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MCA | Master of Computer Application

2010-08-23T10:46:19Z

Program Overview

In spite of the slow down in U.S. and other world economies, there is dearth of Software professionals all over the world. The globalization has a bigger impact on the software industry then any other industry. The Software industry has achieved the highest mobility of human capital in the last 2 decades.

With all these growth opportunities in the sphere, India is placed at the right place w.r.t. to the manpower for the software industry. We churn out the highest number of Software professionals than any other country; still the IT industry seems to be at a shortage of quality software professional. There is an overwhelming flow of jobs for a software professional in the IT industry.

A very common phrase going around among the IT professionals these days is “Which companies do you have an offer from? And which one are you joining”. For good software professionals the trends have changed, it is not the company that selects these guys; they choose the company and the price at which they want to join..

The MCA course is exclusively designed to meet the IT requirements of IT Trained Students for various organizations. The well balanced course significantly emphasizes on planning, designing and building of complex commercial application software and system software. The MCA program also places equal importance on the functional knowledge in various areas.

IAIT in collaboration with Sikkim Manipal University in Delhi and Dehradun has setup centers of excellence to provide quality education in the field of Information Technology through the Distance Education programs.

Program Objectives

Master of Computers Application (MCA) as it is known aims at realizing the following objectives-

Provide specialization in Management with technical, professional and communications skills

Train future industry professionals

Prepares students to take up positions as Project Managers, Program Managers, in any field related to Management and Operations.

Impart comprehensive knowledge with equal emphasis on theory and practice.

Keep the students up-to-speed on all the latest and cutting edge technologies.

Benefits and Goals

It can be done without compromising your existing job or occupation.

Since the study is to be done through Distance Learning, you can do it after your work hours at any time of your convenience. In this way, you continue to add on your work experience, and earn a degree at the same time.

It is a practical program because the nature of this course is such it is practically possible to conduct it through distance learning quite efficiently. Without compromising on the quality of education, it is possible to learn maximum even through weekend classes.

The cost of a distance learning program is usually less than a full time physical course at a school. For those candidates who are already paying some old education debt, a cheaper cost option will always help to cut down their expense and still receive a good knowledge and degree.

The distance learning program offers great flexibility in terms of the study hours and timings, online course material and e-books, and live interaction with the faculty. This way the gap between a full time program and distance learning program gets reduced when the faculty and study material is accessible to the students.

Eligibility

For normal entry a 3 year graduation is a must.

Duration

Master of Computer Application (MCA) is a three year Degree course and has an option for lateral entry wherein a student can enroll directly in the 2nd or the 3rd semester depending on the lateral entry criterion.

Program Structure and Lateral Entry

First Semester

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0061	Computer Programming “C Language”	4
MC0062	Digital Systems, Computer Organization & Architecture	4
MC0063	Discrete Mathematics	4
MC0064	Basic Web Development (Internet, HTML,Stylesheets & Basics of Multimedia)	4
MC0065	Financial Management & Accounting	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	20

Lateral entry to the second semester of MCA

Eligibility: You are eligible for a Lateral entry to the second semester of MCA if you hold a 3 year graduation and six month Computer course from a reputed institution.*.

Note: In this Lateral Entry Scheme, students have to appear and pass the First Semester Examination. Books of First semester will be supplied by the University and Internal Assessment will be completed at the Learning centre.

Second Semester

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0066	OOPS Using C++	4
MC0067	Database Management System (DBMS and Oracle 9i)	4
MC0068	Data Structures Using C	4
MC0069	System Analysis & Design (SAD)	4
MC0070	Operating Systems with Unix	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	40

Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications [PGDCA]

PGDCA is an initiation program for students who want to become skillful and knowledgeable IT professionals. The program gives fundamental knowledge of computers, operating systems, internet, computational techniques, file & data structure and the core of programming. After successful completion of the first two semesters of MCA, if a student wishes to discontinue the program, such a student shall be awarded the Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications [PGDCA] as an exit qualification.

Re- entry to third semester of MCA/MScCS

Eligibility	You are eligible for a Re-entry to third semester of MCA if you hold a PGDCA of SMU
Minimum duration	2 years ( 4 semesters )
Maximum duration	4 years
Note:	A maximum gap of one year is allowed for the student to get admitted under this scheme after completion of PGDCA.

Provision for lateral entry to the third semester of MCA

You are eligible for a Lateral entry to the 3rd semester of MCA

BCA / BSc (IT/CS/AIT) / BE in (IT/CS/E&C/E&E) / BTech in (IT/CS/E&C/E&E) from a recognized University.
This category is not eligible for exit qualification for MScCS.
3 year graduation with PGDCA/PGDIT or equivalent from a recognized University/successful completion of A level
course (Computers) from DOEACC after graduation.
3 year graduation with 2 year diploma from CMC/ET&T/NIIT/APTECH/ 2 years Advanced Diploma in IT from
Centre for Electronic Design and Technology of India (CEDTI). This category is not eligible for exit qualification for MScCS.

Note – In this Lateral Entry Scheme, students have to appear and pass the Second Semester Examination. Books of second semester will be supplied by the University and Internal Assessment will be completed at the Learning center.

Third Semester

Fourth Semester

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0071	Software Engineering	4
MC0072	Computer Graphics	4
MC0073	System Programming	4
MC0074	Statistical & Numerical Methods using C++	4
MC0075	Computer Networks	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	60

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0076	Management Information Systems	4
MC0077	Advanced Database Systems	4
MC0078	Java Programming	4
MC0079	Computer Based Optimization Methods (Statistics / Applied OR)	4
MC0080	Analysis & Design of Algorithms	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	80

Master of Science in Computer Science | MScCS

After successful completion of the first four semesters of MCA, if a student wishes to discontinue the program, such a student shall be awarded the Master of Science in Computer Science (MScCS)
Eligibility	MScCS of SMU ( Revised Fall 2007)
Minimum duration	1 year ( 2 semesters )
Maximum duration	2 years
Note	A maximum gap of one year is allowed for the student to get admitted under this scheme after completion of MScCS.

Fifth Semester

Sixth Semester

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0081	. (DOT) Net Technologies	4
MC0082	Theory of Computer Science	4
MC0083	Object Oriented Analysis & Design using UML	4
MC0084	Software Project Management &Quality Assurance	4
MC0085	Advanced Operating System(Distributed Systems)	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	100

Sub.Code	Title	Credits
MC0086	Digital Image Processing	4
MC0087	Internetworking with TCP/IP	4
MC0088	Data Mining	4
MC0089	Project	8
MC0085	Advanced Operating System(Distributed Systems)	4
	Total Cumulative Credits	120

Provision for lateral entry to the second semester of MCA

Accelerated MBA in 18 months

2010-08-19T07:41:50Z

The lateral entry program has made it possible for a professional to complete their MBA program in flat 18 months. All you need to do is fulfill certain criterions. Listed below are the eligibility criteria for a person to qualify for a Lateral Entry MBA program. The student needs to qualify for any one of these.

1. A 3-year Graduation course and a min of 3 years at a managerial/supervisory position thereafter.

2. A 3-year Graduation course with 6 month Management Diploma from an institution and a min of 1 year at a managerial / supervisory position thereafter

3. BBA / BBM from a recognized University

4. 3-year Graduation with PGDBA from AICTE recognized institution

5. For an MBA in Healthcare, a MBBS / BDS / B.PHARM / BHMS / BAMS / BUMS / BSSM/BVSc/4 year graduation in Allied Health Science / Life Science graduates from a recognized University.

Lateral Entry is also available for other programs such as MCA, BCA, etc. For more details on the Lateral Entry program, you can read our earlier blog on Lateral entry, or give us a call at 9810505801/011-43055468 for more information.

IAIT has partnered with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide MCA course. There is a lateral entry option available for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call at 9810505801/011-43055468 for more information.

India needs more Software Professionals!!

2010-08-18T06:50:44Z

A very common phrase going around among the IT professionals these days is “Which companies do you have an offer from? And which one are you joining”. For good software professionals the trends have changed, it is not the company that selects these guys; they choose the company and the salary at which they want to join.

