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Take to nanotech
With India being one of the fastest-developing economies in the world, its reputation as a centre of scientific excellence is growing too. This means that career options in research and development (R&D) are increasing manifold. One such field that is gaining popularity is nanotechnology.
With the international market for nanotech products and applications projected to grow in the next decade to over $600 billion annually, India is poised for a bright future in R&D. Last year, the Government of India launched a Nano Mission with an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for five years. The Department of Science and Technology is the nodal agency for implementing the Mission. Under this programme, a good number of research projects have been granted to scientists and research institutions. Career options in nano science and technology are directly linked to the recent boom in industrialisation. Well-known enterprises in the fields of automotives, electronics, aerospace, defense or health are actively involved in R&D. The country is emerging as a manufacturing hub due to the availability of qualified manpower and skills. “The graduates of nanotechnology can start their career in textiles, manufacturing, electronics, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, teaching, etc,” says Besides, they can take up a postgraduate course (M.Tech in nano science and technology) and become eligible to appear for the NET (National Eligibility Test) in physical sciences. Panjab University, Chandigarh, and Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar, are already conducting the M.Tech course. The Government of India has authorised 11 universities and institutions in the country to start nono courses from this session. Out of these, three universities will start an M.Sc nano course, whereas others will start an M.Tech nano science and technology course. The Government of India has sanctioned Rs 2.15 crore to Guru Nanak Dev University for starting this course. Out of this, Rs 1.30 crore has been released. The amount will be used for setting up laboratories and others facilities.Each student admitted to the course will receive a scholarship of Rs 3,000 per month and a contingency of Rs 10,000 per annum. It is a four-semester professional degree programme open to B.Sc (non-medical) students with physics and mathematics as compulsory subjects and a score of 50 per cent. The admission to the two-year course will be through an all-India entrance test to be conducted by the university in last week of June (From next year, the admission is likely to be on the basis of the joint admission test conducted by the Indian Institute of Technology). The entrance test will be of 100 marks with questions of multiple choice. The test will be based on the syllabus of B.Sc II and III (optics and lasers, quantum mechanics, condensed matter physics and electronics and solid state devices). There are 15 seats for the course and admission to the reserved categories will be on the basis of the central government quota.
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Smart Skills
A cyber lawyer handles crimes like hacking or credit card frauds and safeguards e-commerce on the Net
Today, the virtual world of Internet, is governed by cyber laws that carry a kind of universal jurisdiction. All the legal issues related to the Internet crimes are being dealt through cyber laws. Cyber laws are the regulations that govern copyright, intellectual property, contracts, now extended beyond national borders to the international information technology world. As the number of Internet users is on the increase with the changing times, the need for cyber laws and their application is gathering momentum. A cyber lawyer is one who handles such cases of crimes like hacking, credit card frauds, protecting digital signatures to safeguarding e-commerce and business transactions on the Net, encryption codes or electronic records etc. Cases involving Intellectual Property laws or Copyrights, Software patents, Net Banking also come within the purview of cyber law. India is the second country in Asia and the 12th in the world to have a separate Information Technology Act. Under the IT Act of 2000, electronic documents and digital signature have been given legal recognition. The Act also lays down stringent laws against those committing cyber crimes like hacking, credit card frauds, cyber stalking, blackmailing, disruption of computer source codes, pornography and the crimes related to Intellectual Properties, Copyrights, and Trademarks etc.. Cracking down on cyber crime requires highly skilled understanding of the electronic world and Internet law, whether a particular activity on the Net is of a transgressive nature or whether it is legally permissible are difficult to ascertain. Cyber crimes, be it sale of illegal articles, pornography, online gambling, e-mail spoofing, forgery, defamation, or hacking, the nature of these offences could be extremely subtle and difficult to prove. This is a new field of legal specialisation and there are not enough books on cyber law, cyber crime, etc and no international benchmarks or models to rely on. As a lawyer you can take up cyber law as a profession, and specialise in cyber crime. For this you would need a degree or diploma in cyber law after graduating as a lawyer. There are also courses in cyber law for students of any discipline who may want to pursue this field. This is useful for IT and e-commerce professionals, as also for bankers and chartered accountants, and others who would like an in-depth understanding of cyber laws as applicable in India. Such professionals have an edge when working as a cyber consultant in an IT firm, government departments, such as the police department or in banks. A number of law schools and universities now offer courses in cyber law at the postgraduate level. Law institutes such as NALSAR University of law, Hyderabad and Government Law College, Mumbai offer PG Diploma in Cyber Law. After a course in cyber law you can work independently as consultant, or start off as an assistant or a junior practitioner in legal consulting and arbitration firms for providing assistance to advocates in cases related to cyber crimes. You can also opt for a law firm or a corporate career in the legal department of a large company, particularly one which is involved in commercial activities through the Internet, keeping watch on any possible infringement. Cyber lawyers, and cyber consultants can work as advisors in government departments, particularly in ministries handling Information and Broadcasting, Information Technology, and Science & Technology, or as Security Auditors and Network Administrators in Technology firms. As Internet-based applications in government departments, banks, telemarketing and online stock trading is growing, responsibilities of cyber lawyers are also increasing, particularly due to the limited availability of trained and educated experts on the subject. There is also a huge scope for research and teaching. Cyber law is a profession with a great potential, as much work needs to be done to help nab cyber-criminals, predict the crime patterns and motives for such crimes, and assess their impact. Salaries in the legal field are increasing, so law professionals who have specialised in cyber law can hope to start at Rs 20,000 or more, depending on the corporate or law firms they choose to work in, in India and/or abroad, their experience in the field and how well they understand their subject. So, if you have a strong IT background and interested in a legal career, cyber law is branch of law with a huge potential, for anyone who would like to be the Sherlock Holmes of the Internet.
