Year I — The main subject Discipline Course-1 (DC-1) will carry 33 per cent weightage while the remaining 67 per cent weightage will be given to compulsory Foundation Courses (FC). At the end of Semester 2, you will start your minor subject, Discipline II which will have six papers spread between semester 3 and 8. In the first year you will also be taking up seven foundation courses or FC (four in the first semester and three in second) and 1 Applied course in Language (Arabic/Bengali/English/Hindi/Persian/Pubjabi/Sanskrit/Urdu). Year II — In the second year, a student will continue the main subject or DC-1 which will now carry 34 per cent weightage alongwith minor courses or Discipline Courses-II (DC-II) with 16 per cent weightage. In addition, you will be further asked to take up smaller number of Foundation Courses carrying 34 per cent weightage. Also, two courses will have to be chosen from applied subjects. You will do four Applied Courses in the second and third years, with weightage of 16 and 20 per cent respectively. Year III — Weightage for the major subject changes in the third year: The main subject will receive 60 per cent weightage and the minor subject (DC-II) 20 per cent. There will be no more Foundation Courses and 20 per cent weightage will go to Applied Courses. If a student exits after the third year, he or she carries a Bachelor’s degree. Final year — Finally in the fourth year, major subject or DC-1 will be taught in-depth along with research methodology and a student will have to write a short dissertation. Students will be expected to do research/ project work and make a presentation of their work which will be monitored and evaluated for both communication and writing skills. This will carry 75 per cent weightage. The remaining 25 per cent weightage will go to minor or DC-II subject. This will result in a Bachelor with Honours degree or a B.Tech degree.
Getting in
To apply for admission you need to pick up an OCR form, along with a detailed information bulletin, available at Rs 100 at some of the colleges across the city. This pre-admission form, common to all colleges, asks for a candidate’s particulars, the marks he has scored, and his preferred subjects and colleges. You can mark your preferences for up to 10 courses on a single form. This form has to be submitted at the registration centres before the 19 June 2013. For courses that require an admission test, such as the Bachelor (Honours) in Management Studies (BMS), separate forms will have to be submitted in the individual colleges. Separate forms are also required if you are applying for places in the hostels, or for the Extra –curricular quota (ECA) or belong to the reserved categories. The colleges will announce their first admission list on 27 June, and if you have made it to the cut-off, you will need to pay the admission fees and reserve your seat before the second cut-off list is announced on 30 June, to prevent your name being struck off the list. If the seats for a particular course has not been filled, colleges announce a second list, and sometimes even a third list if they have empty seats still left in some courses. All DU colleges reserve seats for students who have been proficient in sports and extra-curricular activities like music, theatre etc. at school and can then represent their college at various inter-college and inter-university competitions and functions. The cut-off percentage required for candidates applying through the ECA quota is significantly lower, but to avail of this quota you need to have participated in district or state level events. There are trials for sports activities and auditions for music or theatre at the different colleges. There is much concern and consternation about the likely level of cut-off marks which has reached astronomical heights. For those students who cannot hope to compete with those figures there is some comfort in the fact that the new FYUP as it is being called will give you a range of skills that can be useful in the future irrespective of the college and course you
choose. — The writer is Director, Careers Smart, New Delhi
Pros and cons
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Power naps increase productivity
Gone are the days when your boss may have fired you or your reputation would have been adversely affected if you were found sleeping at your desk. At a growing number of multi-nationals and corporates across the country, short sleep on the job is now being considered a good thing. Sleep experts have also applauded this theory, in fact, more and more employers are encouraging the construction of a dorm room at the workplace.
