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Ceramic engineering With a lot of research potential and a widening spectrum, this branch of engineering offers exciting career prospects 
Every year thousands of students apply for engineering programmes without even a faintest idea of which field of engineering they wish to get into, or the kind of work they wish to do after getting an engineering degree. Engineering is not so much one career, but is more of an expertise that opens doors to a vast range of jobs. Engineers design and manufacture the hardware of life. They also repair, modify and construct efficient and economical products, by applying scientific principles to a variety of solutions.
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Ceramic strength With a lot of research potential and a widening spectrum, this branch of engineering offers exciting career prospects Usha Albuquerque Every year thousands of students apply for engineering programmes without even a faintest idea of which field of engineering they wish to get into, or the kind of work they wish to do after getting an engineering degree. Engineering is not so much one career, but is more of an expertise that opens doors to a vast range of jobs. Engineers design and manufacture the hardware of life. They also repair, modify and construct efficient and economical products, by applying scientific principles to a variety of solutions. That is why engineering is not confined to the obvious spheres of mechanical, chemical, civil or computer but has vast scope in practically every area of modern-day living. There are, therefore, numerous specialisations in engineering including some not so well known such as petroleum, bio-medical, plastic, thermal engineering, as well as advanced fields like nanotechnology, ultrasonic, robotics, polymer technology, and many more areas that many are not aware of. Ceramic engineering is one discipline of engineering that has application in so many practical facets of everyday life. Whether it is ceramic teeth, bones, or joints for the body, household or decorative ware, fibre optic cables used by doctors to see inside the human body or ceramic superconductors, lasers and so on, ceramic engineering fulfils the purpose. Ceramic technology is a branch of engineering that deals with the study of the properties, manufacture, design and applications of ceramic materials. Ceramics are inorganic and non-metallic materials generally made by taking mixtures of clay, earthen elements, powders, and water and shaping them into desired forms. Once the ceramic has been shaped, it is fired in a high temperature oven known as a kiln. Ceramics are usually used for making things like tile, bricks, plates, glass, and toilets. Ceramics can be found in products like watches (quartz tuning forks), automobiles (sparkplugs and ceramic engine parts found in racing cars), artificial teeth and appliances, and phone lines. The special character of ceramic materials gives rise to many applications in materials engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. Being a cutting-edge, low-cost material the use of ceramic material is on a rise and particularly as it is heat resistant, useful in mining, aerospace, refinery, medicine, food and chemical industries, packaging science, electronics, industrial and transmission electricity and a wide range of industries. Ceramic and materials engineers are the people who design the processes in which these products can be made. They create new types of ceramic products, and find different uses for ceramic products in everyday life. A ceramic technologist is concerned with study, research and development of the ceramic materials, as well as planning and developing processing systems for the fabrication of components, devices, or machines of ceramics for technological applications as well as for various applications like glass, porcelain, cement, refractors, insulators, composite materials, enamels, cement etc. Getting in You can get into ceramic engineering after Plus II with physics, chemistry and maths, usually through a competitive test like the JEE (Mains), CEE and other competitive exams for admission. Various engineering colleges offer the four-year BE, BTech in ceramic engineering, or ceramic technology. Many of the courses in materials engineering also include ceramic technology. Seats in engineering colleges are normally easier to bag as there is a limited demand for this course. You can also do an ME or MTech in ceramic engineering or technology after BE/ BTech in any other engineering discipline, while further research in the field can lead to a PhD degree. Career prospects Candidates who have completed this course can find job opportunities in private and public sector companies as there is a growing demand for ceramic professionals. The ceramics industry in India is growing at a CAGR of 15 per cent. Those with BTech ceramic technology can work as ceramic technologists researching on various chemical processes for developing new products or re-designing those in use to make them more efficient. Ceramic engineers can also take up jobs as ceramic designers responsible for designing various ceramic products. Other jobs include those in marketing or sales with ceramic companies, or those using ceramic products. Due to the wide usage of ceramics, the job opportunities for ceramic technologists are huge. Aside from traditional household things, such as dinnerware, decorative sculpture, and floor and wall tile, graduates of ceramic engineering colleges enjoy a wide assortment of industries in which they can apply their knowledge. Some of the industries include: Aerospace: Aircraft instrumentation, turbine blades and rotors, thermal insulation, space shuttle hull tiles, ignition systems, satellite positioning equipment. Electrical: Capacitors, cathodes, superconductors, transistor dielectrics, piezoelectrics, hard disk drives, accelerator tubes for electronic microscopes. Environmental: Photovoltaic cells, nuclear fuel storage, heat exchangers, gas turbine components, solar-hydrogen technology, solid fuel cells. Those looking for a career in research and development can get absorbed by institutes such as Indian Space Research Organisation, Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Institute for Plasma Research, among others, where there is need for trained experts in ceramics. You can also work as a lecturer in any engineering college that offers ceramic technology courses. While salaries may vary with qualification and experience of the ceramic engineer, the location, and the type of job, most fresh graduates can expect to start earning anywhere between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 per month. The scope for ceramic engineering is increasing with new applications for its use. Work is being done in developing ceramic parts for gas turbine engines. Recently, there have been advances in ceramics which include bio-ceramics, such as dental implants and synthetic bones. A lot of research work is being done so that ultimately ceramic materials may be used as bone replacements or with the incorporation of protein collagens, or synthetic bones. High-tech ceramic is used in watch-making, the material valued by watchmakers for its light weight, scratch-resistance, durability and smooth touch. With such varied and extensive usage ceramic is not only the product of the future but can provide excellent job