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A gem is the most beautiful possession you can own and its beauty never fades. You can pass it down from generation to generation. No matter how far back in time you go or how far you travel, you will find that gemstones have always been part of people’s lives.

The growing market for branded ornaments has led to a demand for a new breed of jewellery designers. Jewellery designing is no longer a cloistered trade carried out by goldsmiths. It is now the forte of computer-savvy professionals.

Founded in 1999, the Jewellery Design and Training Institute (JDTI), Noida, moulds skilled professionals for the ever-growing jewellery industry. The institute is the brainchild of Silver Smith India Ltd, a multi-dimensional jewellery solutions company. JDTI is promoted by the Indo-German Export Promotion Project and is supported by the World Gold Council.

JDTI has recently started two new courses — comprehensive jewellery designing and certificate course in jewellery retailing. The duration of the comprehensive jewellery designing course, started in October, is six months while that of the certificate course in jewellery retailing is six weeks. A student who has passed Plus Two is eligible for these courses. Apart from the regular two-year course, students don’t have to appear for any entrance examination.

“We have limited seats for students and they are admitted on first-come-first-serve basis,” says Ritu Malik, chief operating officer and senior design faculty. The course fee for the six-month course is Rs 70,000 while that of the six-week certificate course is Rs 25,000.

“The course fee is in accordance with the facilities and infrastructure provided. We also have instalment schemes for payment of fees. JDTI offers world-class facilities to its students. We don’t want our students to lag behind and that is why we don’t compromise on the quality of education,” says Malik.

The comprehensive jewellery designing course has been specially formulated for aspiring jewellery designers, providing training in visualisation and representation techniques, geometry of design, design methodology, 3D drawing, stone / metal rendering, hallmarking and computer-aided design. At present, 15 students have enrolled for the course.

Students opting for the certificate course in jewellery retailing gain basic product knowledge about metal, carats, alloys, weight calculations, hallmarking, testing methods, communication skills, store management, surveillance, billing, pricing and visual merchandising.

The faculty at JDTI comprises a team of professionals who help in constantly upgrading the curriculum and modules. From time to time, experts are invited to conduct workshops and deliver lectures.

JDTI has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the Instituto Europeo Di Design (IED), a leading international design institute based in Milan. JDTI and IED have decided to collaborate in order to provide wider educational opportunities to their students.

All students of JDTI, current as well as alumni, who have completed their two-year course, are eligible to undertake their third year top-up programme in association with IED and receive a diploma from the Milanese institute.

“The IED association will be beneficial for both institutes and provide students with global exposure. The tie-up will help in creating better designers exposed to the best international design practices,” says B.K. Narula, chairperson JDTI and chief managing director, Silver Smith India Ltd.

The students are provided a two-month training by IED at Milan. In addition, all JDTI students will also be eligible to attend the summer course at IED.

How has the journey been since 1999? Malik replies with pride, “It has been exciting. We have trained more than 1,500 students in the last ten years. JDTI is also expanding its reach and currently we are looking at opening more branches across India, starting with the ones at Chandigarh and Gurgaon.”

Devlina Ganguly

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? It is a jewellery design and technology institute in Noida

WHO’S THE BOSS? B.K. Narula is the chairperson

what is the course fee? The fee for the six-month course is Rs 70,000

Where is it? A-89, Sector-2 Noida-201301, UP Phone: 120-2540571 / 72 / 73
Website:http://www.aboutus.org/Jdtiindia.com

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

..……

The institute now has five schools and four independent centres. It has added five new MA programmes in developmental studies, education (elementary), disaster management, globalisation and labour, and social entrepreneurship. Almost all the existing programmes have been revamped. In 2008, three diploma programmes — for disability studies and action, media and culture studies and public health — were introduced as degree courses. There is a proposal to set up a school for habitat studies next year.

“We are not only extensively expanding but also repositioning the institute in the current framework,” says Tiss director S. Parasuraman.

When you walk into Tiss, as you tread the path that leads to its main foyer, you forget the hustle and bustle of Mumbai. The ambience lends itself to introspection, with over 11,000 trees providing shade and colour to the campus. Tiss boasts of a massive library with about 1,04,050 volumes and over 300 research journals.

There are two campuses — the new campus houses a residential block and has a swanky new conference hall. Tiss has added new hostel blocks for both boys and girls.

The programmes offered at Tiss are divided between the two campuses in Deonar, Mumbai. Currently, Tiss offers four MPhil and PhD programmes, 12 masters degree programmes, six diploma courses, BA in social work and three certificate courses.

Learning at Tiss is not about cramming. “At Tiss, we value research, and it plays an integral role in the curriculum. We have mandatory weekly fieldwork, which helps us understand classroom lectures,” says Febna Raheem, a student of social work from Kerala. The social work course structure was revised in 2006.