Office naptime is becoming a common phenomenon at workplace across the world. Many MNCs and top corporates have started adopting and endorsing this practice for their employees. NASA has teamed up with the National Space Biomedical Research Institute and 91 volunteers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to teach astronauts how to nap better during long missions. For some, it’s a company perk akin to gym membership, or free lunch. Several recent studies reveal medical explanations about how power naps increase productivity. In 2010, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley confirmed that napping can improve the brain’s ability to retain information, noting that a middle-of-the-day reprieve “not only rights the wrong of prolonged wakefulness but, at a neuro cognitive level, it moves you beyond where you were before.” Two years earlier, at the University of Haifa in Israel, researchers found that naps helped “speed up the process of long-term memory consolidation,” while the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Atlanta concluded in 2007 that a short catnap during the day “may be a useful strategy to improve not only mood but also job satisfaction”. Sleep experts and psychologists recommend that employees should take a nap for 15-minutes when they feel sluggish in order to restore a sense of vitality to the workday. If we operate the human body, as we operate machinery, we would be accused of reckless endangerment. Just like machinery gets oiled, the human body needs to be nurtured and fed and it can be done through a short sleep during the daytime but at the same time a longer 45-minute or 60-minute nap, puts a person in Delta-or deep sleep, which leaves the person groggy upon waking up. Big industry players are encouraging 15-30 minute break as it is believed that instead of pushing yourself and getting sick and doing a bad job it is better to tell employees to take short rest and get back to work with a fresh mood. It helps people recharge and work more creatively and effectively. To maximise gains from long-term practice, individuals must avoid exhaustion and must limit practice to an amount from which they can completely recover on a daily or weekly basis. Since 2000 researchers at Harvard and elsewhere have conducted dozens of experiments that have shown that sleep improves learning, memory, and creative thinking. In many cases, the edifying sleep has come in the form of a nap. For example, several studies have shown that if people are asked to memorise something — say, a list of words — and then take a nap, they will remember more of it than they would have if they hadn’t taken the nap. Even catnaps of six minutes (not counting the five minutes it takes to fall asleep on an average) have been shown to make a difference in how well people retain information. Companies in countries like US, Britain, New Zealand, etc, have adopted the “strategic napping” technique to retain their employees and get best results from their employees. There should be an understanding that the energy employees bring to their jobs is far more important in terms of the value of their work than is the number of hours they work. By managing energy more skillfully, it is possible to get more work done, in less time, more sustainably. The companies adopting these changes have realised that their employees get job satisfaction and stay longer with the organisation.
— The writer is VP global HR and talent management of Bristlecone, a Mahindra Group
Company.
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field in focus: mechatronics
In case you want to follow a multi-disciplinary approach and opt for a career that cuts across boundaries of engineering, Mechatronics is a lucrative option.
What is Mechatronics Engineering?
Mechatronics is an emerging field of engineering that adopts a holistic approach in designing by factoring in the provisions of mechanical, electrical, control, computer and electronics engineering. Its genesis can be traced to the 1970s, when it found its first applications in robotics. It gathered momentum and forayed into domains like servo-mechanics, sensing and control systems, automotive engineering, structural dynamic systems and the like. Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering with electronics, and focuses on the development and manufacture of products like video cameras, airplanes and automobiles, which require mechanical components that are controlled by electronics and computer programmes. But with the progression of time, this stream has made inroads into other fields of engineering as well, in its pursuit to evolve the science of product designing and manufacturing by optimising the functionalities involved. As an emerging field, it presents flexible opportunities. What do Mechatronics Engineers do?
As a Mechatronics Engineer you may design, develop, maintain and manage high technology engineering systems for the automation of industrial tasks. At application level you may apply mechatronic solutions to the transfer of material, components or finished goods and advanced electronic control systems, which are usually computer-driven. Progressing to the research level you may also carry out studies into the feasibility, cost implications and performance benefits of new mechatronic equipment.
Getting in
For admission to Mechatronics Engineering the candidates should have passed Plus II or an equivalent examination with at least five subjects with one of the subjects of English from any recognised Board/university with at least 45% marks in physics, mathematics and one subject of chemistry/bio-technology/biology taken together (40% in the case of reserved category). In most of the colleges admission against 75 per cent open seats will be made on the basis of merit of all India rank of JEE (Main). 25 per cent management seats (including 15 per cent seats, if any, for children/wards of NRIs) as also seats remaining vacant after first counseling are filled on the basis of merit of the qualifying examination. Aspiring candidates need to beef up their communication skills as they would always be working across cross-functional and cross-cultural teams. Companies look for people who are able to think creatively and solve problems. An interest in mathematics, physics and mechanical equipment, such as robotic and production equipment forms the edifice on which the aforesaid skills could be honed. Lateral entry: In case you are seeking a lateral entry you should have passed with minimum 45 per cent marks (40 per cent in the case of reserved category) in Diploma in Engg./Tech., of three years or more duration from any recognised Board of Technical Education/ university or its equivalent Diploma examination.