Legal entry
Some institutes offering professional courses in cyber laws are:
n
National Academy of Legal Studies and Research University of Law, Hyderabad-27. (www.nalsarpro.
org) The writer is a noted career expert
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Career Hotline
Q. After doing my Bachelor’s in English, I did my Master’s in Tourism and even worked for a couple of years in the field. But now this work no longer interests me. Unlike most people I can’t seem to fix a goal or sustain it. I am very confused, nothing makes sense.
“Stop setting goals. Goals are pure fantasy unless you have a specific plan to achieve them”, says Stephen Covey, bestselling author of ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’. You can devote months of thought to spell-out your career goals, your one-year, your five-year goals. You may write them and stick them under a magnet on your fridge. But sad to say, without a proper disciplined road map, they are worthless. Know why? The goal is only the destination. How much thought have you given to the journey — between where you are now and where you want to go? You need to strategize and map out each step so that you can check your position and stay on the right path. Mapping also shows how far you are from your goal and what route to take next. Keep checking your list periodically to determine where you are. Also, have a Plan B and Plan C in case things don’t work out. Dare to dream. And then don’t give up. Hold on to it, and follow through. If you are still confused about what career to opt for, or if you are not quite sure of the range of career options that are compatible with your personality and interests, you might consider taking a good career aptitude test.
Sea your way
Q. Is the post of a sailor in the Indian Navy that of an officer rank? How are they recruited? — Fanish Mehra Sailors are recruited twice a year under 5 categories: (a) Artificer Apprentice, (b) Direct Entry Diploma Holders, (c) Matric Recruit, (d) Musician, (e) Non Matric Recruit. The Initial basic training at INS Chilka, Distt-Khurda, Orissa is followed by further training at various naval establishments across the country. Selected sailors are also sent abroad for training in specific disciplines. Prior to release from service, sailors are also given pre-release courses to enable them to settle down in civil life. As a sailor in the Indian Navy you must be prepared to serve anywhere in India, on board ships and submarines or even abroad.. While the post of a sailor is not of Officer rank to begin with (although the term ‘sailor’ is loosely used for anyone in a shipping job). . However, there are several opportunities for promotion to the rank of a Commissioned Officer. This, of course, will depend on your performance as a sailor and upon clearing the prescribed exams within the stipulated age limit. Incidentally, all officers of the Indian Navy will be engineers after 2013 and will pass out with a four-year B Tech degree. Plans are afoot to equip National Defence Academy (NDA) cadets with a B.Tech degree. Instead of graduates or post graduates currently, engineering graduates will be recruited for permanent or Short Service
Commission. Being a technical service, it is mandatory for all Indian Navy personnel to be adequately qualified to handle the complex and sophisticated new equipment that is being used. The idea is to have a branchless Navy, so that qualification-wise everyone is on the same platform. Later, it will be up to the individual to perform and specialise in a branch or even change the branch. Everyone will have an opportunity to take up command of a ship or fleet. Other branches in the Navy besides engineering and electrical are executive, law, logistics, naval armament, inspection, education and air traffic control. For details regarding eligibility, training etc, log on to:
www.nausena-bharti.nic. in
USual craze
Q. Several of my friends are looking at doing their MBA from the US despite there being so many B-schools in India. With the improved standing of Indian B-schools, does a US MBA still merit consideration? — Kishwar Chawla
A.
