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| EDUCATION TRIBUNE | Tuesday, May 2, 2000, Chandigarh, India |
Harnessing youth power is
imperative Diploma in Persian |
Harnessing youth power is
imperative How relevant is the present education system to the needs of the society? With demand exceeding the supply in the job-market, can corruption be far behind when it comes to grabbing a job-slot ? Education system is like a fountainhead. Ironically, the fountainhead of knowledge seems to have become defective. Should there not be a special place for students or the youth in the society? If that be so, why not begin at the grassroots — the schools — and move up to the universities’ level? Students, as a target group, are the best bet when it comes to imparting civic education and sensitisation of mind to enable them serve and face challenges ahead. After all today’s youth has an obligation towards tomorrow’s healthy functioning of the democratic polity. In the days ahead it is the youth who will be affected most by the functioning of the political system as it is operative now. Unfortunately, despite elections to the various students’ bodies in colleges and universities there seems to be no agenda for the youth. As a class the youth is directionless. These thoughts have been succinctly put down in print by Dr S.S.Johl in a pamphlet “Ideology and Approach” on behalf of the People’s Action Front. Add to this confusion and system constraints and contradictions, the absence of a sound policy on education. It is one thing to talk of primary or elementary education and higher education, including professional (information technology, engineering, medical et al) but another to have a policy which dovetails all this and prepares the youth for the future. In this context Punjab is a paradox. Despite a violent decade dominated by youth successive state governments first the Congress (1992-97) and then the SAD-BJP (1997-) have failed to evolve a sound education policy. It was only recently that a committee of sorts was constituted to suggest vocationalisation of the education system to enable the youth become eligible for at least self-employment. It is a sad comment on the functioning of the government rather the Education Department. Incidentally, the education has three sections : primary, secondary and higher with as many directorates and bureaucrats. How convenient it is for the policymakers to put in to the cold storage reports and recommendations on such issues and subjects. No one bothers to read such reports what to say of their implementation. Attention here is drawn to a detailed report submitted by Dr Amrik Singh in October 1998. He had headed the Committee on Vocationalisation, which was constituted in March 1998. Another educationist Dr S.S.Johl, too, had submitted a note on “Reforms” in education system by way of “Suggestions” around that time. These extended from the village primary school to the university level. Again, no one knows what has happened to the paper. It was submitted personally to the Chief Minister, Mr Parkash Singh Badal, by Dr Johl just as Dr Amrik Singh had done. A careful study of the Addresses by the Governors to the Vidhan Sabha as well as the Budget speeches of Finance Ministers, between 1992 and 2000, do not give any indication if the government had a policy on the education or the youth.To earmark money in Plan schemes and otherwise is one thing, but a policy enunciating guidelines and giving direction quite another. There is an urgent need to form an ideology and an approach to cleanse economic, social and political life. All three have a direct bearing on the education system. An attempt was made in this direction by an apolitical organisation, People’s Action Front, which has Dr Johl as its moving spirit. As a well-known economist of international repute and also as an educationist, Dr Johl wanted to launch a movement involving the youth to “sensitise” and “awaken” them and initiate a “cleansing” operation which would remain “peaceful”. The front’s forays into the educational institutions (a beginning was made in Chandigarh and students of some colleges had signed a pledge to fight corruption and remain peaceful) was resisted once word went round that the students — the future of India — were being “awakened” and made “conscious” of their potential and being “educated” how to clean economic, social and political life. Subsequently, the Front had to stop mid-stride. One need not repeat what Dr Amrik Singh and Dr Johl had suggested and recommended in their respective reports. But in a nutshell it can be said that Dr Amrik Singh wanted a separate directorate for vocational education and revamping of the state Council of Vocational Education. He had suggested setting up of “Skill centres” in districts teaching of at least one craft to plus one and plus two students. Dr Johl had laid emphasis on primary education, teaching in mother tongue and introducing English in the third or fourth class. He advocated vocational courses for all undergraduates, irrespective of the stream selected by a student. He favoured a uniform syllabi for all educational institutions. Dr Johl suggested setting up of a university solely responsible for the conduct of undergraduate examinations for all classes with all undergraduate