The road ahead
“BTech in Mechatronics has become very popular over the past few years and has attracted phenomenal response from manufacturers worldwide because of its mart applications and cost-cutting aspects, as a novel technology. Today, engineering applications are in a phase of transition with core engineering fields giving way to integrated engineering modules, keeping in with need of changing customer preferences and reinvention of product’s usage and applications. This is the prime reason that streams like mechatronics, which are identified with multi-disciplinary approach towards designing a product, are being embraced vigorously by multi nationals all across the world. Industrially developed nations like Germany, Japan, USA and Korea have huge demand for mechatronics graduates; and the trend is catching fast in developing countries like China, India, Brazil, Russia and South Africa. “In the next five years, those equipped with a mechatronics degree will be highly sought after in the job market, with plum job offers characterised by hefty pay packages and quick rising growth potential”, added Phull.
— The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant
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cubicle trends
Employees were more prone to increased stress when reading and sending emails which was indicated by their increased blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol level. The employees were particularly annoyed to receive a new email when it was irrelevant, required an immediate response or when it interrupted and distracted them from their tasks.
It also came to the fore that that employees were glad and happy to receive new email for timely information, in response and in gratification for their completed work, the study has found. Researchers — Professor Tom Jackson, Dr Gillian Ragsdell, and Laura Marulanda-Carter from UK’s Loughborough University came up with the findings while exploring the physiological and psychological impact of email on employees. The findings showed a direct link between email and stress. It indicates that employees were more prone to increased stress when reading and sending emails, and less susceptible when retrieving and filing email messages. The researchers tracked the blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels of a group of 30 staff, as well as paper-based diaries kept by the participants. The participants, in their diaries, also raised a number of adverse effects of email use, such as misinterpretation, increased expectations, alienation and blame culture. But according to Jackson, email was not an enemy. “Over the years email has been the focus of many research studies and sometimes portrayed as a bad communication medium. Indeed, this study has shown that email causes stress when compared to having email free time,” he said. However, if email was compared to other ways of communicating — which was also observed in this study— it was no worse than any other media. “Multi-tasking email alongside other communication media, such as phone and face-to-face meetings, increases the risk of becoming stressed,” he said. Suggesting ways to reduce workplace stress, he said better training for staff on how to manage their communication media, from better diary control to limiting how often they check their email accounts.
— PTI
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work station
However, coming from the land which gives us very very good, 'actually' is probably not all that useless. It has some qualities which make it indispensable, mainly in the excuse-making department. Prefaced before any excuse, it imparts a tinge of sincerity and gravitas. "My scooter ran out of petrol" just doesn't sound the same as "Actually sir, my scooter ran out of petrol"! It conveys a hint of camaraderie and fellowship, almost as if you are including the listener into your personal life. And excuses, especially of late, seem to be gaining more acceptability. These are busy times — deadlines, phones, SMSes, emails, meetings and what not. And many people feel that a creative story, used once in a while, really doesn't harm anyone. After all, excuses give you that much-needed extra time for getting your work done, or covering up for you when you sorely need some time off. Examined closely, you’ll see that excuses are built into our very nature. We learn them early and merely adapt them to our adult situations later in life. My dog ate my homework matures into my laptop crashed. I forgot to call, turns into my phone battery conked off. Most excuses deal with not coming in to work, coming in late or not getting work done on time. They can be as vanilla as calling in sick, or as convoluted as “my neighbor's gardener's grandfather passed away, so I couldn’t come”. Turn to the internet and you'll come up with some priceless gems. Here's one for not turning up at work - My finger got stuck in the ATM machine and the machine had to be cut open to retrieve it Or how's this excuse for not getting a report done on time — I fell asleep at my desk, hit my head on the wood and now have a neck injury and a huge headache! There’s also the brutally honest excuse — I was late because I overslept. But for all our lighthearted excuse-making, it’s probably best to try and stay away from it. What seems inconsequential to begin with, turns cumulatively into a pattern of negativity. Here are a few additional reasons why excuse-making is not for you:
The reasons not to fall into the excuse-making trap are many, the most compelling being that you don't want to waste your time drumming up petty lies, when you could be working to sort out the basic issues behind the need to make an excuse. Most excuses are just rationalisations and fibs we tell ourselves. If you're usually late to work, start your day earlier. Unless you’re really very sick, show up at work. Organise your life better so that other chores and duties don't impinge on your work. And if any element of your job seems difficult and time-consuming, work harder at it. As the great journalist Edward R. Murrow once said, “Difficulty is the excuse history never
accepts.” — The writer is an Organisational Identity & Personnel Development Consultant
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hiring scene
A steady pace of hiring is expected in the country in July-September, however, job prospects are weaker in all major sectors and two of the four regions when compared with the previous quarter, HR consultancy Manpower said.