The fact that industries in India and abroad have been placing the MCA students on regular basis is testimony to the quality of course and its students. This is just about the right time for any person looking for a career in software to join the band wagon.

A three year MCA course is not just a postgraduate course; it is also a complete professional grooming for students for a successful career in the IT Industry. The programs thrust is on giving the students a thorough and sound background in theoretical and application-oriented courses relevant to the latest computer software development. The program also emphasizes the application of software technology to solve mathematical, computing, communications/networking and commercial problems.

New B.Tech Course By KSOU

2010-08-17T19:56:03Z

Students who are not able to make it to technical courses like B Tech in various streams are usually demoralized that they might not ever make it in the industry as an engineer and eventually changes the course of their career..Although not being able to secure a regular seat counts as a drawback, definitely does not spell the end of the world.The Distance Learning program is a good alternative as it will impart them excatly same knowledge and training as any regular engineering student.

For a student pursuing BTech through distance, the benefits are equal to his counterpart pursuing a regular degree. Karnataka State Open University offers the distance learning BTech (IT) course through us – IAIT, a premier institute with branches in Delhi and Dehradun.

Distance learning has some benefits which usually remain hidden commonly, but are definitely beneficial in the long run. The student will be able to learn all the nitty-gritties and techincalities of the degree through the medium of comprehensive study material dispatched at regular intervals supplemented with weekend lectures which make up for classroom experience too. The classroom lectures are very exhaustive and the all round training of the student is given prime importance. The students are a given a fair exposure of the industry mechanisms too with regular guest lectures by eminent faculty that ensures the conditioning of the candidate for the job profiles available.

The teaching of the course is kept the same way as is its practical application in the industrial sectors. The students are prepared in a manner so that they achieve the standards of excellence.The course is set apart with intensive & regular teaching modules and industrial training oppurtunities.

The course has been designed with the objective of coupling excellence with simplicity. It will be an enriching and rewarding experience for the candidates who enroll.

IAIT has partnered with the Karnataka State Open University to provide the B.Tech (IT) and many other Distance Learning courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Working and Studying

2010-08-13T08:59:51Z

From the perspective of an ordinary employee; learning, knowledge and skills should fall in line prior to deployment. Ideally this is how the scenario should play out, but that is rarely the case. However, there are instances where learning and working go hand in hand together. Because of the tight situations in their preferred area of employment, many people chose to work while learning or vice versa. The arrangement is based on their own assessment and schedule. For example, because of the combination of work and learning, an individual often chooses to divide his time between working and learning. The arrangement may turn out to be work in day and school at night (or vice versa), and it can be also working on weekdays and schooling in weekends (or vice versa). It is believed that these arrangements can create a significant influence on the work conditions and generate an impact in an individual’s performance at work.

There are two sides to the coin as discussed below:

The Employee Perspective:

The employees are expected to finish their respective courses to gain their academic credentials. It is essential for every employee to have their own foundation of learning, not only to help their employers or the entire organization but rather, for their own growth as an individual and on their career. It is a very good start for an employee to have his own background regarding the nature of his work in an organization because it can definitely give him the edge to compete within the organization. Having the academic knowledge, skills and other working capabilities are such great advantage for the organization because it is the most influential factor in improving the performance at work.

The Student Perspective:

Students who start earning while studying seem to enjoy the best of everything. They get their education and at the same time are able to keep their jobs and get a paycheck. In fact, this is one of the more prominent benefits of the courses that allows students to learn while they earn that attracts many students to make these courses their choice of education. In addition to that, these students also gain the advantage of flexibility where they are able to study at their own pace without adhering to class schedules.

Finally, although this type of learning while you are earning simultaneously is a great and effective learning concept. Much of its effectiveness is dependent on the habits and determination of the individual. The full advantages of these courses can only be gained through hard work, discipline and determination for success.

These courses which enable the executives, business professionals and managers of various organizations to enhance their careers and look for growth prospects are mainly framed for professionals to hone their skill sets. The level of knowledge and experience that the students bring into this program makes it different from the other general courses.

Keeping in line with the above mentioned philosophy, IAIT has partnered with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide many Distance Learning courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Why an Engineering Degree?

2010-08-11T11:37:18Z

The word Engineer literally means: to make things happen. Engineers convert science knowledge into technology, and then convert technology into successful innovation. So in choosing to study Engineering, you are choosing to help build our future.

Does that sound appealing? Read on.

With Engineering, you can get a career that is creative, sometimes demanding too, but always and always very interesting. Do you enjoy challenges, doing something out of the box, something new every single time, do you like to solve problems, work on cutting edge technologies? If you answered all those in yes then, read on.

We’ve already seen that engineers do great things for us and for the planet as a whole. Now let’s look at what Engineering can do for you and your future. Engineering qualifications are not only well regarded, they are also highly portable. An engineer always has a whole lot of options, look at the IT sector these days; we see a huge mix of engineers, Mechanical, Electrical, Electronics and of course Computer Science. An engineering degree removes all boundaries; an engineer can go for an MBA and get into people management more smoothly than anyone else.

Before we go any further and talk about Career Planning, let’s just look at the change in the job scenario in the last decade:

Growth of service sector, especially the IT sector. In spite of the recent recession in the US economy, IT has been growing at an explosive rate with the requirement for skilled manpower in this sector desperately falling short of demand. As a result, countries that face such a shortage are busy recruiting manpower (on work permits) from countries, which have an adequate supply. India being a prime source of skilled manpower is positioned at a good place right now.
Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization (LPG) are opening new opportunities for different people, especially for people with the right technical skills. Never ever has there been a better time for engineers. The gap between the demand and supply has widened and it’s time for India to cash in on this opportunity.
Opportunities for engineering graduates have never looked better. There is a nationwide shortage of qualified engineers, and not only are graduates in high demand, they’re commanding high salaries too. In fact, engineering graduates are amongst the first employed and best paid of all university graduates.

Further Studies:

If you prefer to continue to study, you can do post graduate courses and then obtain a Ph.D. You have lots of options during this P.G course like M.S/ M.Tech, IAS/IPS, Navy/NDA and Finance related courses like MBA.

So where you’ll end up 10 years after graduation can be hard to predict, but here are a few possibilities:

Start your own company
Complete postgraduate qualifications that will take you into new and even more specialist spheres
Travel the world, working as a consultant
Working as senior manager or even CEO in a large company, in India or maybe overseas.
Regardless of what you chose to do with an Engineering degree under the belt, you can be rest assured that you would be placed at a very comfortable position.

IAIT in collaboration with Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Delhi and Dehradun has setup centres of excellence to provide quality education in the field of Engineering, we offer Graduate courses like Bachelors of Technology (BTech) in Information Technology and Masters of Technology (M.Tech) in Information Technology.

About Lateral Entry Into MBA

2010-08-10T07:29:27Z

People having special interest in their professional development sometimes don’t have enough time to leave their respective jobs to pursue higher studies that would catapult them to a higher ground. They want to minimize the time spent in pursuing full time studies. Especially for such professionals/individuals, courses allowing lateral entry are boon from the heavens. It is an option that provides an opportunity for skilled individuals with proven and demonstrated subject knowledge skills to delay their entry into the respective courses and gain valuable time for their organizations and themselves.

These individuals need more time to plan their studies and would want to extract maximum growth by devoting minimum time. Offering lateral entry to these individuals can ease their life and can prove to be the most benign incentive to talented professionals.

Simply put, a lateral entry to an MBA allows a professional to delay his/her admission to the course by one semester and join directly into the second semester. This is of course, designed to provide greater flexibility if the individual clears the examinations for the first semester at a later stage. It is very easy to get lateral entry in some specific courses. Some courses have just minimal requirements built into them like having scored a minimum required marks percentage and having some specific years of experience or another minimal set of qualifications pertaining to the discipline.

Individuals who meet these requirements can take advantage of this golden opportunity and can get more time to devote to their professional and personal commitments and then get an entry into the course of your choice at a lateral stage.

The advantages are two-pronged as organizations are now required to give a lesser duration of study leave to their employees. Thanks to lateral entry programs, now-a-days organizations are willingly encouraging their employees to take a sabbatical to study and enhance their skills and knowledge base. A win-win situation for all!