Yes, the Great Indian Rush for made-in-US MBAs has now turned into a stampede. Students from India constitute the largest segment of foreign B-school graduates — around 10-15 per cent in the US. The overall improvement in India’s economic situation has made people more confident about investing in expensive education. The loosening of government purse strings in terms of education loans and foreign exchange (up to $100,000) has helped further. Indian students continue to flock to US B-schools thanks to the increasing cost of an MBA degree in India and the difficulty in getting admission to top Indian B-schools here. The recent hike in fees at top flight Indian B-schools has narrowed [depending on the school, an MBA degree in the US could cost anywhere from $60,000 - $80,000 p.a. Apart from the very top ones, it’s also easier to get into many B-schools in the US than to break into IIM-A or the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad for instance. The excessive emphasis on CAT/ XAT scores in India scares off many aspirants. The other big attraction is the prospect of international placement and dollar salaries that grads can avail of after completing their programme (barring recession-time). Sure we do have 1400+ B-schools in India (and the number keeps increasing), but there is a marked difference between a top-20 school and a No 567.
Indian Popular Line
Q. I am very passionate about sports, especially about cricket and I want to make my career in it as an all- rounder but I have one problem that is my height which is not so impressive, it is only 5 ft and I am already 18 years old. So I want to know is there any chance for me of getting spotted as a cricketer. — Nakul Gupta A.
Percy ‘Tich’ Freeman, who played for Kent (1914 to 1936) and England (1924-25 -29); as a right arm leg-break bowler is believed to be the shortest ever international player. He was only 5’2’’ and our very own master blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is 5’ 4’’ tall. And Sehwag is no beanpole either. So, it’s not height that matters but how good you are at the sport. In a country that kneels before this game of bat, ball and 22 men, cricket has never been an ordinary game. And with IPL, neither are the earnings. An average of Rs 10-15 crore per player is no mean figure! You could also try and catch the attention of your zonal Talent Research Development Officer for cricket. The TRDOs observe young players below the age of 22 to spot prospective talent. Besides overall fitness, these talent scouts look into all three aspects of the game: batting, bowling and fielding The list is submitted to the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Promising players are sent to camps organized by the zonal cricket academies and the NCA. While selecting teams, state associations look out for budding talent with long-term prospects since the ideal age to break into the national team is between 18-24 years. So, bat
on.
Please send in your query, preferably on a postcard, along with your full name, complete address and academic qualifications to: Editor, Jobs and Careers, The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh-160030, or at
careers@tribunemail.com
The writer is a noted career consultant
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Oh dear, fat salaries eating into IT cos' margins
The country's two largest software exporters, Infosys Technologies and Wipro Technologies, anticipate wage pressures might not only slash their margins but also prevent them from maintaining their competitive advantage. "Wages in India are increasing at a faster rate than in the United States, which could result in increased costs for companies seeking to employ technology professionals in India, particularly project managers and other mid-level professionals," Infosys said in its recent annual filing to American market regulator Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In order to retain and recruit talent, companies especially in the IT sector, are doling out hefty pay packets. The trend is all the more visible for middle level professionals and project managers. A recent survey by global management consultancy firm HayGroup said salaries in India are forecast to rise by 14.4 per cent during
2008. Infosys also noted that it might need to raise employee compensation more rapidly than in the past to compete with other
employers. Wipro has also cited wage pressure as a business risk in its latest annual filing to the SEC. Moreover, lower wage costs in India are considered as one of the important competitive advantages by the IT firms. "Our wage costs in India have historically been significantly lower than wage costs in the United States and Europe for comparably skilled professionals, and this had been one of our competitive advantages. "However, wage increases in India may prevent us from sustaining this competitive advantage and may negatively affect our profit margins," Wipro said in its filing. Industry analysts believe that rising salaries present a challenging scenario and that it could adversely affect the prospects of IT firms in the long term. To stem attrition rates in the middle and senior levels, Infosys has a long term retention bonus policy in place. According to the policy, certain senior executives and employees are entitled to a yearly cash bonus on their continued employment with the company. The bonus is based on seniority, their role and performance in the firm. Apart from offering perks such as annual cash bonus and increments, companies could even explore the possibility of recruiting talent from low cost locations including China and Eastern Europe. "Unless we are able to continue to increase the efficiency and productivity of our employees, increases in proportion of employees with lower experience or source talent from other low cost locations like Eastern Europe, China or South East Asia, wage increases in the long term any reduce our profit margins," Wipro had noted.
— PTI
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UK unplugged
The British Library, Chandigarh, recently organised a seminar on “Study Opportunities in the UK”.
