Friday, June 4, 2010
SMUDE Admissions Starts on June 10, 2010
SMU-DE, one of the largest providers of Distance Education in India, will be opening their admissions to all programmes on June 10, 2010 for the Fall 2010 session. Applications to various courses are available at over 710+ SMU-DE Learning Centres covering 310 cities across India. For details, log on to www.smude.edu.in or Call: 18002667788 (toll free) or SMS to SMUDE to 5667755. Or feel free to write to us at enquiry@smude.edu.in and we will get back to you at the earliest.
Expert Speak: The Dynamic Discipline i.e. Healthcare Science
Dr. Gayathri Devi S
(21 years of experience, currently Professor & HOD, Health Care Science, SMU)
Healthcare science has always been one of the most dynamic fields for study and practice. It stands out as one of the few disciplines that is wholesomely dedicated towards the well being of fellow humans. Technological innovations, better medicines and service will make this field richer in the times to come. Healthcare science stands out also for its uniqueness. With so many different fields for excellence, the ways of approach are varied. On one hand you have Nutrition which is primarily theory based and on the other extreme you have Laboratory Technology where practical knowledge based on theoretical concepts prevail over always (skill component is equally important as knowledge).
But at the end of the day, theory or practical is not the question. For thorough professionals to make it big in this field there has to be dedication, orientation and lots of sincere hard work especially when it comes to caring for patients. Today the field is expanding even more. Medical tourism, healthcare counseling and medical services at your doorstep are gaining popularity. Whatever the dimensions this discipline takes, selfless service and hard work will always be the main requirement.
(21 years of experience, currently Professor & HOD, Health Care Science, SMU)
Healthcare science has always been one of the most dynamic fields for study and practice. It stands out as one of the few disciplines that is wholesomely dedicated towards the well being of fellow humans. Technological innovations, better medicines and service will make this field richer in the times to come. Healthcare science stands out also for its uniqueness. With so many different fields for excellence, the ways of approach are varied. On one hand you have Nutrition which is primarily theory based and on the other extreme you have Laboratory Technology where practical knowledge based on theoretical concepts prevail over always (skill component is equally important as knowledge).
But at the end of the day, theory or practical is not the question. For thorough professionals to make it big in this field there has to be dedication, orientation and lots of sincere hard work especially when it comes to caring for patients. Today the field is expanding even more. Medical tourism, healthcare counseling and medical services at your doorstep are gaining popularity. Whatever the dimensions this discipline takes, selfless service and hard work will always be the main requirement.
Expert Speak: Multifaceted Personality of Distance Education
Dr. L Senthil Kumar
(14 years in IT Industry. Currently HOD IT Dept. Sikkim Manipal University)
One sided approaches or one sided benefits are a thing of the past. It’s the age of multitasking and multifaceted personalities that click in the long run in today’s capitalist society. Distance education mode is one such form of imparting education that has adapted to the changing needs of the corporate world leaving old schools far behind.
The driving factor behind this change has no doubt been the necessities created by the corporate sector but institutions that have recognized the needs early and have adapted do deserve a lot of accolades. Take for instance the EduNxt platform provided by Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education. Apart from the authorized Learning Centre faculty, students can directly interact with university based faculty to clear doubts, get career guidance and project help at anytime and from anywhere. It’s just one of the distance learning advantages but no doubt the most important one as it has been able to severely bridge the gap of communication and increase interactivity.
Adding to the above, there is no form of distraction in the education mode. One can choose a convenient time to pursue a particular course. Working professionals have the added advantage of completing their higher studies like post graduation without worrying about leaving the job.
The stigma attached to distance education in India however, has to be removed. This mode of education deserves a fresher outlook. Today programs offered by the leading institutes are all approved and contents at par with regular colleges. Faculty support through technology has helped in increasing academic rigour and interactivity leading to more acceptance among industries.
Talking of industries, the markets are looking good and the storm has passed. There is huge demand across all sectors of IT for experts where the most potent weapon is previous work experience. The demand is likely to surge in the coming months especially in the field of Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS), ITes services and entry level jobs. Having that higher education degree and work experience will keep you ahead in the race at all times. If you choose distance education you can do both at the same time.
However, choosing an institute is never easy and one needs to look at several factors so that the degree and skills that you earn is most valued in the industry. Check for course approvals by DEC (Distance Education Council), long existence of the university, their promptness in addressing your queries and the skill sets they provide along with learning support materials. Choose the best since quality matters and the rest will follow.
(14 years in IT Industry. Currently HOD IT Dept. Sikkim Manipal University)
One sided approaches or one sided benefits are a thing of the past. It’s the age of multitasking and multifaceted personalities that click in the long run in today’s capitalist society. Distance education mode is one such form of imparting education that has adapted to the changing needs of the corporate world leaving old schools far behind.
