Smooth sailing
With the launch of its first indegenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi two days ago, India has joined the select club of warship-building countries like US, UK, France and Russia. This has also brought focus on shipbuilding as a field for youngsters looking for an adventure-filled career
Usha Albuquerque

In most parts of the country we rarely think of the sea or activities associated with it except when we think about a holiday on the beach. Yet, India is a major maritime country, predominantly peninsular in nature having a huge coastline of 7,515 km and 1197 islands, and is located strategically on major maritime routes. So sea-related industries such as shipping are an important pivot of the country's commercial activities whereby commodities such as oil, food grains, tea, machinery items, and even cars and other large items, for export and import are transported by sea.

Modern shipbuilding in India started when the British began building ships in the 19th century at major ports such as Mumbai and Cochin. Since then ship building has expanded enormously, particularly in the last 20 years with the setting up of private shipyards and the introduction of new technology and modern equipment which has helped to design, plan and build many noteworthy ships.

Today India has 28 shipyards, 8 in the public sector and 20 private sector shipyards. But there are more coming up across the coast of India, from Kutch to West Bengal building huge vessels, tankers, oil rigs and the like, offering new and exciting employment opportunities.

Ship building covers a range of activities from designing, supervising and construction of vessels of all sizes to consultancy, marketing and sales, surveying and overseeing, research and development. The field of shipbuilding mostly deals with the construction and designing of all sea vessels, maintenance of tankers and passenger-ships, construction or designing of warships, creating blueprint of aircraft carriers and submarines, offshore oil recovery, and handling marine metals and corrosion. It also involves ship repairing, the maintenance of dockyards, oil rigs and sea-ports, building oceanography research units and underwater vehicles, remote sensing, and marine transportation.

It is a highly skilled work which cannot be done on an assembly line by robots, but has to be manually handled by skilled technicians and engineers, welders and fitters, and requires individual analysis and customised solutions.

Some of the jobs in ship building include:

Naval architects: Naval architect is a professional engineer who is responsible for the design, construction, ship building and repair of tankers, cargo ships, passenger liners, ferries or warships, as well as boats, submarines, high-speed crafts, oil rigs, hover crafts and all related structures. A naval architect is an engineer with a working knowledge of several disciplines and expertise in one of the basic areas of structural, hydro-dynamical or marine systems design.

Ocean engineers: Ocean engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the development of equipment and techniques for the exploration of the ocean floor and exploitation of its resources. It is a combination of several types of engineering: mechanical, electrical, civil, and chemical, as ocean engineers develop and design floating, underwater and bottom-sited systems, wave-measuring buoys, underwater vehicles, sonar and other acoustic systems, offshore platforms and shoreline facilities, such as harbours and artificial islands. Most training programmes include ocean engineering with naval architecture.

Welder, Solderer and Cutter: These three jobs are a primary job requirement in terms of shipbuilding. These skilled workers help to cut, fit and weld all the parts of the ship together. There are specialised diploma programmes for training in these skills.

Electricians: Shipbuilding electricians are required to undertake the overall wiring of the ship and to know about installing various safety instruments. Electricians also need to plan for any emergency situations that could arise.

Training

Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering courses and Naval Engineering Diplomas are offered at the graduate and post-graduate degree levels. Those who have passed Class XII with science subjects, including physics, maths and chemistry, can join the naval architecture and ocean engineering courses.

The four-year BE or BTech degree programme covers ship design, ship construction, ship theory, ship maintenance, ship hydrodynamics, ship hydrostatics and ship structure. All the four years are interspersed with practical and hands-on training.

The Indian Navy takes in graduates in select branches of engineering, who are given post-graduate training at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. After the officers earn their diplomas in naval construction from IIT Delhi, the Navy sends them to the naval dockyards in Mumbai, Visakhapatnam, Cochin or Port Blair

Graduates of naval architecture and ship building also have the option to join the Merchant Navy as a Marine Engineer by completing the one year pre-sea Graduate Mechanical Engineering Course (GME).

Job opportunities

Qualified candidates can readily find work in the shipbuilding industry. They can work as team members to build submarines and hovercraft. They can also find openings in related industries like oceanography,

Naval architects have a broad range of employment opportunities worldwide. Naval architects are recruited by the ship yards, ship designing institutes, oil rig construction centers, the Navy, Coast Guard, doing ship surveying, and with Oceanography centers, fisheries and marine life industries.

The Indian Navy recruits a good number of naval architects every year to serve its requirements. Ocean engineers are employed by classification societies as ship surveyors who work on evaluating the safety of ships and marine structures worldwide and intergovernmental organizations such as the International Maritime Organisation.

They are also employed to give professional advice and technical support to the offshore industry, marine metals and corrosion, marine transportation, and defense services. Naval architects and ocean engineers can also teach and undertake maritime research in universities and with industry.

Shipbuilding and naval architecture is a little known engineering speciality with very few takers but vast employment opportunities. With a dearth of qualified shipbuilders, shipyard employers end up hiring engineers from different branches, including civil, metallurgical, and mechatronics, who are then trained in naval construction.

