GOING THE VOCATIONAL WAY

Principal,College of Vocational Studies, Delhi University

Vocational education guarantees students a meaningful and contemporary education.The curriculum is restructured in response to the changing environment and reflects current issues and concerns. It successfully interweaves general education with work-oriented skills and knowledge. It helps in incorporating knowledge of computers, software applications and communication skills, which are basic requirements for any kind of job in the industry today.

There is a need to change the mindset of the people regarding the status of the vocational education and courses. They are considered somewhat inferior. But vocational education is as important and relevant, if not more, as traditional one. They are tailored to meet the needs of the industry.

Vocational studies make youngsters employableThe future will belong to vocational education as a major portion of Indian population is young and it becomes imperative to impart them with relevant skill to make them productive and employable. The pro-vocational government policy will give further fillip to expansion and diversification of this format of education.

Before enrolling for vocational courses the learner should keep in mind his or her interest, aptitude and aim in life. The course should be opted after due considerations and matching of interest with available courses.

Limited options are available when it comes to choosing vocational courses and the colleges offering them. But the trend of diversification of vocational courses has already started and the colleges and universities offering them are also on the rise. One of the drawbacks of vocational education in India is that the possibilities of higher education are rather limited.

To make them more relevant and popular, they should become more student friendly. This means that those who want to work right after graduation should be able to do so, and those who want to take up further studies in similar areas should have interesting options available as well.

SCIENCE COURSES - GATEWAY TO SUCCESS

Head, Dept of Physics and Astrophysics,Delhi University

The main reason for the overall decline of the popularity of sciences courses could be ascribed to the bad teaching at different levels, beginning from the primary level and all the the way up to the post graduation level. Good teachers are either not available or not hired for incomprehensible reasons.

Unfortunately, this happens at all levels in our country. At the university undergraduate level it is often found that a teacher is teaching a subject in which he/she is not actually competent and can be more useful for some other subject.

Mathematical sciences which are a backbone of all basic sciences are often not given enough attention, leading to a decline of interest in basic sciences. The science courses despite their depleting popularity continue to be the foundation stone for multiple careers because the basics covered in science courses are needed almost everywhere and in all spheres of life.

Science courses develop scientific thinkingThe science courses also help students in developing a progressive attitude and a culture of scientific thinking. A student from the science background can establish him/herself in almost all the vocations, even those which traditionally do not belong to their domain. The admissions in management institutes clearly reflect the trend of science students - engineers, doctors and other professionals - moving to new pastures.

Science students can be found in all spheres; be it stock-trading, aviation, tourism, entertainment industry, defence, management, etc. The clear advantage the students have is that they don’t have any restrictions in moving from one parallel to another, making them versatile.

A commerce or a humanities student cannot apply to the sectors which belong to the science stream, but a science student has no such restrictions. A science student can also explore professional opportunities in the field of research, teaching, administrative services, consultancy services, etc.

SPOILT FOR CHOICE

Indian universities were often castigated for not offering student friendly, multi-disciplinary education. But one look at some of the course launched over the past few years, might force you to change that mindset, Now a days, progressive universities such as Delhi University (DU) offer courses which give students the liberty to mix and match seemingly disparate subjects. BA (Programme) is the restructured avatar of BA (Pass).

Job-oriented degrees are the flavour of the seasonWhile the latter was dismissed as a step cousin of BA (Hons) courses, the BA (Programme) deserves greater attention simply because of its liberal approach where one can major in more than one subject. But this course is not an exception.

With each passing year universities across the country have started offering much more flexible and job-oriented courses. Now, one need not go in for vanilla humanities or science programmes. Instead, you can choose a course more or less tailored to meet your demands. For instance, if both business and economics fascinate you, then go in for Bachelors in Business Economics (BBE).

It is offered in several DU colleges and the admission is usually through an entrance exam. In the same vein, a B.Sc in biochemistry or microbiology opens new avenues on the research and job front for those looking beyond pure science courses. Similarly, if it is media that you are interested in, then why wait till postgraduation. Opt for a bachelors in mass communication or journalism.

Some of the prominent colleges offering these are Lady Shi Ram College, Delhi, Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi and St. Xaviers, Mumbai. These courses have been around for some time and are extremely competitive. Even for those in technical streams there are plenty of new options available.