The driving factor behind this change has no doubt been the necessities created by the corporate sector but institutions that have recognized the needs early and have adapted do deserve a lot of accolades. Take for instance the EduNxt platform provided by Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education. Apart from the authorized Learning Centre faculty, students can directly interact with university based faculty to clear doubts, get career guidance and project help at anytime and from anywhere. It’s just one of the distance learning advantages but no doubt the most important one as it has been able to severely bridge the gap of communication and increase interactivity.
Adding to the above, there is no form of distraction in the education mode. One can choose a convenient time to pursue a particular course. Working professionals have the added advantage of completing their higher studies like post graduation without worrying about leaving the job.
The stigma attached to distance education in India however, has to be removed. This mode of education deserves a fresher outlook. Today programs offered by the leading institutes are all approved and contents at par with regular colleges. Faculty support through technology has helped in increasing academic rigour and interactivity leading to more acceptance among industries.
Talking of industries, the markets are looking good and the storm has passed. There is huge demand across all sectors of IT for experts where the most potent weapon is previous work experience. The demand is likely to surge in the coming months especially in the field of Infrastructure Management Systems (IMS), ITes services and entry level jobs. Having that higher education degree and work experience will keep you ahead in the race at all times. If you choose distance education you can do both at the same time.
However, choosing an institute is never easy and one needs to look at several factors so that the degree and skills that you earn is most valued in the industry. Check for course approvals by DEC (Distance Education Council), long existence of the university, their promptness in addressing your queries and the skill sets they provide along with learning support materials. Choose the best since quality matters and the rest will follow.
Expert Speak: The World of Arts & Humanities
Dr. Shivram Krishnan
(HOD Arts & Humanities, SMU)
The exciting world of arts and humanities has existed since time immemorial albeit in different forms and genres. However it has always failed to garner the same level of attention of respect as compared to the more popular engineering and medical field. So before I delve further into the different aspects of A&H today, let me debunk a few myths:
Myth 1: Students who don’t get into engineering go for A&H. Dedicated people in A&H time and again have proved their love for this field. They do it because they want to and they love to. It’s their passion that keeps them going. I don’t think anyone can imagine a world without arts and humanities.
Myth 2: There is space for everyone in A&H. While it’s true that the present higher education scenario in the country allows only 10-15% of all students applying to get into engineering, it does not mean the rest 85-90% will go into arts field. There is ample competition in this field but the sad part is, it’s never highlighted.
Myth 3: Theory is all that is needed for A&H. In fact it’s just the opposite. While one needs basic theory, in all my years of experience in this field I have found that work experience is valued like Gold in this field. One can command the best salary and position with a few years of work experience under the belt rather than going on studying.
The last myth brings me to my next point in the discussion. Where ever you may take admission, make sure that the course is heavily skill oriented. All programs in Arts & Humanities have a skill based component and unless these are acquired you will be found lacking in the practical world. That’s why I personally recommend Distance Education mode for this stream. You can work while you study and institutions like Manipal equips the candidates with all the necessary skill sets needed.
Career Prospects: My strong suggestion to all students is to begin your career by completing your under-graduate degree. Then you must work in the field. While working you may pursue post graduation through distance mode which is the ideal option or you may work for a period of 1-2 years before pursuing post graduation. The industry as such is going to hire in a big way in the coming years. Individuals with skill sets and work experience will be preferred the most. The most likely fields that will see massive recruitments in near future are Fashion Designing, Communication, Writing such as for scripts or ads, Commerce such as banking and finance and Animation.
Be ready to put in the hard labour initially, excel on the job and success will follow…
(HOD Arts & Humanities, SMU)
The exciting world of arts and humanities has existed since time immemorial albeit in different forms and genres. However it has always failed to garner the same level of attention of respect as compared to the more popular engineering and medical field. So before I delve further into the different aspects of A&H today, let me debunk a few myths:
Myth 1: Students who don’t get into engineering go for A&H. Dedicated people in A&H time and again have proved their love for this field. They do it because they want to and they love to. It’s their passion that keeps them going. I don’t think anyone can imagine a world without arts and humanities.
Myth 2: There is space for everyone in A&H. While it’s true that the present higher education scenario in the country allows only 10-15% of all students applying to get into engineering, it does not mean the rest 85-90% will go into arts field. There is ample competition in this field but the sad part is, it’s never highlighted.
Myth 3: Theory is all that is needed for A&H. In fact it’s just the opposite. While one needs basic theory, in all my years of experience in this field I have found that work experience is valued like Gold in this field. One can command the best salary and position with a few years of work experience under the belt rather than going on studying.