With the country enlarging its ship building expertise there will be a huge requirement for naval architects, ocean engineers, welders, cutters, solderers and electricians to build the ships of the future.

Already several private companies have got into this field with the setting up of huge shipyards to build state-of-the-art bulk carriers and tankers. ABG has set up a major shipyard costing Rs 1,600 crore at Dahej, Gujarat, and is flooded with orders to build up to 25 ships a year, while Sea King at Pipavav, Gujarat, is building ships almost three times as large as the biggest ships built in India so far, with advance orders to manufacture ships for Germany and Cyprus.

Other shipyards coming up include a mammoth one at Haldia planned to be among the biggest in the world, building 12 ships a year of Panamax size (the maximum size that can go thro-ugh the Panama Canal). Another is planned for Mundra in Kutch, while Tata Steel plans a shipyard at its new coast-based plant in Orissa, and L&T is looking to expand its shipbuilding business, to include warships too.

Such shipbuilding initiatives can propel India to the rank of a global player and provide unmatched opportunities for shipbuilding professionals.

There is also a huge demand for naval architects in countries which have a strong ship building industry like US, Korea, Singapore, UK and Netherlands.

So if you wish to sail on the ship of fortune, you must break out of the computer science and IT mindset and look at the sparkling avenues in shipbuilding.

— The writer is Director, Careers Smart Pvt Ltd., New Delhi

Career Hotline
From where can I do a course in film appreciation?
Pervin Malhotra

Q. I’m doing MA sociology, but I am totally crazy about films. I’ve heard there are some film appreciation courses available in India. Could you please tell me about them? — Jasbir walia

A.MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi offers a two-month part-time course: Introduction to Film Studies. Graduates from any discipline or anyone working in the media, film or cultural studies or involved in running a film society can apply.

Film & Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune& National Film Archive of India, Pune jointly conduct a Summer Course in Film Appreciation in the summer holidays every year.

The curriculum includes theoretical and practical study of the art and history of film and the development of cinema as a medium of art and communication.

You’ll get an opportunity to watch an amazing collection of Indian and International classics from the point of view of critical analysis and study.

Fees: Rs 6000. Hostel Accommodation is also available.

Eligibility: You must be at least 18 years old

Selection: A screening committee will assess your profile and genuine interest in films. For details log onto their website www.nfaipune.gov.in or www.ftiindia.com

However, if you are interested in a Master’s Degree then Jadavpur University, Kolkata offers a full-fledged 2-year MA course (as well as PhD) in Film Studies. Honours graduates of any stream or pass graduates with mass communication / film studies/ Videography as a subject are eligible.

These courses are ideal for those who wish to research the impact of films on society, culture, gender issues, mores etc, or go deeper into communication. They are also recommended for prospective film critics, teachers, film society organisers, journalists, researchers and government officials handling films and appraisers.

So do JNU: MA in Art & Aesthetics and TISS: MA in Media & Culture Studies.

What kind of work is involved in multimedia? 

Q. I am doing BA through correspondence. Can you please tell me what kind of work is involved in multimedia? Could you please advise me on selecting a good institution to take up a course in multimedia. — Pratap Tyagi'

A. Ten years ago, we were very limited by the technology available. But managing and manipulating images and video is a cinch thanks to high-end Adobe Production Studio, a software suite including Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro and Photoshop helps you create magic.

Multimedia is a generic term for technology that integrates video, audio, text, illustrations, graphics, photographs, animation and colour. It has become an increasingly popular and widely accepted tool for commercial artists, graphic designers, animation specialists, etc. It finds application in a large variety of fields, e.g. advertising, publishing, print and electronic media including television and Internet as well as in architecture, training, entertainment, marketing, etc.

The computer has rapidly taken over many tasks that were formerly rendered by pen and brush. The same job can now be done swiftly and effortlessly as compared to the manual mode. However, what’s really essential for anyone aspiring to get into this field is artistic talent and creativity — neither of which can be substituted by the smartest of computers. Regardless of what the training institutes may claim in their haste to enroll students for their high-priced courses, if you wish to work as an independent professional, a background in commercial art or graphic design would give you a solid grounding.

While there are any number of institutes offering training in multimedia, be careful of which one you select. Satisfy yourself on the following scores:

Will they teach you to handle the latest multimedia software (should be ideally Mac and Windows compatible).

• How many hours of actual hands-on computer time is allowed?
• How experienced are the instructors?
• Are placement facilities offered?
• Will they train you in the fundamentals of design?
• What is the duration of the course?
• What do senior students have to say about the facilities offered by the institute and the quality of teaching, placement record, etc.

Are engineering grads eligible for NET?

Q. I am a final year student of BTech (Biotech). I have a keen interest in teaching and research. I want to appear for CSIR-NET, but I don’t know whether I am eligible for the exam or not. — yasmin hingorani

a. To broaden the scope of NET and attract meritorious students at an early stage of their career, CSIR has revised the eligibility criteria to include the following degrees in the relevant subjects

To encourage engineering graduates like you to pursue PhD and Lectureship, CSIR-NET has introduced a sixth paper in engineering sciences which is common to all engineering disciplines.