The launch of Chandrayaan has spawned a new generation of space enthusiasts who want to kick-start their career right after school. Indian Institute of Space Science Technology, Thiruvananthapuram, offers B.Tech degree with specialisation in avionic and aerospace engineering.

Several engineering colleges such as IITs and BITS Pilani have now started offering five year dual degrees which enable the students to complete their master’s alongside their B.tech. “These are a great option for students as they can do a concurrent postgraduation and can save a year,” says Pervin Malhotra, career counsellor.

Home Science is another course which has suffered the step-sisterly treatment but deserves a closer look. Placements in industries across the spectrum are usually a cakewalk for these students. “Most of my students realise that no other course gives this kind of a multi-disciplinary exposure and professional competency,” elaborates Anupa Siddhu, director, Lady Irwin College, (LIC), Delhi University.

While career options such as chartered accountancy and company secretary have been in vogue for some time, actuarial science is also gaining popularity. It is emerging as one of the most well paid option within the field of insurance. The course consists of a set of sixteen papers and can be completed over four to five years.

Social work, often looked down upon as a voluntary or retirement option, is now becoming a sought after career possibility. Bachelors in Social Work (B.S.W) can provide a great grounding for this career.

Thanks to the growing awareness and interest in Indian art, fine art courses have witnessed a resurgence in the past few years. Most graduates, when not keen on freelancing, find lucrative career options in the media.

But while most students choose their course with utmost care, subsidiary courses are not given any consideration. But these courses provide a taste of other streams which can ultimately be useful in your career.

“Choose your subsidiaries with your long- term career goal in mind. For an English student who is interested in media a minor in Hindi would help, as it would reinforce his or her bilinguality,” explains Jitin Chawla, Delhi based career counsellor.

But college is not just about studies. It is about gaining soft skills as well. Make most of college by joining add-on courses, participating in extra curricular activities and networking with other universities. When it comes to building a good profile and a resume these initiatives matter as much as the course you pursue.


Course bonanza


Bachelor of Business Economics
Available at: Delhi University colleges such as Gargi College, SGTB Khalsa College, Maharaja Agrasen College.
www.du.ac.in

Actuarial Science
Available at: Actuarial Society of India, Mumbai.
www.actuariesindia.org

B.Tech with specialisation in avionics, aerospace engineering
Available at: Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram
www.iist.ac.in

Bachelor of Applied Science (H) Food Technology
Available at: Bhaskaracharya college of applied sciences,
www. bcas.du.ac.in

Bachelor of Science (H) Biomedical Science
Available at: Bhaskaracharya college of applied sciences, DU
www. bcas.du.ac.in

Bachelor of Fashion Technology (Apparel Production)
Available at: National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT)
www.nift.ac.in

Double Hounours
(a) B.B.A (Hons.), LL.B. (Hons)
(b) B.Sc. Technology (Hons.), LL.B. (Hons.)
Available at: National Law University, Jodhpur
www.nlujodhpur.ac.in

HOW TO CHOOSE BETWEEN A COURSE AND A COLLEGE?

Principal,Miranda House, Delhi University

Celebrate: Board exams are over and it is time to step into the brave new world. University education is a great leveler and in the long run it is not marks but your innate aptitude that will determine success in the workplace.


Unfortunately, the process of admissions is a traumatic game of numbers. It is critical to gather in advance accurate information and be prepared to take decisions tuned to your individual traits, expectations and aspirations. Make use of information available in the media and the internet as you embark on mission admission.

Reality check: One size does not fit all. Think of what you really want to do. Do you want just any job or a specific profession? What gives you joy, beyond the classroom? How would you contribute to your college and society at large? What are your skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses? View the answers in the framework of your social support structures and what family and friends say, sifting sage counsel from bias. Create a priority list but do not fret if you find few unambiguous answers to these perennial questions. It takes a lifetime to know.

Course first: Contemporary career paths are increasingly non-linear and often require inter-disciplinary inputs that can be acquired from a wide variety of courses. For instance, if you want to do an MBA, just any course will get you there. Studies in environment and development can be approached from several perspectives. On the other hand, if you want to be a physicist, you do need to pursue physics from the outset. A strong foundation in traditional core subjects will allow you to move later to a wider range of application courses or softer disciplines with ease and greater ability. If the choice of a course is critically important, find the college that will offer this to you. Make sure you check if they have dedicated faculty to deliver the promise.

