Are you fresh out of a school or college or have completed your graduation and looking forward to enroll yourself for higher educational courses?
But do you know the options and choices that beckon you? Or which course should you choose, what institutes are good, what prospects does a particular course have and how to identify the best course/ institute?
B Mahesh Sarma, Editor, Careers360, answered these and other queries on best colleges and courses in India and abroad.
For those of you who missed the chat, here is the transcript.
arijit asked, Is there any university for doing MTech in IT or Computer Engineering through distance learning? Is Mtech in IT from Karnataka State Open University is approved?
mahesh sarma answers, at 2009-07-08 13:28:16arijit, ideally you should pursue an M.Tech in regular stream, since it is normally a reserach based degree. But yes open university degrees are valid for higher education. but industries do not treat it in the same manner as a distance learning one
anitadesai asked, hi mahesh, which college do you recommended for pursuing MBA in thane district...
mahesh sarma answers, hi ideally if you shortlist a few colleges in that area and send me an email i would be able to recommend one. of hand i can't think of any
College asked, How do you rate amrita university?
mahesh sarma answers, This is recent entrant as a university. some of the departments in some locations are good.
subodhbhargava asked, Sir, which is the best amongst these? Bits, Pilani or VJTI, Mumbai?
mahesh sarma answers, Both are quite good. Which dicipline are looking at
kacks asked, Sir,How do you rate MBE,DU for doing Mba? Iam a fresher in ECE with 96.5%ile.Should I join MBE or infosys and again give cat.
mahesh sarma answers, If you are getting a job ideally i would recommend you go for a job. work for two years and then give a shot at CAT. I would any day prefer a job to an MBE
Himanshu asked, Hi ,I am 6 years exp in Software development..Which is teh best Part Time MBA course in Delhi NCR ..Also Does part time MBA helps in our rapid growth ?
mahesh sarma answers, Himanshu, it depends on why you are doing an MBA. FMS Part time is tough to get in but good in reputation. IIM lucknow is starting one in noida from this academic year. But if it is competency that you want to build up them the two year PG offered by IIM Cal is the best bet
nutcracker asked, Mahesh how u will rate ICFAI, Hyderabad as an insitute for doing MBA?
mahesh sarma answers, hey this group is right now going through lot of turmoil. till it comes clean, i suggest you keep away. though some of it colleges are good, and IBS,hyderabad is one of them
Nagaraj asked, Dear Mahesh Sarma Which Colleages Best in Bangalore ?
mahesh sarma answers, Nagaraj for which dicipline
PagalAaadmeee asked, Mahesh, What important things we should see in the prospectus of a Managment Colleget to get Admission?
mahesh sarma answers, forget the prospectus. visit the campus. have a look at this http://www.careers360.in/advisory/story2/be-warned-cross-check-bef-ore-parting-with-your-money.html
Animesh asked, Is Global Open University is approved by UGC
mahesh sarma answers, is that the one nagaland
bharti asked, Good Afternoon Sir.Mine is a typical case n would be really greatful if you could give some valuable directions. I am working as a Technical Officer (B.E) in Central Govt. and of late have taken up Psychotherapy and Counselling as a matter of interest from Global Open University, Nagaland. I want to pursue as a career analyst/counselor..canyou pls . give suitable directions for this. Thanx.
mahesh sarma answers, Bharti, that is good initiative. the first thing to do is to build up a database of good instituions acorss diciplines. the second is to develop an empathy with the students.a nd the third and most important element is to be honest.
asma asked, my question is.i had done b.sc 1st year from lucknow.after 1st year i want admission in mumbaiin 2nd year.what can i do?
mahesh sarma answers, right now the regulations do not make life easy for you shift from one university to another.
soupayans asked, hi sir... i will be graduating from university of calcutta this year in computer science honours... what post graduate course would be better for me? MSc in Comp Sc or MCA??? please help... can you suggest me some colleges? i have got through MCA in VIT. is it advisable to study and persue my post grads there?...is it affiliated to AICTE??? ur suggestion would count a lot to me... many thanks.
mahesh sarma answers, An MSc is more suited if you are interested in reserach and teaching. An MCA is slightly more oriented towards a business career. Ideally you should look at RECs first. VIT is a nice teaching university. But i do not know much about their MCA placements.