The sample paper and syllabus are uploaded on the CSIR website www.csirhrdg.res.in

The minimum percentage remains the same i.e. 55% for Gen category (50% for SC/ST/PH)

Fourth year students like you can also apply (The application deadline for the 22 December NET is 21 August 2013 if you wish to apply online.

However, Bachelor’s degree holders (in science or engineering will be eligible for JRF only upon enrolment for PhD /integrated PhD within two years.

According to the revised UGC norms, you need to obtain the minimum marks in each of the three papers separately i.e. 40 per cent in Papers I & II and 50 per cent in Paper III (there’s 5 per cent relaxation for OBC (non-creamy).

Also, please note that henceforth only the top 15 per cent candidates in the NET merit list for each subject and category (based on aggregate scores) will be declared qualified and eligible for lectureship.

A separate list will be drawn up for JRFs from among the NET qualifiers in the merit list.

email your queries to careers@tribunemail.com

Scholarship roundup

Offer for marketing and finance students

The School of Business and Economics at the UK-based Loughborough University is offering scholarships to students on its one-year postgraduate programmes in Management, Finance and Marketing, starting from October, 2013.

This international scholarship scheme is worth 25 per cent of the total fee of £17,000. The scholarship is available for the full-time MSc courses in Business Analysis and Management, Finance and Management, International Management, Management and Marketing & Management commencing in October, 2013. Further, there are two special scholarships worth 100 per cent of the tuition fee that would be awarded on all the postgraduate programmes offered by the school.

Eligibility: Students applying for the above programmes are eligible to apply for the scholarships.

How to apply: The application for the courses can be made at http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/apply/postgraduate.

Deadline: August 31, 2013

Checkout:

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/finance/international/departmental/business

Hitachi Research fellowship

The Hitachi Scholarship Foundation is offering a research fellowship programme for scholars and researchers from Southeast Asian countries. Fellowships are awarded to conduct post-doctoral and cooperative research in the field of science and technology at Japanese universities or research institutes. Short-term fellowships are awarded for one to three months and long-term fellowships are awarded for four to ten months.

Eligibility: Only the faculty members, who belong to the universities invited by the foundation and willing to conduct their post-doctoral and cooperative research in the field of science and technology, except veterinary science, at Japanese universities or research institutes, will be accepted as applicants. They have to satisfy the following requirements.

• Ph.D. holder
• Below 45 years of age (born on or after November 1, 1968)
• Firm position or profession in the university

Deadline: September 30, 2013. Check out: ttp://cbserod.net.in

Newsboard

ISB iDiya contest

The Indian School of Business (ISB) has announced the launch of the fifth edition of iDiya — India’s biggest social venture competition for working professionals in the country.

It is a student-driven initiative to promote, recognize and support some of the most innovative ideas in the social venture space in India. It is also open to social enterprises that have been in existence not more than three years. It is an opportunity for those who are passionate about towards building innovative, self-sustaining and commercially viable social ventures in the areas of health, education, environment and women’s empowerment. This year the event was inaugurated by MN Rao, the former MD and CEO of Tata Business Services Ltd at the ISB campus.

Interested professionals can submit their ideas online at www.isb.edu/idiya. The last date for submitting the applications is September 15th, 2013.

Top 10 winners will get the opportunity to interact with Impact Investors who could provide seed funding. Top 10 shortlisted teams ( the number is right ) will be invited to the ISB for the Bootcamp – a one-week long training programme, where they will receive valuable mentoring support and critical evaluation of various aspects of their venture — business model, operations management, financing etc. and network with VCs and experts in the social venture space in India.

T-learning takes off in Chandigarh

The Curriculum Company (TCC), an innovator in the K-12 education space, has launched India's first end-to-end Tablet-based Classroom Management Platform. The Tablet-based Learning Platform enables a teacher to conduct an engaging class by empowering them with the apt tools and providing a strong locus of control for even classrooms as big as 40+ learners.

Through ThinkTab, TCC's ground breaking Tablet-based learning and teaching device for K-12 classrooms, the company provides new interactive content across grades with built in assessment frameworks that conform to global benchmarking standards. The ThinkTab is more than a tablet textbook and students can use this much beyond just a tablet for schoolwork.

“The arrival of tablets, for instance, spells lighter backpacks as well as incomparable ease in obtaining digital study material for students. Students will not only benefit from the portability and flexibility this device offers, but also from more rewarding aspects such as real-time and speedy updation of content and assessments. On the other hand, for educators, tablets offer convenience for teaching and assessing their students,” Ujjwal Singh, Founder -CEO, TCC, said in Chandigarh at the launch of this facility at Bhavan Vidyalya Junior recently.

