Solutions to cure loopholes in India's higher education system

Systemic changes in higher education need to be made not only at the policy level, but also at the implementation stage.
More...

Courses to take after class 10

As our young students bid farewell to school life after appearing for the class X SSC, CBSE and ICSE exam, a time of making life's first important decision awaits them. The stress faced by parents and students doesn't end with the last day of the exam. In fact many are readying for the tussle of getting the right college and most importantly, getting the right stream of choice. 

While a plethora of options are available, students and parents are confused about making the right choice. “I want to help in every possible way. My daughter wants to take up Fine Arts, but I want to guide her well and be sure that she is making the choices. Whether it is BA, BCom or BSc, or any vocational course, this decision will affect her education, job and thereon her life,”says Harshada Sahastrabudhe who's daughter just gave her CBSE exam. 

This dilemma is faced by many parents and students. Academicians and education experts explain that there is a lot of pressure on children to be successful in whatever field they choose. They feel that the three months post class X exam gives students a good amount of time to understand their true calling. According to career counsellor,  Anuradha Prabhudesai at Disha Counselling Centre, the time is just right to experience various courses so that after the two years of junior college, students are better prepared to decide on specialisations at graduate and post graduate level. 

“There are a host of technical and non-technical courses that students can pursue after giving their class X exam,” says Prabhudesai. She adds, “Over the past 10 years, students have begun to use these certificate/diploma courses to secure a lateral entry into degree courses”; The trend has been common among students who pursue engineering courses. “Engineering students quite often sign up for diploma courses and then transfer to a degree programme,” explains Prabhudesai. 

Many students along with their parents have already taken expert help. Students are seeking help from private counsellors to clear their confusion about the path ahead. “My parents want me to take up engineering and I have decided on fine arts”; states Palak Dhariwal, a class X student studying at a leading suburban school.

Courses in creative fields like music, painting etc do not admit students only marks, here it is the only requirement is the ability to perform in the area chosen. If you haven't already signed up for short term courses of various kind, DNA ACADEMY lists out some of the options that could interest you. 

Rhyme and Rhythm 

Music has always been a rage with students. Girls and boys carrying guitars is a common sight.  

For those who immerse themselves in Pt Ravi Shankar sitar, Zakir Husain tabla and Hariprasad Chaurasia's flute, the Mumbai University has been conducting a Bachelor of Music (BMs) course at its Churchgate campus for last few years. However, for our class X pass-outs the University conducts a two-year diploma course that is equivalent to the first two years of college. After completing this course students can also pursue post graduate courses like MMs and PhD in Music.

The Dancing Queen 

For those interested in Indian classical dance, the place to be is the Nalanda Nritya Kala Mahavidyalaya. The Mahavidyalaya has students from all across the world. The centre offers a five-year Bachelor in Fine Arts (Dance) after which a student can complete a Masters in Fine Arts (Dance) or a PhD in Dance.  Apart from the classical dance forms there is also a rising demand for contemporary dance forms. The city has many institutes  like Shaimak Davar Institute of Performing Arts, Danceworks and Expressions Modern Dance Company which trains students in modern dances, jazz, bollywood, hip hop, contemporary/classical ballet, salsa, ballroom, Argentine Tango and loads more. 

Joining the Glitterati 

Film-making and fashion is another field that has gained popularity. Students can opt for a number of industry-recognised diplomas that are being offered by several institutes. Here too percentage is not a criterion, students just need pass their SSC exam. All that is required is ability to work hard and creativity.  A new offshoot of film-making is the digital filmmaking course. This course trains students in a short span of one year on everything from conceptualising, scripting/story boarding, shooting, to casting, budgeting and editing. Some diplomas, like interior design, creative cinematography, 3D animation, fashion technology, basic and advanced editing, photography and ceramics and pottery are also becoming popular

Will it be da Vinci or Picasso? 

