Bolstering maths skills a good idea

Pervin Malhotra

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Q.I am a student of BSc Maths. I love the subject and would love to do study further and become a lecturer in mathematics ultimately. However, I would like to do some additional course or workshop that will enhance my skills in pure mathematics. — Anuj Bikram Singh

A.Among others, I suggest you look at the MTTS summer programme that’s held in May-June every year to provide students with a global perspective on Mathematics. Conducted by the National Board of Higher Mathematics, the programme equips participants to work independently and acquire a high level of confidence to learn/understand mathematics.

The 4-week MTTS programme is essentially based on two criteria:

(i) a consistent academic record and

(ii) recommendation letter from your teacher (highlighting specifics).

Applications for MTTS 2017 will be accepted from 01 January 2017 so make sure you apply on time.

Check your name on the list of selected candidates on the MTTS Homepage by the second week of March.

Absolutely no fee is charged from the students. In fact, your travel expenses will be reimbursed and you’ll be provided free boarding and lodging during the programme at host institution’s hostel (separate hostels for boys and girls).

While this isn’t meant to be a job-training programme, the knowledge and skills you’ll acquire in the course of the programme, if sustained and cultivated, will help you achieve better goals in your academic career.

And particularly for someone like you who wishes to go into teaching as a profession, it will enable you to impart knowledge of maths in a more interactive manner that will in turn, motivate your students for further study.

Since you haven’t mentioned which year of BSc you are pursuing, I’m listing the Eligibility requirements for participating in each of the 3 levels of the programme.

Level O: 2nd year undergraduate students with Maths as a subject.

Level I: Final year undergraduate students with Maths as a subject.

Level II: 1st year postgraduate students with Maths as a subject OR

Participants of the previous year’s Level I Programme.

Quota dilemma

Q.I am preparing for the IAS exam. I belong to the Jat community from UP. I had an inter caste marriage. My husband belongs to the general category. We live in Mohali. I want to know if I should apply as OBC or general. — Shweta Nilambri

A.The choice is entirely yours. However,  as a woman belonging to the OBC category by birth, you can continue to get the reservation benefits even after your (intercaste) marriage to a person belonging to a forward class or general category, if you so choose.

Be that as it may, the reverse does not apply i.e. a woman from a general category marrying a reserved category person cannot claim reservation benefits under the law.