The human resource department has been reframed as human resource management and labour relations, in keeping with the changing job market — for which it has also shifted focus from industrial labour to the corporate sector. “We do everything,” says Rohit, a second-year student. “It’s hardcore HR — recruitment, training, labour laws.”

The director praises the management school which, he says, has “similar management programmes” as those offered in schools in Brazil, South Africa and Germany. “In the era of globalisation, job security is an issue, so we are looking at the enormous labour force in India, especially in the unorganised sector. We deal with social entrepreneurship which aims at generation of wealth by the poor, backward castes, classes and tribes.”

The current faculty consists of professionals and experts, not just those in the field of social sciences but also in medicine and technology as there are courses closely related to these disciplines. The institute brings in experts from different fields for lectures.

Recognising the growing impact and role of the media, Tiss introduced a degree course in media and culture studies two years ago. “The idea is to explore, develop and disseminate knowledge and train students to ask questions. We want them to be thinking doers and doing thinkers,” says Manjula B., chairperson of the media centre. A sum of Rs 3-4 crore has gone into building the media centre which includes a media library, production and editing studio, latest software and computers.

For admission to the new session — which starts in August — you have to sit for an entrance exam that is held on the second Sunday of December. Based on the results, you will be called for an interview. Total marks are 200 — the written test carries 100 marks, 70 per cent weightage is given to the interview, and 30 per cent to undergraduate scores. Ten students get shortlisted for every seat before the interview. “We judge a student’s general knowledge and socio-political understanding. Beyond a certain level we do not hold marks as a criterion for ascertaining a student’s aptitude,” says the director. Most applicants apply for more than one course.

Placement doesn’t seem to be a problem here. “In the months of December and January, we get more firms looking to recruit than than there are students graduating,” says Parasuraman. “Our students can afford to be choosy,” he adds.

Some students rue the fact that Tiss’s faculty-student ratio has been upset because of the increase in students. They are, however, enthusiastic about the different backgrounds students come from. But Swagat Deshpande, a student from Nepal, hopes that Tiss will provide special assistance to students who come from poorer or backward nations.

Students, however, believe that the “teething problems” that the restructuring may have led to will soon be ironed out. “In the long run, I am sure something good will come of it. It’s just a matter of time,” says Arundhati, a student.

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT?

A premier institute for higher studies in social sciences

WHO’S THE BOSS?

S. Parasuraman is the director

What is the course fee?

Varies from course to course. Hostel fee is Rs 1,000-1,500 a month

Where is it?

V.N. Purav Marg,

Mumbai-400088

Phone: 022-25563289

Website: www.tiss.edu

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

…

The National Institute of Design (NID) has revolutionised the concept of design in India and emerged as a multi-disciplinary institute of international repute, promoting design education and research. The institute is an autonomous body, functioning under the department of industrial policy and promotion, ministry of commerce and industry.

NID offers two programmes — graduate diploma in design (GDPD) and postgraduate diploma programme in design (PGDPD). GDPD commences with a two-semester foundation programme, which introduces students to the fundamentals of design. The duration of the programme is four years and specialisation is offered in industrial design, communication design and textile and apparel design. While industrial design covers product, furniture, interior, ceramic and glass design, communication design gives an insight into graphic and animation film design, film and video communication. Textile and apparel design caters to textile design.

Students who have passed or will be appearing for Plus Two or any other equivalent examination are eligible for admission to this course. Admission is based on the entrance test / interviews conducted by the institute. If the student has an edge over technical and related subjects, it is considered to be an additional advantage.

The PGDPD programme is of two and half years’ duration. Candidates with a bachelors degree or an equivalent qualification are eligible for the course. A student can enrol for two programmes at a time.

The course fee is between Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 1,50,000 per year. However, there are provisions for a full or partial tuition fee waiver.

Students of NID have made their presence felt not only within the country but also internationally. According to Shekhar Chatterjee, faculty member, NID students have won several awards, including theWorld of Wearable Art (WOW) 2007 award, New Zealand, AIDA Industrial Design Award for jewellery design, Tokyo, and World Wool Award 2007.

But the achievements do not end here. NID students have also bagged the first prize for designing the presidential trophy for the National Innovation Foundation. Their designs were showcased at the Australia Fashion Week and New York Fashion Week. NID students have also bagged the CMAI National Excellence Award for the “best student designer 2005-07”. The institute has been winning the title for the best in apparel training for the last four years.

Student exchange programmes are a regular feature at NID, says Chatterjee. Guest faculty members are invited from other institutes in India and abroad to expose the students to the various aspects of designing. Recently, a famous Italian furniture design label organised a three-day festival at NID.

