EDUCATION

Australian institute manager praises Indian IT potential
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 26 — “North of India has a major potential in view of the large number of students going to Australian institutes for studies. “

This observation was made here today by Ms Rosemary Rainer, Business Development manager of Holmesglen Institute of TAFE, an Australian Government institute. Ms Rainer is in town for two days to conduct interviews of potential candidates on the invitation of a local consulting agency.

Making an interesting remark about the Australian requirement of trained computer professionals back home, Ms Rainer said that her country would need about 50,000 information technology (IT) professionals in the near future. “And in this field the Indian IT experts stand a great chance. Also, I must mention that about 50 per cent of the total students going to Holmesglen Institute of TAFE were from the northern region which comprised mainly Chandigarh, Punjab, Delhi, Haryana and Himachal.”

In this context, she added that Chandigarh had emerged as a major IT sector, leaving behind even Hyderabad. The reasons Ms Rosemary cited behind this concentration of computer professionals from North in the Australian institutes was that “people from the North were most enterprising, good at English and ready to face challenges and do better in life.”

Throwing light on the preferred courses abroad, she said that the Indian students were mainly interested in the Bachelor of Technology (computing) course, followed by Bachelor of Business Management and Marketing. “The latter two,” she said, “were university transfer programmes. Our institute also offers diploma and certificate courses of one year duration like information technology, hospitality and computer technology. Holmesglen has recently set up a state of the art IT centre at the cost of 12 million dollars for its students. This provides an additional 300 computers to the existing stock of 400.”

She also disclosed that courses offered by Holmesglen were recognised by the Australian Government and also recognised world-wide.

Court order to PU on student’s admission
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 26 — Allowing a writ petition, Mr Justice V.S. Aggarwal of the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed Panjab University here to grant admission to a student in M.Tech (micro electronics) course.

Seeking the quashing of admissions, petitioner Ramesh Kumar Sharma had earlier stated that the university had adopted a method different from the “criteria of merit on the basis of entrance test”.

He had added that “once it had been advertised that the selection would be made on the basis of entrance test, any other criteria could not be adopted”.

Pronouncing the orders, Mr Justice Aggarwal observed: “The university might have adopted the criteria with the best of intention but they fumbled and faulted because in the advertisement it had specifically been mentioned that the admission will be only on the basis of entrance tests. The other criteria, therefore, that had been adopted or made the method for admission cannot stand scrutiny.”

He added: “It has transpired that no other person is seeking admission at this stage. When no third person other than the petitioner has challenged the admission, the court deems it unnecessary to quash all the admissions”.

Mr Justice Aggarwal concluded: “The writ petition is allowed. It is directed that the petitioner should be granted admission immediately. He should be allowed to attend the classes”.

CULTURE

Music group to hold contests
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 26 — The Sensations Musical Group has planned to conduct all-India open vocal competition and audition tests. The group will hold contests for all age groups in different parts of the country. The selected candidates through the competition will be further processed by professionals for giving them break into the audio album (the 8th Melody voice), which is to be released by Canadian music company Melody in Mumbai.

Under this series, the group will organise a classical music programme at Tagore Theatre on May 28. Uttam Singh, music director, will inaugurate the function. State Minister Punjab Gobind Singh Longowal will be the chief guest.

Apne Begane tele serial
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, May 26—The mahurat of the television serial “Apne Begane’’ was held in Sector 6, here today. The shot of the serial to be aired on Lashkara channel was taken on Sangeeta Mehta, Rosy and Kamal Arora, leading artists of Punjabi theatre and films.

The mahurat ceremony was marked by the breaking of a coconut by the Punjab Cabinet Minister, Mr Gobind Singh Kanjla. Speaking at the function, he appreciated the efforts of the channel in providing a platform to local talent and promoting Punjabi language while assuring help for the serial.

Talking to mediapersons, the director of the serial, Mr Rakesh Bharti, said that eight episodes would be completed and aired by the end of July in the 104-episode serial. He said that the shooting of the serial would be held in the township and around and that other big budget serials were also in the pipeline.

He informed that nearly 30 known faces of Punjabi theatre were acting in the serial which included Shavinder Mahal, Sahib Singh, Ayushi among others. A new face in the serial would be that of Lucky Dhanoa. He added that the plot of the serial revolves around problems and conflicts among three generations of a family which have been presented in a dramatic way.

Artists deliberate on art turning seasonal
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 26 — “Art and its seasonal nature” came under discussion today at the monthly get-together of artists, art critics and art historians at the local Government College of Arts, Sector 10.

The role of the artist in the current day scenario where art has come to acquire a commercial tinge, was the theme of discussion at today’s assemblage which saw Prof Aditya Prakash, Prof Raj Jain, Mr Raja Jaikishan, Ms Vimi Khanna and Ms Heidi, a German national as the prime speakers. The programme was coordinated by Prof Prem Singh, principal, College of Arts.

It was stated during the discussion that the concept of art being a seasonal project was very recent and it has developed with the commercialisation of the field.

It was further stated that the art is now not merely all about creative activity. It also has come to do a lot with sales which are further promoted by the art galleries. These galleries have a significant role in encouraging the seasonality concept, with the period from April to August being considered lean and that from September onwards being termed as lucrative. Also it was said that the galleries mount shows which fall in their own cherished collection.

Finally, however, an emphasis was laid by all speakers on the preservation of art in its original form. 

Jaipur kathak sends many aspirants swaying
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, May 26 — That the city youth have strong roots in the traditional forms of the country was amply clear by the heartening response to the kathak workshop which was under way today at Government College for Girls, Sector 11.

There were as many as about 20 students who came forward in the two groups of the workshop held here today by Guru Gangani of the kathak Academy, New Delhi. Although the training, which will be on for two more days, came at a price, most of the students who attended the workshop said that the price was worth it.

The first session of the Jaipur Kathak training was held in the morning between 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. where the entry was restricted to children. In the evening however, the session catered to the senior who learnt rhythmic movements apart from the nuances of Jaipur kathak style from the Guru who is also member of Jaipur Sangeet Natak Academy.

When asked it such workshops held for such a less time would actually do them any good, one of the students relied, “It is like medicine. You take it once and the effect shows later on. Also this is the only way you can learn from the masters who otherwise have very little time to devote to the lovers of art.” “There is a great deal to be learnt and understood. We feel very proud to be a part of such a workshop.”

The Jaipur Kathak workshop will end here on June 28.