ThinkTab gives teachers the flexibility to use content in any format, be it video, PPT, word doc or audio file, practically anything from their machine to a student’s tablet. In fact, even the reverse dynamics is also possible. If a child has done something interesting, then a teacher can also pull out the same thing from that student's tablet and show it to everyone present inside the classroom. For keeping the recurring cost for the schools low, TCC's Tablet-based Classroom Management Platform does not require internet. Local Wifi Router is used to connect the teacher's laptop to student’s tablets.

The Integration Edge

Nomenclature

There is often confusion between dual degrees and integrated courses and very often both are used interchangeably. A joint degree programme is an outcome to an integrated course of study. An integrated study programme comprises curriculum that is jointly designed by two or more higher education institutions or disciplines. If you choose the programme, you will undertake defined periods of study in each institution or discipline in terms of duration and content. At the end of the courses and after an assessment mechanism, you would be awarded a single qualification jointly signed by the academic authorities of both institutions and/or disciplines.

How relevant?

The Integrated Courses bring about a paradigm shift from academia to Industry and also aim at bridging the gap between the Industry and academia.

The add on: The strongest point in favour of integrated courses is that you save out on time (at times up to two years). Generally, a double degree is of five-year duration. However, there are exceptions where these last for just four years while other programmes may have an even longer duration. After the completion of the course, you can opt for pursuing a PhD. The other advantage is that you don’t have to take an entrance exam twice. If you have a crystal clear road map carved in front of you, it would work very well for you. It helps you to gain a cross-disciplinary insight into various disciplines.

Another add on of an integrated programme is the intertwining of content of two disciplines that gives you an early exposure of both. “I chose an integrated programme as I was very sure about the career path that I wished to follow. We take on defined credits in each discipline, in terms of duration and content. At the end of the course, we are awarded both qualifications by the university,” says Dhruva Kumar of Alliance University, Bangalore, who is pursuing an integrated BA LLB programme.

The flip side: Integrated courses come with a rider. Some of these do not give you the option to exit the programme. While appearing for the entrance examination for any stream you may not have a clear cut road map about the course. For instance, you may decide to go in for an MTech after B.Tech. But if you have joined an integrated programme, you will have to complete the course and then only join MTech. This increases the course duration by one year.

Besides, if you want to go in for a particular specialisation at the PG level, it is very difficult for you to find an area of interest at that point in time.

It can also happen that at the end of five years the economy may have undergone a cyclic shift and the specialisation may have deflated in scope.

Some entrance tests have the eligibility criteria i.e. 10 + 2+ 4 pattern. The candidates opting for integrated BTech and MBA degree cannot appear for these tests. At times you will have to go through a placement dilemma. If you have a five-year integrated course under your belt, you may appear to be overqualified when compared with graduates and under qualified when compared with a PG.

Some popular integrated programmes

Integrated Post Graduate Diploma in Management

IIM Indore announced its integrated 5-year Diploma in Management with 60 per cent in Class XII as its eligibility. The admission requires clearing an aptitude test. It is a three-year programme followed by a master’s programme with the students having the option to opt out after the three-year programme. The curriculum comprises essential skill subjects like mathematics and statistics, history, literature and political science, languages, finance and accounting, economics and IT. This is the first time that an IIM has invested in the young minds by following the ‘catch them young’ approach.

B.Tech-MBA Programme

• The integrated BTech and MBA degree is a five-year course. In case you are interested in entering the management field, you can opt for this course.
• The eligibility for these entrance exams is to pass Plus II from any recognised board.
• This is the best opportunity to couple your technical knowledge with managerial skill. It will double your probability of going in for both a core engineering as well as a managerial job profile.

B.A LLB (Hons), BBA LLB

For those of you who wish to carve a career in corporate law or specialise in Intellectual property Rights or Cyber Law, can build a corridor by going in for Integrated B.A LLB and BBA LLB course. The basic difference between BA LLB and BBA LLB as name suggests is that the former covers arts subjects with law while the latter covers management and business subjects with law. The career opportunities after both the courses are almost same. In case, you want to pursue a career in Corporate Law, Mergers and acquisitions, you may have an edge after BBA LLB degree.

UPES (University of Petroleum and Energy Studies), Dehradun offers BA - LL.B.(Hons.) with specialisation in Energy Laws. The programme has been prepared with an intention of creating dedicated professionals who are well trained in legal framework and contractual requirements for energy sector companies. You will be exposed to the latest laws and judgments pertinent to the core sectors of India, apart from studying the regular legal subjects. Some other programmes offered by UPES are BBA LLB with specialisation in Corporate Law, B.Tech(Energy Technology)and LLB Hons with specialization in Intellectual Property Rights, B. Tech (Computer Science Engineering) + LL.B(Hons.) with specialization in Cyber Laws

Integrated M.Tech

If you want to join the M.Tech bandwagon right after Class XII, you can opt for a five-year M.Tech dual degree course in several engineering branches offered by the IITs. The Indian Institute of Science Education and Research also offers a dual BS-MS programme where you can study mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and humanities initially and then specialise in a combination of subjects.