opportunities for those interested in this field. Careers in materials science like ceramic engineering, often require great dedication, an attention to detail, and a focused drive to succeed. If you possess these qualities, then before you rush to fill in your admission application for computers or mechanical engineering, take the time to explore the scope and future of ceramic engineering. — The writer is Director, Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., New Delhi Study Abroad UK-based University of Sheffield also offers 1-2 years full time MSc (Eng) course in Ceramic Science and Engineering under the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. In order to provide grounding in the principles of ceramic science, the university facilitates in providing excellent array of microscopy and analysis equipment, x-ray facilities, surface analysis techniques covering state-of-the-art XPS and SIMS. In addition to that, students can enjoy practical learning in the laboratories for cell tissue culture, and measuring electrical, magnetic and mechanical properties. The course provides students with options to specialise either in Functional Ceramics or Structural Ceramics in their final module. Also, since the Department of Materials Science and Engineering has large industrial contracts with several industries, pursuing the course will help students reach out a range of employers. The course will also provide them with an ideal background for possible PhD study. Students with an honors or equivalent degree in materials, metallurgy, chemistry or a related engineering subject from approved institutions are eligible to pursue this course. Applicants whose first language is not English need to have an overall IELTS grade of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component, or equivalent. The annual fee for Indian students is £17470. The programme will have intakes in September 2014 and the deadline to apply for the same is May 31, 2014. For further information on the programme visit
http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/taught/courses/ Institute Watch * Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi www.bhu.ac.in * Institute of Information and Technology, www. iit.ac.in * National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, www.nitrkl.ac.in * Government College of Engineering and Ceramic Technology, Kolkata www.gcect.ac.in * PDA College of Engineering, Anna University, Gulbarga www.annauniv.edu in * Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (a branch of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), Kolkata, www.cgcri.res.in * Allagappa College of Technology, Chennai
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Which universities offer GIS courses? Pervin Malhotra email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com...
A. With several remote sensing satellites in orbit India’s remote sensing programme has made great progress in the last five years. Courses in Remote Sensing and GIS are offered at the postgraduate-level. Those with an engineering degree or MSc in geology/geography are eligible for admission to the following universities: * University of Calcutta, Kolkata Course: PG Diploma in Remote Sensing. * Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (NRSA), Hyderabad) Course: MTech (RS & GIS) and PG Diploma & Certificate (RS & GIS) * Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya, Bhopal (MP) Course: MSc (Tech) Remote Sensing. * Birla Institute of Technology, Mesra (Jhar) Course: MTech. Eligibility: BE/MSc (1st div). * Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, Dehradun Course: MTech (RS & GIS) and PG Diploma & Certificate (RS & GIS) * Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi Course: PG Diploma in Remote Sensing & GIS Applications. * Anna University, Institute of Remote Sensing, Chennai Course: MTech. * Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli (TN). Course: MTech. * University of Madras, Chennai Course: PG Diploma in Remote Sensing. * IIT Mumbai Powai, Course: MTech (Civil) Remote Sensing. Eligibility: BTech/MSc in relevant branches of Engg/Science. * University of Pune, D/o Space & Sciences Course: MSc (Remote Sensing) State Remote Sensing Application Centres working in collaboration with the Department of Space, GoI, also conduct short-term programmes from time to time for researchers. MA English through distance learning
Q. After completing master’s in mathematics, I have joined the Indian Statistical Service. However, I have this great passion for English language and literature. But at this early stage of my career, I can’t possibly go on a study leave to pursue a regular master’s in English. Could you please tell me about the universities that offer PG programmes in English through correspondence? —
Kishori Nair
A. I really like your spirit! Learning is a life-long process, more so in this knowledge era. Several of our universties offer MA in English (two years) through distance learning which don’t require a BA in English as a necessary qualification (e.g. Indira Gandhi National Open University; Panjab University, Department of Correspondence Studies, Chandigarh; and Punjabi University, Department of Correspondence Courses, Patiala; Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Institute of Correspondence Courses & Continuing Education, Meerut; Himachal Pradesh University, International Centre for Distance Education & Open Learning, Shimla; Kurukshetra University, Directorate of Correspondence Courses, Kurukshetra; Maharshi Dayanand University, Directorate of Distance Education, Rohtak. However, I suggest you specially consider The English & Foreign Language University (EFLU), a central university based in Hyderabad. Check out their School of Distance Learning for course offerings (www.efluniversity.ac.in) Another option you could look at is the Master’s in English Language Teaching offered online across the world in collaboration with the British Council. Details: www.southampton.ac.uk or email them on:
pgafh@southampton.ac.uk
What qualification is required to become a lecturer?
A.
Teacher training courses are conducted for teaching at different levels. The eligibility for nursery and primary school teachers is Plus II with a diploma/certificate in pre-school (nursery) or elementary teaching. Graduation is not a must at this level. Junior school teachers are graduates with a BEd degree (which is now mostly a two-year programme) while secondary school teachers hold a postgraduate degree in the subject they are teaching along with a BEd. The integrated B.El.Ed or BSc. Ed course is a four-year programme which can be done straight after Plus II. To become a lecturer in a college or a university, you have to qualify the UGC/CSIR-NET (National Eligibility Test) or SLET (State Level Eligibility Test). These tests are not recruitment tests but only qualify you for applying for the post of lecturer. The basic qualification required for these tests is a postgraduate degree (55 per cent aggregate). BEd courses are offered by a number of universities across the country. Some of the better universities/institutes in the north of the country are: *
Delhi University, * Army Institute of Education, New Delhi, * Guru Gobind Singh Indrapratha University, Delhi, *
Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, * Panjab University, Chandigarh * Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak.