The students are all praise for the institute and feel it has changed their lives in more ways than one. Rajshekhar, a student specialising in apparel design and merchandising, says he has been able to understand the different facets of design after interacting with ceramic artists, film and media professionals. He is now involved in designing “protective clothes” for Indian soldiers which will shield them from harsh weather conditions and enable them perform their duty with ease.

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? It is a premier design institute in Ahmedabad

WHO’S THE BOSS? Darlie O Koshy is the director

what is the course fee? Between Rs 1,25,000 and Rs 1,50,000 per year

Where is it? Paldi, Ahmedabad 380007 Phone: (079) 2662 3692 Fax: (079) 2662 1167

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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It’s a Tuesday afternoon. The place is teeming with youngsters who are jostling one another to lay their hands on a coveted prize. Is a Bollywood celebrity paying a visit? Or is this an audition for a reality show? None, actually, for 7, Russell Street, Calcutta, is the destination for all those who want to take up chartered accountancy as a profession.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was set up by an act of Parliament — the Chartered Accountants Act, 1949 — for the purpose of regulating the profession of chartered accountants in India. The institute is a corporate body consisting of all persons whose names figure in its register of members. The head office is based in New Delhi and the regional offices are located in Mumbai, Chennai, Calcutta and Kanpur. The institute has three educational wings — the Board of Studies, the Continuing Professional Education Directorate and the Technical Directorate.

The Eastern India Regional Council (EIRC) of ICAI was formed in 1952 and serves the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Orissa, West Bengal, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. ICAI is a distance learning institute. Does that prove to be a disadvantage? The numbers suggest otherwise. “This year 40,000 students enrolled at the institute for various levels of the CA course. The numbers bear proof that CA is one of the most sought after professions,” says a spokesperson of EIRC.

After passing Class X, a student can register with the Board of Studies and prepare for the entry level test while pursuing his or her Plus Two studies. The entry level test, called Common Proficiency Test (CPT), is a four-hour exam comprising objective-type questions with negative marking for a wrong answer. The CPT replaces the Professional Education (Course-I), as it was known earlier. A candidate can appear for the CPT only after passing the Plus Two exam held by a recognised board of education. The CPT tests students on four subjects — accounting, mercantile laws, general economics and quantitative aptitude. The test carries 200 marks and is divided into two sessions of two hours each with a break in between. The CPT is held twice a year in the months of June and December. “Around 8,000 students appear for CPT every year,” says a spokesperson of EIRC.

The first stage of the chartered accountancy course is called the Professional Competence Course (PCC), which is complemented by three and a half years of practical training and 100 hours of information technology training (ITT). The PCC replaces the earlier Professional Education (Course-II). The registration fee for PCC is Rs 7,500 and students have to pay Rs 100 plus a courier charge of Rs 15 (in case one is from Delhi), and Rs 25 (for the rest of India) for the prospectus. A working knowledge of core and allied subjects in accountancy is covered in the PCC. In the final course, students gain advanced knowledge of core and allied subjects in accountancy.

The PCC includes a paper on strategic management and lays much emphasis on taxation. Paper 1 covers advanced accounting, paper 2 auditing and assurance, paper 3 law, ethics and communication (this paper is divided into three parts), paper 4 cost accounting and financial management, paper 5 taxation, and paper 6 information technology and strategic management. Papers 4, 5 and 6 are divided into two parts each. The PCC subjects are classified into two groups and a student can study and appear in the examination one after the other or both the groups together.

A candidate has to take a 100-hour ITT course after completing three months of articled training (ITT is a 20-day programme, five hours a day, and is part of the practical training).

The candidate has to then appear for the Professional Competence Examination (PCE), if he or she has worked for not less than 15 months as an articled assistant or an equivalent period as an audit assistant (or partly as an articled assistant and partly as an audit assistant), three months prior to the first day of the month in which the examination is held. The candidate should also have completed 100 hours of ITT to be eligible to sit for the exam.

After passing PCE, the candidate has to register for the final course with the Board of Studies. The CA Final course has been designed to impart extensive knowledge of financial reporting, auditing and professional ethics, taxation, corporate laws, systems control, strategic finance and advanced management accountancy. “In CA Final, students are taught strategic financial management and this course compares favourably with an MBA in finance,” says a spokesperson of EIRC.

The students who pass the chartered accountancy course can look forward to a starting salary of Rs 8-10 lakh per annum. Almost 10,000 chartered accountants across India have earned placements in financial companies abroad. “Students who pass out from our institute are well received by industry. The pay package they get after completion of the course is proof of the popularity of accountants in the job market,” says Subodh Agarwal, Board of Studies member from the eastern region.