IAIT has partnered with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide many MBA courses with lateral entry for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Soft Skills – Must for everyone

2010-07-31T18:57:56Z

A degree from IIT and an MBA from IIM does not guarantee a person a job of his/her choice unless that person has a little something extra; something that others do not have or have it in slightly lesser in capability.

So, what is this something extra? What is it that makes a person with lesser academic percentages stand a little bit taller than his peers?

Well the answer is pretty simple, it is Soft Skills.

Soft skills play a vital role in professional success; they help you excel in the workplace and their importance cannot be denied in this age of information and knowledge. Good soft skills, which are in fact scarce in the highly competitive corporate world helps you stand out in a milieu of routine job seekers with mediocre skills.

Many people define a good attitude as a behavioral skill that simply cannot be just plugged in. In my view, it can be developed through continuous training and mentoring. What needs to be understood is that your responsive nature is all about looking at things with the right perspective and the trainings only help you develop these skills.

Having said so much in favor of soft skills, my intention is never to undermine the importance of technical skills. It’s nearly impossible for a person to survive in the profession without sound technical skills. What I intend to challenge here is a popular myth: Technical skills and only technical skills makes a complete professional.

I firmly believe that both technical and soft skills complement each other and the balance between these two is what makes a complete professional. Now, let’s have a look at the various soft skills that make up a successful professional.

Over a series of blog posts I would highlight some key soft skills that are absolutely mandatory for any person to have if he/she wishes to climb the ladder of success in this highly competitive corporate world. In these individual posts I would delve into greater details on each of the skills.

At IAIT, we have realized that the current economic development trends are not sustainable and that public awareness, education and training are the key elements to move our society towards sustainability. Keeping in view the importance of soft skills, IAIT offers free soft skill classes every weekend for all students.

IAIT has Soft Skills trainers on board with vast experience in conducting programs for the corporate world.

Why Distance Education?

2010-07-30T09:48:56Z

If you are a busy professional who aspires to earn higher degrees to advance your career and enrich your knowledge, distance learning is perhaps the best option for you. Without compromising on your existing schedule, you can fulfill your dream through the distance learning programs. Programs could be pursued in a self-designed way and the degrees that you will earn, are equally regarded as the campus programs.

Distance learning programs are available for almost all areas of study. Professionals can opt for the programs of their choice and earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

Courses are offered in different modes, which the student can opt for, for example a student can decide to have classes through out the week and pursue distance education like a full time course, also, in case of time crunch a student can opt for weekend classes or on a self study mode.

With some universities, courses are offered in a virtual classroom setting that could be accessed from anywhere, anytime via computer and internet connection. Prime example of such an initiative being Sikkim Manipal University (SMU), which provides all its study material online, it also employs high-end interactive tools that allows the students to chat with the instructors and peers.

Whether you are looking for a rewarding career in the vast and intriguing field of science, or in the ever growing domain of Management or in the domain of arts and humanities or you want to be a journalist or a health care administrator, you will always find a program of your choice in Distance Learning.

Several prestigious colleges and universities offer distance learning based degrees to the students. International Academy of Information Technology offers degree courses from Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and Karnataka State Open University. A degree from these esteemed institutions will give a zing to your existing career and facilitate you to achieve your career goal.

IAIT has partnered with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide many Distance Learning courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Boost Your Career – Finance

2010-07-29T00:36:51Z

In the third part of our ongoing “Boost Your Career” series, we take a detailed look into the Financial sector and the importance of a degree in finance to your career.

Finance — the sector most battered by the global meltdown — is making a comeback. Financial heavyweights are flexing their muscles once again on Day Zero. Names currently doing the rounds are Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase, Credit Suisse, UBS, HSBC, RBS, Barclays, Bank of America – Merrill Lynch, Nomura and many more.

There are a plethora of roles and opportunities in the financial sector for the right candidate. A specialized course in finance can offer numerous possibilities and can be an effective tool to help with your promotion in an organization. Most prospective jobs for finance professionals fall within investment banks, corporations, and securities firms. Financial analysts and mangers play an important part in mergers and global financing and expansion. Highly specialized knowledge in these areas is an important asset to the financial manager and his or her employer to maximize potential profit and reduce risks. Many companies utilize globally active consulting firms exclusively for these purposes. Accounting managers working in a corporate setting perform responsibilities relating to tax reporting and management, and creating income statements inside of controller and audit groups. This career path may bring one to the positions of corporate treasurer, corporate controller, or a CFO (chief finance officer).

Job Prospects:

Areas like traditional banking with specific knowledge of leasing and derivative products, fixed income and credit derivatives hold a lot of promise for finance graduates. Opportunities for fresh graduates exist in traditional finance areas – finance departments, audit and taxation, banks, management consulting and public services – both in professional practice and industry.

Needless to say that there is a huge section of the corporate world that believes that finance professionals tend make better CEOs. Undoubtedly, competent and enterprising finance professionals are a captive requirement to keep the wheels of corporate businesses turning.

The need and necessity for financial expertise is critical for success of business and cannot be substituted. In the present market, niche finance skills are still very much sought after.

IAIT has partnered with the Sikkim Manipal University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide specialized MBA courses on finance for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Boost Your Career – Retail Management

2010-07-28T03:41:41Z

In the second part of our ongoing “Boost Your Career” series, we take a detailed look into the Retail Management sector and the how an education in retail management can give wings to your career.

The rapid growth of the retail sector and its deep penetration in various parts of the country within a very short span of time has been nothing short of a revolution. In order to cater to the manpower needs of the retail industry various retail management courses are being launched by several business schools in India. As the sector is booming in India, a career in retail sector promises good wages and growth potential for the ambitious youngsters. There is a growing demand for the retail management professionals to process all merchandise shipments, to achieve store sales and profitability, for administration of stores as well as effective communication with the clients.

The candidates are trained in supply chain management, finance management, marketing information, electronic retailing, marketing and business communication, customer relationship etc. Numerous jobs are available in music stores, books and publishing industries, shopping malls, multiplex, processed food industry and garment industry. With rapidly expanding departmental stores and huge shopping malls, plenty of job opportunities are opening all over India. An estimated growth rate in retail sector in India has been about 30-40% with establishment of more than 200 shopping malls. It is estimated that the retail sector will create over 13 million jobs throughout the country by 2012. More than 60% of these jobs will be available in the rural areas.

Many multinational companies are now a part of the retail bom. Reliance Group, ITC Retail, Aditya Birla Group, Tata Groups Trent & Westside, Subhiksha, Shoppers Stop, Future Groups Big Bazaar & Pantaloons, Apparel Chains, Raymond’s, Arvind Brands, Lifestyle International, Spencers etc. are some of the top companies that you stand a chance to work with.

A career in retail management offers affluent employment opportunities for talented youth. Basic educational qualifications, good interpersonal skills and an analytical mind are needed to shine in this line of work. Those who wish to be in this field must be creative and should have new ideas to promote their business. The economic boom and the enormous expansion in the retail sector make this career most sought after. India is one of the top ten emerging retail markets all over the globe. There are approximately 4.3 million retail outlets spread over the nation, which require about 3.25 million retail personnel at present. With such a huge potential retail management offers limitless job opportunities in supply chains, exporting houses and departmental stores. Manufacturing companies also recruit retail managers to reach out to the customers directly. Banking, finance and insurance companies also need professional retail managers to bring their products directly to the customer. IT and IT enabled services companies particularly in the field of telecommunication also require large numbers of retail mangers considering the recent boom in this sector. Besides these education and health care industry also absorb a large number of retail managers. Retail Management graduates normally start with a salary of Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 per month in private sector. With some quality experiences in retailing one can easily reaches up to 6-figure pay packages.

IAIT provides specialized Retail Management courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Boost Your Career – IT and Animation

2010-07-27T10:30:09Z

In response to numerous queries posted by students to IAIT we have prepared a “Boost Your Career” series of posts to answer your questions in one place in a convenient format.

Part One, of this on going series takes a look at the Information Technology and Animation sectors. Read on to get your queries answered. Please feel free to give us a call for more information.