Krutika asked, Hello Sir..I am currently studying in std 12 in a commerce college in Mumbai..I want to pursue corporate law.I would like to know : 1)is law after 12th a better option or after bcom? and 2)is it worth going to the nlsu bangalore or is the goverment law college in mumbai good enough. Thankyou
mahesh sarma answers, Krutika, NALSAR, NLSU, NUJS are wonderful colleges and best suited for 5 year courses. They must be your first bet.
khushi asked, Sir i am MBA finance (2006-2008 batch mumbai university) working as a equity research analyst but doing just secondary form of report and analysis i want o learn various financial models and spreadsheets preparation and application of these models practically. can u suggest me few books as very poor cant afford the further learning?
mahesh sarma answers, look at some of the freecourse ware on the web. This article http://www.careers360.in/advisory/story2/be-warned-cross-check-bef-ore-parting-with-your-money.html gives you enough information on different sites offering free courseware.
pras asked, sir, i have completed b.com and pgdbm and work experience of 14 years in sales, but i think i should do distance MBA. please advise and from where i am based in Pune.
mahesh sarma answers, na. that may not help very much since you already have a PGDM. But if you are particular then Symbiosis does offer a DL MBA programme
alpha asked, Hello Mahesh Sir... i am a 2009 passout.. I got placed in I Flex and Accenture but haven't received the joining dates from either. I am planning to give CAT this year, as I already had given it last year and got a decent percentile. I wanted to know whether i should wait for the joining dates and prepare for CAT or should I join some part time job or even a course and then give CAT... What would you advice me...
mahesh sarma answers, If money is not a constraint, i would advice you go ahead and give CAT a serious try. the market is not too exciting to enter at this moment.
SU asked, How is ICFAI distance MBA. Some of my friends advised me not to join this course. What is your advise?
mahesh sarma answers, They are legally approved by DEC though there is some problem with UGC regulation.
aditiy asked, hi..i have got selected in iiit delhi..n i m waiting fr dce counselling but i wud b getting branches like polymer sci,automation in dce..wch college should i opt for
mahesh sarma answers, IIIT Delhi is just begining. it would invariablly have all the teething problems associated with a start up. If DCE gives you a branch you are comfortable then you should go for it
Gambhir asked, i have done mca from ptu in distance education mode and know i want to do phd, so where i can do phd in punjab please suggest
mahesh sarma answers, Punjab University offers a phd programme. But the best places would be IITS, or IIIT bangalore or hyderabad
sanjita asked, What are the opportunities after doing MA in Education
mahesh sarma answers, Quite a few. With increased allocation to education in the next five years, this is a sector which will see lot of employment opportunities
meghavaibhav asked, hi i am having 5 yrs expereice in IT industry. I want to an Executive MBA from a reputed school. which schools you rate good for Executive MBA?
mahesh sarma answers, The best of course is ISB, but it is a full time programme. The IIMS comes next.
ramgopal asked, HI mahesh sharma: can you tell me best college in chennai for commerce course?
mahesh sarma answers, Loyola is the best bet. Vivekananda is traditionl but good. MCC is also a nice place.
Gambhir asked, what is the procedure of punjab university for phd and how i can find a guide for phd?
mahesh sarma answers, The university normally advertises in March/ April for admissions
sagarshaha11 asked, sir, i had completed my diploma in comp. engg from MSBTE board...i need to do a degree thru distance/correspondence...can u pls guide the correct college or similar course..thanks in advance please answer my question
mahesh sarma answers, Ideally you should look for a college that offers lateral entry for a BE programme. You can save an year and finish your degree in three years. Some of them even offer an evening programme so that you can continue working
ranawat asked, my son has completed his 12th Commerce in this year with second division, can you suggest better course for him i.e. B Com / BBA / BCA or Diploma in Hotel Management.
mahesh sarma answers, You must first ask your son what is that he would be comfortable with and wanting to do. and then identifying appropriate college or course would follow
vidi asked, Hi I am a CA and CISA..currently i am working with big4 company in the field of internal controls, ERP audits,SAP FICO, IT security etc. I look forward to do an MBA...and join management consulting in top firms..wht do you suggest..I have total of 5 years of experience..
mahesh sarma answers, Look at INSEAD, LSE, in europe, if not ISB in India
QSQ asked, IS NIT ROURKELA IS BETTER THAN KIIT BHUBANESWAR
mahesh sarma answers, I am not exactly aware about their relative merits. But definitely NIT would be value for money.