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? The eastern chapter of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

WHO’S THE BOSS? Nirupam Haldar is the chairman

What is the duration of the course? Three and a half years

Where is it? 7 Russell Street, Calcutta-700071 Phone: 30211140, 30211141
Website: www.eircindia.org

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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• CAs to Get a Global Edge

The Indian insurance business is likely to see a 200 per cent growth by 2009-10, predicts an Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India report. Want to cash in on this trend? Head for the Insurance Institute of India (III), Mumbai.

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“With the swift expansion of the BPO sector, the market for insurance has opened up like never before,” says S.J. Gidwani, secretary-general of III.

Formerly the Federation of Insurance Institutes (J.C. Setalvad Memorial), III was established in 1955 to promote insurance education and enhance insurance services in India. It is the only professional institute in the country devoted to insurance-related education and has been accredited by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority as the sole body to conduct pre-recruitment qualifying examinations for insurance agents and surveyors. It is also a charter member of the recently started Institute of Global Insurance Education.

The College of Insurance (established in 1966) is the training wing, catering to the needs of insurance personnel at different levels. It holds regular classes to prepare those appearing for the different III exams. The faculty consists of qualified and experienced officials of the insurance industry. Experts from outside the industry are also invited as guest faculty. The Indian government sponsors students from several Afro-Asian countries under the Colombo and Special Commonwealth African Assistance Plans (SCAAP).

III conducts examinations, oral and written, in insurance theory and practice and related subjects. It awards certificates, diplomas and degrees in both life and non-life (general) insurance. Now some of the tests can be taken in regional languages too.

Candidates can take the licentiate exam after passing Class X. The cost of registering is around Rs 1,950. Those who clear it can apply for a certificate of associateship. However, insurance graduates of S.N.D.T. University, Mumbai, and Gandhigram Rural University, Tamil Nadu, with a minimum of 50 per cent in each subject as well as those who have passed the vocational course-life / non-life (Plus Two) conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education can appear directly for associateship. This course teaches one the technical aspects of insurance — like underwriting and claims. Each subject you take for associateship will cost you Rs 300. Students who want a diploma will have to shell out an extra Rs 1,000. Only associates can enrol for fellowship. At this stage, candidates must decide whether they want to specialise in life or general insurance. Each subject will again cost the student Rs 300 while the diploma will cost an extra Rs 600. The exams are held twice a year, in May and November.

III provides oral and postal tuition (in English only) in all subjects from licentiate to the fellowship course. Postal coaching for the licentiate course costs Rs 300 per paper, for the certificate of associateship Rs 400 per paper and for the fellowship Rs 500 per paper. Some of the 91 associated institutes, spread across the country, also organise oral tuition. The quality of tuition is monitored through a system of feedback from students.

The Charter Insurance Institute, London, the American Institute for Charter Property Casualty Underwriters, US, and the Life Office Management Association, US, grant various exemptions in their programmes to candidates with diplomas from III. The institute also offers scholarships, grants and prizes for research or any other educational work bearing on insurance. “There are many insurance companies in India today, and many doors at the junior level will open for a fellow of III,” says Prodip Dutta, a fellow, who is on the advisory board and has been the general secretary of the associated institute in Calcutta.

III is gearing up to revamp its curriculum according to the new market scenario as well as the preferences of Gen Y. And this is not its first move to keep up with the changing times; the exams, too, have been made available online sometime ago. “With constant revision and upgradation of our programmes, my students will be in demand in the US, the UK, the Gulf, Australia and everywhere else in the world,” Gidwani adds.

“A student fresh out of III will start off with Rs 2.5-3 lakh per annum, whereas a person working up the ladder to reach that position will take at least 10 years,” reveals Indranil Roy Chaudhuri, associate member and development officer with the Life Insurance Corporation of India. “And the end of the ladder is chairmanship.”

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? An institute that specialises in insurance education

WHO’S THE BOSS? S.J. Gidwani is the secretary-general

what is the course fee? Rs 1,945 for the licentiate course

Where is it? Universal Insurance Building, sixth floor, Sir P.M. Road, Fort, Mumbai
Website: www.insuranceinstituteof india.com

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

…

“The USP of IMT is that we invest in academic research, in management development programmes and in giving students an in-depth understanding of the requirements of the market. The course work is often modified a little to incorporate changes in the market.

“At IMT, the academic and research base of our students is given a lot of attention. Our most important asset is our students. This is reflected in the fact that so many of our past students stay in touch through our alumni network. The investment in the development of our students is the greatest strength of our institute,” explains Sanjay Singh, chairman, student affairs, and a human resource management professor.

