The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

MSc (IT) course falls out of students favour
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
City colleges are finding it difficult to fill seats in the once coveted MSc (IT) course. Colleges have received very few applicants for the course and most colleges which are running the course fear that over half of the seats in the course would go vacant.

“The main reason for this is that only those who have a BCA or a BCA degree are eligible for this course while in other universities who are offering the course other science graduates too can take up the course,” said Dr Kuldeep Singh, principal SGGS college, Sector 26, adding that he would take up the issue with the academic council of Panjab University.

Other than MSc (IT), there are very few takers for BSc non-medical . “Non-medical students generally find seats in engineering colleges. Only those students who are unable to fit in anywhere else in science join this course,” said Dr Kuldeep Singh.

Even a simple BA seems to be out of fashion. "Students prefer BA in new courses like BA (IT), BA Fashion Design, BA Functional English and BA in advertising. BA in Sanskrit, Music and Physical education etc does not attract students anymore,” said Mr Ajay Sharma, in charge admissions, at the GGDSD College, Sector 32.

“BA sociology and BA psychology seem to be the two most coveted courses in arts. Students are making a beeline for these. But otherwise BA in traditional subjects is not attracting students,” said Dr Shashi Jain, Principal, Dev Samaj College, Sector 45.

Even simple BSc is not coveted any more. “Those who take up BSc in pure sciences also take admission in parallel add-on courses to improve their chances of getting jobs later,” added Mr Sharma.

The BSc courses too have kept in tune with the time. Replacing BSc in pure sciences are now BSc courses in biotechnology, bioinformatics, Industrial microbiology, biochemistry etc. “Our courses in BSc food sciences and quality control and food and microbial technology are full with students,”said Ms Puneet Bedi, Principal MCM DAV College, Sector 36.

Admissions: Class X toppers prefer govt schools
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
Science seats in Class XI at the Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 35 and Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 16, were filled on the first day of counseling for general category students. Out of the total 1230 applications, which were considered for admissions on day two of admissions today, 1072 students were admitted.

The maximum number of students preferred science stream over commerce and arts. As many as 887 students were admitted to the science stream.

The 205 science seats each at GMSSS-35 and GMSSS -16 were filled. Today too students preferred GMSSS-35 over other schools for admission. The cut-off percentage in the science stream at GMSSS-35 was 86.1 per cent and at GMSSS-16 was 82.8 per cent.

Top scorers of Class X seem to have preferred government schools. A student scoring 96.8 per cent sought admission in the science stream at GMSSS-35, another scoring 96.4 per cent took up science at GMSSS-16, two students with 95 per cent score took admission in science at GMSSS-18 and GMSSS-19 A students who had scored 92 per cent marks took admission at GMSSS-33 and another with 91 per cent score was admitted at GMSSS-22. In commerce as many as 133 students were admitted followed by 42 in arts and another 10 in vocational streams. The rest of the seats in these schools would be filled tomorrow.

95 pc UIET final-year students get placements
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
Around 95 per cent final year students of the University Institute of Engineering and Technology (UIET), Panjab University, have got placements in various industrial establishments.

There was an overwhelming response to the UIET campus placement programme-2007 with Infosys Technologies alone recruiting more than 100 students, a record of its sort in the region. Mindtree Consultants, a premier consulting company in the country, recruited 33 students.

Other reputed organisations that have visited the UIET till date are Tech Mahindra, Satyam Computer Services and Siemens Information Systems. Many students have got multiple offers. More reputed organisations are expected to visit the campus in near future.

The UIET has recorded 95 per cent placements for 2007 batch students of electronics, computer science, telecommunication and information technology. The placement interviews for BE (Biotech) students will take place during the seventh and eighth semesters.

The director of the institute, Prof B.S. Sohi, said the institute was established in 2002 and its first batch graduated in 2006. Around 85 per cent students of that batch got placements in various reputed organisations. These included Infosys Technologies, Tech Mahindra, Siemens Information Systems, Indus Logic, Serum Institute of India, Panacea Biotech, Agilent Technologies, Evalueserve, HCL Technologies, HFCL, Virsa Systems etc.

UIET students have also made a foray into higher education with many of them getting admissions to IIMs and reputed business schools. Students of BE (Biotech) secured admissions to top universities and colleges in the US, the UK and Australia for the MS course as well as admissions in MTech courses in IITs.

Pre-final year CEC students get jobs
Tribune News Service

Mohali, July 5
A number of pre-final year students of Chandigarh Engineering College (CEC), Landran, have got job offers from some leading companies of the country.

All final-year students of the college, who would pass out in August, had been already recruited by reputed companies.

However, it was almost unbelievable for the students of pre-final year class when they received job offers from companies like IFLEX and Birlasoft.

Tarun Jain of CSE, Savdeep Kaur, Amit Vanjani and Navjot Singh of ECE, Nipun Loomba of ME and Harmeet Minhas of MCA, all pre-final year students, say they never thought of getting jobs with pay package of more than Rs 2.2 lakh per annum before even entering the final year of their respective courses.

