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Management psychologist
Career Hotline
on boards maths
course chat: fashion marketing & management
campus
notes
testing times: mba
gd/pi
Harness the right poject management skills
Getting the most out of Gen-Z
USA’s 10 most hated companies
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Mind business
Applying the basics of psychology to enhance productivity, resolve conflicts and provide a better work environment is what makes these professionals ‘go to’ persons in an organisation Gauri Chhabra The competitive corporate world nowadays is defined by mergers and acquisitions, companies that entered into a joint venture yesterday are divorcing their partners, people are being churned in and out of jobs at a very fast pace, departments within the same organisation are pitted against one another. All this calls for a person who can understand why people behave the way they behave and how this chaos be changed into a coherent and productive system. This is a job profile that organisations are now becoming increasingly conscious of day after day — the profile of a Management Psychologist. One may, however, ask is the work profile the same as that of an HR Manager? Well, yes and no. According to those in this line, a Management Psychologist is an HR Manager’s cousin. Work profile He deals with the psychological complexities of the employees and organisations: Simply working in an organisation can cause anxiety and a fear of failure that is very difficult to avoid. Companies often focus on setting high goals but underestimate worry, fear, jealousy, rivalry and the risks of narcissistic and strong-arm leadership. Processes of decision-making and cooperation between people and departments are all influenced by emotions and by the fear of losing face. People have a tendency to avoid sensitive issues and fear failure, leading to conflicts and misunderstandings that block high performance. Professionals have become more assertive and want managers to support and coach them. Ultimately, it is effective behaviour and creative cooperation between committed people that characterise high-performing companies. It would be your job to break down the barriers that obstruct effective cooperation. You would encourage relationships in which people feel comfortable enough to give constructive feedback. You would bring about a fit and compatibility between the personal goals of the employees and the vision and mission of the company. In a nutshell, you would be the ‘Go To’ person for all kinds of intra and inter conflict resolution as you would be armed with a degree in psychology. Job profile You would be responsible for any/all of the following depending upon the scale and size of the organisation:
Getting in
As of now there is no single formal degree or specialisation that takes care of management as well as psychology. However, there is a growing need in the organisations for a person who is equipped with a complementary degree in HR and psychology. Some foreign universities have recognised the need and offer MSc in Managerial Psychology. However, in India the route that you can take is an M.A/MSc in Psychology and a management degree. You can also dovetail diploma in Psychology and Counseling with your Management degree in HR. However, this way you would be limited to counseling and would not be equipped to do any clinical diagnosis and psychometric testing. A degree in psychology and management will equip you with a complementary and overlapping skill set. After a Managerial Psychology Programme, you will learn the key concepts for getting a better understanding of the psychological dimensions of human behaviour, revealing new ways to unblock situations and encourage mutual understanding and cooperation. You would also be able to handle and solve complex questions like: How can you observe and interpret people’s behaviour? Do you understand the emotions behind your own behaviour? Do you see the forces behind the irrational behaviour of others? How can you recognise harmful exchanges in interpersonal relations? How can you avoid cliques or factions from forming in the
organisation? How should you get rid of outdated organisational routines? How does hierarchy affect the way people express themselves? How should you handle underperformers and high performers that threaten the existing culture? The road ahead The Consulting Psychologist positions emphasise individual and organisational assessment, executive coaching, team facilitation, and organisational change consultation, working with a diverse corporate clientele nationally and internationally. Over time, there are expected to be numerous opportunities for business development and client relationship management. The positions are exciting, high-impact, and challenging, and provide outstanding potential for the right individuals. So marry your Management skills with psychology and script a successful career… — The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant There are a wide range of opportunities available in local authorities, social service departments, voluntary sector organisations, advice centers, health and housing, the civil and public services and private organisations, as well as teaching and research. Consultant The primary career pathway in this area is as a consultant for business organisations. You would often meet with business leaders and top-level managers to assist with implementing and improving personnel strategies, including hiring methods and training programmes, and evaluating the success of the organisational structure. In your efforts to improve a business’ structure and performance, you might analyse trends and perform research to determine the relationship between psychological characteristics, employee performance and organisational success. After assessing a company’s goals and strategy, you could develop tests or interview questions designed to screen potential employees for desirable traits and skills. You can also work for companies specialising in numerous applications of psychology to business, including pre-hire assessment, leadership development and coaching, CEO succession and consultation, talent assessment through M&A. Besides, many successful entrepreneurs who start a venture easily but have difficulty in maintaining its growth later on as they lack the emotional understanding needed to grow a strong management team and lose contact with the grassroots, would come to you for consultancy. Trainer You may associate yourself with a training organisation or be a self-employed trainer who creates and develops training programmes to assist current employees with developing latent talents or new skills, advising changes to improve performance and motivation based on the results. You could assist businesses with reorganising existing employees into positions that best utilise their skills and talents and determine whether gaps in talent or skill exist in the current workforce. Arbitrator Misunderstandings in interpersonal relationships arise easily and frequently. Unconscious motives can influence behaviour in many ways. You may also serve as an arbitrator or a third party to whom companies go to for any kind of consultations in case any conflicts arise. Your job here would be to analyse the situation, weigh the pros and cons, and suggest a subsequent course of action. Who is a Management Psychologist? A Management Psychologist is a person who uses the insights of psychology to improve effectiveness of people and the company. In small companies, it is the HR person who plays this role and at times a psychologist is called in for expert advice and psychometric testing. In larger organisations, however, you will find a person on rolls or it being outsourced to a Management Consultancy firm.