Information Technology

Increasing presence of multinationals like IBM and HP has made possible transfer of software technology into the country while Internet has further bridged the time gap ensuring arrival of the latest technology simultaneously in India and the West without delay. The domestic software industry has witnessed quantum growth in its turnover and profits, which is largely attributable to our liberalized economy. On the software front various software giants like IBM, Motorola, Oracle, Samsung, HP, Digital, Unisys, AT&T, ICL, and Fujitsu etc. have opened software development centers in the country. The number of professionals in this industry is believed to have crossed the 1 million mark (2004-05) and still there is a huge gap between the demand and supply of professionals is an encouraging sign. Information technology, while an important area of study in its own right, is having a major impact across all curriculum areas. Easy worldwide communication provides instant access to a vast array of data, challenging assimilation and assessment skills.

IAIT has partnered with the DOEACC Society, Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide courses on Information Technology for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Animation

One of the biggest challenges that the animation industry is currently facing is the huge demand-supply gap. This has mainly been due to the non-availability of adequate human resources for the animation industry. Therefore, there is a great demand for animation jobs in India. According to a NASSCOMM report, India’s animation market increased to USD 950 million by 2009 (from USD 285 million in 2005). Along with the animation industry, the gaming industry is also expected to witness a major growth. The demand for animation artists comes at present mainly from the entertainment sector – films and television channels. However, demands are also expected to come from e-learning sector in the immediate future. The entry of some big companies like Reliance into media sector is also expected to give a boost to the already booming animation industry in India.

Skills Required: Most animation institutes seek to impart the basic skills required to get a job in the animation industry. However, the most important thing in animation is the knack of portraying ideas and emotions and making them visually attractive. Thus apart from having the will to nurture the creative streaks, knowledge of fundamentals of visual communication, iconography, image processing tools, the nature of electronic media and the art of storytelling are very important. Success in the animation industry would mainly depend on the willingness to put the hard work and the love for the medium.

Scope of animation jobs: Animation jobs in India are high in demand for production work coming from various foreign companies and domestic TV channels. With the growth of the industry, work in postproduction area is expected to be open up even more. As the size of the global animation industry is huge, good animation artists can also look for jobs abroad.

At IAIT, we have specialized Animation and Multimedia courses where students are trained as per the latest trends in Animation Industry. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Distance Learning – No Longer a Refuge for Average Scorers

2010-07-26T03:56:31Z

As a force contributing to social and economic development, open and distance learning is fast becoming an accepted and indispensable part of the mainstream of educational systems in both developed and developing countries, with particular emphasis for the latter. This growth has been stimulated in part by the interest among educators and trainers in the use of new, Internet based and multimedia technologies, and also by the recognition that traditional ways of organizing education need to be reinforced by innovative methods, if the fundamental right of all people which is ‘to learn’ is to be realized.

More and more traditional universities are rapidly transforming themselves from single mode to dual mode universities, recognizing the importance of distance education in providing students with the best and most up-to-date educational resources available in addition to the traditional teaching methods that they receive.

Distance Learning has no longer remained a refuge for average scorers. Now for the student/learner open and distance learning means increased access and flexibility as well as the combination of work and education. It may also mean a more learner-centered approach, enrichment, higher quality and new ways of interaction. For employers it offers high quality and usually cost-effective professional development in the workplace. It allows upgrading of skills, increased productivity and development of a new learning culture. In addition, it means sharing of costs, of training time, and increased portability of training. It is more than ever clear that open and distance learning will be an important element of future education and training systems. It is approaching acceptance within mainstream education and training in such a way that it will make up part of the repertoire of most educational institutions in the future.

The emergence of new forms of distance learning based on new information and communication technologies in particular those supported by the Internet and using the World Wide Web, has significant pedagogical, economic and organizational implications. Furthermore, there is a significant trend towards intensifying globalization. Institutional and inter-governmental co-operation is increasing, and the global classroom has been realized in quite a number of projects, particularly in connection with emerging global communications networks.

Recognizing the significance of continuing education for the working executives, the top institutes in India offer customized Distance Learning Programs. These courses are thoughtfully designed so that the professionals can handle the challenges of the real business world better and provide insights on management concepts and other key areas related to operations and functional world.

How MBA Adds Value to Your Knowledge

2010-07-23T16:10:57Z

After passing through whirlwind of school and college days, loads of interviews and then landing a job, many people tend to think that they have reached a saturation point where their career progress has reached a halt and growing at a very slow pace. In this competitive world, where there is an oasis of opportunities outside, they don’t feel comfortable sitting at their desk and waiting for an opportunity to knock at their door one fine day. It makes sense that we stand up and make ourselves worth grabbing the opportunities. One of the critical differences, apart from the obvious job experience, between you and your boss who is just 3-4 yrs older than you and still adding more zeroes than you in his paycheck is an MBA degree.

Importance of an MBA degree in today’s time cannot be understated. Even now-a-days, in many industries it has become essential to have MBA degree to land a good opportunity for instance in Finance or Consultancy. An MBA degree has raised the level of standards of generic qualification. It reflects that you have the capability to study at a higher level and that you are quite serious about your professional life and career growth. It brings one to the notice of Senior Management that you are capable of handling senior roles now. Most employers allow you to move beyond a certain career stage only if you have an MBA to show.

What you learn at an MBA school goes much beyond just theoretical knowledge, rather the school equips you to handle and manage your professional and personal life effectively. MBA schools leverage standardized and time-tested curricula that have been designed to enable you to move on to the next level. Also, it is a general belief that an MBA graduate has the ability to think out of the box and is in sync with the bigger picture, which is true to a great extent.

In the modern scenario, not only acquiring knowledge, but also knowledge sharing is very crucial for success of your organization. Due to the globalization of economy, rapid growth in information technology, increase in knowledge based work and competition pressure, the concept of knowledge management has gained momentum in recent years. And a specialized course like an MBA teaches you the correct implementation of knowledge sharing at your workplace and in personal life. Through internships, assignments, group discussions and group-assignments involved in the MBA curriculum, you will learn a lot about team building, team management, and significance of organization culture. These factors tend to weigh in more than your actual knowledge on your selected subject matter sometimes.

An MBA degree fosters innovation while allowing free flow of ideas. This degree can prove to be a tool that can transform knowledge into business values and in turn push your career to greater heights.

IAIT provides distance MBA courses, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

How To Choose The Right MBA School?

2010-07-21T01:23:36Z

Since our childhoods, one of the proverbs we are probably most acquainted with is ” Look before you leap.” In this article, we will be talking about doing effective research before choosing an MBA college.

Criteria to choose the right MBA School

We believe that certain parameters should be analyzed before joining an MBA school. The parameters should be unique pedagogy, code of conduct, updated curriculum, faculty, infrastructure, alumni and placements. These are the parameters you should judge before you choose an MBA school.

It makes good sense to visit a campus before taking the admission in an MBA school. It gives you the idea whether the MBA school fulfills all the above-mentioned parameters or not. A good MBA school teaches you how to think, cross-functional competence, functional domain knowledge and team work.

Try visiting the institute’s website and interact with concerned people. With the help of the Internet, one can easily search the sites of various Indian as well as international management institutes. Likewise you can also get information about the alumni: these guys are important because they studied in that particular institute and would be more than happy to share their experiences. Try to talk to the faculty, the alumni and recruiters.

Some other important points to keep in mind are that there should be no ambiguity in the aspirant’s mind with respect to his areas of interest vis-à-vis the courses offered by the school. Student profile should not be ignored. Also, if you are a working professional you should look up if the school provides distance education modules or not. Going for a distance education while working generally turns out to be one of the best decisions one takes.

Always remember, that not everyone can make it through the IIMs. If you can’t make it to IIMs, it would be a wise decision to join a good MBA School, which is AICTE approved and has an established track record.

IAIT conducts MBA (regulfaar and distance) courses in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University.

We also have a specialized course in Health Care management that is fully recognized by UGC, DEC and the Government of India. Eligibility criteria: MBBS/BDS/BPHARM/BHMS/BAMS/BUMS/BSSM/BSc/4year graduation in Allied Health Science/Life Science Graduates.

Check out our website or give us a call for more information.

