The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE

Q I have done MA in history. Could you please tell me the procedure for becoming a lecturer in a college?

Komal Chadha.

A To standardise the quality of teaching at the college/university level, and to bring an element of fairness to the recruitment process, the University Grants Commission (UGC) conducts a National Eligibility Test (NET) which all aspiring lecturers and Junior Research Fellows enrolling for an MPhil have to clear. For lecturers in science subjects, The NET is conducted by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).

The basic qualification required for taking this test consisting of 3 papers is a Master’s degree with 55% agg (50% for SC/ST). PG students who are appearing in the final year/semester exam are also eligible to take a shot at the NET. However, their candidature will be provisional subject to their securing the prescribed minimum marks.

Held twice each year at 88 university centres all over the country, NET which is modelled on the Educational Testing Service (ETS), US is designed to assess your mental ability, general awareness as well as in-depth knowledge of your core subject.

Many states whose educational service commissions recruit lecturers for government colleges and universities in the state also hold a state-level eligibility test called the State Level Eligibility Test (SLET). The SLET, which is duly accredited by the UGC, is also on the pattern of UGC/CSIR-NET with eligibility requirements being the same. However, those who have cleared the NET are exempted from appearing in the state-level tests.

Although the minimum requirement for lectureship is an MA with NET, in reality those with higher qualifications such as MPhil and PhD stand a better chance.

For further details, contact:

University Grants Commission, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi 110002.

Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (Deptt. of Science & Technology), Anusandhan Bhawan, Rafi Marg, New Delhi 110001.

For SLET, contact the respective State Departments of Education.

Please give me details about postgraduate courses in mass communication with special mention of the selection procedure.

Shweta Dhillon.

Some of the Universities that offer a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication are:

University of Calcutta, Calcutta, Mysore University, Karnataka

Ranchi University, MP, Magadh University, Bihar

Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi

However, there are several institutes and universities that offer postgraduate diploma courses in mass communication like the Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication, Pune, the Xavier’s Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Sophia College, Mumbai.

While the University of Delhi is planning to offer a Masters in Mass Communication from the next academic session, Lucknow will soon have an Institute of Mass Communication, which will offer a diploma in Journalism.

Among the other popular ones is the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi and Dhanikel. Selection is through an entrance test followed by an interview. Your language skills, comprehension, general awareness and your knowledge of current events will be tested.

Q Please give me details about postgraduate courses in mass communication with special mention of the selection procedure.

Shweta Dhillon.

A Some of the universities that offer a Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communication are:

University of Calcutta, Calcutta

Mysore University, Karnataka

Ranchi University, M.P.

Magadh University, Bihar

Jamia Milia Islamia, New Delhi

Q I would like to persue a career in forestry. Please give me information on the eligibility criteria and the institutions offering courses in the field.

Vandu Singh.

A The Indian Forest Service is one of the most sought after options open to science and engineering graduates. Entry to the IFS is through an examination conducted by the UPSC. To join the IFS you should be aged between the age of 21 and 28 years with a graduation in any one of the following: Botany, Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Physics, Statistics, Zoology, Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering or an equivalent qualification. The written exam is followed by an interview and a rigorous walking test (25 kms in 4 hrs. for men and 14 kms in 4 hrs for women).

Upon qualifying the probationer starts as a junior forest officer and is promoted to the post of divisional forest officer within 4-5 years. At the top is the Principal Chief Conservator of forests who is the administrative head of the forest organisation and a technical adviser to the Government. The next in the hierarchy is the Chief Conservator of Forests followed by the Conservator of Forests who is responsible for the administration and execution of work in each forest. Forest Officers perform a variety of roles depending on the level they reach in their career from technical supervision to management functions including planning, control and implementation of policies and operations.

Research scientists are also employed in forestry and strive to help find ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the forest system or they may be involved in applied research.

Alternatively those qualified in forestry can find employment in the private organisations involved in developing and commercial forests and or medical plantations.

Following are the institutes offering courses in Forestery and related fields:

The ICFRE, Forest Research Institute (Deemed University), Dehra Dun, offers 1-year postgraduate diploma courses in Wood Science and Technology, Plantation Technology, Pulp and Paper Technology.

Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) trains you for taking up forestry and forest-related systems. The postgraduate diploma in Forestry Management at IIFM equips students to carry out research through the use of management and allied techniques and methods.

Bachelor and Master’s degree courses in forestry are available in colleges/universities of Agriculture all over the country. The B.Sc. Forestry course is of 4 years duration and admission is on successful completion of the 10+2 or equivalent examination with Science and Agriculture. Most colleges admit students on the basis of a competitive entrance examination.

The 2-year M.Sc programme in Forestry is open to students who have completed their graduation with Forestry/Agriculture/Horticulture

Q I have passed Class X. I am interested in a vocational course from any ITI or polytechnic. Are these courses recognised by the industry? What are the prospects?