Therefore, it is time we tread virgin grounds. Let us not create a neo-caste system by saying that engineers have to become engineers. There are many engineers who are thriving in non-engineering professions. In fact, some of India’s best managers selling soaps boast of engineering degrees. Their engineering degree did not stop them from a career in sales; in fact, it made them betters sales managers, making the competitive and innovative to meet the market requirements, now better than before.

— The writer is a Ludhiana-based career consultant

study abroad
Make the right beginning
Adarsh Khandelwal

Want to study abroad, but don’t know where to begin? It's an arduous process, but with the right information and direction, you can get into that dream college you deserve.

Here are some tips to get you started

Set your goal: In order to choose the ideal programme you will first need to define the goals that you aspire to achieve through the experience. These goals can range from wanting to have a quality liberal arts education, to finding solid job placements after graduation. Obviously, each university (and sometimes each country) has its own unique pros and cons, and it is, therefore, imperative to make sure that you identify your expectations, and that the institution's promised strengths match up to them. Remember to keep an open mind and fully investigate your options.

Don’t blindly succumb to marketing schemes: Universities charge a minimum amount of money for each application they receive, and will therefore encourage students to apply by enticing them with promises of improved education and scholarships (in less popular schools), or more widely achievable entrance requirements (in schools that are renowned for being near impossible to get in to). Be vary of such promises from universities, and make sure to use third-party sources to research programmes and institutions.

Take universities’ rankings with a pinch of salt: Rankings are an extremely contrived and reductionist approach to categorising universities. While these are helpful in giving one a general idea about a college's reputation, these should not be treated as the be-all and end-all of university selections. Remember, there is life outside of the Ivy League schools, and a university, college, or even individual programme, must be carefully evaluated using independent rubrics to properly gauge their relevance to you. Which leads us to our next point

Choosing the right university requires a holistic approach: Hate the cold? Look West. Love hiking? Look South. Want to be in a big urban city? Look North. Each person will have his own idiosyncrasies and subsequent preferences that can help one choose between universities whose academics are weighed equally. Universities like U Mich, Ann arbor exist as college towns that are completely different to Universities like NYU — whose buildings are interspersed amongst the banks and apartment complexes of one of the world’s biggest cities. Similarly, an art enthusiast may choose to study in a lower ranked college in San Francisco over one that is higher ranked, but is in an undesirable area (and that's perfectly alright). Remember, education is not limited only to what goes on in the classroom, but also includes discovering and exploring your passions in a new, inspiring environment.

Be a smart spender: An education abroad is a great long-term investment, but it still has to be paid for before you can see any returns, and with the Rupee falling in global value, it's important to properly plan out how you intend on financing your education. Scholarships, loans and grants are all available to those who put in the effort to find and apply for them. Also, prospective students should be aware of the fact that one can get a great education in countries such as Germany and Canada, which would also be considerably less costly than one in a UK or USA, especially for international students. Keep in mind that your average cost of living will vary from city to city.

— The writer is a co-founder of Collegify

Course cruising

Film courses

Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, is inviting applications for admission to 3-year postgraduate programme in cinema specialisation in direction & screenplay writing, cinematography, sound recording & design, editing and producing for film and television for the session 2013-2016.

Eligibility: Minimum qualification for admission in any of the five courses will be graduation in any discipline. The graduate candidates, who have the marks sheet of the final examination for bachelor’s degree in their hand by August 14, 2013, are eligible to apply. The candidates should have at least 40 per cent marks either in physics or in mathematics (not in business mathematics/elective mathematics/stats, etc.) at the Plus-II level for applying in sound recording and design course.

How to apply: Online through the website www.srfti.gov.in

Method of selection: A written examination of three hours duration will be scheduled from 10 am to 1 pm on September 1,2013.

Deadline: August 23, 2013.

Check out:  http://www.srfti.gov.in/adm.HTML

MBA programme

ICFAI Business School (IBS) has started the registration procedure for its All-India entrance test 2013 for admission to MBA/PGPM programme of IBS, Ahmedabad; IBS Bangalore; IBS, Gurgaon; IBS, Hyderabad; IBS, Dehradun; IBS, Jaipur; IBS, Kolkata; IBS, Mumbai; and IBS, Pune, campuses and PhD programme on IBS, Hyderabad, campus.

Eligibility: For 2-year management programme, graduation in any discipline is required with a minimum of 50 per cent marks, with medium of instruction as English. Candidates not meeting the eligibility criteria of the English medium at the undergraduation level have to submit the TOEFL / NELT / IELTS score by May 31, 2014.

Minimum 17 years of regular education (10 + 2 + 3 + 2 or 10 +2 + 4

How to apply: Candidates may apply online on http://ibsat.ibsindia.org/ibsat2013/online.
Application forms can be purchased at any of the Axis bank branches. IBSAT bulletin is available at AXIS Bank Branches; the details are available on link http://www.ibsindia.org/admissions.html

Deadline: December 10, 2013.