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Finishing school in production engineering
The Indian Machine Tool Manufacturers’ Association (IMTMA) is organising an exclusive hands on course “Finishing school in Production Engineering” at IMTMA Technology Centre, Bangalore to enhance skill sets of engineers and supervisors from manufacturing industries. This course is of 4-week duration and is totally practical oriented with hands on practice in production CNC machines, CAD/CAM, Metrology equipment, Tooling and work holding systems and other accessories. THe course will be held from May 12, 2014 to June 7, 2014 Engineers from TVS Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Hero Moto Corp, Sansera Engineering, Wabco India, Leo fasteners, Kar Mobiles, etc., have undergone this course and achieved productivity and quality improvement in their projects by implementing some of the key learnings. This course is also ideal for new recruits/trainees as well as fresh engineering graduates in mechanical engineering and allied branches, aspiring for challenging career in manufacturing industries. New recruits from Kennametal India, Wipro Engineering, Ceratizit India, etc., underwent this course and got well prepared to serve the industry from day one. Key Take-Aways : After course completion, the participants will be able - * To have complete insight in to Computer Integrated modern manufacturing environment * To understand Engineering Drawing and develop process plan * To develop and optimise NC Programmes for CNC Turning and Machining Centres * To do proper selection of tools & cutting parameters for various CNC machining operations v To reduce cycletime and improve productivity / quality in CNC machining * To handle measuring instruments and equipment for quality control of machined parts Registration: Each batch will have only 20 seats, Prior registration is necessary for participation. Registration on 'First Come First Serve' basis. A written test will be conducted at the end of each module to evaluate the participants. Course Completion Certificate will be issued to all successful participants. Important Information: Fee includes participation, course material, stationery, working lunch and tea/coffee. Interested companies are requested to return the attached 'Reply form' duly filled along with Demand Draft / at par cheque in favour of 'Indian Machine Tool manufacturers' Association" payable at Bangalore. International conference on Integrating Spirituality and Organisational Leadership Integrating Spirituality and Organisational Leadership Foundation (ISOL) will be organising the fifth International Conference on Integrating Spirituality and Organisational leadership in Chicago from September 10-15, 2015. ISOL Foundation will bring academicians, environmentalists, spiritualists, thinkers, scientists and representations from business houses, business associations and civil societies on one platform to deliberate and discuss the subject- “Spirituality for Global Economic Development” during ISOL 2015. The foundation is inviting scholars across the globe to submit abstracts for oral or poster presentation at the conference. Paper presentation is open for students, corporate leaders, academicians, representations from government and non-government organisations.Deadline to submit abstracts and panel proposals is July 14, 2014 Notification of acceptance: August 15, 2014 Deadline to submit full papers: February 15, 2015 For guidelines and details please refer conference website www.isol2015chicago.co.in Liberal arts school O.P. Jindal University, Sonepat, launched Jindal School for Liberal Arts and Humanities (JSLH) recently. The school in collaboration with Rollins College, USA, has launched an undergraduate joint programme in the Liberal Arts and Humanities, at the end of which students will receive an undergraduate qualification recognised both in the US and India. Admissions for the inaugural batch beginning on August 1, 2014 are now open. All students who have successfully passed the examination conducted by a Board/University at the Plus II level of schooling or its equivalent are eligible to apply. JSLH has adopted a rolling admission policy selection process based on SAT or ACT scores, a 1000-word personal statement and a personal interview for shortlisted candidates. Speaking on the Dr. C. Raj Kumar, Vice- Chancellor, O.P Jindal Global University, said, “Breaking away from the ossified Indian educational system of rote learning and term-end examinations, JSLH will have an assessment methodology that will include writing and presenting papers and presentations and debates nearly every day of the week. ” The first two years at JSLH will be a rigorous process of preparation for the next two years at Rollins College and the curriculum during the first two years will consist of core courses that will test the aptitude and latitude of students while automatically prepping them for the whole menu of courses available at Rollins College. The annual programme fee is ~6, 00,000 excluding residence hall, dining and laundry which are an additional ~1, 50,000 annually. For the two years at Rollins College, USA, the average holistic cost amounts to $ 120,000. Check out www.jslh.edu.in or admissions.jslh@jgu.edu.in. for further information.