Bharat Juneja.

A To cater to the industry’s requirement of trained and qualified manpower at the craftsmen-level, the Directorate of Training & Technical Education of each state government offers more than fifty different vocational and skill-based courses in engineering and non-engineering trades, through the ITIs (Industrial Training Institutes) located all over the country. The All India Council approves these courses for Technical Education (AICTE), established by the M/o Human Resources Development.

The eligibility for admission to these courses ranges from Class X to XII depending on the duration and the depth of the course. Admission is strictly on merit-basis, i.e. on marks obtained in class X or Class XII Board exams.

The fees are nominal and modest monthly stipends are also offered to students studying at these institutes. Those completing the courses are awarded a national certificate of training.

Polytechnics typically offer 3-year full-time and 4-year part-time diploma-level courses geared at training young people for the technician and mid-supervisory-level jobs.

The examining body for government-run polytechnics is the State Board of Technical Education while that for the ITIs is the National Council for Vocational Trades (NCVT) and in the case of State-specific trades/crafts, the examining body is the State Board of Technical Education.

Diploma-holders (particularly the toppers) are in demand for mid-level jobs in the industry.

Diploma holders with minimum 50% marks in Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics, Telecommunications, Aeronautical, Ship Building, Instrumentation or Metallurgical Engineering from Government recognised polytechnics or institutes can also join the Indian Navy as Direct Entry Diploma Holders.

Ambitious diploma holders can also seek direct admission to the second year of BE/BTech programmes in a number of engineering colleges. Yet another option is to enrol for a part-time BE/BTech while continuing to work alongside.

You can also seek associateship of relevant professional engineering bodies like the Institution of Engineers (AMIE), Institution of Chemical Engineers, * Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME), Institution of Electronics & Telecommunication Engineers (IETE), Institution of Architects, and Institution of Town & Country Planning.

These government recognised professional bodies, cater mainly to those working in the private and public sectors so that they can prepare for the associateship exams through distance education in order to enhance their career prospects. (* AICTE has de-recognized several diplomas and degrees offered by Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Mumbai due to deficiencies in the curriculum)

Diploma-holders are also exempted from some of the papers in the A & B Sections of the Studentship Exams conducted by the Institution of Engineers as well as for certain papers in the AMIETE graduateship exam. The Associateship conferred by these institutes is considered on par with a BE/BTech programme and enables members to appear in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) for admission to ME, MTech and PhD programmes in engineering at any university.

Please send in your query preferably on a postcard along with your name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Career Hotline, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh.

Admission deadline

Architecture

Jun 15 School of Planning, Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology, Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, University Rd, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380009.

Website: www.spcept.org

PG Courses (18 mths)

(1) Urban & Regional Planning

(2) Housing

(3) Environmental Planning

Elig:

(1)& (2): BArch BE /Civil/Planning Or Masters in Geog/Eco/Social.

(3): BE Civil/Plng Or BArch.

Appln F: Send Rs. 400/- by DD favouring "Director, School of Planning, Ahmedabad" at the above address. Or downloaded from website.

Distance Education

Jul 16 Annamalai University, D/o Distance Education, Annamalainagar 608002. Tel.: 04144-38610.

E-Mail: audde@usa.net

(1) Dip in Saiva Siddhanta (1-yr)

(2) Bachelor’s degree in Sc, Commerce & Arts (3yrs)

(3) Master’s degree in Arts & Humanities, Soc Science & Commerce etc. (2yrs)

Elig: (1): Above 18 yrs, (3): Above 21 yrs.

Appln F: Send DD for Rs. 80/- (Rs 100/- for outstation DD’s) favouring "Director, DDE, Annamalai University" payable at Annamalainagar/Chidambaram, with self-addressed envelope (27 x 21 cm) to the Special Officer, Open Univ System at the above address.

Engineering

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala

147001 (Deemed University).

Website: www.thaparinstitute.org

May 31 (1) MCA/MSc (Biotech)

Jun 30 (2) BE Chem, Civil, Comp, Electric, Electron & Electric Commun, Electron (Instrum & Control), Indl & Mech Engg

Jul 07 (3) ME CAD/CAM & Robotics, Civil (Structures, Geo-Technical), Electron & Commun, Indl & Software Engg.

PhD Chem, Civil, Comp Sc & Engg, Electric & Electron, Mech, Indl, Biotech, Mgt, Environ Sc & Tech

(4) BE Lateral Entry (in various disciplines) (Appln Deadline 5 days after LEET 2001 result)

Selection: Entrance Test: (1): 17June at Patiala & Delhi.

(2): CET: 27 May.

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Patiala" payable at Patiala at the above address. Also at counter Rs. 525/- (cash) Or Rs 550/-from 6 branches of State Bank of Patiala.