Email: ibsat@ibsindia.org

Yuva Saathi course

National Museum has called for applications to its second batch of the innovative young volunteer guide programme it is conducting in the national capital. The course is being carried out in collaboration with National Museum Institute (NMI). Undergraduates can to apply for the three-month certificate 'Yuva Saathi' course aimed at equipping college students as guides for school groups at the museum. The classes will start on August 26, National Museum Director-General, Dr. Venu V, said.

The students passing the course would form part of a pool of volunteers at the museum to guide school groups, and honorarium provided.

The training would be given for two hours (from 10.30 am) each on Saturdays and Sundays till November 2013. "The medium of transaction would be bilingual; working knowledge of both Hindi English is desirable," he said.

NMI assistant professor, Dr. Manvi Seth, said the course would feature theory classes, practical training, talks by scholars and curators and enhancement of communication skills.

How to apply: The CV can be sent to yuvasaathinm@gmail.com, while calls can be made on 011.23019272 (ext. 322).

Deadline: August 14 k

testing times: cat preparation
Work on confidence levels in the last leg

With less than two months left for the CAT exam, candidates are in the last leg of the preparation race. Here are some last minute preparation tips that will stand you in good stead at the time of the exam:

Areas to focus upon

• The last one to two months you need to focus on the following:
• Complete the first round of preparations and study on each chapter and each question type;
• Revisit each chapter and each question type by collecting more and more questions from the chapter and focus your attention on completing your understanding about any questions pertaining to the completed chapters that you might not be able to solve. The idea is to reach a stage where you should be able to handle any question on the topic even if the question is a twisted one.
• n Before going into the exam hall, make sure that you revise each and every question that you have solved in each question type. This is important in order to make sure that your logic works correctly inside the exam hall and you do not miss out on questions which you knew.

Take the right call
Ragini Gulati

Video conferencing is one of the easiest and most convenient ways of communicating across long distances. The concept allows individuals at multiple locations to connect through two-way video and audio transmission. With organisations cutting down travel expenditure, video conferencing is gaining popularity across the globe. It is viable for holding meetings, conducting interviews and distance trainings. Although a favoured communications tool, most professionals lack basic etiquette for video conferencing. Since it is a shift from the traditional face-to-face meeting, they find the whole process disconcerting. Adhering to some simple rules and guidelines can make the video conference experience productive as well as enjoyable.

Arrive early

The first rule for a video conference, like any other meeting, is punctuality. Arrive on time or a bit early to orient yourself with the surrounding. Seek assistance of the moderator to understand the audio and video system. Getting familiar with the technology will allow you to participate without interrupting the session for instructions. Also utilise the extra time to run through the agenda and any other material for the meeting. Queue your presentation and arrange files in a convenient location for quick access. Make sure to clear your mind of anything else to avoid looking rushed or flustered. Showing up late is not only unprofessional but will leave a bad impression on the participants.

Dress appropriately

Video conferencing is more or less like a face-to-face interaction, albeit in a virtual form. As a consequence all the participants should be dressed and groomed in a professional manner. While choosing attire for a video conference, keep it appropriate, simple and clean. Since the camera magnifies everything, wear clothes that are easy on the eyes and do not reflect glare. Neutral and muted colours, such as medium blues or pastels, look best on the screen. However, make sure to avoid striped shirts or those with intricate patterns because these are visually distracting. Also stay away from shiny accessories that will catch flashes of light. Being well-dressed will give the right vibe to others in the conference.

Eliminate distractions

Even the slightest movement or noise can disrupt the proceedings of a video conference. As a result consider a secluded room which is free from internal as well as external interruptions. Keep the door closed and request everyone around to stay away till the video conference gets over. Also ensure that the background is not visually distracting for the other participants. Remove any personal items you may have on display before the video conference. Additionally when a participant is speaking, it is a good idea to mute your microphone. It will prevent sounds like shuffling of papers from being broadcast across the meeting. Minimizing distractions as much as possible will improve the quality and output of video conference.

Pay attention

One of the most important aspects of successful communication either between two individuals or a group is focus. Pay undivided attention to the proceedings of video conference irrespective of its duration. As tempting as it may be to check e-mail or engage in side conversation, hold yourself back. Not only can participants on the other end hear the sound of clicks but they are also able to see on the screen. Moreover, constantly asking the speaker to repeat will make it obvious that you are not listening. Switch off or put away all devices, including computer and mobile, to avoid any sort of distraction. Most importantly maintain eye contact to ensure smooth flow of conversation.

Speak clearly

A common mistake most participants make during a video conference is speaking at an unacceptable volume. Microphones are extremely sensitive and are designed to transmit sounds, without speakers needing to raise their voices. Moreover, excessive volume can come across as unpleasant to the participants and in some cases distort the meaning also. As a consequence speak in a clear, audible voice which is neither too loud nor too soft. Since there may be a split second delay in transmission, pause at the end of each statement. Likewise, allow the other person to finish what they are saying before giving your response. Speaking at a normal decibel level will make the video conference a productive and delightful experience.