Career In Human Resource Management

2010-07-20T15:54:29Z

Human Resources Management – Human Resource or the manpower of a company, plays a key role in the organization’s development with their skills and creativity. A career in human resources involves helping an organization manage its people. This includes hiring, training, compensation, administering benefits and handling the informational side of people management. Human resource managers are frequently in top management roles and are critical to the success of any company. To excel in this role you have to be sensitive to the needs of the other departments and see their perspective. You need to be able to see the big picture to help sell ideas to the other functional managers and to serve them as internal clients. Also, human resource management positions tend to be well paying and rewarding with reasonable opportunities for career advancement.

This is an exciting career area that attracts people who are sensitive, big picture, team-oriented, extroverted and honest. On the other hand, because human resources jobs support more visible functions in the company, they are not for people with huge egos and a strong need to be center stage.

The field of human resources management offers a rich set of potential career options. These include:

Recruiting and Placement Managers
Development and Training Specialists
Compensation specialists
Health, Safety, and Security Specialists
Benefit specialists
Employee and Labor Relations Supervisors
Other HR Specialists

Workers are as crucial an asset to a company’s success as capital or material holdings. Modern human resources strategies realize this, and human resources professionals strive to create the conditions that enhance employee performance. Human resources managers—in all of their specialized capacities—are critical, therefore, to the overall operations and performance of organizations striving to succeed in the business world. Proper management of human resources keeps employees performing at optimal levels.

The HR representative has one of the most important jobs in the company because the people that are hired will determine the performance and productivity of the company. Therefore, the HR representative must be able to assess the efficiency of an individual through a series of tests or interviews that should be conducted. In order to completely fulfill his duties, the HR representative must learn how to analyze the types of people that the company needs.

Finally, any career in the human resources department is about interfacing between the employees and the company to help ensure a good relationship between the two and also achieve a working environment that is successful.

If you believe that you have what it takes and are ready to go out and meet new people, then this is the career for you.

IAIT provides MBA courses with specialization in Human Resources, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Succeeding at a Personal Interview

2010-07-14T13:21:04Z

A while back we had published a guide to crack a campus interview. Based on the feedback received from students we are continuing the series to provide in-depth knowledge for your benefit.

As a student most organizations and companies take into consideration your performance in the written test, Group Discussion, Personal Interview, your academic record and extracurricular activities before selecting you.

Out of all of the above, We believe that that Personal Interview has the power to make or break your career prospects. The interview panel closely observes how you react to various situations. A good interview involves thinking on your feet, and helps the interviewer understand your thought process and your attitude.

Let’s understand the various types of interviews and the etiquette expected of you.

Interview panel

The people who interview you collectively form what is called the interview panel, which normally consists of three interviewers. There could be more than three interviewers too.
These comprise relevant field experts. Sometimes, the panel may include a psychologist to observe your behavioral patterns.

The It may vary between five and 45 minutes. However, a five-minute interview does not indicate that you have not done well. Similarly, an interview lasting 40 minutes does not indicate that you have done well. What matters is the quality of interaction you have with the panel.

Some organizations conduct only one interview; others may have two or more.

Types of interviews

You may face an individual interview or a group interview. This varies from organization to organization.

In an individual interview, you will face a panel and answer the questions put to you. In a group interview, a group of candidates are interviewed simultaneously by a panel. In the latter, the questions may be addressed to an individual or to the group as a whole.

Moreover, Individual interviews may be further classified into two types:

Stress based interview
Non-stress based interview

The latter proceeds with questions asked in a normal, business-like manner and the candidate is given enough time to answer the questions. In a stress interview, the candidate is deliberately put under a lot of stress by the interviewers to gauge behavior under stressful conditions.

Interview etiquette

Besides the way you speak, the panel also observes your overall conduct.

Dress code
You are expected to dress formally. Men should wear a freshly ironed formal full-sleeved shirt (no party wear, please), trousers, polished formal shoes (black or brown), a belt and a tie (knotted properly). Do not forget to shave. Use a mild deodorant if you feel the need to. Before you go into the interview room, comb your hair. Women can wear a sari, or a skirt and shirt. If you have long hair, plait or tie up neatly. Formal shoes apply to you too. Sandals meant for formal occasions are fine too.

Entry into the interview room
You may be asked by one of the panel members or one of their assistants to enter the room. Before entering, ask for permission. Do not be in a hurry and rush to the table. Greet the panel (using the appropriate time of the day) with a smile. On being asked to sit down, thank them.

Sitting posture
You may cross your legs if you wish to. Your arms may rest on the armrest of the chair or on your lap. Sit comfortably. Avoid postures that reflect a casual attitude. For instance, avoid rocking the chair or placing one leg horizontally over the other leg.

Language to be used
Try to speak in English only. Some of us have the habit of mixing English with the vernacular. Avoid doing this. Do not use slang. Use short sentences that convey the meaning of what you wish to say. Avoid complicated sentences.

Conduct inside the interview room
Listen carefully and attentively to the questions. If you are unable to comprehend the meaning or hear the question, request the panel member to clarify/repeat the question. Always speak in a slow, measured tone, so that everyone in the panel is clearly able to hear and understand what you are trying to say.
There is no need to spit out the answer to the questions asked. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts and then answer. Maintain eye contact with the panel members at all times. Be pleasant to the interviewers, irrespective of the mental state you are in. Lean a little forward to show the panel that you are interested in what they are saying. D o not lean or rest your arms or elbows on the table.

Try to use these pointers as a reference to perform and excel at personal interviews.

IAIT provides interview training and counseling sessions to its students, as a part of the regular course modules to ensure their success. IAIT conducts courses in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for more information.

Career in Mass Communication and Journalism

2010-07-09T06:56:47Z

Dabbling with the idea of pursuing a course in Mass Communications or Journalism? Here’s all you need to know about the career options and how to get started.

Journalism is concerned with collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media. This involves various areas of works like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items.

Journalists play a major role in the development of nation. The purpose of journalism itself is to inform and interpret, educate and enlighten the people. Journalism and Mass Communication have spread wings in many areas that compile different sections of communications and public relations. Although these fields have had a remarkable presence from a long time, the real potential of them has gained credit in the recent days. Many job opportunities have opened for students completing a mass communications course in nearly all the fields of the business and industry. A career in journalism is a prestigious profession as well as a highly paid one if you play the cards right.

The opportunities for journalists are endless and at the same time the job has become more challenging, as the new world is proving the adage that “the pen (and the camera) is mightier than the sword.” Simple reporting of events is no more sufficient, more specialization and professionalism in reporting is required. Journalists specialize in diverse areas, such as politics, finance and economics, investigation, culture and sports for newspapers and periodicals.

The syllabus of the Mass Communication field includes many interesting mediums like the television, newspaper, public relations, radio, advertisements and many more. Many universities and colleges across the world offer different fields of specialization in this field.

IAIT provides a Bachelors and Masters course in Journalism, Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (BAJM) and Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication (MAJM) in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University.

If you are interested in learning more about the career options or have specific queries regarding Mass Communication and Journalism, check out our website or give us a call for information.

Importance of Computer Education

2010-07-09T06:56:09Z

Owing to the rapid rise of India in the global scenario especially in the knowledge-based industries, the lack of quality manpower is an acute problem that is faced by the industry.

The corporate sector constantly complains that the Indian graduate and postgraduate education systems have a basic flaw. It has been identified that only 15% of engineering students are actually industry ready and in a state to contribute from day one. The case for ordinary graduates and postgraduates is a more sorry picture.

To address the dearth of quality manpower, the Govt. Of India launched the DOEACC Society (from 1990) which is a joint scheme undertaken by AICTE and Dept. Of IT, Ministry of Communication and Information Technology. DOEACC Society functions under the chairmanship of Minister of State, Communications and Information Technology. The scheme allows 10+2 qualifiers to enter the IT Education stream and has several entry and exit points. The scheme has 4 levels of examinations: -

1) O Level(Foundation)

2) A Level(Advanced Diploma)

3) B Level(MCA)

4) C Level (Technical Post Graduate)

The O level foundation course by the DOEACC Society has been identified as the mission critical course that is designed to empower every graduate with the basic and necessary skills to succeed in professional endeavors. Also, the course s widely recognized in the industry as the yardstick to measure a candidate’s technological competence to perform basic tasks.

