Registration of courses may be made compulsory
Lalit Mohan
TO maintain the quality of technical education in the country the Government of India is considering a proposal making it mandatory for all technical institutes to get their courses registered with the National Board of Accreditation (NBA).

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE

ADMISSION DEADLINE

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-149

Registration of courses may be made compulsory
Lalit Mohan

TO maintain the quality of technical education in the country the Government of India is considering a proposal making it mandatory for all technical institutes to get their courses registered with the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). The Ministry for Human Resource Development and the All-India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) were seriously thinking of linking their funding schemes with accreditation to maintain the education quality.

Mr I.K. Bhat, member-secretary, NBA, during a visit to the Institute of Engineering and Technology, Bhaddal, addressed a workshop on accreditation of technical courses. The workshop, which was attended by principals of most of the unaided technical institutes of the northern region, was sponsored by the AICTE.

Mr Bhat said the NBA was set up under Section 10-U of the AICTE in September, 1994, to maintain the quality of education within the country. It had devised a rigorous procedure for accreditation of courses over a period of time. Any institute which had completed two academic sessions could apply for accreditation of courses.

The accreditation would be given to the courses after evaluating various parameters as the quality of teaching, level of research, faculty, expertise, evaluation procedures, standard of infrastructure, availability of facilities and interaction with industries.

The implementation of the accreditation procedure would help all stake-holders — students, industry, employer and government agencies — to identify those institutions and their specific programmes which meet the current norms and standards of quality.

Asked if action would be taken against institutes which had not conformed to the standards of the NBA, Mr Bhat said till date accreditation had been voluntary but the AICTE was thinking of making it mandatory and penalising colleges violating the NBA norms.

On the distance education courses started by Punjab Technical University and other universities of the area, Mr Bhat said as per the Central Government’s guidelines issued in 1992, every institution had to get its technical course approved by the AICTE. These guidelines had been held in abeyance in 1998 for upgradation. Certain universities were taking advantage of the time being taken in the upgradation to give franchise for certain technical courses. By doing this, they were misleading the students as these degrees would not be approved by the AICTE and, in turn, would not gain acceptance from industry. The technical education courses through distance education also needed the approval of the Distance Education Council (DEC) and the AICTE. If any course was being run without the approval of both these bodies, it was deemed to be illegal.

Addressing the workshop, Dr Khandpur, Director, Centre for Electronic Development and Design, Delhi lamented that the current technical education in the country had failed to inculcate creativity among students. The concept of design had been neglected. In the past 35 years the only institute of design in the country had produced 250 designers.

CAREER QUERIES HOTLINE

A. A degree in Science with Physics or Maths or a Diploma in Electronics engineering (minimum 60% marks). You can be posted anywhere in the country.

Selection is typically done through a written test and interview.

The Airports Authority of India, Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan, Safdarjung Airport New Delhi 110003 has just released a notification (Employment News of 29 Dec - 4 Jan) for recruitment of one hundred Sr Asstt (ATC). You will get a consolidated stipend of Rs 3300/- p.m. during the 1-year training period after which you will be placed in the regular payscale. I hope you are below 27.

A. When you convert the Pound into India Rupees, British courses end up being far too out-priced as compared to the local equivalent.

The average tuition fees alone for such a course is in the range of L 7,000-L 8,000. Add to this at least another L 5000 for accommodation and miscellaneous costs. Now multiply this by 3 (for a 3-yr course) and you have a figure that touches l 40,000 or Rs 28,00000! And that too for the most basic3-year undergraduate course that will fetch you a middle management job. The cushier upper-management positions will need further studies, which in turn translates into shelling out additional mullah.

Accepted, that the curriculum may be superior to most of our courses, still the sheer economics renders them beyond the reach of most Indian pockets.

Also I am not too sure whether a British qualification will give him a distinct edge over those who have done the course from some of the reputed Indian institutions, when it comes to initial placement.

If he can leverage his qualifications to work abroad, then it may not be a bad idea -provided you can spend that kind of money.

A. The interest and aptitude of students who opt for a particular branch of engineering have no obvious relationship with the courses they land up with. This is mainly due to two reasons.

Lack of proper information and guidance about what each field is all about and its scope in the long term. And even more commonly, the student may have no choice but to opt for whatever branch is available in the pecking order thanks to the limitation of seats in some of the popular branches like Computer Science or Electronics & Communication.

The present system of technical education in India (unlike its American counterpart which offers multiple entry-points and amazing flexibility) is a rather straight-jacketed one, with more or less a single entry point and a rigid course structure.

This being the case, please try to gather as much info as possible about the various fields and talk to some practising engineers, so that you make an informed choice.

In case you don’t get the field of your choice, plumb for the next best one (if you are not prepared to take another shot at the exams next year). In many cases you can upgrade to a more ‘desirable’ field at the MTech level. Another option would be to follow top your engineering degree with a top-of-the-line MBA. A techno-management qualification is always in demand.

