Which is a better option — enroling in a ME (Master of Engineering) or MBA programme after completing my bachelor of engineering degree next year? Also should I pursue my postgrad studies in India or abroad?
Sridhar Swamy, Chennai
To qualify for an MBA study programme abroad you need to have at least three years work experience, whereas for admission into ME, a bachelor’s degree is sufficient. However, an MBA degree has greater value in the job market. Certification from well-reputed institutions abroad will give you an edge over Indian university graduates. Some reputed B-schools abroad are London Business School and Manchester Business School in the UK; Stanford Business School and Columbia University in the US; Melbourne Business School in Australia and the National University of Singapore.
I will soon complete class X from the IGSCE (CIE, UK) board. Since I want to enroll in a MBBS programme after class XII, please advise if I should continue with CIE or switch over to a state or CBSE/CISCE board.
Shalini Narvekar, Pune
If you plan to continue with the international board, you will have to study its curriculum as well as the syllabus of the medical entrance exam which is based on the state board (Common Entrance Test) or CBSE board. Also the exam dates of the international board and the medical entrance exam can be very close. Take a decision after understanding the syllabus and the entrance exam dates. But generally speaking, it’s more practical to switch to the Central or state boards for your higher secondary schooling.
What subjects should I opt for in my bachelor’s degree if I want to pursue an MBA degree abroad? Does studying business management at the undergrad level help, or is it preferable to study engineering?
Ravi Nair, Bangalore
B-schools accept students from any discipline or academic background. Your choice of undergraduate programme should be based on your interests and aptitude. All degrees from any reputed university in India are recognised abroad for postgraduate programmes including MBA. However please bear in mind that most highly-rated international business schools require a minimum of two-three years full-time work experience.
I want to enroll in an architecture degree programme after completing Plus Two (science) in 2013. Please advise.
Anil Kumar, New Delhi
Admission into the five-year architecture degree programme is subject to clearing the National Aptitude Test in Architecture (NATA) conducted by the Council of Architecture. It’s mandatory for every institution offering the five-year B.Arch degree course to join NATA and admit students on the basis of its scores. The NATA test consists of two papers: Test I — aesthetic sensitivity (100 marks) of one hour duration, Test II — drawing (100 marks) of two hours duration.
After getting my B.Sc degree in microbiology next year, I want to pursue a career in virology. Which institutes offer this subject?
Nalini Chatterjee, Kolkata
The institutes offering M.sc in virology include Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education & Research, Chandigarh (http://pgimer.nic. in); Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati (www.svuniversity.in); National Institute of Virology, Pune (http:/icmr.nic.in/pinstitute/niv.htm) and University of Pune (www.unipune.ernet.in). Since virology is a component subject of microbiology, you can also pursue research or further studies in virology after postgraduation in microbiology. Careers include academic and industrial research (development of new drugs or vaccines), and working in government and/or health agencies. Virologists are also qualified to teach in colleges at the postgraduate level or in medical schools.
I want to sign up for a Master’s in international affairs after completing my graduation in 2013 from Mumbai University. Please suggest premier US universities offering this degree.
Ivan D’Souza, Panjim
Among the reputed schools offering MS/MA programmes in international relations are University of Southern California; St John’s and Fordham in New York; American University in Washington DC; and University of California, Berkeley at Los Angeles. The Institute of Business at Tufts University offers a Masters in international business combined with international affairs. Admission applications must include three letters of recommendation; academic records of past three-four years; a convincing statement of purpose explaining the connection of your study programme with career goals; quality and quantity of relevant work experience (if any) together with GRE and TOEFL scores. Most programmes mandate 16 years of education. After graduation you could work as a foreign affairs analyst, intelligence specialist, diplomat etc.
After completing my graduation next year, I want to apply for a Master of tourism (MTA) study programme. Which institutes or universities offer this course?
Daisy Irani, Mumbai
Postgraduate courses in tourism administration are of one or two years duration. Currently MTA is offered by some business management as well as specialised tourism institutions. Job prospects are good but depend upon the demands of the industry. You could also opt for the MBA (tourism) degree offered by the School of Management, Centre for Tourism Studies, Pondicherry University (www.pondiuni.org) or two-year diploma programme in business administration (travel and tourism) of the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies, Thiruvananthapuram (www.kittstour. org), or the two-year MBA with specialisation in service marketing and tourism management/ personnel and human resource development at the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, Gwalior (www.iittm.org).
Locally, you can choose from among the postgraduate diploma programmes offered by Garware Institute of Career Education and Development, Vidyanagari, Kalina Campus, Santa Cruz E; Sophia College and B.K. Somani Polytechnic, Mumbai.