Q. I am currently pursuing my BTech in E&C from NIT Kurukshetra. I wish to change my branch to IT in the second year. But I have heard that the IT branch of our college is not AICTE-approved. Is it so?
Dushdyani
A. Dush, you can change your specialisations, depending on your rank, seat availability and the institute’s policies. So if NIT KKR permits you can definitely change your stream. NITs are declared as institutes of National Importance by Government of India and have the status of a university. Universities do not need permission from AICTE to start new courses or branches. Yes, they still need government approval to start a new campus. So if the IT programme is within the same campus you can go ahead and join it. The degree would be recognised and valid.
Q. I am a student from Mumbai, Maharashtra. I have completed 10+2 and have appeared for my CET as well. Can I go for Aerospace Engineering after a BE in Mechanical Engineering?
Ammu
A. Ammu, aerospace is an exciting discipline. You can directly pursue the programme even at the BTech level. The best institution for the same is the Indian institute of Space Engineering, set up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Thiruvananthapuram. Alternatively you could go for a BSc in Sciences other than Biology, preferably Physics and then pursue a three-year BTech at the famous College of Engineering, Anna University (where Missile Man Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was trained). You can also pursue Aerospace Engineering as a specialisation at the MTech level. In that case you could look at going abroad for the same. British, French and other European universities have interesting programmes in this domain.
Q. Sir, I want to take admission in US for MS in mechanical trade. I want to know the best college, which has minimum fee and the procedure for admission. Can I get admission in a college like MIT for MS? Also want to know the total amount of money that I need for my studies.
Ashwini K
A. USA is an interesting place to pursue higher studies in engineering. It is impossible to zero down on the college with minimum fee, since US has over 3000 universities with their own affiliated colleges. But on an average it would cost you about 30-40 lakhs. However, at the Master’s level you will invariably get fellowship support, which might even cover the expenses. Do refer to our advice to Ammu on European universities and information on our website.
Q. I want to do petroleum engineering. I wanted to know the career opportunities and the best companies, as well as good colleges with good placements that are recognised for their petroleum engineering courses.
Rahul Dixit
A. Rahul, Careers360 did an extensive career review on petroleum studies institutions. Please refer to the November 2010 issue, and alternatively you could visit the Careers & Courses section on our website to read the full story.
Q. I completed my BTech in ceramic technology from a reputed government university in 2009. I have been working in a top tier IT company for the last 1.5 years. Is there is a possibility for me to switch back to the ceramic industry? I had chosen IT because I felt there were fewer opportunities in the ceramic industry. I had chosen ceramic to be in a different line and would like to seek a career in it. What are my opportunities?
Sujatha
A. Sujatha, ceramics, as you are aware is a specialised industry, and is still in its nascent stage in the country. It will take a few more years before industrial and household ceramic products pick up pace in India. So if the domain excites you sufficiently then you must make the switch, but be prepared for a slower and steady career progression in the field. On the other hand IT is still a fast growing field and would continue to grow for quite some time. So you have a large opportunity set and better choices.
Q. I am a third year student of BTech. I would like to know how I can do my industrial training. I currently do not know anything about it. Kindly guide me as to how and where I can get the required training.
G Garg
A. Industrial training normally is arranged by your institute’s placement office. If that does not seem to work, please do begin by looking at websites like Letmeknow or Btechguru which do announce project/internship opportunities. Yet another time-tested way is to make a nice CV and start applying to corporations in the vicinity of your college or hometown.
Q. My college has given me two streams and I have to choose one of them - software engineering or net-centric computing. Which has a better scope in India and Saudi Arabia?
Shadhab
A. Shadhab, at the undergraduate level, it is always better to go for broader subjects rather than very narrow specialisations. Net-centric computing appears futuristic, but its scope is quite restricted while software engineering provides a broader sweep of opportunities. You could not only find work in IT firms, you could also seek out firms which use substantial IT resources.
Q. Do UGC recognised private state universities require AICTE approval for a technical course like BTech?
Ramsi Karvar
A. No. All universities, whether central or state or public or private do not need AICTE approval to start any programme within their campus.
Q. Please explain admission procedure for BTech/ BE (petroleum engg) in RGIPT, Rae Bareli and MIT Pune.
Shashank
Shashank, to do a BTech from RGIPT, one needs to clear IIT-JEE where as for an MBA, appearing for CAT/JMET/GMAT is required. Click here to view details.To do your BTech at MIT, Pune one needs to appear for either MHT-CET or AIEEE depending on the category applied for. For more details visit website.