Institute watch
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What is the job profile of a Flight Engineer?
Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com
A.In civil aviation Aircraft Engineers normally specialise in mechanical or aeronautical engineering. While mechanical engineers service and overhaul engines and airframes, aeronautical engineers specialise in the maintenance of aircraft instruments, electrical and electronics equipment, navigation, radar and radio communication systems. Aircraft engineers work at airports during turn-around of airplanes, working in all types of weather conditions. They work as part of an organised and highly efficient team and often, under great pressure. Yes, girls and bespectacled candidates can take up a course in flight/aeronautical engineering but physical fitness and total dedication to one’s work remains a pre-requisite. This is technologically, one of the most advanced branches of engineering. As an aeronautical engineer you design, construct and maintain commercial and military aircraft, even satellites, spacecraft and missiles. The course would cover the study of fluid, thermo dynamics, gas dynamics, material science, structural analysis, propulsion, acoustics and electronics. You can further specialise in aerodynamics, thermodynamics, propulsion, structures, celestial machines, acoustics and guidance and control systems.
Am I eligible to take the Civil Services exam?
A.If you have completed your education from an OpenSchool/university you can apply for the CS Exam provided it is a recognised university and you possess the prescribed educational qualifications and are otherwise eligible. Moreover, those who did their graduation without passing Class X and XII, are also eligible for taking the Civil Service Exam provided they fulfil other conditions.
What do customer service jobs involve?
A.Customer service jobs depend on the business you are working for. These typically involve targeting, acquiring and convincing customers to buy your product and services. And once that is done, it involves taking good care of them so they come back again and again. As the term implies, you will be dealing with customers on a regular basis. No two customers are exactly the same in what they want or expect, but no matter what, they will want you to care about their issue, be motivated to assist them, and happy to help in any way you can. Normally, if you are being hired directly into a customer service position, you will receive training to prepare you for the possible questions and scenarios which may arise. They will equip you with the basic knowledge of the company and products/services and how to troubleshoot the issues, problems, and requests that may come up with those product or services.
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Practice holds the key
Aakash Chaudhry
Boards have always been intimidating for students as far as this subject is concerned. It is important that you go in with a clear mind and focus on the problem areas when it comes to maths. Don't hesitate to take guidance from peers, parents and teachers beyond classrooms. The key is to regularly practice and come up with solutions to problems, ensuring you are strengthening your weak areas. Every board has its set pattern of question paper. Thus, the foremost thing that a student has to keep in mind is the thorough knowledge of the question paper pattern, also how the question paper is generally framed for a particular subject. Once you are aware about the pattern and framework, it is very easy to get good score in a particular subject. As for your maths paper keep the following points in mind: Before your exam
Total 29 questions divided into three sections — A, B,C SECTION A: 10 questions of one mark each with no choice. SECTION B: 12 questions of four marks each with four internal choices. SECTION C: 7 questions of six marks each with to internal choices. TO overcome the phobia one must solve mock test in sufficient number as per thesample papers. Time management is also important so while practising make sure every sample paper is solved within the given time limit. Must also know with help of teacher what to write, how to write ? the solution. Must have one sample answer copy, generally available with board website and practice accordingly. While checking responses you must note the mistakes and should not repeat again
During the exam
Before going to write the examination one has to take proper sleep so that in examination hall one must feel fresh and energetic. Apart from it take care about some points while writing exam Read the question paper carefully in the time allotted by board for it and decide the sequence of section to solve with rough time allotment for each section. Always attempt that section first in which you are more confident and sure for accuracy it will give you a good start of answering the paper.
Do not write more/less in solution. Try to write as per the requirement of problems. This will help you in managing the time. Write to the point by mentioning the necessary concept/formula. (point 7-10 will help) If you do not know the complete solution to any problem, solve in steps as there is step marking in board examination. You must be aware of the same.