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BSc in Sports Technology
The School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at UK’s Loughborough University is offering BSc in Sports Technology course. The course: The three-year course has been devised for students who wish to pursue a career in the expanding sports-related industry. The curriculum covers all the major themes focusing on sports equipment and facilities such as the design of sports equipment, use of materials in equipment design, methods of manufacture, the role of computer aided design, ergonomic aspects in sports equipment design, biomechanics, sports physiology, evaluation and testing of sports equipment and business studies for the sports industry. The first two years of the course concentrate on building a foundation of technology theory which is then applied in a wide range of laboratory sessions. The final academic year is structured around a comprehensive research-style individual project, several core modules including the Sports Equipment Industry and Product Design, together with a selection of additional optional subjects. The students also have the option of choosing a 4-year sandwich course wherein they have the opportunity to pursue a full year of assessed industrial training between the second and third years of academic studies, leading to the additional award of a Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS). Eligibility: Students with over 80% overall score in Class XII are eligible for the course. How to apply : Online through the Universities and College Admissions Service (UCAS- http://www.ucas.com/). Check out: www.lboro.ac.uk
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Australian Endeavour
Eligibility: Applicants must: * be aged 18 years or over at the commencement of their programme; * be a citizen and/or permanent resident of a participating country (section 8); * commence their proposed programme after January 1, 2015 and not later than November 30, 2015. Applicants who have already commenced or will commence their intended programme prior to 2015 are not eligible to apply * not currently hold or have completed, since 1 January 2013, an Australian Government sponsored scholarship and/or fellowship (directly administered to recipients by the Australian Government); Details: All recipients will receive: * Travel allowance: $3,000 (Provision to pay up to $4,500 under special circumstances) * Establishment allowance: $2,000 (Fellowships) or $4,000 (Scholarships) * Monthly stipend: $3,000 (paid up to the maximum programme duration on a pro-rata basis) * Health insurance for the full programme duration (OSHC for non-Australians) * Travel insurance (excluding during programme for non-Australians) Selection criteria: A record of high-level academic achievement and/or relevant work experience in the applicant’s chosen field of study (40%); * a well-defined study, research and/or professional programme (20%); How to
apply: Applications must be submitted using the Endeavour Online Application system. Law research scholarships in Germany Applications are invited for research scholarships at the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Germany. Scholarships are awarded for foreign researchers for a period of between two and four months. The Max Planck Society grants scholarships of various amounts in line with the academic qualifications of the applicant. Eligibility: Preference is given to those researchers whose work promotes and advances the goals of the research programme and the research focuses of the Institute. Special interest to the Department of Criminal Law are research projects concerning comparative law, European criminal law, international criminal law, economic crime, terrorism, organized crime, and information law. Interest to the Department of Criminology are topics covering criminal sanctions, dangerous offenders, and empirical research on criminal procedure, organized crime, terrorism and domestic security, victimisation, social change, changes in life circumstances, crime and crime control. Details: Doctoral scholarships for foreign doctoral students provide 1,365 EUR per month Postdoctoral scholarships for foreign post-doctoral researchers provide 2,100 EUR per month , and Research scholarships for foreign professors provide 2,300 EUR per month. Travel expenses to and from Freiburg are not covered by the scholarship. How to apply: Applicants should apply by post. Applications can be made either to the Department of Criminal Law (Prof. Dr. h.c. mult. Ulrich Sieber) or to the Department of Criminology (Prof. Dr.
h.c. Hans-Jörg Albrecht).
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Moms in business Gauri Chhabra Almost every housewife, however happy and satisfied she may sound, inwardly struggles with a single question as she wakes up in the morning, does the household chores, makes the beds, shops for groceries, feeds the children and lies beside her husband at night: "Is this all?" If the same question nags your mind and you do not want to trade off your family responsibilities also, you can think of other alternatives that do not involve dressing up in the morning and commuting to the office, but would provide you moolah as well as satisfaction that economic independence brings. Here are some profitable work-at-home ways of making money that can easily fit into a stay-at-home mom's schedule. Catering/tiffin service Good food For those of you who have inherent culinary skills, catering is an option you can go in for. In today's time crunched world where the couples are always playing catch up with time, home made food has become a luxury we all want to have but very few can afford due to the paucity of time. You can start with a small investment with just the ingredients of your kitchen and can diversify as operations scale up. There is room for profit no matter how large the business is, but in order to be successful you will need to understand what a caterer does, learn what is needed to operate a catering business, devise a concept for the business, and acquire the necessary supplies There are startup costs associated with starting a catering business, and how much those amount to depends on the size of the business. People can expect to invest between Rs 10,000 and Rs 100,000 for starting up a catering business. You can save a lot of money on startup costs if you start small and use your own kitchens and equipment. The higher investment would include a separate facility with industrial equipment installed especially for preparing meals for events. The initial startup costs include the cost of table settings, tables, chairs, serving equipment, etc. Stoking the literary flair
Every website has a specific target audience and requires a different type and level of content. Content should contain key words that attract and retain users on a website and contribute to SEO ( Search Engine Optimization). While writing content you need to keep the target audience in mind. The content has to be so convincing that it not only increases the traffic on the site but calls to action persuading the reader to make a purchase. Lucidity of expression and coherence of thought would make you a good content writer. Mostly the pieces are centered on marketing products or services that the website is selling or endorsing. Some websites are informational only and do not sell a product or service. In those instances, the content should be geared towards helping to educate the reader while providing them with complex information in a way that is easy to understand and retain. By spending just 2-3 hours per day after taking care of your family responsibilities can make you earn Rs 15,000-20,000 per month. So, pick up your pen and get going… creche / day care centre
You can operate a daycare in your home, provided you have enough space for the number of children you want to watch. You need to maintain a hygienic environment and a caring attitude for kids. If your kids are of the same age the parents who come to you will see it as an added advantage. You'll need a wide variety of toys, games and art supplies to entertain the children. It's easiest to focus on one age group so that you can purchase age-appropriate toys. Look for toys that offer learning opportunities for the children and that encourage both mental and physical development. You'll also need to be sure that the area you've created is safe. There should be no sharp angles for children to bump against and the outdoor area should be fenced. Plug any outlets with safety caps, lock cupboard doors and keep dangerous chemicals out of reach. You can earn between Rs 30,000- Rs 80,000 per month depending upon the investment you have done and the number of kids who are enrolled in your center. It is a profession that is very satisfying and goes a long way to lay a foundation to a career in pre- school education. trousseau packing
Creativity is a must and it is important to be able to adapt to the current trends. This is one profession that does not need particular education qualifications, large financial investment, huge commercial space or 9-5 working hours. Therefore, you can begin to design from home. You can start making people around notice you by making samples of envelopes, gold and silver coin wraps for family, friends and neighbours. You can start with theme-based gifts wrapping and with practice grow into a craftsperson. You can start with your own brand of gift packing or work for others on a freelance basis at ~10,000 per month and go sky high since this profession is dictated by sheer creativity. You can start with baby steps and then word of mouth publicity will fetch you laurels and lucre.