Jun 16 Central Instt. of Tool Design (M/o SSI & ARI, GoI) Balanagar, Hyderabad 500037.

Ph: 3772747, 3772748

(1) PG in Tool, Die & Mould Design (PGTD)(11/2 yrs)

(2) Post Dip in Tool Design (PDTD)(1 yr)

(3) Dip in Tool Marketing (DTM)(4 yrs)

Elig: (1): BE (Mech) /BE (Production). Age: Below 30 yrs

(2): LME/DME 1st Div. Age: Below 27 yrs (3): Matric + ITI cert in Tool & Die Maker/Filter/Machinist. Age: Below 25 yrs.

Test: 8 July at Hyderabad (Rs. 100/- for SC/ST & Rs. 500/- for Sponsored candidates).

Appln F: Send Rs. 300/- by DD favouring "The Principal Director, CITD" payable at Hyderabad drawn on State Bank of Hyderabad, Balanagar Branch, Hyderabad or any nationalised bank along with a stamped (Rs. 9/-), self-addressed envelope (26 x 13 cm).

Health/Hosp Mgt

Jun 15 National Instt. of Health & Family Welfare, New Mehrauli Rd, Munirka, New Delhi 110067.

PG Certificate Courses (Corresp):

(1) Health & Family Welfare Mgt

(2) Hospital Mgt

Elig:

(1): MBBS

(2): MBBS + 5-yrs work ex.

Fee: Rs. 3000/- per course.

Appln F: Send Rs. 100/- by DD favouring the "Director, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi" to the Dean of Studies at the above address.

Hotel Management

May 24 NIPS School of Hotel Management, EC 98, Sector 1, Salt Lake City, Kolkata 700064.

Website: www.nips.net

Diploma in Hotel Mgt & Catering Tech + Dip in Intl Travel & Tourism (3 yrs)

Elig: 10+2. Age: Below 22 yrs.

Test: At 15 centres including Kolkata, New Delhi, B’lore & Chennai.

Appln F: Send Rs. 300/- by DD favouring "NIPS" to above address.

At counter Rs. 250/- (cash).

Institute

May 31 Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar University, Agra.

(1) Diploma Courses (1 yr)

Lib Sc, Data Entry Operations, Medical Transcription

(2) Degree Courses in

BLib ISc (1 yr); BPEd, MPEd, MIS, MTM (2 yrs); BBA, BCA, B e-com, BFDIS (Fash Des & Info Sc), BPE (3 yrs); BSc Medical Lab Tech (31/2 yrs); BIS, BSS, BSc (Forestry, Food Sc & Food Processing, Med Microbiology, Horticulture, Dairy & Food Sc)

(4 yrs); BPT (41/2 yrs)

(3) Diploma & PG Diploma (1 / 11/2 / 2yrs) in various subjects

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Finance Officer, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar University, Agra" to the Press & Publication Department at the above address. At counter Rs. 300/- (cash).

May 14 University Instt. of Information Technology , Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla 171005.

BIT/MIT (Integrated 4-5 yrs)

Elig: 10+2 Phy, Maths & any other elective subj (50% agg).

Age: Below 22 yrs.

Test: 10 June at Shimla, Dharamshala, Chandigarh & Delhi.

Appln F: Send Rs. 800/- by DD payable to "UIIT, Himachal Pradesh University" to office of the Director at above address. At counter: Rs. 750/- (cash).

May 29 Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005.

Entrance Examination for Admission to MCA 2001-02 (3 yrs)

Elig: Graduates with Maths/Stat/Quantitative Tech/Comp Sc/Appln or PG Dip in any branch of Comp Sc/Appln from GNDU or equiv (50% agg).

Test: 8 June at Amritsar.

Appln F: Send Rs. 250/- by DD favouring "Registrar, Guru Nank Dev University, Amritsar" to above address. At counter Rs. 200/- (cash).

Management

May 19 Welingkars Institute of Management Development & Research, 195, Ruia College Hostel Campus, Near UBI, Sion (E),

Mumbai 400022.

Website: www.welingkars.com

PG Dip in Business Admn (F/T, 2 yrs)

Marketing, Finance, Systems, Operations, Personnel, e-commerce

Elig: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (50% agg).

Selection: Written Test: 29 May at 19 centres including Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai & Delhi, GD & Interview: ATMA Scores accepted.

Appln F: Send Rs. 550/- by DD favouring "Prin. L.N. Welingkar Instt of Management, Development & Research" payable at Mumbai to the above address. At counter Rs. 500/- (cash).

Forms may also be downloaded from website.

Also available at Select ICICI Banks.

Jun 08 Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Elig: Bachelor’s in Sc, Engg, Tech, Agri, Agri Engg, Vet Sc, Home Sc, Commerce, Business Admn, Mgt, Comp Appln (60% agg).