The O level course is equivalent to a Foundation Level Course in Computer Applications. Students can acquire this qualification by undergoing this course and passing the examination conducted by the DOEACC Society. Working professionals can also appear in this examination directly, provided they possess the requisite educational qualification.

IAIT is proud of the fact that it has been chosen as an educational partner by the Govt. Of India in its noble cause to empower Indian students and professionals, who in turn, will satisfy the growing demand for qualified and industry ready professionals.

Government Recognition

The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India has recognized ‘O’ level examination conducted by the Computer Society of India (CSI) under the Department of Electronics Accreditation of Computer Courses(DOEACC) Scheme as equivalent to Foundation Level course for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government w.e.f 1st March 1995 vide their notification No: F 18-23/92-TD.V/TS-IV dated 1st March 1995. In view of the above notification the passed out candidates with ‘O’ level qualification from the DOEACC Society will henceforth be the eligible for registration in employment exchanges for job assistance.

IAIT has partnered with the DOEACC Society, Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide many more courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

M.Tech Via Distance Learning

2010-07-06T07:01:12Z

So you are thinking of pursuing a masters degree in your chosen field of engineering? But you are also having second thoughts before leaving your day job and committing yourself full-time to studies?

Typically, a student would like to pursue higher education while still being gainfully employed. Distance learning M.Tech provides a great opportunity for students and working professionals to earn a masters degree without having to attend classes.  Having an M.Tech degree in any of the engineering disciplines opens a wide range of career prospects. This article gives all the important details related to Distance learning M tech courses.

About M.Tech and Distance Learning:

Postgraduate degree courses in Engineering are offered at a number of distance learning institutes in India and abroad. In India, a Master of Engineering or Master of Technology degree is a postgraduate program in engineering or technology. This is generally a 2-year specialization program in a specific branch of engineering or a technical field.

IAIT in association with KSOU, offers an M.Tech program in Information Technology that students can now pursue through the mode of distance learning.

Eligibility:

A candidate seeking admission in MTech (IT) program should have passed BE / BTech or its equivalent in any discipline or MCA / MSc (CS) / MSc (IT) / MIT / MCM or its equivalent from recognized University or M.Sc. in any discipline with mathematics as a major component in B.Sc. or DOEACC “B” level.

Duration:

The course duration for M.Tech (IT) is a two year course comprising of four semesters but the candidate will have to complete the course within four years from the session of enrollment.

Benefits of Distance learning M.Tech Courses:

You always have an option to boost your professional growth by earning a postgraduate degree in Technology through distance education while you are still working.
After completing your distance learning M.Tech course from IAIT, you can pursue further research in a core area of your interest. Candidates can also choose to join teaching and engage in academics.
You can also use the knowledge and learning acquired in any entrepreneurial venture or consultancy service.

Thus, We would advise you to consider a distance learning program to get the best of both worlds.

About Karnataka State Open University (KSOU):

Karnataka State Open University is a recognized University of Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi, a regular member of the Asssociation of Indian Universities (AIU), Delhi, a permanent member of Association of Commonwealth Unversities (ACU), London, UK, Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), Beijing, China, and also has association with Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

Click here to know more about KSOU.

IAIT has also partnered with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University to provide many more courses for your benefit. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

About Health Care MBA

2010-07-02T08:28:14Z

The health care MBA track is heating up by the day. Healthcare companies can’t find enough MBAs to fill open positions in this $2.26 trillion industry. Graduates specializing in hospital administration and healthcare management are finding opportunities beyond just hospitals — from biomedical startups to e-health ventures to consulting and pharmaceutical R&D. Even as the countries world over lost jobs during the global recession, health care was one of just three industries to constantly expand its workforce.

It is a myth that most of the health care organizations typically look for clinical experience before your business acumen. All you need is keen business acumen to land a job with health care firms that are desperate to manage rising costs.

Health care organizations are now realizing that they need MBAs running their organizations as opposed to clinicians. That leaves the industry, in India and abroad, facing a huge hiring opportunity. In response to this, recruiters and university administrators have reported that a constantly growing pool of students and graduate MBAs are now interested in pursuing careers in health care services, biotech firms, and pharmaceutical companies.

Because the competition is poised to increase in terms of quality and quantity with time, there is a demand to acquire the requisite skill sets in clinical, scientific, or health care systems knowledge to stand out. A good school needs to prep students with courses like biomedical marketing, e-health business models, and health care economics and finance, which because of the multi-payer system is strikingly different from finance in other fields. This experience allows graduates to step into product development, product marketing, supply-chain analysis, and senior management roles.

As a MBA graduate specializing in HealthCare you can go for/rise to the following job profiles:

Hospital Administrator
Healthcare Consultant
Pharmaceuticals Project Manager
Healthcare Services Director of Program Management
Practice Manager

If you are interested in a challenging career with a chance to play multiple roles and adding value form day one on the job, then there are a lot lucrative opportunities up for grabs that can be realized by undergoing an MBA course that specializes in HealthCare.

IAIT provides Health Care MBA courses, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

How to decide on an MBA course?

2010-06-30T11:10:04Z

Pursuing an MBA is a big decision, and it is important to be well informed about the program you choose.

Is the MBA Program accredited?
Having this is an absolute must. A well-recognized and accredited course will help you in the long run. At IAIT, the Distance MBA Program and the regular MBA Program have been duly accredited by the benchmarks of academic excellence for business schools. Our partner universities’ are also recognized and established universities.

Are the Distance MBA Program and the Professional MBA Program similar?
At IAIT, Yes! The coursework is almost identical, with the same syllabus, material, lectures and class discussions.The quality of education provided for a distance MBA program is of the same high standards as that of a professional MBA program. The difference is the method of delivery of course material.

Is the Distance MBA Program degree the same as the Professional MBA Program degree?
Yes, you earn a Master of Business Administration degree from our partnering Universities. There is no difference on a degree to indicate the nature of delivery.

How do I know if I qualify?
You just need to be a graduate to do an MBA in distance learning. The detailed evaluation process kicks in if you want a lateral entry. Contact us to know more details about our selection procedure.

What is the curriculum format?
The program formats are semester based, with two eight-week terms in each semester. Each program requires a set number of credits and follows a strictly set curriculum. This means initial classes form a foundation for subsequent classes that build on content and provide continuity and integration of course material.

Do you offer specialized areas of study?
We offer a specializations to complement MBA programs and have plans to add other areas of interest in the future. In addition, we already have alliances with a number of reputed universities such as the SMU, PTU, Karnataka State Open University etc.
Sikkim Manipal University (SMU) offers following specializations in MBA

Finance
Marketing
Human Resource Management
Information Systems
Banking
Retail Operations

While the Punjab Technical University (PTU) offers MBA specializations in:

Finance
Marketing
Human Resource Management
Information Technology
Operations

What is the average student profile at IAIT’s MBA courses?
MBA students at IAIT come from diverse backgrounds and locations, representing all 50 states of India. There is no average age and that is the beauty of distance learning, we have students ranging from 21 years to 45+ who are doing MBA after accruing years of enriching professional experience.

We hope that some questions have been answered properly for you and would be happy to answer more of your questions. If you do not see your question listed so far, contact us via telephone or email.

Distance learning FAQ's

2010-06-24T09:28:07Z

1. How is a distance-learning program conducted? What are the facilities required to pursue a distance-learning course?

Different universities deliver the courses through their chosen medium, based upon their policies and procedures. The medium could be the printed materials through correspondence, Internet, teleconferencing or independent study programs. The predominant method is through printed materials. However, a student must have access to a computer and Internet and should create an e-mail id. The learner needs to have good time management skills and these have to be self-imposed due to lack of structure that is available in the classroom format.

2. Is a distance-learning course given the same value by employers as a full-time course?

Yes! The recognition, accreditation or affiliations of the institution offering the course is generally all that matters.

3. I cannot stop working, is it okay to do a MBA by distance learning or should I wait till I can afford to take time out for a regular MBA?