Singh illustrates IMT’s philosophy with an example of how a batch of students does project work. “In a group of 60, for example, there would be 12 groups of five. Each of these groups would do a project that would require them to deal with one particular industry in depth. By the end of the task, they are expected to have a comprehensive picture of that area. We hold a seminar and students exchange their experiences of working on the projects so that all become aware of what is happening in other areas. We also invite people like senior corporate executives and management doyens to come and interact with our students at the seminar. Apart from personal growth, the project work gives a strong indication to prospective employers of the capacity and calibre of IMT students. And this is only one of our initiatives,” he says.

Besides academics, IMT sounds fun, too. “We encourage our students to pursue extracurricular activities. A lot of our students participate in debates and seminars in other institutes. Students are given hypothetical business or management situations and their task is to come up with suggestions to solve the problems,” explains an IMT professor.

IMT offers five different MBA programmes. These include the postgraduate diploma (full-time) in finance, human resources, international business and information technology management. All the postgraduate diploma programmes run for two years. The course fee is Rs 7,96,000. It can be paid in three instalments a year.

IMT also has a three-year PhD programme.

To be eligible for admission to the postgraduate diploma in management, you need a three-year bachelors degree or equivalent with 50 per cent aggregate. The degree can be in any discipline recognised by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) as eligible for postgraduate studies in management. Candidates who are appearing for their qualifying examination are also eligible.

Prospective candidates need to appear for the Common Admission Test (CAT) and apply to IMT by filling in a separate application form for registration. Application forms and the information brochure can be obtained from IMT Ghaziabad / Nagpur or select branches of the State Bank of India for a fee (to be paid via a demand draft or cash) of Rs 1,600. You can also apply online by logging on to the website (www.imt.edu). The final selection is based on the CAT score and the subsequent group discussion and personal interview, which are held at centres in Ghaziabad, Nagpur, Mumbai, Bangalore and Calcutta.

IMT boasts of a host of wonderful facilities, one of which is its well-known student residential area. The library and computer labs are open 24×7. It has a picturesque, pollution-free campus with lush green surroundings, elegant landscaping and flower beds.

The amphitheatre is the venue of many fests and other events. Its canteen is a bit of a rage and a popular hangout, offering a wide range of snacks and meals. The mess is run by the students themselves.

Sports enthusiasts can play tennis, table tennis, cricket, football, badminton, basketball and volleyball. Some of the teachers are keen sportsmen themselves and the camaraderie in class spills on to the playing field.

So how does that sound? Rock on, IMT, Ghaziabad.

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? It is a premier management institute based in Ghaziabad

WHO’S THEB.S.SS? B.S. Sahay is the director

what about the fees? The course fee is Rs 7,96,000 for two years

Where is it? Raj Nagar, Ghaziabad-201001 Phone: 0120-3002200
Fax: 0120-3002300 Email: info@imt.ac.in, info@imt.edu. Website: www.imt.edu

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

Kenilworth Academy of Bar Management, Calcutta :-

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Mixing drinks is not an easy task. One needs to be an expert to toss up the “perfect” Bloody Mary, Margarita, Mind Eraser or Long Island Iced Tea. The Kenilworth Group of Hotels is lending a helping hand to students who want to make a career in the beverage industry.

The Kenilworth Group, in association with the University College of Gastronomy, Stockholm, recently launched the Kenilworth Academy of Bar Management to impart quality training and create professional bar managers. The bar management course is being conducted at The Kenilworth, Calcutta. Practical lessons are being undertaken at the Big Ben. Students not only get an opportunity to familiarise themselves with bartending skills and bar management techniques, but also get a hands-on experience of bar operations during business hours. Theory classes are held at well-equipped, state-of-the-art classrooms. “We want students to gain extensive knowledge on all aspects of bartending and bar management so that they can also turn into entrepreneurs later on,” says Shantanu Sengupta, director-education, The Kenilworth, Calcutta.

The course covers aspects like beverage knowledge, bar management and mixology. In beverage knowledge, students learn about the different kinds of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. The different alcoholic beverages are compared to illustrate the lessons.

In bar management, students get to learn the nuances of budgeting, menu planning and beverage control. “The food and beverage industry is very dynamic and one should keep oneself constantly updated in order to excel in this sector,” advises Sengupta.

A bartender needs to know a lot of common and popular cocktails, serve many people at once, think on his or her feet and be the ultimate peoples’ person. A course in mixology will equip students to focus on the art and craft of mixing cocktails, concocting new and exotic drinks, experimenting with lesser-known distilled spirits and pushing the limits of classic bartending. The students will get to learn alcohol techniques such as layering, shaking, flaring and flaming.

The faculty includes Sengupta, who has over 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, and Maloy Mukherjee who has nine years of experience in exotic bartending. Throughout the course students get to meet and learn from high-profile guest lecturers from the industry who visit and teach students on a regular basis.

For all-round development, students are also trained in soft skills as well as leadership and managerial skills. Sengupta says, “The hospitality industry is people-oriented and customer satisfaction is our goal. So students have to develop excellent communication skills in order to ensure a positive customer experience.”

