Dated 23rd May, 2001

I am interested in making a career in Robotics, please list the universities / institutes that provide a post graduate degree in this field. What are the future prospects of this course?

Sobhit Rastogi,

Moradabad

The Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute offers a one- year postgraduate diploma in robotics and automation. For further information, you can contact the institute at: HR, Mahajani Marg, Matunga, Mumbai-400019. The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Post Box No. 12, Pilani 333031, also offers an MS in robotics and intelligent systems as a distance-learning programme.

The course offers excellent career prospects in many areas of research and innovative technology. Possible areas of employment include the design and development of intelligent electronic and computing systems, the design expert system applicants (computer programmers that can help doctors or experts make decisions), neural networks (artificial brains) and many others. The robotic aspect of the course will aid those interested in the design of undersea Robotic Vehicles (ROVs).

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I want to make a career in the banking sector. Unfortunately, the government has abolished the BSRB disappointing a lot of people who wish to get into banking as a career. Kindly clarify my doubt as to whether nationalised banks will undertake anymore recruitment in the future due to this move of the government?

Ramesh,

Rayagada

The BSRB has been abolished to cut down on the time and cost of recruitment for banks. This move gives the public sector banks the freedom to formulate their own appointment and recruitment policies. Banks, which are seeking to step-up efficiency and productivity, will follow the worldwide trend by recruiting fewer people to handle an increasing volume of business transactions. This will lead them to recruit people with requisite technical skills at the branch, administrative, controlling and monitoring levels. Hence in the future, banks will recruit, as and when they require personnel without having to resort to the BSRB examination.

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I am a B.A. (History) final year student from Madras University. I would like to become a C.B.I Agent. I am 25 years old now, is it still possible for me to become one? Please furnish relevant details on the subject.

Pavan Kumar,

Chennai

The Central Bureau of Intelligence recruits sub-inspectors through a combined competitive examination conducted by the Staff Selection Committee. The examination scheme is similar to that of the Intelligence Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs. Graduates between 20-27 years of age are eligible to apply. So, age should not be a hindrance and you should have the prescribed height and weight. The examination is generally conducted in the month of July. The notification for the same is carried in leading dailies and the Employment News.

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I am a postgraduate in Biotechnology with some basic knowledge in computer programming. I am interested in bio-informatics and wish to pursue a course in it. Please let know me which institutes offer a diploma in bio-informatics.

Rajat Bhattacharya,

Via Email

The University of Pune and the Jawaharlal Nehru University offer an advanced diploma in bio-informatics. You can correspond directly with the universities at: University of Pune, Pune, Maharashtra, or mail them at: http://bioinfo.ernet.in/. and JNU, Bio informatics Centre, Hall No.4 Lecture Hall Complex Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi (e-mail- http://bic.jnu.ac.in.; website, www.jnuniv.ernet.in) for more relevant information.

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I am a diploma holder in mechanical Engineering (DME) and presently working with a private organisation. I want to pursue graduation in engineering or it's equivalent (except AMIE) through distance learning. I have heard that the University of Madras offers a part time course in BE but I am unable to gather the relevant information. Kindly provide the same. Please also mention the names of any other institutes offering this course.

M. Gangatharan,

Bangalore

To apply for a part-time graduate course in engineering at the Madras University, you need to hold a diploma in the respective branch of engineering, which is certified by the State Board of Technical Education, Tamil Nadu. Or you should have qualified through any other equivalent examination and have two years of practical experience. The duration of the course is 7 semesters and the branches offered are civil, electrical, electronics and communications, and mechanical engineering.

Most universities offer a part time course in BE. Few among them are the Aligarh Muslim University, Sri Venkateswara University at Chitoor, AP; Amravati University, Andhra University at Vishakapatnam; Anna University at Chennai, Vidyasagar University at Midnapore, West Bengal; University of Roorkee, UP; and the University of Pune, Maharashtra. You can write to them for further details.

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I'm doing my intermediate (+2; PCMB) and am very interested in pursuing a career in biotechnology. Please name the various institutes that offer an undergraduate course in biotechnology?

Aromita Sen,

Dehradun

The Centre for Biotechnology at Anna University, Chennai offers a B.Tech course in industrial biotechnology. While IIT, Kharagpur offers a 4-year B.Tech. course in biotechnology. Apart from this, if interested you can opt for a B.Sc. in biotechnology being offered by the Kongunadu Arts and Science College, Coimbatore.

Biotechnology is a vast field and has various interdisciplinary subjects that can be individually pursued as specialisations. The Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur; offers 4-year B.Tech in biochemistry. A graduate course in technology in chemical and bio- engineering is offered by the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Regional Engineering College at Jalandhar.

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