colleges affiliated to that university whose staff was to be made up from existing universities. Such a university was to be located centrally in Punjab. There are, of course, suggestions in the two reports prepared by the two eminent educationists. If the government is to sleep over these, why not circulate these to all educational institutions keen on improving the lot of students and raising the academic standards? The joint committee of privately run college managements, principals and faculty would do a great service to the youth by sparing time for the education system rather than hankering after 95 per cent grant-in-aid available to their institutions. But it is an admitted fact that degeneration has set in in all walks of life in society. The education system is no exception. Unless the system is improved through better housekeeping and youth energy is harnessed, channelised and given direction, Punjab will suffer. Demanding higher pay and raising fees and funds may be in order. But making education meaningful and purposeful — job oriented — is equally important. In fact, seldom do the universities’ senates and syndicates bother about academic matters. The teachers, who constitute these decision-making bodies, are highly politicised and are more bothered about placements and selections. Their prime concern should be students — their aspirations, academic requirements, revision of courses, use of teaching aids and making available textbooks in time and even cutting short on examination schedules and declaration of results in time or engaging youth in practical, purposeful vocations during the vacations. For parents and teachers the need of the hour is to spare a thought about the future of the youth and re-orient priorities in education system so that tomorrow is protected and the system serves the purpose for which education was invented. The aimlessness, frustration and despondency, which afflict the youth today, particularly, the teeming millions in the countryside, does not portend well for the future of the Indian society and democracy. Merit and hardwork have been rendered defunct by the growing cult the system of “sifarish” and backdoor entries into all job-places. Tuitions and entrance
tests have further eroded the credibility of the
examination system. |
Diploma in
Persian Punjabi University, Patiala, has decided to commence a diploma course in Persian at Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan Institute of Advanced Studies in Urdu, Persian and Arabic at Malerkotla from the ensuing academic session. It is a good step towards promotion of Persian. No doubt the language has had a deep influence not only over the Muslim culture, but also the Sikh religion. Guru Gobind Singh was a Persian scholar and wrote “Zafarnama” to Aurangzeb in Persian. Bhai Nand Lal was a prominent Persian poet. His poetry was much appreciated by Guru Gobind Singh. From the period of Guru Nanak to Guru Gobind Singh, Persian was India’s official language. Even before 1936, the language was treated as India’s first language. To understand Sikh literature and to know the history of Punjab as also the history of medieval India, the knowledge of Persian is imperative. Urdu and Punjabi are dialects of Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit. There was a time when the Persian script was used to write Punjabi. Even today in West Punjab in Pakistan this script is used for the purpose. The knowledge of Urdu is essential to learn Persian. One who can read Urdu, can read Punjabi as also Persian and Arabic. Arabic is important as the holy Quran is written in this language. To promote all these languages, Punjabi University established the Institute of Advanced Studies in the erstwhile Muslim State of Malerkotla in the name of Nawab Sher Mohammad Khan in October, 1988. When Dr Bhagat Singh was the Vice-Chancellor. Malerkotla is known as
the “house of Urdu in Punjab”. Government
College, Islamia Senior Secondary School and Islamia
Girls High School besides many other schools and madarsas
are playing a major role in the promotion and enhancement
of Urdu. The purpose of the said institute is the same. |
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by Peeyush Agnihotri Scholars waiting for viva CHANDIGARH: Despite leakage and lack of funds, Panjab University swimming pool was thrown open for the season on Monday. On the face of it everything might seem hunky-dory but the reality is that the pool leaks and every time before the session, the leak is plugged, albeit temporarily. “We lack the funds to plug the leak permanently,” says Mr M.S. Dalal, the swimming coach. The timing for boys will be 4.30 am to 5.30 am and 6 pm to 7 pm and for girls the pool will remain open from 7 am to 8 am and 3.30 to 4.30 pm. The pool would be open for the faculty members between 6.30 and 7.15 pm. ллл At a meeting held recently, the university decided to introduce e-commerce at the graduation level in the form of Honours course from the next academic session. That means from now on, students pursuing B.Com will have an option of choosing e-commerce, besides personnel, marketing, management and finance, in the second year, as a subject of specialisation. “From July 5, we will conduct a refresher course for college and university faculty members with special