The hospitality industry is booming and pubs and bars are seeing more customers than ever before. Thus, there is a huge demand for skilled bar professionals. Though Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad have bar management institutes, the eastern region is lagging behind in bar management education, feels Sengupta.

The Kenilworth Academy of Bar Management aims to churn out professionals who will not only have extensive knowledge of bartending but also be adept at bar management. This course incorporates work-related learning as well as personal and professional development. “It is a competitive world and to have an edge over others one needs a professional attitude. To me ‘professional’ means taking pride in your job and believing yourself to be the best in anything that you do. We want to instil this belief in our students,” says Sengupta.

The first session of the three-month course started in June. The next batch begins this month. The first batch had only six students though the number of applicants for the second batch is much higher, says Sengupta. Anyone who is over 18 years of age and has passed his Plus Two is eligible. The course fee is Rs 35,000.

“Initially we were a bit apprehensive about the short duration of the course. But all our fears have been put to rest and the students from the first batch have all received job placements,” says Sengupta. Some of the students have been recruited at The Big Ben, the nightclub at The Kenilworth, Calcutta.

In the last three months, students have learnt to stir up over 80 cocktails apart from learning the basics of mixing cocktails, customer interaction, physical inventory and salesmanship.

The institute is the brainchild of Raju Bhagat, chairman of the Kenilworth Group. Bhagat felt that though the hospitality industry is taking rapid strides, there is a dearth of institutes offering practical training to students interested in the beverage sector. “We started this institute with the aim of grooming our students to work internationally,” says Bhagat. He believes that as students gain more exposure to customers, their confidence level also increases.

Bidyut Kumar Auddy, a student of the first batch, working with the Big Ben, Calcutta, says, “The short-term course has given me a cutting edge over those who will need three years to acquire a hotel management degree.”

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? It is the first bar management academy in eastern India

WHO’S THE BOSS? Shantanu Sengupta is the director

what about the fees? The course fee is Rs 35,000

Where is it? 1&2 Little Russel Street Calcutta- 700021. Phone: 22823939 / 40 Website:www.kenilworthacademy.com Email: shantanus@kenilworthhotels.com

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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symbiosis institute of mass communication

Far away from the cacophony of city life, spread across 300 odd acres of rolling lush green hillocks and ridges in Lavale, a small village near Pune in Maharashtra, is the Mecca of India’s aspiring media professionals — Symbiosis Institute of Mass Communication (SIMC). The sprawling knowledge village can take your breath away. Its growth since the early 1970s when it had just a handful of students is amazing. Its picturesque residential campus is atop two plateaus separated by a narrow ridge. The northern block houses the administrative and educational wings while the southern unit comprises the hostel overlooking a huge golf course. During monsoons the ridge is used for rainwater harvesting. The campus is eco-friendly — only bicycles and CNG-powered shuttles are used for commuting.

SIMC Lavale is a key component of founder S.B. Majumdar’s dream venture — Symbiosis Knowledge Campus. It is here that postgraduate students are put through their paces, while the Viman Nagar campus in Pune runs the recently launched undergraduate media course, where freshers are trained by a team of media bigwigs.

“I had never imagined that the campus would be so breathtakingly beautiful. The facilities are on a par with international standards,” says Faisal Ahsan Siddiqui, a postgraduate student who earlier worked as a project associate at the chemistry department, the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Dahran, Saudi Arabia. With 12 edit units, multiple-camera-shooting facilities and a large shooting floor of 2,000 square feet, chroma studio, and a wi-fi campus, SIMC Lavale is as good as any institute abroad.

It isn’t just the sound infrastructure, perfect accommodation facilities or excellent faculty members that places SIMC several notches above other media institutes. Its USP is the hands-on training it imparts. “Students, who are addressed as junior journos, follow a 9 to 9 schedule. We treat them as media trainees. They have a hectic schedule like any media professional. By the time the course is over, SIMC students are ready to walk into the industry. That’s why recruiters keep coming back to employ our students,” says Anupam Siddhartha, deputy director and head of the department, entertainment media.

True to its slogan — connect, communicate, converge — SIMC is not a journalism or film school, nor an advertising or PR training institute but a heady cocktail of all the four. “The institute delivers all that it promises at the time of admission. Which other institute offers double internship? You name it and we are sent there as interns,” says media trainee Devina Sengupta.

But gaining admission is not easy. Aspirants to PG courses have to take the Symbiosis National Aptitude Test (SNAP), which is conducted across 28 Indian cities on the third Sunday of December every year. Undergraduate entrants have to appear for the Symbiosis Entrance Test (SET). “The questions cover four major areas — language skills, intelligence quotient and logic, quantitative reasoning and general knowledge. Barring the quantitative reasoning score, we give due importance to the other three while shortlisting candidates for the final round comprising interview, group discussion, home assignments and verification of records,” says Ujjwal K. Chowdhury, director of SIMC.