Gambhir asked, mahesh how can i find a university's education mode is valid or not, i mean is there a website which has purely updated list?
mahesh sarma answers, na if it is distance learning you will have to see www.dec.ac.in if it is a university then www.ugc.ac.in
nishanth asked, Hi Mahesh.. I am looking for a Masters Distance course.. i have completed my BCA, and would be going to UK next yr for MS computer science.. i wanted to do an online course of 1yr, to enhance my skill..
mahesh sarma answers, You could look at C-DAC, it offers good courses
Rajat asked, Hi Mahesh, which are the best colleges for advertising and PR in India?
mahesh sarma answers, Mudra ahmendabad is a specialised college for advertising.
rajesh asked, Sir, Im a professional working in a s/w field have done my engineeting in Computer Science. I want to persue Masters but without quitting my current job. Is there any evening college in BANGALORE which offers M Tech in Comp Sci ?
mahesh sarma answers, rajesh just mail me at editor@pathfinder360.co.in. i will let you know
jadavpur asked, what is best engineering college in west bengal?
mahesh sarma answers, IIT,Khargapur is the best
chemac asked, Which is better VJTI or BITS PILANI. I think i will get a better branch in VJTI eg electronics / comp than in BITS (electrical), what should be my choice in that scenario?
mahesh sarma answers, ideally you should prefer a better branch.
ramgopal asked, having B.com degree going for MBA or ICWAI which is the best ?
mahesh sarma answers, they are quite different. one is a specialised programme other a generic tool course. first make up your mind what is it excites you.
spi.sanju asked, I am having 4+ experience in research field......mainly in Information security field...i like to have a executive MBA...can u suggest me a few
mahesh sarma answers, this is a domain in which very few institutions have expertise in india. You sould look at Carnige mellon or Stanford
RAMACHANDRAN asked, Dear Sir, My son has applied for B.E. (Engineering) and he has got the counseling date for the same. At present, all I.T. companies are in a shaky condition. Kindly advise me to choose which branch of engineering my son can apply for so that he can get a better future. Sd/- R. RAMACHANDRAN
mahesh sarma answers, Ideally always prefer generic branches like electronics, mechanical or electrical. They give the candidate a wider choice. But mechanical demands a certain level of physical exhaution which is not there for teh other two.
bhnau asked, Dear Sir, I did My masters in Advanced materials( Metallurgical engineering B.Tech). I am Having small business doing technical sales and marketing in specilised softwares. I did it for 4 years so far. I want to do an MBA. Please suggest me where should I do whether in abroad or in India and In India technical marketing specilisation in MBA is there?If so Please suggest me one
mahesh sarma answers, bhanu off hand i cant give you an answer. just mail me at editor@pathfinder360.co.in. i will research and get back to you
RahulY asked, please mahesh give answer to my question i am waiting from 2 p.m. for the score of 90%tile in CAT which are the best colleges.
mahesh sarma answers, Rahul a 90% is qute a good score but not exceptional. All tier -1 colleges are not exactly a piece of cake at that score. For the rest is it is a question of elimination. If you give a me short list you are considering then i could advice you accordingly. Normally look for cost, reputation, level of placement, access and availability.
hello asked, I cleared the entrance for DAIICt gandhinagar...is it a good institue??
mahesh sarma answers, it is a good institution slightly expensive though.
Rajat asked, is IIMC at JNU a good college for advertising?
mahesh sarma answers, rajat, IIMC is in JNU campus. but is a different institution. It is more known for its journalism courses
rosy asked, Hi Mahesh, i am working in software company and is having 3 years of experience and will be going to pursue for Executive MBA. I had completed Bachelor in Computer Science and Engg. Which college would be better?
mahesh sarma answers, IIM, A, C do offer a good programme. also Check out MDI gurgaon
Venkatramani asked, MS in CS in US/Canada/Sweden Which among the three is best?
mahesh sarma answers, Depends on the institution.
vaibhav asked, Hi Mahesh, This is Vaibhav here. I am 6 years experienced. I am looking for 1 year MBA courses in India(not very costly)? Can you suggest some good options?
mahesh sarma answers, Vaibhav I year MBAs are usually very costly, especially the top ones. Can't think of any which comes less than 5-6 lakhs.
aj asked, hello sir,i m thinking of about taking admission in IIPM .....how is it....and hw are the placements their..?
mahesh sarma answers, please read http://www.careers360.in/cover-story/iipm---best-only-in-claims.html
mahesh sarma says, Okey, friends, it is time for me to log out. It was a pleasure interacting with you. You could always mail me at editor@pathfinder360.co.in. See you all soon
Mahesh Sharma edits Careers360, a complete career magazine.