According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey that covered 5,265 employers across India showed that the country's net employment outlook — an indicator of recruitment intentions — stood at 18 per cent for the third quarter (July-September) of 2013. “Employers expect positive hiring activity in all seven industry sectors and all four regions during Quarter 3 2013 but when compared with 3Q 2012, weaker hiring intentions are noticed,” ManpowerGroup India Group Managing Director A.G Rao said. Employers have been scaling their hiring plans downwards in the past few quarters, a development which has been attributed to unfavourable market conditions. But alongside the crimped demand, our IT sector continues to be the pillar of strength in the current market scenario and job seekers are expected to find a good number of opportunities in the upcoming quarter,” Rao added. Most optimistic hiring plans were reported in wholesale and retail trade sector and the services sector, where net employment outlook stood at 27 per cent and 26 per cent, respectively and employers in the southern region are most optimistic, where net employment outlook stood at 30 per cent. Interestingly, while more than a quarter of the employers surveyed indicated they will add staff in the next three months, suitable employability skills are difficult to find. “Candidates require employable skills. It is imperative to impart domain knowledge and relevant skills through teaching methods, pedagogical tools, industry and alumni interface to the graduates to be successful and productive at the work place arena,” Rao added. Job seekers in most of the 42 countries and territories surveyed can expect to benefit from varying degrees of positive third-quarter hiring activity with employers in 31 countries and territories planning to boost payrolls. Yet the third-quarter research provides little evidence that global hiring plans are improving by any notable degree.
— PTI
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Cool Counsel
Since you spend almost one-third of your time working, it is important that you do your job well and get satisfaction and happiness out of it. You must work hard to achieve your dreams. According to Voltaire, “Work keeps us away from three great evils: boredom, vices, and need”. In any case, not doing anything tires us more than a hard day’s work.
The idea of work implies there is something you do that you will not do without some reward. Most people tend to relate the reward only with money. Anyone who can change the reward to be something more than only money can always enjoy his work and be happy. Career planning is an important tool. Though you may have your career all planned out, it doesn’t mean that your career will follow that path. But this exercise has the benefit of letting you control your own professional destiny. Here are some tips on how to perform well at work: Learn the work culture: When you are new to a job, the golden rule is, speak less and observe more. All kinds of pulls and pushes and politics work in any organisation. So, understand the work culture, hierarchy, dress code and other policies related to manufacturing, marketing/sales, etc. First few days are for you to learn, so learn as much as you can. The ‘settling-down’ period can be different for different people, but for an average worker a 15-day period is good enough. Develop the right attitude: Knowing the importance of a job will help you in developing the required attitude. So, always try and understand the content and context of the job. Though it is for your seniors to explain to you the importance of what you do in the overall scheme of things, you must try your best to perform with professional integrity. Love your work and you will never get physically or mentally fatigued. Get along well with co-workers: If you get along well with your co-workers, your seniors, colleagues and subordinates will respect you for your knowledge, skill and competence. You must make positive choices for yourself each day. Everyone likes to see pleasant faces around him or her. Therefore, starting the day with a positive note always helps. Wish ‘good morning’ with a smile and you can be sure you day is made. This habit will stand you in good stead in every type of situation. Always volunteer to help others and do it with a smile, not grudgingly and complaining. Others will surely come to your rescue whenever you need their help. Keep yourself updated: It is your responsibility to keep yourself updated with the latest in your profession. One way is to subscribe to professional journals and magazines and becoming members of professional bodies. The attitude of “the more you know, the more you realise how little you know” can be of immense help in this
regard.
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Free Massive Open Online Courses
UK-based the University of Sheffield’s School of Health and Related Research (ScHARR) has launched the University’s first Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) for people of all age groups, giving them an opportunity to take part in a unique, high quality, flexible and innovative learning experience.