But once you are in, be ready to sweat it out. “We have dedicated faculty members, who are very helpful and approachable. But one should be prepared to do plenty of assignments and presentations. Believe me, it’s fun doing them. One might feel a bit hassled for the first few months but will soon begin to like the hectic routine,” says Siddiqui. Apart from writing features for the annual magazines or making presentations, the students get an opportunity to organise annual festivals right from planning to execution. The freshers organise Footprints — an annual event all across the country. “Last year, it was held in Mumbai, Calcutta, Delhi, Chennai, Cochin, Pune, Bangalore, Indore and Lucknow where issues like media cloning were addressed. This year it is going to be held in 24 cities and at an international venue too,” revealed Sengupta.

If juniors have their Footprints then the seniors revel in Festo’Comm, a three-day event dedicated to PR, journalism and advertising. It gives students a chance to interact with media stars like Alyque Padamsee. The event is rounded off with a rock concert. Digit All Movement is another big annual event when feature film and documentary makers discuss their projects and share their experiences with the students.

SIMC offers substantive scholarships for deserving candidates. “The four toppers of the four specialisations (both PG I and II) and the overall best performer (academic and non-academic) get a 50 per cent or a full waiver on their fees for the academic year,” says Chowdhury.

So if you have been nurturing a secret desire to make it big in the media, you know where to head, right?

Vital Statistics:-

WHAT IS IT? A school for aspiring media professionals

WHO’S THE BOSS? Ujjwal K. Chowdhury is the director

what about placements? The institute promises 100 per cent placement

Where is it? SIMC Knowledge Village, Lavale gram, Mulshi taluka, near Lupin Research Centre, Pune-411062 Email: contactus@simc.edu Website:www.simc.edu

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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Despite scaling new heights in space, ISRO has not been the favoured destination for thousands of wannabe engineers who make a beeline for the top engineering colleges.

“ISRO has projected an ambitious programme for the next 20 years which addresses development of cutting edge technologies for interplanetary exploration, human space mission, advanced launch vehicles and spacecraft. It was therefore decided that ISRO start its own academic institute to meet the demands for technological advancement,” says B.N. Suresh, director, IIST, an eminent scientist and former director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram.

The government of India’s department of space did not take much time to approve ISRO’s proposal to have an institute of its own. “The idea was mooted sometime in November, 2006 and within a short time the approval from the government was obtained and the institute was inaugurated on September 14, 2007,” says Suresh, emphasising on the speed at which the project was approved.

The vision of IIST, according to Suresh, is to build a world-class institution that can rival the International Space University, Strasbourg and the California Institute of Technology, US. The institute’s flagship courses are a bachelors degree in technology (BTech) with specialisation in either avionics or aerospace engineering and an integrated masters programme in applied sciences (MSc) with special emphasis on space-related subjects. Doctoral programmes are also offered by the institute.

“We have set very high standards for ourselves and in the next five years we will not only be one of the top institutes in the country but also in the world,” says a confident Kuruvilla Joseph, professor and head, department of chemistry, IIST.

The emphasis in IIST is more on learning and getting the basic concepts right. “We have introduced new concepts of laboratory experiments which are related to real life problems. We also have the advantage of access to all ISRO centres and their sophisticated labs,” says Suresh.

To inspire students, IIST organises visits to ISRO’s well-known laboratories around the country. “Visit to various ISRO laboratories have helped us to interact with scientists and also involve ourselves in various projects,” says Prakhar Aggarwal, a second year aerospace student.

IIST, which has been operating from an interim campus next to VSSC, will soon move to its own campus at Valiamala, about 18 km from the city. The institute will have around 1,200 students on its rolls once the new campus becomes fully operational sometime next year. “There we will have even better facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories,” says Joseph.

Predicting a bright future for IIST, Joseph says, “You will get to hear a lot about us in the future. Don’t be surprised if ISRO launches a satellite designed by our own students within a few years.”

“IIST was my first choice despite being eligible for admission to an IIT because my aim was to make a career in space engineering,” says Shashank Adimulam, a second year BTech avionics student. “The best thing about our institute is the hands-on experience we get in the laboratories. I don’t think even the students of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) get such opportunities,” he says.

The student faculty ratio at IIST is a healthy 6 :1 and, the director assures, the institute will continue to have a robust faculty in the coming years. “We have a dynamic, young and vibrant faculty drawn from all over India. In the last one year, many of them had presented papers in many prestigious journals and conferences all over the globe,” he says. Eminent personalities who feature on the list of guest faculty include legends of space science like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Yashpal, U.R. Rao, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, former director of IIT Chennai R.Natarajan, Roddam Narasimha and others.