Test equipment

Lastly, no matter how advanced the video conference technology is, run a quick trial prior to the session. Allot significant time for testing the entire system, including the video and audio equipment. Check everything is in order by connecting the video conferencing system to the host network. Examine the ability of the software to upload and run files required for the meeting. Review the functioning of the video/audio clips so that these can be seen and heard by everyone. Also ensure that the volume is up on the TV monitor as well as the microphone. Immediately resolve glitches, if any, for a high quality and uninterrupted transmission. Testing beforehand will help reveal technical issues that might disrupt the video conference.

work station
Tech tonic for your career
Khushwant S. Gill

There was a time, in the not too distant past when all you had in the office besides your typewriter was access to a common landline phone and a fax machine. The bigger offices supplemented this barely industrial technology with a teleprinter. And that was that. No mobile phones, no personal PCs and tablets, no super-smart phones, no SMSes, tweets, FaceTime, Facebook, WhatsApp, what’s down, and what’s out!

Today, when we’re blessed with these technological marvels of social intercourse, we’re not only starting to take them for granted but are also turning cynical about them. I, for one, revel in this cornucopia of technological riches. Having been a hard charging, hard driving sales professional in the transitional era between the standalone computer office and the hyper-connected mobile workplace, it’s very easy to see the advantages of being ‘wired’ into the system.

I sold cars — and a lot of them. As any salesperson worth his job will tell you, sales is all about building a pipeline. Repeat calling, following up on customers who had previously visited the showroom and networking are the bread and butter of a car salesman. Your rolodex, electronic or not, is your secretary. No matter how many cars you’ve sold in the present month, you’re constantly fixing appointments for the next month and the month after that. For, the pipeline of potential customers cannot dry up. And it is in this context that the wired tech of today would have been, and is, so useful.

Sitting in your office between customer interactions, or even in a restaurant or at home, you can constantly build your pipeline. You can chat with potential buyers, answer their queries in real time and apply the gentle art of sales persuasion all day long. Want to share some car specs, refer him to the latest site, blog or page which deals with the topic in question. The possibilities are endless. If you’re an average salesperson, but are one step ahead in the tech game, you’ll be leaps ahead in your productivity figures.

Technology is not only enriching our jobs, but it’s providing us more time to concentrate on tasks which are the most important during our workday. Take for instance personal virtual-valet or concierge services. There was a time when these were only affordable to the super rich. Today, companies like AskSunday.com and FancyHands.com serve as virtual secretaries for you. For subscriptions averaging as low as $35 per month they take care of the mundane tasks of your life — paying online bills, fixing doctors’ appointments, setting up dinner — nightclub reservations, giving you wake-up calls anywhere in the world, fixing personal meetings, conducting research, managing your social networks, and the like. This leaves you freer to concentrate on work that is truly productive and creative, instead of being purely administrative and humdrum.

The world is getting more complex and faster and the only way out is to be on top of things. With a little bit of effort, a functional mastery is guaranteed. The oft repeated analogy of a bad carpenter blaming his tools couldn’t be more apt here.

And don’t let the age argument get you. My mother is 73 years young and she keeps in touch with her extended brood through emails, SMSes, phone calls, and more recently with WhatsApp and FaceTime! As they say, its all in the mind.

— The writer is an Organisational Identity & Personnel Development Consultant

cubicle trends  
Firms woo top execs with better pay

As companies seek to retain their best-taken employees amid a global economic slowdown, they have hiked the pay and perks of top-level executives in India by about 70 per cent in the past four years, shows a study. Showing a better trend in remuneration and other benefits for the top-level executives, staff salaries across the board have risen by an average of 50 per cent during the same period, as per executive search firm MANCER Consulting.

“This clearly shows that companies are interested in keeping their top-level management, to strengthen strategic decision making,” MANCER Consulting CEO Satya D. Sinha said.

Another executive search firm Lighthouse Partners’ Managing Partner Rajiv Burman said: “The companies have increased on the perks for top management because in these difficult, slow growth times, companies need to have the best talent; earlier in high growth times, even an average performer could deliver, this is not true any more.” As per analysts, these trends have been witnessed across sectors like banking, healthcare, FMCG and IT.

“Bharti Airtel, Britannia, Cadbury, etc., have all brought in CEOs at the top level with proven performance competencies, at top drawer compensation levels,” Burman said.

HR services firm Randstad India Marketing and President Staffing Aditya Narayan Mishra observed that companies have in fact cut the incentives for executives in support functions.

However, for senior executives handling revenue generation streams, the companies are using perks as a motivation tool to drive performance and make the team lean, rather than cutting it, he added.

The variety of benefits offered to executives include corporate sponsorships, cash bonuses, equity incentives, health benefits, holiday sponsorship, cars, among others.

Mishra noted that among the forms of perks meted out to executives while cash benefits remain the most popular “the use of the company car or jet for personal purposes, special box seats in sporting events, and support to the family while on official travel” are also offered. “A recent trend is to even offer the services of an image building consultant and paid vacations as perks,” he added.

According to online job portal ChangeYourBoss.com CEO Bhupender Mehta, the spending on employee incentives in India is more than many developed countries. “General opinion is that India has more liberal perks than the US or the UK primarily from an income tax perspective,” Deloitte India Senior Director P. Thiruvengadam said.