— The writer is Director, Aakash Educational Services Ltd
Guidelines
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course chat: fashion marketing & management One can be the best designer, and may have the best product but if one can’t sell it or make it look appealing to the target audience, then no one is going to know you. Just as making a good product or design is important, marketing it well is also equally important. This makes a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management a much sought after qualification in the current scenario. This degree equips a student with the right skills to be a successful Fashion Marketer and Manager. Merunisha Moonilal, Lecturer (Fashion Marketing And Management) at Raffles Millennium International, New Delhi, gives an insight into this new field of specialisation for students of fashion design or for those with a passion for the fashion industry. Excerpts: What is the area of work for a professional in this field? Fashion Marketing and Management projects you as the wholesome package in one professional who can deal with a buying agent for a company sensitively, analysing the space for the product in the market, then promote and market it by finding interested target customer or vice versa, get the right price for it and then offer ideas for post-sale customer support. Instead of being creatively involved in the design industry these professionals are more involved in the Business area. This does not at all mean that you do not have to be creative but you are required to use your creativity but in a different way. One uses one’s creativity in strategising business plans creatively understanding the target market. What are the benefits of a course in fashion marketing for a designer? The most important benefits of learning Fashion Marketing and Management are: n Know your business: The students get to know the business, and know it right. It is different to hear from a professional, but to know and understand it with experience is all together a different thing. While studying, when you work on case studies of the development of big brands, it gives you an idea of what the industry is like, what can go wrong, how to mend it and what can be your strengths and how you can develop these. One will not be a complete novice. This exposure reduces the business failure rate. n Soft skills: This profession teaches you to be ready for cut-throat competition and on the other hand, it teaches you to be polite and have soft skills that help you win trust of your customer. n Increasing demand: The demand of fashion accessories, designer clothes, and luxury brands will never end. Everyone needs clothes, recession or no recession. But if you have learnt the art well, it does not affect the business. You creatively find out other ways and means to get business. n Retail therapy: We all know how an experience of shopping what you need and at times what you do not need, helps you to get over the stress. Retail therapy is what the market is cashing on at the moment. You learn to use customers’ weaknesses as your strengths. n Public speaking: The biggest advantage is building up the confidence required to sell your product. If you speak well, you sell well. What are the skills required to excel in this field? The main pre-requisite that would help a student definitely in being a successful professional is the business acumen. This profession requires you to be efficient enough to make a product viable to be sold. A deep desire to excel and passion for the fashion world is the most important quality that anyone pursuing this course must have. It is only the love for your goal that will sail you through. One needs to understand the nuances of this industry as well as the core of what goes on behind a creative mind, in order to be more confident in convincing the customer. Your job may require you to be in the front line or work behind the scenes. Personality development is always encouraged. Public speaking is an asset. A pleasing warm personality is an additional asset. What are the opportunities available to students with a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management? Anyone who is pursuing Fashion Marketing and Management has a wide range of opportunities available. The import and export industry, the retail industry, marketing for domestic and international brands, styling for clients, magazines, television, fashion journalism, all offer lucrative job opportunities to the qualified professionals./*-
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campus
notes
The PGIMS director, Dr C.S. Dhull, assured that the matter of modifying the rule for the issuance of visual handicap certificate would be taken up at the All-India Ophthalmology Society for the benefit of the needy. Dr A.K. Khurana, Senior Professor and Head, RIO, said latest techniques to manage cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy etc were discussed at the conference.
NSS camp
The NSS unit at the Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Sciences (PGIDS) at UHS successfully completed a seven-day camp recently. Seven villages, 13 schools and a college were covered during the camp. The camp was conducted at Sunaria, Kanheli, Madodhi, Kheri Sadh, Baniyani, Maina and Garnauthi villages. In the first phase, all chools of the village were covered, while in the second phase, a door-to-door dental check-up of residents was carried out. Nearly 40 NSS volunteers from the PGIDS, led by NSS unit in charge Dr Adarsh Kumar conducted the proceedings. PGIDS Principal Prof Sanjay Tewari said the underlying idea behind the exercise was to spread awareness about dental care among the masses as well as to inculcate a social responsibility in the students.