For students serious about the art of drawing and painting, the elementary and intermediate exams are a must. After clearing these exam, the option of a seat in JJ School of Art or SNDT University is open. However, students with class X certificate can only take a diploma as the Bachelors in Art and Painting requires one to hold a class XII certificate. So incase you haven't already decided what is the path you want to take, these three months is the best time for you to give yourself a chance and understand what is truly your calling.

Visit us at: http://www.careerpathways.co.in/

Scholarships in India

Inspire Scholarship

Stream for which it is offered:  Bachelor and masters level education in natural and basic sciences

Amount: Rs. 80,000/-

Deadline: not specified

Website: http://www.inspire-dst.gov.in/scholarship.html

Email Id: She.inspire-dst@nic.in

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fair and lovely scholarship

Stream for which it is offered: any graduate and post-graduate

Website: ww.fairandlovely.in/falfoundation

Amount:  upto Rs 1,00,00 per annum

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TOEFL Scholarship  

Stream/ University  for which it is offered: 9,000+ institutions 

Amount: 20 scholarships valued at US$3,000 and 1 scholarship valued at US$10,000

Website: www.ets.org/toefl/scholarships/

Deadline: End April

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gaurav Foundation  

Stream/ University  for which it is offered: Indian school/ college and college abroad  

Amount: Rs. 20,000/- (Per Year)- Max. Rs. 10,00,000/- (Per Year).

Website: http://www.gauravfoundation.org/scholarship.html

Deadline:  November 2014 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asha Shree Endowment

Stream for which it is offered:  Graduate or post-graduate professional degree courses [Medicine, Engineering, Pharmacy, Architecture, Law, etc.]

Amount: Rs. 50,000 per year

Deadline: Applications starts in august [for 2015]

Website: http://www.asha-shree.org/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation

Stream for which it is offered: Any field

Amount: Above $85,000 or equivalent.

Deadline: April 15^th

Website: http://inlaksfoundation.org/inlaks-scholarship.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Australian National University

Stream for which it is offered: Any Subject

Amount: Not specified

Deadline: September 2014

Website: https://students.anu.edu.au/scholarships/ug/fut/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

University of Leeds

Stream for which it is offered: Courses at University of Leeds.

Amount: More than £50,000 per scholar

Deadline: 30^th April

Website: http://www.leeds.ac.uk/info/20021/postgraduate/2012/postgraduate_scholarships

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Xi’an Jiao tong-Liverpool University Undergraduate Scholarship

Stream for which it is offered: Any of the courses at Xi’an Jiao tong Liverpool University

Amount: Will cover up to 50% Entry Scholarship (RMB 40,000/year)

Deadline: 30th April 2014.

Website: http://www.xjtlu.edu.cn/attachments/admissions/International-Student-Scholarship-Application-Guidelines-2014.pdf

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waterford Institute of Technology

Stream for which it is offered: Scholarships are awarded to learn any of the courses at Waterford Institute of Technology.

Amount: Awards will be valued up to 50% of the full fees for postgraduate programmes and 25% off each year of an undergraduate degree
Deadline: 31st of May, 2014

Website: http://www.wit.ie/international/admissions/scholarships

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland

Stream for which it is offered: Scholarships are available for pursuing undergraduate and postgraduate degree at Waterford Institute of Technology.
Amount: Awards will be valued up to 50% of the full fees for postgraduate programmes and 25% off each year of an undergraduate degree.
Deadline: 31^st May, 2014

Website:  http://scholarship-positions.com/wit-indian-wicket-scholarships-ireland-2014/2014/02/26/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

University College Dublin 

Stream for which it is offered: Graduate Taught Masters offered by UCD 

Amount:  5 scholarships will cover 50% of the tuition fee and 50 scholarships will cover €2,000.

Deadline: 30^th April

Website: http://www.ucd.ie/international/study-at-ucd-global/coming-to-ireland/scholarships-and-funding/gt-scholarships-and-funding/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Government of India

Stream for which it is offered: Any graduate and post graduate

Amount: course fee and maintenance allowance

Deadline: 30th of September every year.

Website: http://momascholarship.gov.in/minority_scholarship/internalIndex.jsp

For More Information Visit us at- careerpathways.co.in