emphasis on e-commerce,” says Prof Subhash C. Vaidya, Dean, Faculty of Management and Commerce and adds that already the process of procuring relevant books and literature has begun. ллл Some of the research scholars on the campus are a frustrated lot. It has been more than a year that they submitted their doctorate thesis but are yet to get the nod of approval from the authorities regarding their viva. The problem is more intense in the case of those whose thesis had been sent to far off cities for checking. “Every time we pay a visit to the administrative block, we are turned away on one pretext or the other. The university should do something concrete rather than adapting a pass-on-the-buck policy,” says an irate scholar. ллл Though personal computers in the hostels are not “legal”, yet the authorities do not mind even if one keeps it in his room. Presently, if during a routine raid, the search party happens to tumble upon one, a nominal fine, equivalent to that of using a power appliance without permission, is levied. For the time being at least. “A formal decision on this would be taken in the next academic session,” says Mr V.K. Bansal, DSW. Regarding the misuse of computers at night, when a few enthusiastic ones plug in “non-educational CDs” - “The procedures of checking have to be practical. How do we know what a student does at the dead of night?” is how the DSW puts it. ллл The Centre for Research
in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID) has selected
a student from the Department of Statistics, Panjab
University, for their project : “Assessment of
social marketing situation of contraceptives in
Punjab”. The project would be of six to seven months
duration, according to Mr A.K.Nanda, an officer in CRRID. |
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by Pervin Malhotra I have completed B.Com. I wish to pursue a career in finance and accounts. Please advise. Vivek Aggarwal, Delhi There are, a host of specialisations available in the field of finance and accounts. You could specialise as a Chartered Accountant, Cost & Work Accountant (now also called Cost Management Accountant), Company Secretary, Financial Manager or Financial Analyst. You could also join the banking or insurance sector, which is opening up in a big way. Another big area you can look at is e-commerce and even ERP at a higher level. Each of these options differs in terms of entry and study requirements and job opportunities. Could you tell me about the job prospects after a four-year integrated B.Sc. B.Ed. course at the Regional Institute of Education. Rashmibala Parida, Bhubaneswar After doing B.Sc. B.Ed., as a school teacher you can teach up to elementary level, i.e. upto Class-V. I want to become an actor. Please suggest some acting school offering short-term courses. Amit Singh, New Delhi Trying to get into the shoes of myriad characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet to the desi Shah Rukh Khan, wannabe actors are all crazily chasing the elusive stardom. And helping them are scores of drama institutes offering quickie courses for a price ranging between Rs 10,000 to 30,000/-. But before enrolling for a course, check out their credentials. To be fair, not all can be termed as a complete waste of time. The better ones can help brush up your in-born talent and give you the necessary confidence to get started. In Delhi, you may opt for the following acting schools: * Imago Acting School, Brahma Studio, Film City, Noida 201301. Courses: Diploma in Theatre & Acting (3 months, full time); Certificate in Theatre & Acting (3 months, part-time). * Padmini Kolhapuri School of Acting, 29, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi-110016. Courses: Certificate Course (3 months, full-time); Certificate Course (4 months, part-time). *Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication, Inside Sri Aurobindo Ashram (Mother’s School), Sir Aurobindo Marg, New Delhi-110016. Course: Diploma in TV Acting & Presentation (1-year, part-time). Eligibility: Graduation. The National School of Drama, Bahawalpur House, Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi-110001, offers 3-yrs diploma in Dramatic Arts. Eligibility is graduation with participation in at least ten productions. You should be between 18-30 yrs and possess a working knowledge of English and Hindi. Selection is through a preliminary test followed by a workshop. Outside Delhi, the following institutions offer courses in acting: * Film & Television Institute of Tamil Nadu, CPT Campus, Chennai-600113. Course: Certificate in Film Acting. Duration: 1-yr. Eligibility: SSLC. * University of Mysore, Crawford Hall, Mysore-570005. Course: Diploma in Film Acting. Eligibility: Pre-university exam. I am a student of Class-XII (Arts) interested in joining the CID. Please tell me about the selection procedure. Heerak Das, Agartala The Crime Investigation Department (CID) is the investigative wing of the State police. In some states, CID is also referred to as CB CID (Crime Branch CID). In contrast to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), an autonomous investigative agency under the Central Govt. that deals with the investigation of criminals as well as corruption cases and whose jurisdiction is not only confined to any particular state, the CID, in