Dean awarded
UHS Dean and Head of the Department of Skin and VD Dr Vijay Kumar Jain was felicitated with “Teacher Par-Excellence Award-2013” at the 42nd National Conference of Dermatologists and 11th International Congress of Dermatology held at New Delhi recently. As many as 5,000 delegates from different parts of the world participated in the conference. Dr V.K. Jain was given the award for his contribution in teaching medical students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the field of dermatology, venerology and leprosy from more than 25 years. — Inputs by Sunit Dhawan
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Brush up personality traits
Nidhi Maheshwari While CAT is all about one’s aptitude, GD/PI focuses on the interpersonal skills of the aspirants. Presenting oneself in the right way during GD/ PI is the key to getting into a top league institute. After getting a good score in CAT by now many of you would have become ardent readers of newspapers and magazines, poring over every written word you can come across! Many of you may also be looking into the mirror and questioning who you are and what you want from life. Getting the right communication skills is very important at this stage. You may be a very good orator, but you may not have the right quality to speak in front of a group or you may fumble when a couple of eyes are staring at you. Accepting the reality helps you avoid the physical exertion involved in paddling against the current. You need to understand the way stress interviews are conducted. The interviewers grill you and you need to fight that current and move upstream. You need to focus more, simply because your concentration and attention will act as the winds that fill your sails. Instead of working on the basics of grammar at the eleventh hour, it may be wiser to accept your lack of fluency and then concentrate on other ways to make a mark during the interview. Remember that yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is God’s gift. That’s why we call it the present. Start working on your present. Do this and you will have actually paddled upstream to get closer to your goal. The first step to this success is your prowess at group discussion. Here is the road map for successfully clearing your GD/PI. Group discussion
A Group Discussion (GD) at a B-School can be defined as a formal discussion involving 10 to 12 participants in a group. They are given a topic. This topic can be general, specific or abstract. The group members may or may not be given time to collect their thoughts. GD is a test of interpersonal communication skills. The other facets that may be measured are leadership skills, knowledge, reasoning, initiative and ability to inspire. Here are some important tips to help ace the GDs.
Time is the resource that is constant for each and everyone. You need to manage time very effectively if you want to be successful. All other factors being constant, better time utilisation will help improve your performance tremendously and keep stress in check. The best part of it is that this skill, once learnt, is going to help in not only in getting past deadlines at work and college, but also, in all things you ever do in life. It’ll optimise your skills and guarantee success in every endeavour.
Interview
The next step is doing some home-work to be prepared for the interviews that will follow. A candidate should always check the type of interview he will be appearing for. While the most prevalent ones are the panel interviews, in some rare cases, group interviews may also be conducted.
Panel interview
Panel interviews are conducted by a group of interviewers. Only one candidate is interviewed at a time. Here the stress is on the personality of the interviewee and how he responds to various questions that range from professional to personal. The traits that are closely observed are:
The preparation for an interview (of either form) would be incomplete without a grinding revision and planning of:
Group Interview
In group interview, all candidates are gathered together and are assessed by one or more interviewers. Here the institute has a chance to screen candidates, by observing how they behave and stand out among their peers. Interviewers are likely to observe:
Although there are groups or teams, the interviewers scrutinise individuals. The skills measured during a group interview include — leadership qualities, passion, persuasion and persistence, communication, teamwork, commitment, organisational loyalty and stress management. And finally remember that these days analytical questions are very common in such assessment arenas. So prepare for these too. — The writer is Assistant Professor, Asia-Pacific Institute of Management, New Delhi
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Harness the right poject management skills
‘Projectum’ means to throw something forward, and managing a project involves managing the uncertainties associated with it. Given limited resources, and with costs, time, scope and quality being ever-changing realities in an era of globalisation and e-technology, a management degree is not enough to helm projects. We need specialised skills. Behavioural and contextual skills are essential to lead and motivate team members. These skills need to be instilled through education and training. Given the requirements of the time, project management must become part of the core curriculum in MBA and engineering colleges. Here are 11 qualities and skills that make a good project professional:
Integrity
It may sound absurd to some that I have listed integrity at the top of the heap of the qualities needed in a worthy project manager. But, it is actually the prime requirement. Integrity flows from top to bottom. A manager whose integrity cannot be doubted makes an excellent example across his or her team members. Such a professional not only makes sure that he or she is completely honest and forthright in his dealing but will also ensure that no unscrupulous elements disturb the chain of planning and implementation.
Strong team building
A project is a team effort and will succeed only when everyone performs his role rightly. One of the most important things required of a project manager is that he or she should be able to identify the strengths of his team members, place them where they fit the best and builds a team that becomes more than its parts.
Effective decision making
Often during the course of a project, its leader will find himself in a situation where a tough and instant decision may be required. The project manager should be able to be quick in analysing the consequences of the various possible outcomes and then take an effective decision.
Optimising resources
Whatever we set about doing, lack of resources will always be a part of the action. What an efficient project manager does is understand the availability of resources and optimise them to the fullest potential.
Ready to take risk
Risk taking is as much required in project handling as is decision making. There will be situations where you cannot always play safe. Taking calculated risks is often required and needs a deft and experienced hand. At the same time, the leader should be able to stand by his or her decision and face consequences.