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First person How did this idea come to
your mind? An accident involving my hand left me confined to home and it was then that I decided to do something that i was passonalte about. That’s when I thought about cooking and the journey started from there. Did you make any initial
investment? No, I just started with my kitchen supplies and confined myself to supplying breakfast meals on Sundays. I got an overwhelming response and that gave me the inspiration to move on to catering for kitty parties, supplying tiffins to offices, and home-made juices, squashes and marmalade to families in and around Ludhiana. How do you strike a balance between your family and work? I plan my work well in advance. In case of a large order, I start the preparations in advance so that it does not hamper my family responsibilities. What is the secret of your
success? I do not compromise with the quality of food. Food is the most important aspect of a catering business. If the meal is bad, then it wouldn’t be forgotten soon. A bad experience for a customer can be detrimental to the business’ reputation. For this reason, I have stuck to those menu items that I can prepare well and that can be stored properly during
transport. The caterer should offer variety in all elements of the food, including the ingredients, preparation methods, mealtimes, and cooking styles.
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Where each day is a new challenge Preetinder Kaur
Viruses reproduce and adapt to changing environments. For maintaining good public health, to improving health and to eradicating diseases such as malaria, polio, and others, analysis and study of these viruses is very important. Therefore, virologists are always in demand. This is a growing and multifaceted field of study. Realising the importance of viruses in communicable diseases and a proactive measure to increase India’s preparedness to respond to emerging infectious diseases, Department of Health Research and Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has proposed to set up a network of 150 Virus Diagnostic Laboratories (VDL) across the country under the 12th five-year plan. The availability of trained manpower in virology is a major challenge for this initiative. The seasonality of viral infections and the constant threat of newer viral strands in India has created a need for trained medical professionals adept at understanding how to deal with the threat. Responsibilities Main responsibilities of a virologist are to study growth, structure, development, and general characteristics of viruses, to isolate and make cultures of significant viruses. A virologist may concentrate in the pubic health area, or in recently rising and rapidly adapting viruses like Ebola, or in developing viral therapies for specific diseases. Other areas of interest include infectious disease, biological warfare, HIV, viral vectors & gene therapy, viral oncology and immunology, molecular biology and pathology, veterinary viruses, plant viruses, retrovirusese etc. Getting in Students can go in for BSc in life sciences (microbiology, biochemistry, zoology, etc.) or BVSc or BSc Medical Laboratory Technology and specialise in virology at master's level. Those with MBBS degree can also specialise in this field. At present we have only very few centers such as Manipal Centre for Virus Research, Manipal University, National Institute of Virology, Pune and Amity University offering a post graduate and PhD programmes in virology. Manipal University’s programme is focused on clinical virology (human viral diseases). Institutes National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune; National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), Delhi and Manipal Centre for Virus Research (MCVR), Manipal University are among the top institutes offering courses in this field. Remuneration A virologist may get anything between ~20,000 to ~50,000 per month depending on the experience and division one chooses to work with. If investigating bacteria and conducting research projects sparks your interest, then a specialisation in virology may pave the road to a successful career. Job opportunities Based on individual interest, one can get employed with hospitals, medical schools, medical research or pharmaceutical companies, governmental agencies, pathology labs or research companies.