A. The International Baccalaureate Organisation is a non-profit educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland.

IBO’s programs are adopted by 1182 high schools in 101 counties around the world. They consist of required courses, exams, and related are designed to establish a common curriculum and university entry credential for college bound students moving from one country to another.

The IB Diploma - a demanding pre-university course of study in the last two years of high school - qualifies students for credits and advanced standing at several colleges and universities around the world.

Not based on the requirements of any specific high school or country, the or curriculum is an advanced international program for "students of the world" who want a global perspective on people, cultures, history, and events while meeting the academic requirements of college-bound students.

To participate in the IB program, you must attend an IB member high school. There are at least eight of them in India including the American Embassy School in Delhi, Chinmaya International Residential School in Coimbatore, and others in Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Kodaikanal.

Besides the Diploma, IBO also offers a Primary Years Programme and a Middle Years Programme.

To find out more, log on to www.ibo.org.

A. While there are several direct as well as special entry routes into the Indian Navy through Permanent Commission or Short Service Commission for Engineering graduates, diploma-holders in engineering need not loose heart.

You can join the Indian Navy through the Direct Entry Diploma Holders scheme.

The propulsion machinery, weapons, sensors and equipment on board the Indian Navy’s highly sophisticated ships, submarines and aircraft are operated by Artificer Sailors of the Marine Engineering Branch. In order to become an Artificer Sailor, you should be a diploma-holder with minimum 50% marks in Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics/ Telecommunication/Aeronautical/Ship Building & Architecture/Automobile/ Instrumentation Engineering (3-year) from a Government-recognised polytechnic or institute. Unmarried males between 17-21 years of age are eligible (Nepali citizens can also apply).

The selection procedure is through an objective-type written test (conducted at over 14 centres) consisting of English, Science, Maths and General Knowledge which you have to qualify separately. Successful candidates are then required to clear the physical fitness and medical tests.

For further information, log on to www.nausena-bharti.org.

ADMISSION DEADLINE

ARMED FORCES

Feb 11 Central Airmen Selection Board, PB No 11807, New Delhi 110010

Website: www.careerairforce.nic.in

Elig: Unmarried, Indian/Nepalese males (dob: 1 Jan ‘84-1 June ‘87), Matriculates/equiv (45%) and pass in Eng.

Selectn: Written Test & Medical Exam at 7 centres incldg B ‘lore

Appln F: Send in prescribed format with stamped (Rs 4/-), self-add envelope (24 cm x 10 cm), 3 unattested pp pics and copies of relev certs, to the President at the above add. Superscribe "For MTD Trade" on envelope.

Details: Employment News (12 - 18 Jan) or website.

Feb 20 Headquarters, Western Air Command, IAF, Subroto Park, New Delhi 110010

Website: www.armedforces.nic.in/airforce or www.careerairforce.nic.in

Elig: Unmarried (below 25 yrs on 1 Jan ‘03), Indian males (dob: 2 Jan ‘75-1 Jan ‘85).

Selectn: EKT, Personality Test & Medical Exam.

Appln F: Send in prescribed format with 3 stamped (Rs 8/-), self-add envelopes (23 cm x 10 cm) to the Command Education Officer at the above add.

Details: Employment News (12-18 Jan) or website.

Jan 25 Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Sec 44, Noida 201303 (UP).

Ph: (0120) 4500059

Website: www.amity.edu/aib

Elig: Bachelor’s/Master’s degree (Sc/Engg)

Appln F: Download from website or write to above add.

Details: Employment News (12-18 Jan) or website.

Mar 1 Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur 721302

PG Dip in InfoTech (2 sem, FT, Distance & contact mode)

(At Kharagpur, Kolkata & Bhubaneswar)

Elig: Ist class BTech/BE/MSc (Phy/Chem/Maths/Stats/Comp Appl, 60%) with Maths in BSc.

Selectn: Written Test (7 Apr) at 9 centres incld IIT, Delhi.

Appln F: Send Rs 800/- by crossed DD favouring "IIT, Kharagpur" payable at Kharagpur with 2 self-add slips to the Chairman, GATE at the above add by 22 Feb. Specified branches of Canara Bank (incldg SCO 117-119, Sec 17C, Ch ‘grh): Rs 800/- (cash) by 25 Feb.

Details: Employment News (12-18 Jan).

Apr 30 Directorate General of Shipping, ‘Jahaz Bhavan’, WH Marg, Ballard Estate, Mumbai 400001

Website: www.dgshipping.com

BSc (Nautical Sc, 3-yr) at TS Chankaya, Navi Mumbai

Marine Engg (4-yr) at MERI, Kolkata

Elig: Age: Not above 20 yrs (on 1 Oct ‘02).

Selectn: IIT JEE ‘02.

