FAQs of the matter

I am a student of B.Sc. (chemistry) final year and I want to pursue my higher studies in biotechnology. Please give me details of examinations conducted by JNU for the same.

Rashmi Rani

Bihar

JNU holds a combined entrance examination for a two-year M.Sc. programme in Biotechnology for various universities under its purview such as Banaras Hindu University, Pondicherry University, Pondicherry; Poona University, Pune, Jawaharlal University, New Delhi and others. The entrance examination is held during May at thirty-four centres all over the country. The eligibility criteria is a graduate degree in physical sciences, biological sciences, pharmacy, agriculture, veterinary sciences, fishery sciences, BE, B.Tech, Medicine (MBBS) or B.D.S with minimum 55% marks. There is provision to award scholarships also to students applying for M.Sc. in Biotechnology while reservation of seats of SC/ST and other categories is in accordance with the rules of the respective participating universities.

I am doing M.Sc. (Final) in Biotech from B.H.U. Varanasi (U.P). What course of action should I take after M.Sc, for a for a good job and better career options?

Sudhanshu Shukla

Kanpur

Post-graduates in biotechnology are usually employed in pharmaceutical companies, chemical companies, agriculture and allied industries. Opportunities are also available in the areas of planning, production and management of bio-processing industries, organic chemical industries and in pollution control activities of the major industries and research laboratories. You can start applying for jobs in these areas.

I am a 12th standard student from Mumbai. I am very keen to pursue a career in Genetics/Genetics Engineering/Biotechnology. Kindly help me by providing the addresses of colleges in Mumbai and Pune, where a degree course in the subject is available.

Deepti V.

Mumbai

You can correspond directly with the University of Lucknow, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Jadavpur University; Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; University of Calcutta; Birla Institute of Technology, Pilani, Rajasthan; Anna University, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra University, Vishakapatnam, A.P for a graduate courses in Biotechnology. You can contact Osmania University; Kakatiya University for a BSc in Genetics.

I am a 28 year old, B.Tech. (Electrical) from IIT Bombay. I served in IOC Ltd for two years and am presently working as a lecturer (Elect) in government engineering college since the past two years. Now I want to shift to software/ management side after doing M.Tech (computer science/ computer technology, integrated electronics) or MBA from IIT/IIM. But, by the time I finish either of these two degrees, I will be 31 plus. Will I be accepted by the companies/ organisations at this age? Do they have any age bar? At present, I don't possess any software skills.

Kamal Nayan

Kota

There is no age bar for applying for jobs in companies or organisations. While some companies do prefer people of certain age groups for certain posts, an adequately qualified person with necessary skill sets or who is talented enough would definitely be accepted in any organisation. You can of course, take up software courses that are relevant.

I am a student of Bachelor of technology (Agriculture), final year. I am aspiring to go abroad for higher studies in agriculture. I would like to know about the job prospects for B.Tech (Agriculture) engineers in abroad.

Sadhan Pramanik

Allahabad

To study abroad in the field, you can correspond directly with following institutions for further information; UK: Institute of Horticulture, 14/15, Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PS: Institute of Fisheries Management, 22, Rushworth Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottingham NG2 7LF: The Institute of Agricultural Engineers, West End Road, Silsoe, Bedford MK45 4DU: USA: National Fisheries Institute, 1525, Wilson Blvd., Suite 500, Arlington,VA 22209: Marine Technological Society, 1828 L.St. NW., Suite 906, Washington DC, 20036-5104 Career prospects include farmers' co- operatives, contracting companies, commodity dealers, the financial sector and the media. For more information about agriculture, you can refer to the `OPPORTUNITIES' issue on Agriculture.

I have done my B.Com (computers) from Osmania University. Now I am interested in doing CIMA course from England. I request you to give me the website address from where I can get all the information regarding eligibility, syllabus and procedure of pursuing this course. Also please give me the address of any institute of CIMA in Delhi or in any other place in India.

Krishna Pratap

New Delhi

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in UK is the only body specialising in management accountancy. Eligibility is the same as when applying for any UK university or equivalent. Students with higher qualifications may be granted exemption from parts of the syllabus. The institute has strong and extensive international connections and exams are held at forty regular centres outside UK. For further details you can contact: Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), 63 Portland place, London WWIN 4AB.

Over the past few months, I have become an avid reader of the Opportunities supplement which appears in TheHindu every Wednesday. I think the credit of this goes to you and the TMI team that puts it together. I find that the articles are informative and balanced. I am writing this to suggest as follows: 1. Amongst the industries profiled, Leather Industry has not been covered so far. I think it would be nice if the same could be done. We have a wide range of products here-leather goods, garments and footwear, to name a few. Professional courses are available at NIFT, CLRI and the FDDI. Careers in this industry, whether on the design/technical side or on the managerial side could be highlighted. 2. Better coverage needs to be given to HRD-handling people is a key issue always. 3. Corporate manners/ etiquette/ dressing, etc. need to be covered also. Mostly, we get to read about these in the western context! Write ups with a distinctive Indian touch would add value to this feature. In case you need any help from someone who has been associated with the leather field for some time, do let me know.

A. K. Bhatia, Chief executive

Hidesign

We have planned writing about leather technology but as we base most of our Focus articles on reader requests, we haven't at this time a plan to carry it. On the other hand we would be delighted to receive information from you on the subject and perhaps carry it as a future Focus article.

HRD articles are regularly sent to the compositors (you may be familiar with Working Trendz and Sagespeak) but they are sometimes not carried in all editions.

Etiquette is carried in other supplements of the Hindu. You might also do well to log on to the site http://www.themanagementor.com and check on DEVELOPMENTOR, this site will give you all anyone needs to know about business etiquette with the Indian in mind. I have seen some of their material and I can vouch for it's high degree of usefulness.

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. I am presently in Matric and keen on pursuing a career in computers. I have spoken to many people and I have concluded that India is the best place to study computers. The feedback I have received so far is that IT is tops in India, and that computer studies generally are the best in India. I am keen to study computer programming and my second option is IT, I would appreciate it if you would send me information on the universities that offer these courses. Could you please include information on fees and accommodation or else could you please get me the details of these institutions where I could personally contact them. (e-mail preferred)

Rushil Naik

Gauteng Province,

Johannesburg, South Africa

There are various Universities that offer courses related to computer programming and IT. The Universities hold an entrance exam that you would need to take to secure admission. You will need to have a senior school-level qualification in Maths, Physics and Chemistry to appear for the exam. There are private institutions that offer computer courses, and diplomas that can be done in addition to your regular studies. Each State of India also holds entrance examinations. We cannot provide the fee structure as they vary from University to University, and it also depends on your performance in the entrance examination. You will need to decide on the state of your choice and appear for the examination. If you are coming in as a Non-resident Indian Student under the NRI quota, the fee is generally fixed by all institutions at a differential slab.

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