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PG Diploma in Sports Medicine
Eligibility: The candidate must be an Indian Citizen. A candidate, who holds MBBS degree from a recognised medical college or a foreign medical degree included in the Schedules to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and who has obtained full registration either from the Medical Council of India or any of the State Medical Councils after completing compulsory rotating internship shall be eligible to take this examination. How to apply: Download application form from http://www.nsnis.org The candidates should submit duly filled in application form along with relevant documents and a Demand Draft of ~500 drawn in favour of “ The Regional Director, Sports Authority of India NSNIS, Patiala”, payable at Patiala on or before April 30,2014 either by post or in person to The Regional Director (A), Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Old Moti Bagh, Patiala, Punjab 147001 OR The Registrar, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Sadiq Road, Faridkot, Punjab 151203. Total seats: State Quota seats - 3 Check out: www.nsnis.org/news/pgdsm2014.pdf Aviation courses JRN Institute of Aviation Technology,Mundka, Delhi, invites applications for its three-year full-time Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License course. The course is approved by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The institute has issued the forms for A. Mechanical * Aeroplane & Powerplant (LA, HA, PE. JE) * Helicopter & Powerplant (RA, PE, JE) B. Avionics (ES, IS & RN) Eligibility: The candidates should have passed minimum Plus II/intermediate class with mathematics, physics and chemistry from a recognised board or university or its equivalent. Candidates appearing in the final examination may also apply. How to apply: Online. Admission procedure: Admission is based on performance of students in admission-cum-scholarship test and satisfactory documents verification during the counselling. Deadline for registration: May 15, 2014 Entrance test: May 22, 2014 Address: JRN Institute of Aviation Technology, 414/2, Rani Khera More, Mundka, Delhi-110041 Check out: www.iiagroup.co.in BTech courses Eligible candidates can apply for BTech in Aeronautical, Aerospace, Petrochem & Refinery, 3D Animation & Graphics, Marine, Computer science, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics and Communication, Information Technology branches being offered by Gurukul Vidyapeeth Institute of Engineering & technology (GVIET), Banur. The programme is approved by AICTE and is affiliated with PTU. Eligibility: Plus II (Non-Medical) with 60 per cent marks in aggregate or equivalent grade from a recognised board. Seats: 690 How to apply: Online Deadline: As per PTU notification. Check out: www.gurukul.cc
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campus
notes The Departments of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (PCCM) and Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, Medicine and Rheumatology at PGIMS under Pt B.D.Sharma University of Health Sciences organised a national CME-workshop on Critical Care and Tuberculosis: Challenges in Diagnosis and Management here recently. Eminent medical experts, including Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Director of National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, and Prof D.Behera from PGIMER, Chandigarh, delved on different aspects of drug-resistant tuberculosis and educated the participants on the latest advancements in the area. Dr Swaminathan elucidated various challenges in diagnosis and management of multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) amongst children. Diagnosis of TB in children should be based on clinical symptoms, contact history, chest radiograph and positive Tuberculin skin test, she maintained. Dr Behera pointed out that nearly 6,30,000 cases of MDR TB are present worldwide and total number of deaths due to the disease in the said period was around 1,70,000. The risk factors of MDR TB include history of previous anti-tubercular treatment, residence in endemic region, history of HIV and malnourishment, he added. Earlier, while addressing a session on critical care, Prof Dhruva Chaudhary, Head of the Department of PCCM, maintained that instead of regular CT scan and MRI, use of bedside ultrasound machines could be handy for monitoring brain pressure, accumulation of fluids in mid-pipe, blood vessels and lungs etc. Dr J.S. Suri from Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, and Dr G.C. Khilani from AIIMS imparted knowledge about the basics of respiratory physiology relevant to mechanical ventilation and basic modes of ventilation, respectively. Dr Rajesh Pandey and Dr Rakesh Gupta spoke about the interpretation of graphics and numbers. Seminar on shoulder rehabilitation The College of Physiotherapy under the UHS organised a national conference-cum-seminar on Recent Advances in Shoulder Rehabilitation here recently. UHS Vice-Chancellor Prof S.S.Sangwan was the chief guest, while Registrar Dr Sarla Hooda and PGIMS Director Dr Chand Singh Dhull were guests of honour. College Principal Dr Rakesh Gupta welcomed the participating delegates. — Contributed by Sunit Dhawan
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in conversation What will engage and retain talent? Meaningful contribution towards work is the single largest factor that keeps talent engaged and committed to a job. Many bright youngsters have walked away from a big brand as they are unable to see how their work links to the larger objective and have joined a start-up which is able to show them the impact of what they do. Some of the concerns that I have often heard during exit interviews with star performers who choose to move on despite best attempts by the organisation are: *
Low confidence in the organisation strategy and direction *
Limited opportunities to learn and grow (career growth) in real terms — I have been promoted but my job is not significantly different! *
My leader does not inspire me to give my best *
Not being able to utilise my skills and expertise *
My job is no longer what I enjoy or am passionate about What is the role of managers and leaders in employee engagement? Getting the retention equation is never a linear but a multi-pronged approach that has the leaders at the heart of the driving the retention strategy. Leaders will have to get measured not only by what they can deliver themselves, but by their ability to attract, grow and nurture talent. What are some employee engagement strategies that can contain attrition levels? While organisations are successfully implementing many strategies to keep talent engaged and committed, to me customisation is the first step towards creating a meaningful experience for star players. Now this is easier said than done and requires a mind-set change and a different approach. A few measures that are being adopted nowadays are: *
Articulating what the organisation stands for: This helps in initial alignment and ensures that we attract the right talent in the organisation. The join, stay and leave factors are usually very different and a careful analysis is often a great starting point. *
Focusing on development in line with career aspirations: We all know that we should focus on the development of our high potential employees. What we often miss is the relevance of inputs in-line with aspirations of the high potential employees. Organisations have been guilty of putting employees through programmes which they don't find valuable or are unable to connect to. *
Institutionalising the right rewards: Effective reward is not just about raising salaries, but about finding the right employee reward programmes for the business climate, the strategic direction of your business and your unique work culture. What level of total reward can your business afford? How do you compare to your competitors? How can you focus your staff on the organisation’s must-win battles? *
Providing a learning environment: Nothing keeps the netizens more excited than opportunity to do and learn new things. With easy access to information gone are the days with knowledge as power. Open up avenues of learning and provide opportunities that are new and different. A close look at the most admired companies last year clearly tells us that these are the ones with not the best operating profits but clearly the ones that offer innovation and challenge as a core value. *