To conduct the seminar, the library invited education expert Aprajita Kalra, manager, Education UK, British Council, New Delhi, to update the interested candidates with first-hand information. Emphasising on the authenticity of the qualifications from England, Aprajita informed the members that these qualifications are recognised and respected throughout the world. These qualifications act as a solid foundation for building one’s future, boosting the career and prospects for a higher salary. The seminar aimed at familiarising the interested candidates with the eligibility criteria, the courses available, the cost and application procedure, as well as how the quality of UK education was assured. She also informed about the duration of courses and the thousands of opportunities in science and technology, computing and business, art and design, social sciences, the humanities and many others. After the seminar there were individual counselling sessions held for the interested candidates. The seminar was open to all, with a prior registration. Around 60 students attended it. Future events include visits by representatives of UK-based universities to Chandigarh to interact with students. Representatives from Middlesex University will visit on May 27 and July 4, and from University of West England on June 3 and July 3.
— TNS
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Added focus on finance courses
In order to impart knowledge of the financial sector to school students, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and National Stock Exchange (NSE) have signed a memorandum of understanding.
To begin with, plus two students will be groomed in financial market management, giving them the option to take it up as a career or just make them savvy enough to take care of their investment decisions in future. The financial services sector is scheduled to make its presence felt in the education system right from the school level. Financial literacy allows people to manage their lives better. Over 55 per cent of the people across the country do not have a bank account and do not know the implications of the economic indicators like inflation, low financial literacy means financial exclusion. It is important for the industry to have an interface with schools to groom the next generation as an employable workforce — Catch them young. Meanwhile the National Institute of Securities Market (NISM), sponsored by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), is planning to offer full-time MBA and Ph.D programmes to train professionals for the securities market. This will be the first of its kind in the global market for the capital market regulator SEBI is doing its bit to train professionals for the securities market. To set up the institute, SEBI has purchased around 60 acres of land on the Mumbai-Pune Express Highway from the Maharashtra Government. Recently, SEBI organised a seminar to create awareness about the institute. If needed be, the institute may raise funds from corporate houses. The institute plans to recruit around 70 faculty members and will be tying up with foreign institutes as well. Simultaneously, the NISM also plans to tie with 200-300 schools in the next couple of months to provide financial literacy programmes to children studying in Classes VIII to X across the country. But to start with, it would have a tie-up with the Maharashtra school authorities. This will help in building saving habits among the students. Earlier, the Unit Trust of India (UTI) had established the Indian Institute of Capital Market which currently offers a similar full-time postgraduate programme for securities market professionals. This institute will be merged later on after setting up the NISM. At present, capital market regulator SEBI faces a shortage of trained staff to conduct effective surveillance, investigation and enforcement for a market that has grown by leaps and bounds in the last five years. SEBI lacks the required level of trained staff to conduct effective surveillance investigation and enfocement — more staff and significant additional training are required. The SEBI regulatory task force has not grown despite a significant growth of the market and intermediaries over the past five years. Besides staff constraints, SEBI also lacks immediate access to specific information on market intermediaries.
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Aditya Birla Group on hiring spree for financial services
The Aditya Birla Group has embarked on a major hiring spree for its financial services businesses with over a dozen recruitments taking place in the top executive levels in the recent months.
"The group is on a major expansion drive for its financial services arm and has taken on board several top level executives from leading financial service firms from India and abroad in the past three months," Aditya Birla Group Financial services' Chief Marketing officer Ajay Kakar said in New Delhi recently. Kakar also joined the group recently. He was earlier working with Reliance Capital. Besides, the group has taken in Pankaj Razdan, former CEO of ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund, as its Financial Services business Deputy CEO. The other recruitments at the group's senior level include Gautam Chainani, who joined as Chief People Officer, from American Express. Besides, Birla Sunlife AMC also got a new CEO in Anil Kumar, who comes with varied experience from investment banking major Citibank NA. "Phase I of the drive is for restructuring the existing business such as fund house, while the phase II would involve expanding its product distribution division among others," Kakar said.
— PTI
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Hacking of Internet sites, cyber virus contamination, credit card frauds are the new-age crimes of the technology age. With the phenomenal growth of the IT world, known as cyberspace, more and more work, business transactions, and data in text, video or audio format are being recorded and transmitted in electronic format. There is also a huge growth in issue of credit cards and other financial instruments permitting electronic transactions, including mobile phones and satellite connectivity, and subsequent increase in abuse and crime affecting this new virtual world. Cyber crime is a specialised area which the police and even judicial officers find difficult to handle. The demand is therefore for legal professionals able to appreciate the interface between law and technology. 
A. The Indian Navy, has kept pace with advanced technologies and operates and maintains highly sophisticated ships, submarines and aircraft. The propulsion machinery, weapons, sensors and equipment on board these weapon platforms are operated and maintained by sailors, who are trainined on an ongoing basis. 
Leave alone the adverse effects of economic slowdown, the Indian IT industry is fearing that fattening pay packets for employees could cut down their profit margins.