The last myth brings me to my next point in the discussion. Where ever you may take admission, make sure that the course is heavily skill oriented. All programs in Arts & Humanities have a skill based component and unless these are acquired you will be found lacking in the practical world. That’s why I personally recommend Distance Education mode for this stream. You can work while you study and institutions like Manipal equips the candidates with all the necessary skill sets needed.
Career Prospects: My strong suggestion to all students is to begin your career by completing your under-graduate degree. Then you must work in the field. While working you may pursue post graduation through distance mode which is the ideal option or you may work for a period of 1-2 years before pursuing post graduation. The industry as such is going to hire in a big way in the coming years. Individuals with skill sets and work experience will be preferred the most. The most likely fields that will see massive recruitments in near future are Fashion Designing, Communication, Writing such as for scripts or ads, Commerce such as banking and finance and Animation.
Be ready to put in the hard labour initially, excel on the job and success will follow…
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Expert Speak: Distance Learning Only Solution to Knowledge and Skill Upgrade
Prof. Shanath Kumar
(19 years in IT, currently HOD Management & Commerce, SMU)
Gone are the days when one could take time off to upgrade one’s skills and consequently improve performance at the workplace. In today’s rocket age where an employee’s life virtually mirrors project delivery schedules, learning new skills and upgrading knowledge has become very much a part of the workflow process one follows in the office.
So, what does one do if truth dawns on us one day that our future growth depends solely on our ability to upgrade to the next level? From coding computer language to managing teams and from managing teams to presiding over a P&L centre is something that each of us needs to prepare for and seek out the skills for.
As a trainer who coached employees from a wide array of companies ranging from HP to Infosys, I have noticed that the only aspect that separates distance education vis-a-vis regular college is the academic rigour. Companies originally valued the latter because of the higher level of interaction and rigour involved. Today things have changed as virtual classrooms provide as much if not more of both these aspects.
Distance education today needs better synergy with the industry and this is where technology plays a major role. It can help reduce the distance between students and the faculty support more by way of interaction and inculcate academic rigour. Several institutions including the Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education have been regularly adding more industry oriented processes and practices to ensure that more people from the workplace have access to skill upgrades.
A word of caution for those seeking Distance Learning... students should take time to check the processes in place at these universities, the alumni support that they boast of and the online tools that they provide to encourage interaction and execution of academic rigour. One should keep in mind that integration of interaction between students and faculty is very crucial.
Distance Education is not just the choice for corporate India. Given that more than 60% of our population is young and seeking knowledge, and more than half of them reside in small towns and villages, how else can we impart the skills required to expand their careers? Therefore, DE is the only solution as it is both affordable and accessible.
From the corporate perspective, money is not a criterion and nor is access. But despite having both of these in abundance, they do not have the time to leave their jobs and complete additional courses. This is where distance education comes in handy and is the only way ahead if India is to have a constantly upgrading workforce, a pre-requisite for global success these days.
(19 years in IT, currently HOD Management & Commerce, SMU)
Gone are the days when one could take time off to upgrade one’s skills and consequently improve performance at the workplace. In today’s rocket age where an employee’s life virtually mirrors project delivery schedules, learning new skills and upgrading knowledge has become very much a part of the workflow process one follows in the office.
So, what does one do if truth dawns on us one day that our future growth depends solely on our ability to upgrade to the next level? From coding computer language to managing teams and from managing teams to presiding over a P&L centre is something that each of us needs to prepare for and seek out the skills for.
As a trainer who coached employees from a wide array of companies ranging from HP to Infosys, I have noticed that the only aspect that separates distance education vis-a-vis regular college is the academic rigour. Companies originally valued the latter because of the higher level of interaction and rigour involved. Today things have changed as virtual classrooms provide as much if not more of both these aspects.
Distance education today needs better synergy with the industry and this is where technology plays a major role. It can help reduce the distance between students and the faculty support more by way of interaction and inculcate academic rigour. Several institutions including the Sikkim Manipal University of Distance Education have been regularly adding more industry oriented processes and practices to ensure that more people from the workplace have access to skill upgrades.
A word of caution for those seeking Distance Learning... students should take time to check the processes in place at these universities, the alumni support that they boast of and the online tools that they provide to encourage interaction and execution of academic rigour. One should keep in mind that integration of interaction between students and faculty is very crucial.
Distance Education is not just the choice for corporate India. Given that more than 60% of our population is young and seeking knowledge, and more than half of them reside in small towns and villages, how else can we impart the skills required to expand their careers? Therefore, DE is the only solution as it is both affordable and accessible.
From the corporate perspective, money is not a criterion and nor is access. But despite having both of these in abundance, they do not have the time to leave their jobs and complete additional courses. This is where distance education comes in handy and is the only way ahead if India is to have a constantly upgrading workforce, a pre-requisite for global success these days.
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