a given state, investigates criminal cases only pertaining to that particular state. The state police and the judicial bodies rely on the CID’s report for a true picture of the crime as the department is not only equipped with proper investigative skills and techniques but is also reputed for its impartiality being relatively insulated from outside interference. In general, police personnel are recruited at three levels — by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) through the Civil Service Examination (IPS cadre), State Public Service Commission and by the District Police Headquarters. Some of the police personnel selected via either of these routes are appointed by the CID on a regular posting if they have the requisite aptitude. No separate notifications are issued for recruitment to the CID. Eligibility for jobs of the level of Sub-Inspector and above is graduation. The CID is headquartered at the office of the state police and in some states, its offices are also located in various districts. I am a student of B. Tech (Mechanical) at Kurukshetra University. Please tell me which of the fields has the maximum scope if pursued at the M.Tech level: Aerospace Engineering, Automobile Engineering and CAD/CAM & Robotics. I have more knowledge of IC engines and automobiles. Vinod Kumar, Ambala Cantt Considering your interest in automobiles and IC engines, and the increasing prospects and scope of the automobile industry in India, a specialisation in this field may not be a bad idea. While the other two fields have more scope in the West, in India the work would essentially relate to R & D. I am a second-year student of sericulture. Could you please tell me about the job prospects in this field. Rama Pal Sericulture, which involves rearing of silk worms for manufacture of silk, is a highly labour-intensive activity that provides gainful occupation to the rural masses. The plantation and gathering of mulberry leaves are two major activities of this industry. The rearing part which comes next consists of two-thirds of the activity is followed by reeling, spinning, throwing and manufacturing of the silk fabric. As many as four million people are occupied in sericulture activities in India, and about 1.5 lakh in silk weaving and its connected ancillaries. The handloom sector alone consumes about 80% of the total production of silk, the remaining 20% is used by about 6,000 powerlooms in the silk-rich states. Sericulture can also be a part-time occupation engaged mostly during leisure hours when the family is free from agricultural activities. So also is silk weaving barring certain places, where it is a full-time occupation. Sericulture has many ‘pros’ in its favour: while it requires minimal investment and capital, it assures a regular source of earning. Three or four crops can be easily harvested in a year without interfering with regular agricultural activities. The only essential conditions for the development of this industry are a suitable climate, abundant growth of host plants, and availability of agricultural and semi-agricultural labour. India occupies second position in the production of raw silk. Indian silk and silk products have earned considerable market in the UK, US, Germany, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Africa in the form of silk yarn, fabric and garments. International funding
agencies such as FAO, ILO, ITC, EEC, CFTC, UNIDO, ESCAP
and World Bank grant funds to countries which are under
the process of economic development through sericulture. |
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Engineering May 15 National Power Training Institute (NPTI) (GoI Society, M/o Power), NPTI Complex, Sector-33, Faridabad 121003 (Har).
Appln Form: Send Rs. 200/- by crossed DD/IPO favouring “NPTI” payable at Faridabad, to the Director (Technical) at the above address. May 22 Deptt. of Training & Technical Education (G/o Delhi), Muni Maya Marg, Prembaripul, Pitampura, Delhi 110034. Common Entrance Test (CET) for admission to Diploma courses in Govt. polytechnics & privately managed institutes: 1) Comp Engg 2) Pharmacy 3) Modern Office Practice (Hindi & Eng) 4) Arch, Automobile, Chem, Civil, Constrn, Electl, Electron & Comm, Digital Electron, Medical Electron, Instru & Control, Mech, Maintenance, Plastic, Printing, Producn, Public Health, Tool & Die Making, Beauty Culture, Fashion Des, Garment Fabri Tech, Interior Des, Lib Sc, Med Lab Tech, Art for Drawing Teachers, Comml Art, Textile Des. Elig: For (1): Class XII (PCM). For (2): Class XII with Phy, Chem & Maths or Bio. For (3): Class XII. For (4): Class X (10+2 pattern). Entrance Tests: will be conducted by GGS Indraprastha Univ. For (1): May 31 For (2) & (3): Jun 13. For (4): Jun 20. Appln Form: Send Rs. Rs. 150/- by DD favouring “The Principal, Pusa Polytechnic, Pusa Campus, New Delhi” payable at New Delhi along with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 50/-) envelope (24 x 30 cm) before May 12. Also available in cash from following branches of Punjab & Sind Bank: Delhi: Kash Gate, Tilak Ngr, Vasant Vih, Nehru Pl, Anand Vih (Trans-Yamuna), Shalimar Bagh, M-Block, Connaught Pl, Neelam Chowk, F’bad & Atta, Noida. May 12 Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology, Sector-3, Dwarka, Azad Hind Fauj Marg, New Delhi - 110045.