ScHARR is offering three courses in 2013. The first course, ‘Healthy Sustainable Diets’ is scheduled from June 17-July 21, followed by the ‘Health Inequalities’ course from July 15 to August 18 and ‘Health Technology Assessment’ from October 28 to December 1, 2013. Nearly 1,000 people from 52 countries across the globe, including India, Brazil, Ethiopia and Nepal, have already signed for the three courses. Dr Michelle Holdsworth, a Senior Lecturer in Public Health at ScHARR, said, “Our MOOCs offer a stimulating virtual learning environment which will give people from across the globe an interactive taster of the high quality education we have to offer”. The courses will run for four weeks and learners would be required to dedicate nearly four to five hours every week. Registering for the courses will require no prerequisites in terms of education or academic background. Budding learners simply need an internet connection to get going. They will receive a digital certificate (PDF file) upon the completion of each course. However, the ScHARR courses will not earn them any University credits that can be transferred on to a formal degree, diploma or certificate programme. Also, there is no deadline to appear for the courses-one simply needs to sign up before each course begins. For further relevant information regarding MOOCs, visit http://www.shef.ac.uk/scharr/prospective_students/moocs/moocs
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Nestle scholarships for women
IMD College, Switzerland is offering master’s scholarship for women from developing countries in business administration. The Nestlé Scholarship for Women was first awarded in 1997 and was initiated by a group of IMD MBA participants who wanted to encourage women to take the MBA. Eligibility: Women candidates who have already applied to the full-time IMD MBA programme and who demonstrate financial need. Employees of Nestlé and its subsidiaries are not eligible. Number of award(s): One Detail: Total offer is of CHF 25,000. How to apply: The mode of applying is by email. Deadline: September 30, 2013 Check out: www.imd.org/programs/mba/fees/scholarships/Nestle.cfm
Rhodes scholarships
Each year, Rhodes scholarships are awarded for pursuing full-time postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford, UK. 83 Rhodes scholars are selected annually from 14 countries or groupings of countries around the world. Each scholarship covers all university and college fees, a personal stipend and one economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the scholarship, as well as an economy flight back to the student’s home country at the conclusion of the scholarship. Applications are open for 2014 round. Study Subject(s): These scholarships are awarded to study any course offered by the University of Oxford at postgraduate level. Eligibility: Citizenship & residency: Each applicant must fulfill the citizenship and residency requirements of the Rhodes constituency for which they are applying. Age: Age limits vary between constituencies and range from a minimum age limit of 18 to a maximum of 28 by October 1, of the year following selection. In most constituencies, the age limit is 24 or 25. Education: All applicants must have achieved academic standing sufficiently advanced to assure completion of a bachelor’s degree by the October following election. Academic standing must be sufficiently high to ensure admission to the University of Oxford, which has very competitive entry requirements, and to give confidence that Rhodes Scholars will perform to a high academic standard in Oxford. Details: A Rhodes scholarship covers all University and College fees, a personal stipend and one economy class airfare to Oxford at the start of the scholarship, as well as an economy flight back to the student’s home country at the conclusion of the scholarship.
Number of award(s): 83
Duration: The basic tenure of the scholarship is two years, subject always, and at all times, to satisfactory academic performance and personal conduct. How to apply: For detailed application requirements for each constituency, please visit the country pages via the country links. In broad terms, all constituencies will require the following materials in differing forms:
Deadline: July 31, 2013 Check out: http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/rhodesscholarship
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MBA
The School of Business and Economics at Loughborough University (UK) is launching a two-year full-time MBA Programme with a nine-month built-in salaried internship. The course: It presents an opportunity to apply classroom learning in a live commercial environment, while also enabling students to build UK work experience in a management or consultancy role (non-UK placements may be permitted) and extend the time students have to search for post-MBA employment. The course will include elements like Decision Support Systems, Marketing, Accounting for Managers, Management of Human Resources, Business Economics, Operations Management, Corporate Finance, Career Development and Management, Managing Innovation, Leading Strategic Change, Managing Enterprise, Business Administration Project and Research Methods. Students will also be awarded an additional Diploma for their internship along with their degree of graduation. Eligibility: Those wishing to apply should have three years’ relevant professional experience and hold either a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, membership of an approved chartered institute or a Diploma in Management Studies. Fee: £18,500. How to apply: Online Deadline: June 30, 2013 Checkout: www.lboro.ac.uk/mba
Indian Institute of Packaging entrance exam
The Indian Institute of Packaging will hold entrance exam for its two-year full time PG Diploma in Packaging on June 20, 2013. The selection will be through entrance examinations at Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Delhi. Eligibility: To be eligible for the entrance exam, one has to be a graduate in science (12+3 years degree – entire 5 years in science only), with physics, chemistry, mathematics, microbiology (any one as main subject) or agriculture/ food science or engineering or technology with minimum second class. Students awaiting results may also apply. How to apply: Applications forms are available at all the Centres of IIP. Application form and Prospectus can be had from Mumbai or other Regional Centers by paying ~500 in cash or by Demand Draft in favour of “Indian Institute of Packaging”, payable at respective Centres of IIP. Check out: www.iip-in.com