Besides, Burman observed, the executives are increasingly asking for good joining bonus and committed severance package. — PTI

bookshelf
Addressing the need to lead
Seerat Toor Grewal

John Adair is a power-packed name in the world of leadership and management. Confucius on Leadership is yet another ground-breaking piece of work on the topic. It is a perfect combination of ancient gems of wisdom and contemporary forethought written in a candid way. This is a masterpiece descended from the brain-shelves of the ‘Master of Masters’ as Confucius is referred-to in China.

The book is meant for everyone who aspires to be a leader in whatever role he may be handling, provided one is ready to work towards it.

Leadership is a well-practiced habit which ultimately lasts with the person. Every great leader had a definite aim and a particular role-model in mind and there was absolute clarity of mind about that choice. This is the underlying opinion on which the ‘Master’ has based his entire knowledge about the subject. The author has taken great care to introduce the values and lessons ‘the Master’ wants to share in a very comprehensible manner.

We are facing very tumultuous times on the economic front with the entire policy-framework caught-up in a global whirlpool of economic adversities. These times call for special care and careful path to be trodden in work-life or in case of new start-ups. One cannot even keep the aspirations on hold waiting for sunrise. So, the wisdom of Confucius, qualifies to be the most reliable texts on which one can rest his wits with confidence. Leadership roles in such times are difficult to attain and maintain unless one has the right mix of attitude and sagacity. The principles outlined in the book hold great strength in establishing a wonderful culture where all know and act according to their assigned roles.

The book is spread across 11 parts supported by conscious and sound Chinese proverbs, with conscientious rundown at the end of each. John Adair has fairly brought Confucius alive again after 2500 years by giving equal attention to every picked Analect or saying, which defines Confucius for all of us and brilliantly linking the same to the present-day leadership models.

It is a sine qua non for being a promising leader who will not only manage, train or review, but also be able to set examples, be able to motivate, enrich the guys who will follow him voluntarily and respect him for his decisions. Such person will always be in front and will not give-in to petty temptations as “virtue” will be his strongest weapon against all prevalent ills. It,thus, will reset your thoughts and anxieties about leadership an unfailingly fitted topic for all times past and yet to come. It will compel you to explore your hidden powers and strengths and brighten the haze of blurred dreams and aspirations built on false beliefs.

Thus, all organisations and their work-force, entrepreneurs, home-makers, students etc. all those who feel the desire to lead at some point in some situation should keep this red-book handy and close to one’s heart.

Happiness @ work
Get right reports
Gems of ancient wisdom

Many decisions need to be taken every day in all fields of work. For the right ones to be taken, the presence of right reports is vital. On landing in Lanka in search of Sita, Hanuman realised that mighty Ravana would not restore Sita to Rama without a fight. So, in the form of a small monkey, he took note of Ravana’s military resources. He met Vibhishana and told him about Rama’s plans to invade Lanka, thereby sowing dissension in Ravana’s ranks.

He met Sita and assured her that Rama and his forces would rescue her before Ravana’s month-long deadline — to marry him or be cooked as meat — lapses. Then, he picked up a fight with the Lankan forces to check out their military prowess. Finally, in order to terrify the enemy, he set fire to the golden kingdom of Lanka. On his return, he conveyed all this to Rama. No wonder, Hanuman is called “budhimatam varishtam” (wisest among the wise).

During the Kuru attack on the kingdom of Matsya, Duryodhana’s joy knew no bounds when he saw Arjuna. According to the rules of the infamous game of dice played at the Hastinapur court, the losers would have to spend another 12 years in exile if they were recognised in their 13th year of banishment. Duryodhana thought Arjuna had revealed himself before the end of stipulated period. Grandsire Bhishma removed Duryodhana’s misconception by telling him that the deadline was over five months and 12 days ago according to the lunar calendar and six days earlier as per the solar calendar.

When Qazi Barbahak, administrator of Nabadwip in West Bengal, saw a huge crowd marching towards his office — against his order prohibiting religious processions in the city, he decided to hide and save his life. But 16th century Vaishnava saint Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was leading the procession, called out to the Qazi and said, “The Lord lives in love. Come out, friend. We won't harm you.” The Qazi withdrew the order and later, he and the saint had discussions on the Quran and the Vedas.

On hearing that 12th century social reformer Basaveshwara was feeding thousands of his followers — called Sharanas — at his house every evening, courtiers suspected some embezzling of state funds. As he was the state treasurer, they complained to King Bijjala of Kalyana. But not even a single coin was found short in the audit.

On seeing little Madhvacharya wasting all his time on play, guru Totantillaya summoned him. “I am not neglecting my studies. I remember all that you have taught me,” the boy said. To quell the guru’s doubts, Madhva chanted numerous shlokas.

Sans right reports, don’t expect right decisions, actions or results.

— Sai R. Vaidyanathan

The writer can be contacted at svaidyanathan@tribunemail.com