Mr Satnam Singh Sandhu, chairman, and Mr Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, said the college was gaining new heights every year. While all students going to pass out in August this year have been already recruited by various MNCs and other leading companies, the job offers to pre-final year students was yet another feather in the cap of the college, they added.

Dr G.D. Bansal, Principal, said a number of companies, including Syntel, Birlasoft, Persistent Systems, Hewitt Associates and IFLEX, had already held interviews for recruitment of students passing out in 2007.

Lateral entry into CCET allowed
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
Chandigarh Administration has allowed lateral entry of meritorious students to the Chandigarh College of Engineering and Technology (CCET) Sector 26 here. This has been done to enable students pursuing diplomas at ITIs to get lateral entry into an engineering course.

The State Board of Technical Education, Punjab and Panjab University have also given permission to the lateral entry provision from ITI to diploma and from diploma to degree in the academic structure of CCET.

Panjab University has also introduced a total internal evaluation system at CCET. The placement companies of national and international repute have also visited CCET for placement. Over 60 per cent of students were placed by June 27, 2006. Out of a batch of 120, 32 students have been placed in Tech Mahindra with a remuneration of Rs 2.6 lakh per annum and 33 students have been placed in Infosys and they will be earning Rs 2.7 lakh per annum.

Guru Harkrishan society invites applications for scholarships
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
The Guru Harkrishan Educational Society (GHES), Chandigarh, has invited applications for award of scholarships for needy bright students who during the academic year 2006-07 got admission to any managerial, technical, medical vocational and professional courses in any recognised institution anywhere in the country.

Mr A. S. Rawel, honorary secretary of the society, said last year the society had disbursed a sum of Rs 10.22 lakh to 533 needy students studying in different institutions. This year also the society proposed to award similar number of scholarships amounting to over Rs.10.50 lakh. Each scholarship holds tuition fee payable by the student plus a minimum of 25 per cent of the tuition fee, subject to a maximum of Rs 600 per month and are awarded without any discrimination. The students who have secured a minimum of 60 per cent marks and whose parental income does not exceed Rs10,000 per month are eligible to apply.

COURTS

Mohali to have judicial court soon
Our Correspondent

Mohali, July 5
A judicial court is to become functional in the community centre in Phase III B-1 here in the next 15 days.

A Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court today inspected the community centre and directed the local administration to carry out the required alterations in the building so that a court could become functional within that period.

It is learnt that Mr Justice Vinay Mittal, alongwith Ms Poonam Ratti, Additional Civil Judge, Kharar, visited the community centre to see whether premises were suitable for the purpose.

To begin with only one court would be made functional. Sixty per cent of the area would be used for the court and the rest for keeping records.

CULTURE

... And now Punjabi Idol
Anandita Gupta
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 5
Here comes a Punjab da puttar producing something sure to strike a chord with every Punjabi heart. Having dabbled in producing Punjabi shows, CA-turned-producer Raman Tandon is back in the city, filming for his latest production---Punjabi Idol. The programme is this veteran producer's first foray into the production of a talent hunt show. Talking to The Tribune about his latest venture at Hotel Park View, Chandigarh, Raman Tandon threw light on the behind-the-screens efforts involved in the show's production.

The lights, cameras and action are all there, but minus the hype and hoopla. Punjabi Idol does not boast of an impressive star-cast or celebrity judges either. But then, what's the programme's USP? "The show is special because without making a hyped statement, it brings forth the country's hidden talent. And by talent, I mean talent in singing, dancing and acting, and not just colouring your hair and wearing fancy dresses," Tandon takes a dig at Sony's Indian Idol.

But why a Punjabi talent hunt? "The land of Punjab has a rich cultural heritage and a legacy of singing and dancing which, unfortunately, hasen't been tapped as yet by TV programmes. And that is what Punjabi Idol is all about," explains Tandon, adding, "We have finally shortlisted 8 finalists out of 25,000 people who came for the auditions. And we give no preference to their looks and even classical background. It's their performance with us that matters.''

Having filmed most of the show's episodes in Chandigarh, what does he have to say about the city? "Production here has not been a fun ride. You don't get technically sound technicians easily here, and yes, people are very non-punctual. If a shoot is scheduled at 10 am, they'll turn up at 12," he laments.

Inspired by the success of the talent hunt, the producer has already planned a few sequels of the programme. "We'll be soon airing the second series of Punjabi Idol and the auditions for which will be held at Bal Bhawan, Sector 23, Chandigarh. Also, we'll start an acting series of Punjabi Idol, the winners of which will get roles in my telefilms," he beams. And how about the winners of Punjabi Idol? "We'll be launching their audio and video cassettes, besides getting them fancy contracts with T. Series and HMV," replies the producer. No wonder, the carrot is kept hanging for all those presently struggling with that oh-so-perfect voice modulation.