Islamic Finance courses
Monad University, Hapur (established vide act no.23 of 2010 of the government of Uttar Pradesh) invites applications for Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking & Finance (PGDIBF), MBA in Islamic Finance and Ph.D in Islamic Finance. Eligibility: Degree from UGC recognised institutions with 10+2+3/4 pattern Consideration will be given to equivalent professional qualifications and in exceptional circumstances those qualified by extensive relevant experience. Candidate interview would be required for those with non-standard qualifications and experience. For Ph.D in ISLAMIC FINANCE: PG and approval from the University Academic Syndicate. How to apply: The Admission Brochure may be obtained from the institute. It can also be downloaded from our website: http://www.monad.edu.in/ Address: Monad University Campus. N.H. 24, Delhi Hapur Road, Village & Post Kastla, Kasmabad, P.O Pilakhwa - 245101, Dist. Hapur (U.P.), India Selection Procedure: Selections are made on the basis of GD/PI Deadline: July 10, 2013
Fashion design
APG Shimla University, Shoghi, announces admission for BSc and MSc in fashion design. Eligibility: For the three-year graduation programme the candidates should have minimum aggregate of 50 per cent or equivalent in 10+2 from a recognised board. For two-year PG programme graduation from a recognised university is a must. How to apply: Admission can be obtained by filing application form of APG Shimla University by paying a fee of Rs 1100 can be submitted in cash or demand draft in favour of "APG Shimla university, payable at New Delhi /Shoghi, Himachal Pradesh. The application form can be downloaded from www.apg.edu.in. Deadline: June 30, 2013 Check out: www.apg.edu.in Email Address: admission@apg.edu.in Address: APG Shimla University Shoghi, Mehli, bypass road, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
Music and technology course
Foundation Programme: The Foundation Programme offers a Foundation Certificate in music that is validated by Middlesex University, London, UK. The course involves a one-year long comprehensive training in music with an internationally recognised qualification. The syllabus includes Western performance, Composition, Technology, Music Theory, Aural Skills, Music History, Hindustani Classical Music and Professional Musicians Skills. The Foundation programme requires very little prior musical training to undertake. Diploma Programme: The Diploma Programme is a two-year course which is validated by Middlesex University, London UK. This offers the equivalent of the first two years of a United Kingdom Bachelor’s in Art Degree and develops musicians with a holistic approach to the subject area. On the successful completion of the Diploma Programme (Middlesex Track), students are guaranteed to be accepted onto the third year of the BA Music Degree at Middlesex University, London. This one-year extension to the programme would convert the Diploma qualification into a full Bachelors Degree. How to apply: Application forms can be collected at the administrative annexe by submitting a demand draft of Rs 1100 in favour of “KM Music Conservatory Pvt Ltd” Chennai Check out: www.kmmc.in
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Gems of ancient wisdom Of timely help & fatal delays
At the time of the infamous game of dice in the Mahabharata, Lord Krishna was busy fighting King Shalva of Soubha who had laid a siege on Dwarka. But when he realised that Draupadi had none but him to save her, he — in spirit — rushed to her aid. To prevent her disrobing, he magically provided unending lengths of cloth. As Sorbonne University student Marie Curie had few means, she ate a simple meal of bread, butter and fruit and stayed in an attic with no heat or water for over three years. All this took a toll on her health. On getting information from a classmate, her sister Bronya and brother-in-law Casimir immediately took Marie to their home and helped her recover. Age was fast catching up with visionary Jamsetji Tata. At 64, none of his dreams projects was complete. So his family members decided to advance the opening of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay to 1903. Jamsetji passed away on May 19, 1904. After the Battle of Haldighati in 1576 against Akbar’s forces, Rana Pratap was in dire straits. So Tulsidas not only persuaded Mughal Commander Raja Mansingh to withdraw his forces against Rana Pratap, but also arranged money from Bhama Shah, a businessman from Chittor, for Rana’s forces. In contrast, delay can prove fatal. A British attack on Travancore was imminent. The Maharaja of Cochin promised to help. Travancore Diwan Velu Thampi ordered an attack at the British Residency and won on December 18, 1808. The British got reinforcements from Madras, but Velu friends from Cochin didn’t arrive. After a series of battles, Travancore fell and Velu had to kill himself to avoid capture. On seeing the Mughal army surrounding the Ahmednagar fort, Regent Chand Bibi sent an SOS to Bijapur and Golkonda. The Mughals tried all sorts of military operations, including an attempt to blow up the fort with gunpowder, but Ahmednagar forces, under the leadership of Chand Bibi, kept the enemy at bay. Finally, a truce was signed. Ahmednagar’s allies — Bijapur and Golkonda — arrived on the scene after the Mughal army had returned. An Arab invader was advancing towards Chittor which at that time looked like a camp divided. Jealous over the appointment of 16-year-old Bappa Rawal as Commander of Chittor’s forces, royal councillors refused to come to the kingdom’s defence. With help from the Solanki ruler of Nagda, who was Bappa’s father-in-law, Bappa’s forces warded off the enemy. Realising their mistake, the councillors offered to help Bappa. Shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted is of no use. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Career Hotline
What are the options for graduates in chemistry?