Communicating your value proposition: Most organisations spend a great deal of time and money designing rewards and retention programmes that motivate staff to do their best. Yet many fail to communicate their reward programmes consistently or effectively, to the extent that many employees are unaware of the true value of the rewards they receive as a whole. — As told to Geetu Vaid
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smart strategy These include: *
Staying in business despite stiff competition * Taking the right decisions at crucial times *
Thriving despite facing difficult situations According to experts, the major mistakes made by people struggling in business are related to the lack of persistence and determination. Many new entrepreneurs allow themselves to get bogged down under pressure with disastrous results. One of the ways in which entrepreneurs are impacted during difficult times is a significant loss of self-confidence. When struggling entrepreneurs compare themselves with more successful contemporaries, the result may be a desire to give up altogether. In short, the result is failure on all fronts and the collapse of all previous plans and ambitions. How can you, as an entrepreneur, ensure that your business flourishes despite hard times? With a few steps, you can still achieve what, for many, might seem unachievable. Some of the most pertinent steps to take in such a situation would be: *
Self-Awareness: Building self-awareness can boost confidence levels, and consequentially the ability to face hard times and challenges of all types. Becoming aware of your fears and their cause will you help address them with confidence and determination. *
Self-Belief: Learn to keep your mind positive. This is easier when you trust your own abilities to learn new things. In the process it will become easier for you to face all kinds of challenges. Always believe that you can grow and change because that is the key to facing difficult situations with poise. *
Adaptability: Learning to adapt to a new situation is a great attitude change that will help you create the best results for yourself in hard times. Once this attitude is permanent, it will help you adapt your business to a new world with buoyancy and resilience. The most important thing in difficult times is to remain calm and composed and not lose your cool. Losing your nerve could destroy everything you have created so far. You can achieve more when operating from a calm and positive frame of mind. — The writer is a Human Resources and business strategy professional and a consultant for start-up ventures in South Asia.
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Leading from
the Heart
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cubicle trends Tired at work and desperately looking for a corner to take a quick nap? You are not alone — as a new research reveals that one in six workers falls asleep at the desk at least once a week. The results of a survey of 1,140 office-going US citizens found that 76 per cent of the workers felt tired almost every day of the week, while 30 per cent of the employees were unhappy or very unhappy with the quality or quantity of their sleep. “Showing up to work sleep-deprived can be the equivalent of showing up to work intoxicated,” said Jennifer Turgiss, director of Virgin Pulse Institute that conducted the survey. Virgin Pulse is an employee wellness company based in Massachusetts. According to the survey, 15 per cent say they fall asleep in the office at least once a week. About 30 per cent of the workers say they are not happy with the amount of sleep they get. At home, some 72 per cent said their partner kept them awake while 69 percent blamed unwanted noise, the survey added. “Employees who don’t sleep well have poorer concentration, poorer decision-making abilities, are significantly less able to cope with stressful situations, and are more likely to make unhealthy choices,” Turgiss was quoted as saying. A well-rested workforce is critical to a company’s success, he noted. — IANS
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Happiness @ work While the employer wants to utilise his staff to the fullest, the employee wants to strike a balance among work, play, family and rest. Such divergence in views makes leave-taking a tricky business. The auspicious hour for Amar Singh Rathor, a commander in the Mughal army, to bring his bride home had been fixed. Emperor Shah Jahan only granted leave for seven days. “Each day of absence after that will attract a penalty of one lakh gold coins,” said Shah Jahan. For Amar Singh, time lost meaning in the company of his bride — 14 days went by. His detractor in court, Salavat Khan, poisoned the Emperor’s ears and sent Amar Singh a message to report immediately with a fine of seven lakh coins. Enraged, Amar Singh came to the court and killed Salavat. For disobeying the royal order and killing a courtier, the Emperor declared him a traitor. Later, Amar Singh was treacherously killed by his brother-in-law. Ram Singh, the brave nephew of Amar Singh, filled the void in the army left by his uncle’s death. The marriage of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar’s brother had been fixed. When his mother’s message reached Ishwar, he applied for leave. Citing the “huge amount of work that needed to be done”, school Secretary Marshall refused. Caught between his mother’s request and his job, Ishwar spent many troubled days. On the wedding day, he told Marshall, “Give me leave or I quit.” Finally, leave was granted. At Patna, Jayaprakash Narayan stayed at Saraswati Bhawan hostel. When he found that Rakshabandhan hadn’t been declared a holiday, he decided not to attend classes on that day. “Headmaster Whitmore is an Englishman. He doesn’t know the significance of this festival,” he reasoned. The headmaster sent for him the next day and gave him five strokes of the cane. When Sanjna, the wife of sun-god Surya, sought permission to go to her father’s place, it wasn’t granted. So, she — from her shadow (Chhaya) — brought forth a woman like herself and told her to fill the gap. Without informing Surya, Sanjna spent some days in her father’s place. When she returned to her home, she found that Chhaya — in the meantime — had borne three of Surya’s children. As Surya couldn’t differentiate between the two women, he rejected Sanjna’s plea for re-admission. It was only after a long while that Surya and Sanjna were re-united. When Mahavira announced his decision to renounce the world, his parents extracted a promise from him that he would not do so till their death. When they passed away, his elder brother Nandivardhana made him stay in the palace for two more years. Boss, find a golden mean that neither the organisation suffers nor the employee. — Sai R. Vaidyanathan The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com
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Q. I am a student of geography and will complete my bachelor’s degree next year. I am very keen to enter the field of remote sensing and GIS. But I don’t know which universities offer this course. Please help. —
Shweta Tiwari 
Q. Can I pursue a teacher training course from anywhere in the country or does it have to be specific to the state/region I want to teach in? Please let me know which are the good colleges for the course? I will be completing BCom this year. What is the qualification required to become a lecturer? —
Prashant 
Australian Government is inviting applications for its Endeavour Postgraduate Scholarship for international students. These are internationally competitive, merit-based scholarships offered to undertake a postgraduate qualification at a master’s or PhD level either by coursework or research in any field of study. The Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships programme forms part of the Australia Awards initiative established in 2009, which brings together under one banner scholarships offered by the Department of Education (the Department), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research. The Endeavour Postgraduate Award provides financial support for international students for up to 4 years to undertake a postgraduate qualification at a Master’s or PhD level either by coursework or research in any field of study in Australia.