Transparency
The project manager should be committed to the job at hand and whatever he or she does should be transparent. This not only instills confidence in the team and the stakeholders but also encourages transparency throughout the work chain.
Knowing tech involved
We are living in an era where technology changes every few years. It is hence highly important for a person leading a project to be aware about the technology involved in implementing the job. A person who has no idea of what technology it takes to build say a bridge or a building or an underground subway, will not be able to optimise his or her decisions accordingly.
Knowing limitations
Besides knowing the constraints of resources, it is also important to know the constraints of the project and the environment. You cannot expect to run through a village wildly when building a highway or a bridge. There may be historical places that need to be preserved, there may be environmental factors that need to be taken into account, and there need to be people’s wishes that have to be considered in giving compensations.
Commitment to customer satisfaction
The prime objective of a project manager should be to lead towards an outcome that will satisfy the customer to the most. It involves moulding your decisions to suit the customer orientation and making sure the team functions to realise this objective.
Communication skills
Communication is a key driver of effective implementation. Whatever is required of a team has to be communicated right down to the last man. The project manager should articulate his or her demands clearly so that there is no room for confusion. Good communication skills help to keep the flow of information going between all stakeholders. — The writer is the Honorary National President of Project Management Associates (PMA)
High degree of determination
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How i-Generation’s will affect the talent management process?
Sanjay Kapoor
Like earlier generations they too are dreamers, but with a slight edge. With vast information surrounding them, they are better informed about the ingredients and road map to achieve their dreams. Though this generation is still not out in the job market, they expect great things. They want it quick, fast and are on the verge of taking their final leap towards that. Their predecessors (Generations X & Y) who are at the helm of affairs for scouting talent need to know the new breed, Gen-Z. They need to understand Gen-Z DNA fully as well as strongly engineer for a co-conducive work environment. Here are some of the key traits of Gen Z that talent managers are keeping in mind to tailor strategies: 1.If Experience was the prominent differentiator possessed by previous generations, ‘Knowledge’ is the new Differentiator of Gen-Z. This generation has a very unique characteristic; they will not come to you, you have to reach out to them. This seemingly overbearing self-respect comes from the aforementioned ‘Knowledge’ and the confidence associated with it. Even for their basic needs and wants they will not be the initiators, one has to enable and extend them the invite of one’s desire of association and share with them the information preferably over the digital platform. So, a talent manager will have to act as a catalyst in order to initiate the process of attracting them towards their perceived conducive environment of growth and achievement. 2.They live in a universe called ‘online community’ and the preferred mode of communication is through utilisation of electronic and social media. This generation avoids public meetings and is rightly termed as public shy. This does not lower their desire for socialisation; as for them knowing each other is not necessarily about face-to-face communication, but an acquaintance or couple of exchanges on digital platforms is as good as face-to- face communication. It is very important to understand that to reach out and influence them, effective online presence needs to be made available. It should precisely speak “What is in it for you?” 3.It is time for Gen X & Y to adopt two different and dedicated strategic approaches in the hiring organisations to attract and retain Gen-Z; one towards polarisation of the talent and the second towards farming the talent. This bifurcation will ensure longevity and stickiness of workforce. 4.Their focus needs to be channelised towards lateral thinking instead of redundant process compliance, as only then can the mutual growth expectations be met and fulfilled. An out-of-box approach needs to replace the cyclic drudgery. 5.Unlike the times of Gen X and Y wherein money was a defining factor of roles and responsibilities, the Gen-Z seeks “challenging, niche and uniquely carved role differentiation”. And this will be the key element for talent retention in the organisation. They feel they are comfortable working, if they are provided with a work environment which is devoid of physical boundaries. It is observed that they yield better results if they are exposed to minimal constraints to their choice of operations. This means implementation of innovative process and policies, including ‘virtual office space’, ‘work beyond boundaries’ & ‘flexibility’. Classroom trainings and traditional pedagogy will be replaced by Virtual Trainers and Digital content and curriculum (D2D). — The writer is Director & CEO -IRIS Corporate Solutions Pvt. Ltd .