Appln F: Students qualified in IIT JEE Screening ‘02 must send Rs 300/- by DD favouring "DG of Shipping, Mumbai" payable at Mumbai with stamped (Rs 50/-), self-add envelope (11" x 5") to the above add. Also at specified Syndicate Bank Branches (includg Ch ‘grh, Amritsar, Patiala (Main)): Rs 300/- (cash).

Feb 13 Institute of Engineering & Technology, Sitapur Rd, Lucknow 226021

Ph: (0522) 360163

1) MTech Biotech (Multidisciplinary)

2) MTech Environ Engg (Civil Engg Deptt)

Elig: For 1: MSc (Phys/Chem/Bio-Chem/Microbiol/Agri/Life Sc/Bot/Zool)/ BE (Chem/Bio-Chem/Food/Agri). For 2: BE/BTech (Mech/Chem/Elect/Civil/Metall /Mining/Agri).

Appln F: Send giving your name, DoB & age, nationality, add (corresp & perm), acad qual (10+2 onwards), details of wk ex with 1 pp pic by Regd Post to the Registrar at the above add. Superscribe "Application for Admission to MTech Biotechnology/Environmental Engg" on envelope.

Mar 2 Sinhgad Institute of Management, 44/1, Vadgaon (Budruk), Pune 411041

1) MCA (3-yr)

2) Master in Comp Mgt (2-yr)

3) Master in Personnel Mgt (2-yr)

Elig: For 1: Bachelor’s degree (50%, with Maths at +2). For 2: Bachelor’s degree (45%). For 3: Bachelor’s degree (50%)

Selectn: Written Test (3 Mar) followed by GD & Interview. ATMA qualified exempted from written test.

Appln F: Send Rs 450/- by DD favouring "Sinhgad Institute of Management" payable at Pune to the above add.

Jan 31 Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management & Development Studies, Gaurabagh, Kursi Rd, Lucknow (UP)

Ph: 361938, 750712

Website: www.lbsimds.org

PG Diploma (3-yr, Dist)

(Busi Admin/Personnel/Mktg Mgt)

Elig: Bachelor’s degree.

Appln F: Send Rs 50/- favouring LBSIMDS with self-add envelope (9" x 6") to the above add or specified nodal centres.

Details: Employment News (12-18 Jan) or website.

Feb 23 MTTS, D/o Mathematics, University of Mumbai, Vidyanagari, Mumbai 400098

Website: http://math.mu.ac.in/mtts/index.html; www.geocities.com/mttsprogramme

(May 20- June 15 at IIT, Mumbai)

Elig: Level ‘O’ & ‘I’: 2nd yr & final yr of BSc/BStat/BTech etc with Maths.

Level ‘II’: Ist yr of MSc/MStat/MTech etc with Maths.

Selectn: Acad merit & letter of recomn from Maths Prof.

Appln F: Contact Head, D/o of Maths of your college or send self-add, stamped (Rs 6/-) envelope (10 cm x 22 cm) superscribed "MTTS-2002 Application Form" to Prof S Kumaresan, Programme Director at the above add or download from website.

Details: Employment News (12-18 Jan).

FORTNIGHTLY QUIZ-149

1. Who has been selected the "Greatest Briton of all time" in a poll conducted by the BBC?

2. Name the youngest and the quickest bowler in the Test cricket history to claim 400 wickets.

3. Where is the Mianwali airbase situated?

4. What is the official death toll in the January 26,2001, Gujarat earthquake?

5. Which former naval ship and war heroine of 1971 has been rechristened ‘Indian museum ship’?

6.Which country is the largest foreign investor in India?

7. Name the largest Buddhist shrine in Nepal.

8. Which Indian software major was recently given a go-ahead to set up its office in Shanghai?

9. Which regime of Cambodia was notorious for the "killing fields" of 1970s?

10. Name the Prime Minister of China.

11. Who is the President of Zimbabwe?

12. What is the capital of Sierra Leone?

13. Expand RAW.

14. Where is Barabati Stadium situated?

15. Which company has plans to unveil its fastest-ever microprocessor chip Pentium 4, running at 2.2 billion cycles per second?

Name.............Class....................... School address.............................

Winners of quiz 148. The first prize by draw of lots goes to Ankush Jagwan, 8th-C, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector 31, Chandigarh.

Second: Manish Pareek, XII(commerce), DC Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 7, Panchkula.

Third: Pranjal Thakur, VIII, DAV Public School, Rampur BSR, district Shimla-172001.

Answers to quiz 148: Britain, Denmark and Sweden; Mark Tully; Space research; Eduardo Duhalde; Lucknow; Short Messaging Service; Pakistan; Centre of Cellular and Molecular Biology; Lusaka; 70; Zimbabwe; Tennis; Muttiah Muralitharan; France; May 31,2002.

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.

— Tarun Sharma