College first: If you have a special talent or are flexible about what course to pursue, choose a college known for its vibrant commitment to holistic development. Broad-based liberal education in a good college will provide numerous opportunities to discover your interests and develop your innate potential. Choose subject combinations and electives carefully; join add-on courses; participate in extra-curricular activities and community outreach programs; make the most of college life, peer interactions, collaborations, network with other institutions, internships and placements. In the fast changing workplace, employers lay greater emphasis on your portfolio of multi-faceted achievements and soft skills are considered far more important than early specialisation in a particular domain.

Be the change: It is indeed a flat world and no longer is formal education constrained by physical boundaries. Whichever college and course you make it to, have no regrets. The reputation of a college is made by its students and you could very well be the one to elevate it. Do not view the choice of college and course as a make-or-break point that will affect career prospects. The majority of population is able to carve productive career paths in directions quite different from those flagged and coveted at the threshold.

KODAIKANAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE

Post Graduate study and Research Centre

Affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University
Approved by UGC Under 12B, 2F Status.

Admission Open for 2009-2010
Under Graduate courses and post graduate courses

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B.Sc.(Hotel mgmt & Catering science)
B.B.A (Business Administration
B.Com (Computer application)
B.C.A (Computer application)
B.Sc. (Computer science)

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PG COURSES
M.Sc. (Business and IT)
M.C.M (Media comm..Mgmt)
M.S.W (Social work)
M.F.T. (Foreign trade)
M.Sc. (CS AND IT)

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Unique Features
Free laptop for all students/ Hands on Training/Strong alumni/college of excellence/practical exposure through mini projects/participation at the youth parliament in delhi/ best college awardee of MKU/champions in culturals/Personality development programmes/New value added and value based courses added yearly focusing on current trends/ separate and fully furnished hostels for boys and girls

For further details please contact

The Principal
Kodaikanal Christian college
Paradise hill, Kodaikanal-624 104
Tamil Nadu.

Tel: 04542 242216,17
Res. 04542 241476

Email: info@kcc.edu.in

Website: www.kcc.edu.in

Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test that is a pre-requisite for admission to law schools in US and Canada. It is administered by the LSAC (Law School Admissions Council) four times each year and you can take it at a nearby location. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year at various locations around the world. The LSAT is designed to measure skills considered essential for success in law school: the reading and comprehension of complex texts with accuracy and insight; the organization and management of information and the ability to draw reasonable inferences from it; the ability to think critically; and analysis and evaluation of the reasoning and arguments of others.

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a pre-requisite for admission to nearly all the medical schools in North America. Designed by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the exam is administered twice a year, in April and in August. It is a full day exam composed of four sections, Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences.

MCAT is a standardized, multiple-choice examination designed to assess problem solving, critical thinking, and writing skills in addition to the examinee's knowledge of science concepts and principles prerequisite to the study of medicine. Scores are reported in each of the following areas: Verbal Reasoning, Physical Sciences, Writing Sample, and Biological Sciences. The MCAT assesses mastery of basic concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics, facility with scientific problem solving and critical thinking and writing skills. The skills and concepts tested by the MCAT are those identified by physicians and medical educators as prerequisite for the practice of medicine.

Commonwealth Executive Master of Business Administration Test (CEMAT)

The Commonwealth Executive MBA/MPA has been offered since mid-2002 through four premier South Asian open universities: Bangladesh Open University (BOU), Indira Gandhi National Open University, (IGNOU, India), Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), and Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU, Pakistan), although the last, AIOU, began offering courses in early 2003. The CEMBA/CEMPA was designed, developed and implemented as a result of collaboration between the four universities and writers from universities in Commonwealth countries like Australia, New Zealand and Canada. This was brokered by COL with funding assistance from the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Co-operation (CFTC).

The CEMBA/CEMPA program provides an opportunity to acquire both accreditation and valuable training for candidates who are resident of a participating country, possess any sort of undergraduate degree (or have worked in a related field for at least two years) and can pass a test of professional experience and English fluency. Projections for the CEMBA/CEMPA promise a significant short- and long-term human and economic development pay-off for the South Asian Commonwealth region