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USA’s 10 most hated companies
McDonald’s and Walmart are part of the worst companies’ list as employees and some customers have protested the low wages at these companies — low enough to put workers below the poverty line. Mass layoffs also contribute to low worker morale. Some of the most-hated companies have significantly reduced their workforces. The 10 most-hated companies in America, according to 24/7 Wall St. are: 10. JCPenney: JCPenney has probably made more operational and strategic mistakes than any other large publicly traded company in America. 9. BlackBerry: The long and tragic decline of BlackBerry is a good example of how quickly a market leader can go astray. 8. Lululemon: Lululemon was once one of the world’s most-promising retail companies. However, it has fallen on hard times. Shares are down nearly 20 per cent in the past 12 months, compared with the S&P 500’s 25 per cent increase. 7. JPMorgan Chase: JPMorgan Chase has been embroiled in several major scandals in recent years. 6. Walmart: Walmart bore the brunt of the labour protests around raising the minimum wage last year. The company employs more workers who make less than $10 per hour than any company in America. 5. DISH Network: DISH earned a spot in MSN’s 2013 Customer Service Hall of Shame largely because of its aggressive sales tactics. 4. Sears Holdings: It is the parent corporation of retailers Sears and Kmart — both notorious underperformers. Investors have lost trust in controlling shareholder and chairman whose poor management and decision-making has caused the company to shrink. 3. Electronic Arts: Leading game maker EA has recently hit some serious roadblocks. 2. Abercrombie & Fitch 1. McDonald's: McDonald's has hundreds of thousands of employees who earn barely more than the minimum wage. — ANI
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Scholarship roundup
Eligibility: Applicants will be assessed on both academic merit and financial need, and priority will be given to students who have not already completed a degree at a higher education institution outside India. Details: The total value of each of the full scholarships per year is £40k. The scholarships cover full cost of (overseas) tuition fees, a maintenance allowance, some additional costs and an airfare to India. This includes:
Subjects: All scholarships will be available to applicants for study in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Engineering and Imperial College Business School. Deadline: March 14, 2014 Check out: www.imperial.ac.uk/international/prospective/newscholarships/icifscholarships Aga Khan Foundation International scholarship The Aga Khan Foundation provides a limited number of scholarships each year for postgraduate studies to outstanding students from developing countries who have no other means of financing their studies. The foundation offers international scholarship for postgraduate study to students of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Syria, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Madagascar, France, Portugal, UK, USA and Canada to study in their home countries. Study subject (s): Architecture, Health, Civil Society, Planning & Building, Culture, Rural Development, Economic Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Education and Music. Eligibility: Preference is given to students under 30 years of age. Applicants are expected to have some years of work experience in their field of interest. Details: Scholarships are awarded on a 50 per cent grant : 50 per cent loan basis through a competitive application process once a year in June or July. The Foundation assists students with tuition fees and living expenses only. Selection criteria: Excellent academic records,
Candidates are also evaluated on their extra-curricular interests and achievements. How to apply: Students may obtain application forms from January 1 each year from AKF offices or Aga Khan Education Services/Boards. Deadline: March 31, 2014 Check out: www.akdn.org
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Course cruising
Eligibility: The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree, with at least 50 per cent marks or equivalent CGPA, awarded by any of the universities incorporated by an act of the central or state legislature in India , or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Ministry of HRD. Candidates appearing for the final year of bachelor’s degree/equivalent qualification examination and those who have completed degree requirement and are awaiting results can also apply. Admission criteria: Candidates seeking admission to the PGDM (B & FS) of NIBM should appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) by IIMs as a pre-requisite. Candidates short-listed on the basis of CAT scores will be called for Group Discussion and Interview during April 2014 in select centers. How to apply: Application forms can be downloaded from www.nibmindia.org The duly filled application should be accompanied with a payment of ~1250. Deadline: February 15, 2014. Check out: nibmindia.org
Winter School Training Programme
The Department of Remote Sensing & GIS, University of Jammu has invited applications for admission to a 21-day Winter School Training Programme For Capacity Building in Geospatial Technology scheduled to be conducted from February 25 to March 17, 2014. Who can apply: Basic aim of the training programme is Capacity Building in Geospatial Technology for College and University teachers. The teachers working in colleges and university and research institutes can take part in this training programme. They can be from the Departments of Geography, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Physics, Geology, Computer Science & IT, Agriculture Science, Forestry & Faculty of Engg. and Technology. How to apply: Application format can be obtained from the link: http://www.jammuuniversity.in/announcements.asp# Application duly filled in may be sent to the Coordinator through e-mail: asjasrotia@yahoo.co.uk Deadline: February 15, 2014. Check out: www.jammuuniversity.in
PGDM
Asia- Pacific Institute of Management is inviting applications for the following PGDM courses: · Post Graduate Diploma in Management – Also approved by AIU as equivalent to MBA
Duration : 2 years Eligibility: Students need to apply through MAT/CAT/XAT/CMAT. Graduates with aggregate 50 per cent marks and those students pursuing final year of graduation also can also apply. Those who have not appeared in CAT/MAT/XAT/CMAT or not having the qualifying criteria can take admissions under Management Quota/Company Sponsored Category. How to apply: The Information Brochure and application form may be obtained from the institute office by paying