A. Chemistry offers exciting and wide-ranging employment prospects. Those specialising in Chemistry work in R & D, management, marketing and production in a large number of industries ranging from pharmaceutical to plastics, polymers, petrochemical, food processing, and forestry to name a few. After BSc (Chemistry) you can either do MSc in Analytical, Applied, Organic, Inorganic, Industrial, Environmental, Medicinal, Pesticide & Agrochemical, Pharmacological, Physical, Polymer, Sugar, Electro, Dairy or Textile Chemistry) followed by MPhil and PhD in pure (fundamental) or applied chemistry and biotechnology. You can also opt for a BTech or BSc (Tech) in a specialised field such as Food Technology, Biochemical Engineering, Oil Technology, Plastic and Polymer Technology and Pharmaceuticals which will qualify you for jobs in production and quality control. As a research chemist you can explore any area of interest — pure or applied — the opportunities are almost limitless. You can also pursue a postgraduate course in forest management at the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal. You could also specialise in Medical Lab Technology after BSc.
Working for social change
A. I fully understand your concern. You seem to be looking for something that satisfies you, personally and professionally. As an engineer, a factory, corporate or government job is not the only option. Many engineers have made excellent contributions to society, not because they’re engineers but because they had a social conscience and good education, like you. For example, the last two Magsaysay prize winners from India (Deep Joshi and Harish Hande, both engineers with management degrees) worked with economically deprived communities and made remarkable headway. A while ago, I guided a young student in my column to an organisation called PRADAN (www.pradan.net) to explore their Development Apprenticeship Programme as an opportunity to build a professional path in rural development. Now, the MPhil in Development Practice launched by Ambedkar University, Delhi (www.aud.ac.in) in collaboration with PRADAN last year addresses this very issue. Moreover, the monthly stipend of Rs 12,000 and Rs. 36,000 for annual contigency expenses is generous and it launches you into a new profession, which I believe is as valuable to society as that of doctors, lawyers, engineers, managers, scientists, teachers etc. You’ll get to play an active role in making India a better place by helping devise projects for elevating poverty and corruption while pursuing a vocation that’s satisfying and meaningful. This isn’t a research kind of degree but one for which an engineer with a BTech degree or someone with a master’s degree can also apply. The programme will build on your engineering skills and help you grow into a holistic development professional. And you’ll have several options at the end of the course: You can join non-governmental organisations, start up your own social entrepreneurship initiative, work in corporate social responsibility projects or work with the government. The selection involves submitting your SoP, followed by an interview. Details:
(www.pradan.net, www.aud.ac.in)
Which are the other careers related to medicine?
A. There are plenty of other options: For instance, you can pursue pharmacy, and get into drug discovery, take biology and pursue biotechnology or biochemistry. The range of options available in this sector is truly wide and varied. There are several other interesting career options beyond the traditional which you could consider. Besides looking at some of the branches of alternative or traditional systems of medicine such as ayurveda, homeopathy, unani, siddha, naturopathy and yoga, you could also look at related fields like pharmacy, biochemistry, biotechnology, bioinformatics, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, physiology, veterinary science & animal husbandry, zoology, agriculture, nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech & audiology, optometry, forensic science etc. You could also look at the field of medical technology which includes ophthalmic technology, lab and X-ray technology, perfusion technology, biomedical engineering, dental mechanics, hospital administration, health management, dietetics, food processing, medical transcription, medico-legal work, rehabilitation counselling etc. email your queries to
careers@tribunemail.com
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fortnightly
quiz 440
2. What is the full form of NCTC? 3. Which country has become the largest contributor to the UN peacekeeping missions? 4. Name the US President’s new National Security Advisor. 5. In which state was the country’s first seaplane service launched recently? 6. Name the environmentalist who founded the famed Sulabh project that provides basic and affordable toilet access to India’s poor. 7. Which country recently unveiled its new “levitating” train, designed to travel at a speed up to 500 kmph? 8. Name the Indian reserve that was placed on the Unesco list recently whose tropical wet evergreen forests host a wealth of animal species and medicinal plants. 9. Which continent’s many countries were recently hit by heaviest flooding in a decade? 10.