Students of the institute come from all parts of the country. Vikas Kumar Yadav, a first year student from Patna, who has been on the campus only for a few days is over the moon. “It didn’t cost my family a single paisa to enrol me at this institute. IIST provides every facility free of cost. The only thing we have to do is concentrate on studies,” says Yadav.

As Yadav said, IIST does not charge any fee. The hostel accommodation, food, Internet, library and other facilities are free of cost. “In fact, we give a book allowance of Rs 3,000 per semester to every student,” adds Suresh.

The only condition is that those who enrol at IIST have to sign a bond promising they will work for ISRO for five years. Those who do not want to honour the bond will have to shell out Rs 10 lakh to the department of space.

Admission to IIST is through the IIT-JEE’s extended list. Students from the main list who have not opted for any branch in IIT are eligible for admission.

“I feel the journey ahead is quite exciting and we are sure of meeting the needs of ISRO’s human resources,” says Suresh.

Vital statistics:-

WHAT IS IT?
It is a premier institute carrying out research in space science

WHO’S THE BOSS?
B. N. Suresh is the director

WHAT IS THE COURSE FEE?
IIST does not charge any fee

WHERE IS IT?
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, ISRO Post, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram-695022, Kerala

Website: www.iist.ac.in

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)

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• The Mother of All Sciences

Established in 1960, Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, is one of the premier institutes of India, having universal recognition and providing excellent opportunities for career growth. All the IITs spread across the country were declared “institutions of national importance”, when the Parliament passed the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961.

Initially when the foundation stone of the IIT was laid, it was the general notion that taking help from western countries might prove to be of help in emerging as a world-class technical institute. This resulted in the collaboration of IIT Kanpur with the US through a specially created programme — KIAP (Kanpur Indo-American Programme), said to be the largest ever academic assistance programme supported by America. IIT Kanpur has also been given the responsibility of monitoring the activities of the upcoming IIT Rajasthan.

According to Sanjay Govind Dhande, director of the institute, “IIT Kanpur is not governed by the demand and supply of engineers. Instead, our aim is to train an individual, and hone his skill for research and teaching. The main focus of the institute is on design and analysis so that the analytical skill of the students is developed.”

Speaking about some of the ambitious projects taken up at IIT Kanpur, Dhande says the institute is attempting to develop a pilot-less helicopter which can be monitored through mobile communication. It is also involved in carrying out extensive work for the railways. Dhande says with new technological development, the speed, latitude and longitude of a running train can be now calculated.

Students at IIT Kanpur have the option to choose from a vast array of courses. At the bachelor level, a student can enrol for BTech programmes in aerospace, biological science and bioengineering, chemical, civil, computer science, electrical, metallurgy and mechanical engineering. The institute also offers integrated MSc programmes in physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics. From July 2005, an integrated MSc in economics has been introduced. Students are selected through the joint entrance examination (IIT-JEE).

There are also programmes for an integrated MSc in physics, chemistry, mathematics and statistics. Students with BSc (honours) background are given preference and chosen through an all-India examination known as JAM.

The institute also offers MTech programmes in several branches of engineering. Along with this, there are MTech programmes in interdisciplinary areas such as nuclear engineering, biological sciences and bioengineering, laser technology, environmental engineering, materials science, and industrial and management engineering.

IIT Kanpur has also started a dual degree (BTech-MTech) programme. Students are expected to complete the MTech programme in five years. After the completion of the programme, the students are awarded both BTech and MTech degrees. Entrance to MBA and MDes is possible through JMET (Joint Management Entrance Test) and CEED (Common Entrance Examination for Design) respectively. Apart from this, various PhD programmes are offered at IIT Kanpur.

A.K. Singhal, who is doing his research at IIT Kanpur, speaks highly of the institute. Presently pursuing his research under J. Ramkumar, Singhal says the faculty members are always eager to help the students.

The course fee at IIT Kanpur varies for different programmes. According to Dhande, there is a provision for scholarships at IIT Kanpur. Undergraduate students can avail of national scholarships. There is also a merit-cum-means scholarship. Donations given by the IIT Kanpur alumni are used for this purpose. IIT Kanpur boasts of good infrastructure. It has well-equipped laboratories, an extensive library, hostels and a horde of amenities for research and development. The institute has its own airstrip and six instrumental crafters and three gliders.

The institute has a very active placement cell that tries to ensure that all students find employment. According to Dhande, almost 150 companies recruit students from IIT Kanpur every year. The institute also has MOUs and collaborations with leading companies for technology development and research, which is an additional advantage when it comes to placements.

Sources: The Telegraph (Kolkata, India)