A distance MBA program with a fixed number of contact hours is as good as a full time MBA program provided the institute provides sufficient contact hours. An MBA through distance learning allows you to enhance your position within your current organization by learning some new skills, and applying your learning at work.

4. What kind of courses can be pursued through distance learning?

Courses that do not require direct teacher supervision and lab work can be taken through distance learning. That excludes subjects like the sciences and engineering, biosciences, psychology, pharmacy, etc. You can study MBA, accounting, languages, mass communications and any of the social sciences through distance learning.

5. Is the cost differential between distance-learning program and a full-time program beneficial?

For most of the universities offering distance-learning courses, the tuition cost is significantly lower than from the regular ones. You also save on living costs, traveling expenses, opportunity costs of losing your salary if you had to quit your job to go for full-time study. The decision whether to save money and convenience and opt for a distance learning program or take up a full time course will most likely depend upon your circumstances – financial, professional, familial – and your compulsions or inability to change locations of stay physically, if any. This decision is totally based on individual perception.

Financially, a distance education course makes more sense though.

IAIT provides distance learning courses, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Working and Studying?

2010-06-22T10:41:02Z

Why Work and Study at the same time?

A famous quote once mentioned that, ‘Learning does not stop until you die.’

The times today demand an increased emphasis on higher qualifications time after time when it comes to getting that better job or climbing up the ladder. With flexible learning courses and part time classes available, it is no wonder that most working adults these days are doing some extra learning.

One of the biggest problems while being a student is leading a relatively thrifty life due to the educational expenses involved. Yet this has not stopped millions of students from working and getting their degree. It can take longer to complete your degree if you opt to work and go to school while you usually take a reduced class load, but the up side is that you can work and earn money to pay for your education.

Tips to getting it right:

Know your job demands. If you have a job that is rather labor-intensive, like in the service industry, look for a course that allow you to stretch out your modules and permit more flexibility. Take it easy and slow. Work experience is as important as the paper qualification – so the longer you spend in a job, the more you learn before being promoted.

Professional schools now provide distance education with considerably reduced load and flexibility integrated into the schedule. Look out for a course where you can utilize your weekends or something that requires you to assemble about twice a week for 3-4 hours.

Most universities like SMU, PTU and KSOU offer continuing education or extension programs via distance learning. These are typically held in the evenings and are usually open to enrollment, which means that you don’t need to go through a selective admissions process to get into the program. Best of all, you can earn complete degrees and graduate certificates without having to become a full-time student.

Get your employer to pay for your education. Many companies have education assistance programs that are designed to help workers take courses while still holding full-time jobs. Course content must usually relate to the employee’s job to qualify for assistance, and it is normally expected that completion of the coursework will make the employee a more knowledgeable and efficient worker. It’s worth asking your manager if your company offers an education assistance program. You may be able to go to school while working and also get your company to help pay for it!

A great option that, we at IAIT, provide our students is the option for a “Lateral Entry“.
If you have working experience for a certain number of years in a position wherein you are managing people, you can get an entry straight into the 2nd semester of our courses. Provided you clear your exams for the 1st semester, of course. This will end up saving you 6 months of your time! i.e. A regular MBA becomes a 1.5 year course. Same applies for all our other courses also.

What If You Did Not Crack The CAT?

2010-06-19T15:53:17Z

The first thought that comes to mind when someone mentions MBA, is the CAT examination. Sure, it is the biggest MBA entrance examination in the country. But, does that mean that your hopes for a successful career rest solely on one examination?

We think that they certainly do not. It’s just that most of the students fail to see beyond the obvious and get bogged down when success doesn’t come to them in just one endeavor.

So what are the options for me apart from CAT, you may ask. The simple one word answer is – Specialization.

Specialize in a course that is not offered by the CAT examinations and retain your edge. Also, we think it makes for poor sense to get a lot of generalized learning that you probably will not use again.

We have listed down the following options that you should find aligned with your career goals:

Already Working?

You are already working and need to get an MBA to jump to the next level? Then why go for two years of generalized management training that you already know about? We would suggest going for a specialized MBA in a field like finance that offers you more in terms of quantitative finance skills. Also, it makes sense to prepare for a specialized career. A generalized MBA program is designed for broader management positions. We think you should rather gear up for more specialized quantitative positions, such as Financial Engineering, Technology Management or Health Services Management.

For example, If you are a doctor or someone engaged in the medical quarters, a program in Health Care Management would be the next logical step for you to develop the essential management skills required to meet & participate in an increasingly competitive business environment.

Because when it comes to finding a job post-graduation, these specialized business degrees can offer an advantage by making you stand out from the crowd that is geared for generalized management jobs. A specialized degree has a strong business core that is well received with potential employers.

If You Are A Fresher

Human Resources–If you have a knack for getting on well with people then a career in human resources is the obvious choice for you. It is far more beneficial to focus on the law, policy, best practices, and theory of a field that you have a natural aptitude in than to spend time on such arcane subjects as general management.

Public Health–This is a wide-ranging degree, with curricula that may range from epidemiology to immigrant/nonnative communications and marketing, to public finance – take your pick.

There are also a number of post graduation diploma courses offering specialization that you can choose from:

Real Estate Management, Security Analysis and Portfolio Management, Knowledge Process Outsourcing, Financial Management, Marketing Management, Human Resource Management, Information Systems Management, Banking Management, Retail Operations Management, Health Care Services, Total Quality Management, Project Management … … The list is endless.

Just take some time to think about what you would love to do… take your pick and move your career into the fast lane.

IAIT conducts MBA courses in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University.

Check out our website or give us a call for more information.

How To Crack A Campus Interview

2010-06-18T06:59:02Z

10 Definitive Tips To Crack A Campus Interview

1. Dress Your Best
Many organizations are dropping the formal code but it is still recommended that you dress up for an interview. A young man should wear a tie, and women should wear a skirt or matching suit with pants and a tailored blouse. If you really feel that the formal look is not for you, go for semi casuals at the very least.

2. Tone Down Your Accessories
Yes, your nose rings, eyebrow piercing, tattoos are cool and yes, you should hide them and/or remove them for the interview. You do not want the interviewer looking at them rather than listening to you. Wear minimal make up for the interview.

3. Study The Organization
Find out important facts and anecdotal details about the organization you are researching. It is expected that you know something about a company before you walk in their door.

4. Speak Articulately
Practice with a friend when you are preparing for an interview. Answer questions briefly and keep the discussions to the point. Try not to talk too much or fly off on tangents that may get you into trouble, by revealing undesirable facts.

5. Plan For Typical Questions
Many interviewers use standard interview texts to develop a list of questions. They include things like, where do you see yourself in five years and what did you want to be when you were a child or what makes you the best candidate for this job. Be prepared for questions like these. The other common approach is to ask you to tell the interviewer about yourself. You need to memorize a brief sales pitch encompassing your education and experience.

6. Know Yourself
When you have a chance to practice with a friend, be sure to ask her to give you constructive feedback. Listen and learn. Most people know if they stutter, stammer or repeat themselves. Practice and insight from others will help you avoid these pitfalls. If you become momentarily stumped by a question, take a deep breath, smile and ask for a moment to think. If you still cannot find the answer in your head, go back to it later. And it is okay to say you don’t know the answer. Honesty will earn you a few points.

7. The Almighty Dos
Be on time. Ensure that you are clean and groomed – hair, nails, make up, shoes – and that your clothes are laundered and pressed. Please avoid the grunge look.

8. The Definitive Don’ts
Don’t chew gum or put anything in your mouth. If you are extremely nervous, you can accept water if offered during the interview, but nothing else. Avoid freaky and funky dressing or showing too much skin or using any profanity during the interview.

9. Follow-Up After the Interview
Sending a “thank you” letter to each of the people you meet with is by far the best way to reinforce a good interview or elevate you above those with similar backgrounds who did not send a note.

10. Get Feedback From the Interviewer
Though it is upsetting when you apply for and do not get selected for a particular position, take the initiative to find out specifically why. It would still be worth the effort if you can learn from it.

10 Reasons to Choose Distance Learning

2010-06-16T09:52:07Z

1. Choice

Distance education allows students to choose from a wide variety of schools and programs not available in their area.