Rs 1200 in cash. The form can also be downloaded from the website of Asia Pacific and send it to the institute along with a DD
Rs 1250 in favour of Asia-Pacific Institute of Management. Deadline: March 31, 2014 Check out: www.asiapacific.edu
Fashion photography
The course: The course is a three-month full-time programme in Fashion Photography. It will cover topics like introduction to photography, what is fashion, camera and its types, the colour spectrum etc. Eligibility:Applicant should have passed Plus II from a recognised board in any discipline. How to apply: Application forms are available at the corporate centre of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Hauz Khas Village. Application Forms can also be downloaded from the website www.jdinstitute.com Deadline: January 20, 2014. Check out: www.jdinstitute.com
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Happiness @ work
Even after JRD Tata had obtained a flying licence on February 10, 1929, successfully taken part in the England-India flying competition in 1930 and persuaded Sir Dorab, chairman of Tata Sons, to finance his airline project, government permission for it was not forthcoming. Between 1929 and the end of 1931, there was endless correspondence between the Tatas and the authorities. Fed up, JRD reportedly told his stenographer to write to the government: Please specify if you intend to say yes or no within the next 100 years! In the 16th century, Burhan-ul-Mulk, Sultan of Ahmednagar, died. As soon as his son Ibrahim ascended the throne, he had his brother Ismail blinded and killed. Four months later, Ibrahim too died. Mughal Emperor Akbar, whose envoy had earlier been insulted by Burhan, was waiting to teach the Deccan kingdom a lesson. As Ibrahim’s son, prince Bahadur, was just an infant, the citizens clamoured for Chand Bibi, Burhan’s sister, to take over. But opposing factions and nobles were adamant on a male ruler. So she had to act as regent to the infant King. Despite being a Muslim woman, princess Razia of the Slave dynasty refused to wear a veil in public when she became Sultana as “a ruler out of view cannot instil confidence in the people”. When Sudama came to meet his chum Lord Krishna in Dwarka, he was treated warmly. Then, Krishna saw that Sudama had brought him a gift. Even while the poor Sudama felt embarrassed in handing over a few handfuls of flattened rice (poha) in a rag bundle to the One who had it all, Krishna — abandoning all protocol — not only grabbed it and consumed a handful, but also gave him enough riches to last a lifetime. When the Central Institute of Education decided to bestow a medal on social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar for his immense contribution to women’s uplift, he decided against going personally to the function as the organisers wanted him to come in European clothes. Uncomfortable with the idea, he sent one of his associates to collect the medal on his behalf. Even while the Romans marvelled at Jesus Christ’s miracles, they, being rulers, didn’t invite him to their homes. One day, a Roman official came to him and said, “My servant is paralysed. He is dying. Please save him.” When Jesus agreed to go to his house, the official said, “I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. Please give your order from here.” Jesus did so and when the official returned home, he found his servant cured. Procedures are for man, man isn’t for procedures. The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Bookshelf
Achieve Your Highest Potential Be The Best You Can
Be
Memory boosters
Stay Smart 100 Excercises So you need to stay smart and you can do this by tackling the 100 specially designed puzzles, challenges and exercises in this book arranged in three groups. This book contains a variety of puzzles and thinking challenges that will help exercise your memory and improve your powers of recall. The puzzles and exercises are supplemented with Smart Brain Facts that expand on the information, and smart brain actions —small but powerful exercises to engage the brain, then further stretch and work the memory. You’ll also learn how your brain and memory function operate, and how to defy the ageing process with key information on diet, exercise, and concentration.
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Fortnightly quiz 455
2. Which country recently joined the exclusive club of countries that have developed indigenous technology to power heavy payloads into space? 3. Which Asian country completed three years without a case of polio on January 13 this year? 4. Name the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. 5. Where will be a nuclear power project set up in Haryana? 6. Name the newly appointed chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF). 7. What is the name of Parliament of Israel? 8. Name the shuttler from Madhya Pradesh who has become the first male junior badminton player from India to be ranked number one in the world by the World Badminton Federation (WBF). 9. Which country recently won the under-19 Asia Cricket Cup title? 10. How many times has Australia beaten England 5-0 in the Ashes series? Winners of quiz 454
The first prize by draw of lots goes to Harshul Sood; Class VI-A; Kundan Vidya Mandir School, Civil Lines, Humbran Road, Ludhiana; Pin Code -141001 Second: Saurabh Singh Bisht; Class X; Day Star School, Manali, District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh; Pin Code - 175131 Third: Aditya Kumar Sharma; Class IX; Army Public School; Chandimandir; Panchkula; Pin Code - 134107 Answers to quiz 454: Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Vasundhara Raje and Raman Singh; China; Tejas; Nelson Mandela; Over 20,000; Bangladesh; Mary Kom; India; Four (Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev, Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan); George Bailey and Brian Lara 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
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One can be the best designer, and may have the best product but if one can’t sell it or make it look appealing to the target audience, then no one is going to know you. Just as making a good product or design is important, marketing it well is also equally important. This makes a degree in Fashion Marketing and Management a much sought after qualification in the current scenario.