Test: 23 June at Punjab Agri Univ (Fee Rs. 725/-). GD, Interview 24 June.

Appln F: Send Rs. 350/- by DD favouring "Additional Director of Extension Education (Communication Centre), Punjab Agri Univ, Ludhiana" payable at any scheduled bank at Ludhiana. At counter Rs. 300/- (cash).

CARING (Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi

Haryana unlikely to meet enrolment target
V. P. Prabhakar

THE Haryana Education Department (primary wing) has fallen short of achieving its enrolment target by 5 to 15 per cent. In view of the declining trend in enrolment, there is remote possibility that it will achieve the target of universalisation of primary education by the end of 2002.

The dropout rate of students is between 12 and 26 per cent though the target was to reduce it to less that 10 per cent. Infrastructural facilities such as proper building, water, toilet and electricity are lacking in a large number of schools. Against the proposed opening of 1000 primary schools during the Ninth Plan period, only 21 schools have been opened. The dropout rate among Scheduled Caste students is higher than that of non-Scheduled Caste students. Several concession schemes for children of Scheduled Caste and Weaker Sections are on paper alone. The government has failed to provide matching funds for these schemes.

A separate directorate for primary education was created in 1988 to bring about qualitative improvement in primary education and to achieve the goal of universalisation of primary education. During the Ninth Five-Year-Plan emphasis was on enrolment, retention, qualitative improvement and provision of infrastructural facilities.

As on September, 1999, as many as 8,621 government primary schools are being run with 37, 051 teachers (including head teachers) against the sanctioned strength of 40,257 teachers. Besides, there are 1,778 non-government primary schools in the state. Expenditure on primary education ranges between 22 and 27 per cent of the expenditure on education and between 3 and 5 per cent of the total expenditure in the state during 1997-2000.

Scrutiny of papers on budget estimates in the directorate’s office revealed that the budget demands (salary component) were not supported with required documents by the drawing and disbursement officers. Thus, there was no scope to examine the reasonableness of estimates of staff cost. Expenditure figures of previous two years were also not sent to the directorate.

The block education officers delayed submission of budget proposals to their respective district primary education officers of five districts of Ambala, Gurgaon, Hisar, Karnal and Rohtak by a month to 12 months and the district education officers delayed the submission of estimates to the Director of Primary Education (DPE) by a month to 11 months.

The DPE did not ensure that the budget estimates were obtained in time. Thus, there was gross failure in accountability in these areas. The failure in timely submission of budget estimates led to delayed and insufficient budget allotments to drawing and disbursement officers during 1997-2000.

Of the total Plan and non-Plan expenditure of Rs 794.90 crore during 1997-98 to 1999-2000, expenditure on salaries was Rs 749.60 crore (94.30 per cent), on material and supply Rs 2.90 crore (0.36 per cent), on incentives and other contingencies Rs 15.34 crore (1.93 per cent) and on grants-in-aid Rs 27.06 crore (3.41 per cent).

Of the total expenditure of Rs 24.38 crore (excluding expenditure on salaries) incurred under the Nine Plan schemes in operation in the department during 1997-2000, Rs 23.11 crore (95 per cent) was incurred in the month of March of the respective years.

Expenditure control was almost non-existent and there was no compliance of the important expenditure control mechanism.

The enrolment target was fixed equivalent to 120 per cent of the population in the 6-11 age group of children projected to be 24.97 lakh by the end of the Ninth Plan.

However, the shortfall in enrolment increased from 3 to 14 per cent among boys whereas among girls it increased from 8 to 16 per cent during 1997-2000. Besides, enrolment in government schools declined from 17.14 lakh in 1997-98 to 16.68 lakh in 1999-2000 though enrolment in non-government recognised schools increased from 3.82 lakh to 4.14 lakh during the same period.

Although enrolment in unrecognised schools was not authenticated, according to the CAG report, enrolment in these places declined from 3.09 lakh in 1997-98 to 2.88 lakh in 1999-2000.

The shortfall in enrolment in five districts test-checked increased from 5 to 16 per cent among boys in 1997-2000 and 10 to 20 per cent among girls in the same period. Enrolment in government schools in five districts declined from 5.23 lakh in 1997-98 to 5.07 lakh in 1999-2000. Enrolment in non-government schools decreased from 1.09 lakh in 1998-99 to 0.78 lakh in 1999-2000. Enrolment in teaching shops/unrecognised schools remained static during 1998-2000 which was 1.09 lakh.

During 1997-2000, the Plan outlay was Rs 34.75 crore for opening of 1000 new primary schools, mainly for girls, and in areas which had low female literacy. However, this was not implemented as no budget provision for opening of primary schools was made by the department in its annual plans for 1997-99. In annual action plan for 1999-2000, Rs 45 lakh were provided for opening 100 primary schools. Only 21, eight girls and 13 boys, new primary schools were opened by the department in six districts.