If you have a creative bent of mind and a flair for writing, you can go in for content writing for websites and individual clients. The content writers are paid on the basis of per page or per word. You can also be a part of the creative team of a company and give your inputs about the user experience and user interface while working from home. 
Lots of moms and dads are torn between staying at home with their kids and entering the job market to earn income for the family. If you love kids, have the space to accommodate them and lots of child-friendly activities, a home daycare center may allow you to combine the best of both worlds.
The creative streak in you can also take the form of gift, wedding and trousseau wrapping. If you like working with ribbons, fabrics, crystals and flowers, gift packing is an innovative career that you can pursue even while sitting at home. Gift wrapping has come a long way from just paper wraps to chocolates swathed in pink organza and candles bundled in ropes of pearls. All you need to do is build a network from where you can get orders for wedding gifts, corporate gifts and gifts to suit various festivals. Playing with different colours and themes to suit the client’s budget in the spirit of the occasion is imperative. While everyone exploits the same market to fetch raw materials, the trick lies in using it exclusively. 
Virology is the study of viruses and virus-like agents; their structure, classification and evolution, their ways to infect and exploit cells for virus reproduction, the diseases they cause, the techniques to isolate and culture them, and their use in research and therapy. Virology is often considered a part of microbiology or of pathology. A major branch of virology is virus classification. 
Applications are invited by Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports, Patiala, from qualified candidates in AIPGMEE- 2014 for admission to PG Diploma in Sports Medicine 2014-16 session.
Talent retention is an oft discussed topic. A lot is being said about the scarcity of talent and the need to retain and engage top talent. The current economic scenario is going to make employee retention all the more important as global economic growth is predicted to recover by 2014 end and 2015 start, driven largely by emerging markets. And as growth returns, job markets and staff turnover will pick up. A recent research by Hay group states that the 'Global turnover is set to hit new heights'. Turnover rates will rise fastest in 2014, and separations are likely to increase by 7 per cent over 2014. Forecasts suggest that 49 million more employees will leave their workplaces over the next five years as compared to 2012. By 2018, 23.4 per cent of employees worldwide— some 200 million people —will head for the exit. "With organisational loyalty on the decline and ‘role-based’ employment on the rise, organisations of the future will be very different from the organisations of the past. Linking this with the Generation Z and how they see their careers will play an equally critical role in what organisations need to do to engage and retain talent”, says Shweta Tangri, Group People Director for Pearson India and a part of the Global HR Leadership team at Pearson. As a practicing HR professional specialising in performance and reward, leadership development and mergers and acquisitions, Shweta talks about how employee engagement measures provide a perfect defence against growing attrition rates. Excerpts:
Do you want to turn entrepreneur to become your own boss or because you do not relish working under others? Entrepreneurship can be very fulfilling and exciting, but there are certain problems associated with entrepreneurship that may not be apparent to you. When you face hard times as an entrepreneur, there are certain things you have still to take care of.
With entrepreneurship becoming the latest buzzword in business corridors, the number of youngster venturing out on their own has been increasing steadily over the past few years. Each one of them has a passion and each one has dreams of making it big, but the measure of success is not the same for all. Why some people fail while others are able to brave all the storms and succeed in spite of so many failures”? Why Entrepreneurs Really Fail provides answers, motivation and inspiration to all those who have either tasted failure or have not moved ahead because of self-doubts. Learning the hard way from mistakes and failures, the author attempts to chart out a path of success for all those nurturing the dreams of entrepreneurship. The book tells how to identify one’s strengths and survive in the ‘unfogiving world of business’. One needs to believe in one self passionately to succeed as negative habits can be disastrous to one’s success and even failure can be used to turn things around. “I have drawn a ton of inspiration from people along the way that have taught me to be more humble than I actually thought I was. I have learned that to be on the right track, one must first have a defined track to be on”, says the author.
This book merges management with spirituality. The book is an attempt to sensitise the hearts and fill the souls of managers and leaders with Sufi sagacity. The author has given a new dimension to the theme of spirituality by blending it with leadership in all realms of life. It aspires to rebuild confidence in ancient values, virtues and wisdom, that are distancing from us with the passage of time. It assists readers in taking a sharp U-turn from ‘what we think is good’ to ‘what is really good’. The author presents an exhaustive study of many Sufis and their thoughts in prose and poetry. Besides Sufis, the book also focuses on Chinese philosophy, especially Wu Wei, Tai Chi, Yin/Yang and iChing, and on Lao Tzu’ book Tao Te Ching. These complex philosophies have been presented in an easy to understand manner.