Elig:
Appln Form: Collect personally or send Rs. 50/- by DD favouring “Head of Office, NSIT, New Delhi-110045” payable at SBI, Janakpuri Branch (Extn Counter, NSIT), New Delhi (Code No. 1706) along with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 20/-) envelope (25 x 20 cm) superscribed “Application for admission to MTech Programme” to the Officer-in-Charge (Academic) before May 2. Engineering - Sugar Tech May 25 National Sugar Institute (NSI), (M/o Consumer Aff & Pub Distribution), Kalianpur, Kanpur-208017 (UP) PG Diploma in: 1. Associateship of NSI In Sugar Tech (21/2 yrs) 2. Associateship of NSI In Sugar Engg (11/2 yrs) 3. Indl Fermentation & Alcohol Tech (1 yr + 4 month trng) Certificate in: 4. Sugar Engg (2 off-seasons) 5. Sugar Boiling (1 off-season) 6. Pre-harvest Cane Maturity Survey (11/2-moth) 7. Fellowship of NSI by Research in: Sugar Tech, Sugar Chem, Sugar Engg (3 off-seasons + trng) Fermentation Tech. (1 yr) Elig: See leading national dailies. Appln Form: Send Rs. 133/- by MO/IPO/DD (Rs. 145/- for regd post) favouring “Director, National Sugar Institute, Kalianpur, Kanpur 208017” to the Office of the Director before May 8 at above address or Rs. 100/- in cash at counter. Write your name & address in capital letters on the reverse of MO/IPO/DD. Fashion Technology May 15 Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology, C-115, Industrial Area, Phase-VII, Mohali-160055. Website: www.niilftindia.com Diploma in: 1) Fashion Design 2) Garment Manufacturing Technology Elig: For 1: 10+2 (50% agg) (45% for SC/ST). For 2: Bachelor’s degree (50% agg) (45% for SC/ST) Entrance Exam: June 1 & 2. Appln Form: Send Rs. 250/- by DD favouring “Northern India Institute of Fashion Technology, Mohali”, payable at Mohali or Rs. 200/- in cash at counter. Also available, against DD, from National Institute of Fashion Technology, NIFT Campus, Hauz Khas, Near Gulmohar Park, New Delhi 110016. Management Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management & Technology, 29 Theatre Rd, Cantonment, Bareilly 243004. Tel: 0581-429203, 429205. 1. Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) (3 yrs) 2. PG Programme in Management (2 yrs) Elig: For (1): Inter/10+2. For (2): Bachelor’s degree in any discipline or equiv foreign degree. Selection : For (1): GD & Interview For (2): Written test on May 21 at 10 centres including Delhi & Chandigarh. Commissioned Defence Services Officers and those who have appeared in the written test conducted by Lal Bahadur Shastri Institute of Management, New Delhi are exempted from the test. MAT scores will also be considered. Appln Form: For (1):Send Rs. 275/- by DD favouring “LBS Institute of Management & Technology” payable at Bareilly, to the Admission Co-ordinator before Jun 10 or Rs. 250/- in cash at counter. For (2): Rs. 550/- by DD favouring “LBS Institute of Management & Technology” payable at Bareilly, to the Admission Co-ordinator before Apr 30 or Rs. 500/- in cash at counter. Mention the name of the course on the envelope. Scholarships Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012.
Elig: For Sc: Students who have appeared in X & XII Board Exams, 2000, with 75% agg in Sc subjs and choosing to continue in science stream. For Engg: Those completing 2nd yr BE/BTech in 2000 with I Div in first year and interested in pursuing research, For Med: Those completing 2nd yr MBBS/BVSc/BDS in 2000 with I Div in first year and interested in pursuing research. Appln & Info Bro: Send Rs. 75/- by IPO/DD favouring “SID A/c KVPY” payable at Bangalore along with a self-addressed envelope (26 x 12 cm) to the above address before May 15. University May 23 Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Kashmere Gate, Delhi 110006. 1. Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) (4 yrs) 2. Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA) (3 yrs) 3. Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) (41/2 yrs) 4. Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPT) (4 yrs) 5. LLB (H) (5 yrs) Elig: For (1) & (2): 10+2 (50% agg) with Eng and Maths/Comp Sc/Comp Appl or 3-yr diploma in any branch of engg from a polytechnic For (3) & (4): 10+2 (55% agg in PCB) having passed in Eng in Class XII. For (5): 10+2 (50% agg) with Eng as compulsory subj. Entrance Tests: For (1) & (2): Jun 3. For (3) & (4): Jun 10. For (5): Jun 11 Appln Form: Send Rs. 500/- by DD favouring “Registrar, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University” payable at Delhi along with self-addressed, stamped (Rs. 50/-) envelope (24 x 30 cm) before May 15. Also available on cash payment from the following branches of Punjab & Sind Bank: Delhi: Kashmere Gate, Tilak Nagar, Vasant Vihar, Nehru Place, Anand Vihar (Trans-Yamuna), Shalimar Bagh, M-Block, Connaught Place, Neelam Chowk, Faridabad & Atta, Noida. CARING
(Career Information & Guidance), New Delhi. |