Opportunities
Q.I am in Class XI (science stream). I have two queries: What is the job profile of a Flight Engineer? Are girls and those with spectacles eligible to take up a course in flight engineering? — jaspreet walia
Q.I did my BCom from an Open University. Am I eligible to take the Civil Services Exam? — rajan doshi
Q.I am doing BA (correspondence). Could you please tell me what do jobs in customer service involve? 
Maths is a subject that is often feared because it requires a logical approach and comprehension of several formulas. This eventually leads to a lack of confidence while dealing with the subject. Many students see it as a never-ending challenge; this occurs because of the limitation and fear of overcoming cramming. When students try to mug up procedures, instructions, rules and routines without understanding them, they get stuck in the middle and forget links; this is where the panic sets in. Suppose you don't have a good memory, cramming will never help, because the moment you don't follow one step, you'll go clueless on solving the entire problem. The important thing is not only to know how a particular problem is solved but also why it is solved in that manner. In addition, an inquisitive approach towards knowing the root solution sets the basis/foundation of concepts. Always have a “yes! I can do it attitude”, as this will change your entire approach towards maths.
The Regional Institute of Ophthalmology at the Pt B.D.Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, organised a medical education conference on ‘Recent Trends in Ophthalmology’ under the aegis of Haryana Ophthalmological Society on the university campus recently. Presiding over the valedictory function, UHS Vice-chancellor Prof S.S.Sangwan, stressed on the need of modifying the rules for issuing visual handicap certificate to the eligible persons.
Life is a project. As we lead our daily lives, we are constantly planning for the future, learning from the past and firefighting for the present. The people who are able to best handle their project are those who are determined, ready to take risks yet committed to plan wisely, those who know their constraints and optimise available resources to the best possible. Likewise helming projects be it infrastructure, political, commercial or cultural also requires precision planning and skill.
Delivering a project is a challenge and every step towards it will present new obstacles and challenges, many of whom you may not have encountered earlier. To overcome all problems — logistic, resource related, performance related — the person helming a project needs to have high degree of determination and perseverance. Sometimes despite good planning and action, a decided course of plan may fail in the middle of a project. At this time, the project manager has to have strength to be able to chart out an alternative and lead his team towards implementation.
Born after 1995, fully exposed to the internet environment and making the largest representation on the online platform, this is Gen-Z — the i-Generation. It is said that members of this generation, on their arrival, do not knock at the doors. They in fact communicate through SMS and WhatsApp.
24/7 Wall St. has come out with a list of 10 most hated companies in America. The list is based on a number of points, including angry employees with unpleasant working conditions or low pay, and fail shareholders with poor returns. According to the Huffington Post, many of the most-hated companies have millions of customers and hundreds of thousands of workers.
Imperial College London and its Indian supporters association, the Imperial College India Foundation, have announced the expansion of their scholarship programme for academically outstanding Indian students to study at postgraduate level at the Imperial College. The Imperial College India Foundation Scholarships will offer two fully funded master’s scholarships, as well as one full PhD scholarship for Indian nationals residing in India. The launch of the scholarships coincides with an 11-day visit by Imperial College London’s President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions to India in January 2014. During the trip to Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi he will host an alumni event in each city and meet with representatives from government, industry, and higher education institutions.
National Institute of Bank Management, Pune, is inviting applications for PG Diploma in Management (Banking & Financial Services) for 2014 academic session.
JD Institute of Fashion Technology invites applications for Diploma in Fashion Photography
Procedures are fine till these help organise work. But queues, paperwork and protocol that hinder work are better removed.
This book reinforces the belief that each human being possesses infinite potential, which is just waiting to be explored and exploited. The biggest hurdle in one’s journey to success is the barriers created by oneself. Knowledge of these barriers and the means to overcome these liomitations can open the doors to success. This is what this books aims to achieve. The author Chitra Jha is a columnist and a life skills coach who has vast experience in this field. Her favourite quotes are “physician, heal thyself’ and ‘Let’s walk our talk.’The book is a step-by-step guide to set you on your personal growth plan. A valuable read for all of you who want to be smarter, happier, richer, more successful and popular.
Brains change as well age – the signals travel more slowly but there is now strong evidence that we can do something about it. Keeping your brain active counters the effects of natural decline that comes with ageing.
1. Name the New Zealander who has become the quickest one-day international (ODI) century scorer in 36 balls.