How many times has Rafael Nadal won the men’s French Open Title? — Tarun Sharma Winners of quiz 439: The first prize by draw of lots goes to Shivom Chatteria; class VIII; DAV Senior Secondary School Dehra, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh; Pin Code - 177101 Second: Komalpreet Kaur; Class X-B; Guru Teg Bahadur Public School, Khankot, Amritsar; Pin Code - 143501 Third: Eshna Ridhi; class IXth A1 LRSDAV Senior Secondary Model School, Abohar; Pin Code - 152116 Answers to quiz 439: PML-N; Ranjit Sinha; Assam; Samina Baig; Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh, Ranthambhore, Amber, Gagron and Jaisalmer; Snow And Avalanche Studies Establishment; Mahasen; 68 all out; Formula One; Alex Ferguson Cash awards of Rs 400, 300 and 200 are given to the first, second and third prize winners, respectively. These are sent at the school address. Note: Kindly mention the pincode of your place on the letter/postcard to facilitate the delivery of the prize money. Answers can also be sent at
quiz@tribunemail.com Name……………….…………............................................. Class....………….......….……......................................... School address
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School board results are out and students are busy looking at college admissions. In this brouhaha uppermost in many students minds is the admission to Delhi University, the most sought after college education destination in northern India. Other than the usual anxiety of getting one of the 54,000 seats for study in any of the around 80 colleges at this prestigious institution is the current concern about the changes in the under-graduate
programme.
School board results are out and students are busy looking at college admissions. In this brouhaha uppermost in many students minds is the admission to Delhi University, the most sought after college education destination in northern India. Other than the usual anxiety of getting one of the 54,000 seats for study in any of the around 80 colleges at this prestigious institution is the current concern about the changes in the under-graduate programme. From this academic year the three- year under-graduate degree programme will now be a Four-Year Under-graduate Programme (FYUP) with additional courses aimed to better prepare students for the job market.
There has been much debate and many protests from teachers and students who maintain that the courses have been devalued and arbitrarily structured, and the new programme introduced in an undemocratic manner.
Inter-disciplinary fields are fast gaining ground in the professional education arena. This is primarily because of two reasons — one, the boundaries between disciplines are fast blurring; subjects no longer follow a straight jacketed approach; and secondly, it offers a broad range to students while planning a career and selecting jobs.
Working across disciplines gives students additional perspective and a broader view of the field they are studying. Gurpreet Phull, Head of the Department, Mechatronics Engineering LPU opines, “Since Mechatronics is a multi- disciplinary field, it translates into placements in companies marked by operations of all the constituent fields. Thus, students with a mechatronics degree broaden their placement potential by acquiring expertise in more than one field of engineering. Specifically speaking, companies dealing in automation and robotics, servo-mechanics, sensing and control systems, automotive engineering, computer-machine controls, medical mechatronics, structural dynamic systems, transportation and vehicular systems have expressed their keenness in placing graduates from mechatronics engineering”.
One management mantra that years of work experience have taught me is “Run a mile when you hear the word actually”. It’s probably one of the most redundant of the words that we use in our vibrant desi version of this global vehicle called English. Actually, I'm not hungry. Actually, I'm very tired. Both of which merely mean I'm not hungry and I'm very tired.
Music aficionados who are interested in pursuing an International Level degree course can check out full-time programmes — the Foundation Programme and the Diploma Programme at AR Rahman’s school, KM Music Conservatory.
As no venture exists in isolation, cooperation between different enterprises is vital for the success of all involved. But make sure the help extended reaches the needy at the right time.
Q. I am a student of third year BSc course in chemistry in PU. I want to make a career in the chemical field. What are the options available to me? I am particularly interested in getting a job in the industry.
Q. I am a qualified engineer. But I don’t want to do a typical engineering job. I have a social conscience and am tired of seeing corruption and inefficiency all around in society and want to work in this field. But there is so little information available about other kinds of opportunities for someone with my qualification. Can you please guide me?
Q. Could you please tell us about the other careers related to medicine that I could look at other than MBBS or BDS?
1. Who recently joined Infosys as its executive director?