I’m in class XII (science) and keen on taking a degree in aeronautical engineering. Please suggest some reputed institutes offering this course and their admission criteria.
Sunil D’Souza, Panjim
Aeronautical engineering graduates are qualified for entry into many industry sectors — aircraft aerodynamics, mechanical structural design and analysis, aircraft maintenance, aircraft operations, management, and production. Moreover they can also work in research, design, development, testing, components manufacture and product assembly, technical sales, installation and commissioning, operations and maintenance.
Among the reputable colleges offering aeronautical engineering study programmes are: Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh (www.pec.ac.in); Anna University, Chennai (www.annauniv.edu); Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (www.jntu.ac.in); Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Institute of Technology, Valsad (affiliated to Gujarat University) (www.svitvasad.ac.in); Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai (www.hindustanuniv.com); Institute of Aeronautical Engineering, Secunderabad 500011; and Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (www.iist.ac.in).
The IITs also offer degree programmes in aerospace engineering. Moreover candidates who successfully complete Section A and B of the Associate Membership Examination of the Aeronautical Society of India (www.aesi.org) are on a par with those with degrees in aeronautical engineering from a recognised Indian university.
I graduate next year and am contemplating a career in fashion journalism. Please advise.
Shalini Rao, Bangalore
You could enroll in a postgrad course in journalism and focus on writing on fashion-related issues to learn the basics of the industry. There’s no specific certification programme in fashion journalism though the fashion communication programmes offered by some fashion design institutions may be helpful.
I finish my B.Sc (chemistry) degree next year. What specialisations can I opt for in an MBA programme?
Siddharth Sen, Kolkata
After graduation you’ll become eligible for an MBA study programme in biotechnology/pharmace-utical management/hospital adminis-tration. The entrance tests for these three specialisations are broadly similar.
Please suggest some reputed universities worldwide offering an MBA in sports management.
Rohan Kane, Pune
Very few universities worldwide offer an MBA in sports management. Among the few who do are: University of Alberta, Canada which offers an MBA in sports and leisure management, and University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA. La Trobe and Griffith universities in Australia also offer postgraduate courses in sports and leisure management. Please note that most B-schools abroad require students to submit GMAT and TOEFL or IELTS scores, with proof of two to three years work experience.
I’m a second year liberal arts student with an eye on a career in events management. Which institutes offer this subject?
Nalini Mehta, Mumbai
Among the most reputed institutes offering postgraduate diploma programmes in events management are the National Institute of Event Management, Mumbai; Apeejay Institute of Mass Communications, New Delhi; Ramoji International School of Event Management, Hyderabad; and Amity Institute of Event Management in Mumbai and other metros. This field has good employment prospects particularly if you are confident of your skills and aptitude for the profession, although at the moment because of the economic meltdown, events management as a career has temporarily taken a hit.
Doing an MBA after graduation would, however, be a better idea as it will not only provide you employment opportunities in events management but also qualify you for other vocations as well. Manipal University in association with Whistling Woods International offers an MBA degree in media and entertainment with specialisation in film, broadcasting, interactive media and events management.
I’m a third year BE (electronics) student interested in working with the Indian Air Force as a pilot. Please advise.
Jagjit Singh, Chandigarh
For information on the various entry routes into the Indian Air Force visit www.indianairforce.nic.in or log on to www.upsc.gov.in for details about the Combined Defence Services Exam after clearance of which you can apply for the IAF. Both websites provide information on the physical and medical fitness expected of candidates.
I want to study for a doctorate in business management through distance education. Please advise.
Venkat Narayan, Bangalore
The All India Management Association’s Centre for Management Education in collaboration with Aligarh Muslim University offers a Ph D in business administration through the distance learning mode. Visit www.aima-ind.org for details. The Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi (www.ignou.ac.in) also offers a Ph D in business management via correspondence.
I’m in second year B.Sc and keen on a career in IT. Would it help if I signed up for a part-time MBA programme in systems management?
Rustom Driver, Mumbai
If you want to do an MBA in IT/systems management, ideally you should look for a full-time programme to avail the facility of campus placement. Alternatively, you could start working in an IT company or in information systems or allied area, and enroll in a part-time MBA programme in systems information/IT management after acquiring two years of work experience. Evaluate both study alternatives carefully and make your decision after careful deliberation.