Dated 06th December, 2000

I am pursuing my CA (final year). I want to know about the opportunities available in India and abroad after the course. I would like to know if there are any other courses I can opt for? I have completed a course in MS-Office. What are the other computer courses I can take up?

B. Ravi Kumar, Chennai

Chartered accountants can branch out into various areas of employment from accountancy, auditing, taxation, cost accountancy, company work, executors and trustees, directorship (mostly in the case of possessing years of experience), management accounting, share valuation work to management consultancy, self-employment and working with business concerns. To be able to work in the US, you would have to gain the CPA (Certified Public Account) certification. This qualification is essential to seek placements abroad or work with MNCs.

There are courses such as Oracle financials/SAP that could be useful to your area of work. You can also make use of the various accounting packages available in the software field.

I am pursuing my BA II year from IGNOU. I want to become a Probationary Officer in a bank. How do I prepare for the exam?

Lolan Kumar,

New Delhi

All applicants are required to take a written test followed by a round of interviews conducted by the respective bank's recruitment board. The written test includes papers in English, quantitative aptitude, reasoning, and general awareness. There are various journals and guides available on the subject. You can also enrol yourself at local institutes that offer training for the same.

I am a commerce graduate from IGNOU and have keen interest in learning English. I would like to enrol for a certificate/diploma course from CIEFL, Hyderabad. Could you provide me with the postal address of CIEFL? Can I enrol for any correspondence course? Please give the address of Bible Society too.

Mritunjay,

Bihar

CIEFL offers an M.A course in English with the following specialisations - TESL (Teaching of English as second language) and MA in English. The duration is of two years and selection is based on performance in the written test. A graduate in any discipline is eligible to apply. CIEFL also offers a PG Diploma in Teaching of English, which is a one-year course (January to December) and the eligibility for this is:

* An M.A in English (Preference will be given to teachers of English).

* A Masters degree with at least a second class in an allied subject (Linguistics, Education, Mass Communication or Psychology) with 5 years experience of teaching English.

* An M.A with at least a second class and 5 years experience of teaching methods of English at M.Ed/B.Ed level.

* A PGCTE from CIEFL or successful completion of Semester I of the residential PGDTE of CIEFL.

Address:

CIEFL,

Hyderabad, 500007, AP.

Email: English@ciefl.ernet.in

The correspondence courses leading to a one-year certificate and PG Diploma are in the teaching of English, MA in Arabic, French, German, Russian and Spanish. M.Phil. in English, Russian and Spanish. Unless specifics of the Association are mentioned, it is difficult to furnish the address of the appropriate Bible Society.

I am a commerce graduate and presently doing a diploma in shipping management from NMIS, (Mumbai). I would like to know about the graduate courses in shipping in India and the institutions conducting them. Does the IIFT course help in a career in shipping? Please list the reputed institutions recognised by the government for a course in shipping management.

Amit Manavi,

Goa

IIFT is a premier institute offering a Master's programme in international business, (a part of the curriculum deals with corporate and port visit) and an Executive Masters Programme in International Trade. This may help you broaden your horizon in shipping management in addition to equipping you with a certification that is recognised. You can also correspond with the following institutes for further information regarding courses in shipping management.

1. The National Institute of Port Management,

2. Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, Kellys, Chennai, (www.himtmarine.com) (activities: Government of India (DG Shipping) approved courses and ISO 9002 certified.

3. IMRO, Calcutta, (activities: Exclusive training in GMDSS (GOC). Approved by DG Shipping. ISO 9002 approved);

4. Indian Maritime Training Centre, Vasanji Road, Mumbai (Email:imtc.mumbai@barbership.com; activities: Management training in association with Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

5. Mumbai Maritime Training Institute, Victor House, Andheri (W), Mumbai (activities: Competency courses: NWKO (NCV), Chief Mate- Phase I & II. DGS approved course: PSSR, PST, EFA, MFA, OTE, FPEE, SOTC and Maritime English).

I am a commerce graduate (Honours) and hold a post graduate diploma in Computer Science (PGDCS) from SSI and a diploma in Business Management. My problem is that I have forgotten almost all the programming that I learnt in the PGDCS course because of a two-year gap. How do I proceed now with my career?

Ashish Kumar Mishra,

Orissa

Practical or hands-on training is essential to retain what is learnt. A continuous process of learning has to be inculcated to stay constantly in touch with what you have learnt. You can take refresher courses in MS Office-2000. Pursue training programmes in Java, ASP, Corba, and Perl. You can also appear for international certifications such as JCP (Sun certified Java Professional). With newer innovations in the field of IT, it might be difficult to face the challenge unless you are willing to invest the time and effort to equip yourself with the necessary courses. As you are no novice to programming you shouldn't face much of a problem. If you have regular access to a computer, then you can also buy some good books in your area of interest that will help you brush up your programming skills.

I am doing MA (final year) in History and want to take up some computer courses. I want to do MCA from IGNOU or any other recognised institute. Can I take up computer courses as a regular student? If yes, then please advise me which institution is the best.

Pinkey Singh,

Patna

Mathematics at the Intermediate level (+2) is essential to pursue MCA from IGNOU. You also need to take a six months course (CIC or DCO) for the same. Most colleges and universities offer a postgraduate study program in computers, the selection for which is through an entrance test. While most prefer a background in mathematics at the graduate level, a few universities do take in students without the same. Computer courses can be pursued from any well-recognised institute in your town. As a beginner you can start by taking a short-term diploma courses in computers. Following are the universities that offer MCA without requirement of compulsory mathematics at intermediate or degree level. University of Lucknow, Badshah Bagh, Lucknow, offers MCA eligibility for which is BBA.BSc/Bcom.

Duration of the course - three years University of Baroda - eligibility is bachelor's degree in any discipline with 55% marks. Duration 3 years and admission is made on the basis of entrance test. Punjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh-160014, eligibility: bachelor's degree with 50% marks, duration 3 years.

Punjab Technical University, Jalandhar - admission through an entrance test and duration 3 years.

Purvanchal University, Devkali Jasopur, Saraykhaja, Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh. Sri Padmavathi Mahila Visvavidyalam, Tirupati, Chitoor Dist, A.P. Utkal University, Vani Vihar, Bhubaneshwar. Admission on the basis of entrance test.

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