2. Flexibility

Distance education offers flexibility for students who have other commitments.

3. Networking Opportunities

Students enrolled in online education programs network with peers from all over the nation.

4. Pacing

Many distance education programs allow pupils to work at their own pace.

5. Open Scheduling

Distance education allows professionals to continue their careers while working towards a degree.

6. Savings

Distance education programs often charge less than traditional schools.

7. Lack of Commute

Students who choose distance education save on fuel and commuting time.

8. Connections

Some distance education programs connect students with top-notch professors and guest lecturers from around the world.

9. Teaching & Testing Options

The variety of distance education programs available means that students are able to choose a learning and evaluation format that works for them.

10. Effectiveness

Distance education is effective. A 2009 meta-study from the Department of Education found that students taking online courses outperformed their peers in traditional classrooms.

What You Need To Know About Distance Learning

2010-06-16T08:15:59Z

Off late we at IAIT have noticed a strong surge in the demand for distance education and online learning options by students. So we thought that it was apt to share our thoughts with everyone on a wider forum. We at IAIT are strong believers in the concept of distance education and have made it an integral part of our strategy to impart quality education. There seems to be a misconception that Distance Learning and Online education are not the best choices for everyone. But, there are a massive number of students who are thriving in the distance/online education model.

We back distance learning programs because they enable us to facilitate self-paced learning for our students, provide them with the most current course materials and integrate flexibility for students with busy work schedules. These are just a few of the advantages that you can reap by enrolling for a distance learning course.

If you are interested in distance learning and would like to know how to decide on the right program and the right school, follow the under given 5-point primer.

1. Set a career goal.
The importance of this step cannot be stressed enough. The career and degree that you seek and the courses you take should be chosen with the intention of making your goal a reality. It’s true career directions change several times through an individual’s life. However, setting a goal now can help you make more focused decisions.
Also, asking yourself questions like do you want to earn a certification? Preparing for a PhD program? Making these decisions now can help you stay on track. Your educational goal should be directly connected to your career goal.

2. Consider your options.
There is a slew of options available within the distance learning domain itself. You should be very aware of your the various options available consider all of your options for a distance learning course. Check out if the colleges offer a flexible timing and schedule to take your examinations and send your assignments. Also, decide if you want a course with transferable credits.

3. Research potential colleges.
Consider each college and its program’s accreditation and reputation. Ask and enquire about the colleges, their particular courses and figure out how they will enable you to reach your career goal. Keep an eye out for programs that compliment your learning style and your schedule.

4. Plan your finances.
Let’s face it, not all of us have the luxury to pay easily for education. It would make a lot of sense to talk to a financial aid adviser before enrolling for a program. Also, find out about the aid and special considerations offered by the college that you plan to join. You may also be eligible for school-based scholarships or payment programs, so, inquire about those.

5. Enroll.
That’s it! Go ahead and enroll yourself to the program of your choosing and enjoy the benefits of excercising your choice, flexibility and self-paced learning.

Delhi University Cut Off List for 2010 Awaited

2010-06-15T07:33:40Z

The process of sale and submission of Admission Forms at Delhi University (DU) terminated this past Friday and the eagerness has now been replaced by anxiety as the countdown for the release of the much-awaited First Cut-off List for various DU colleges starts. 54,000 seats in 65 regular colleges will be up for grabs in various courses like science, commerce and humanities this year, over a period of about two months. An estimated One Lakh students would be admitted to courses offered by the School of Open Learning (SOL) this year, the sale of forms for which had begun on June 4.

The First Cut-off List for DU Admissions 2010 is due on June 22, 2010 that will be followed closely by the second cut-off list would on June 26, with the third being scheduled for July 1.

Courses offered at DU are highly coveted and sought after. They tend to generate tremendous competition among students.

The cut-offs for the past year were astronomically high and caused a lot of unrest among the students who could make it through.

The cut-off percentages for B.Com (Honors) at prestigious colleges like Sri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Kirori Mal, Ramjas and Lady Sri Ram are expected to be as high as 95.25%-98.75%, 93%-97%, 94.5%-97.5% and 95.25% respectively. For B.Sc. Physics (Honors), the cut-off percentages for last year at colleges such as Hindu, Ramjas, Sri Venkateshwara and Hansraj were 91%, 88%, 86% and 88% respectively. Similarly, the cut-off percentages for B.Sc. Chemistry (Honors) at Hindu, Ramjas, Hansraj and Kirori Mal colleges were 86%, 82%, 81% and 79% respectively.

What to expect in 2010?
With the cut off marks pushing the bar higher and higher, competition this year at DU is expected to be tougher than the last year. We would sincerely and in good faith advice students applying for admissions to be on the look out for other alternatives. Putting all your eggs in basket is not an advisable course of action.

Other Options:

We had recently discussed, the various possible opportunities for students coming out of school in our blog post here. We are committed to working towards your success and ensuring the best possible mix of education and vocational skills. IAIT provides a few of the courses mentioned above, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

Do let us know your thoughts by putting in your comments and questions. We will make sure that we respond appropriately and in time.

What to do after 12th?

2010-06-14T07:59:09Z

On Career Crossroads? - Read on To Make a Decision

What to do after 12^th? What are my options after 12^th? Where is my career headed after school? Such questions have perennially haunted almost every Indian student who is on the verge of finishing school, and probably you too. The choice is one of the most decisive moments of your life as this single choice has the potential to choose the path that you tread through out your career. Unlike other decisions, this one will stick with you for your entire life. So, it makes sense to do some research and seek professional expertise.

Of course, the popular choice for every one after 12^th seems to be the Delhi University colleges, but for the benefit of students who do not make it to DU we will discuss options other than the DU in this article.

Also, before we begin discussing, we understand that as a student in the formative years of your career, you tend to be in a slightly confused state of mind. Here are a few quick tips to weed out confusion and put your mind in a frame to make choice for yourself.

Do’s

Start by asking yourself for thoughts on the choice.
Ask what you would most enjoy and what interests you.
Think about career options in your strongest subjects.

Don’t:

Lay down a law that you must adhere to.
Get bogged down if you cannot reach a conclusion.

For Students of Commerce:

You will find a slew of professional colleges offering a bewildering choice of professional courses. It makes sense to opt for professional courses as they groom you directly for a vocation and generally lead into good job choices. Students of commerce would do well by going in for professional course like BBA, BBS, BFI rather than the generic B.Com. These admissions to these courses, are of course, are subject to entrance examinations. A professional course would definitely put you on a fast track to success.

For Students of Science:

The popular choice here, of course, are the engineering, architecture and medical courses that usually require an entrance examination to be passed. Apart from engineering and medical courses, BCA, BSc in Information Technology are hot property and considered to be very prestigious. What’s more? They result in direct jobs in a shorter time span than engineering or medical courses. These courses have had an increasing importance due to IT becoming an indistinguishable part our daily life. From schools to workplaces, it has claimed a dominant position because of its many useful functions. Hence, if computers sound like your thing to do, go ahead and enroll your self in a BCA or BSc (IT) and watch your career take off.

Career in Management:

Business management is one of the most lucrative and sought after sought-after career profiles in modern times. A management course has the potential to open up nearly endless opportunities in the job market. What’s more? Your earning potential is directly connected to your abilities that generally result in excellent remuneration and job satisfaction.

Distance Education:

With changing times and many students opting to start working directly after school, distance education has increasingly gained importance, because they enable them to work and learn simultaneously. A student can opt for various courses through correspondence as well as Distance Education.

You might go in for a distance learning course if:

You want to enhance your educational or professional skills but cannot devote full time to it.
You are working, and want to study side by side.
You want to do additional/ full time courses along with your studies.
You need an immediate job along with your studies due to personal issues.

If any of the above mentioned questions have an affirmative reply but you do not know what to do, then distance education is all what you need.

Also, IAIT provides a few of the courses mentioned above, in conjunction with Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University. Check out our website or give us a call for information.

This was just a simple guide on how you should go ahead with deciding your future course of action after 12^th. We sincerely hope that we were able to put you on a path to thinking straight. Leave us a comment in case you have any questions and we will get back to you immediately.

Women Empowerment

2010-06-10T08:42:21Z

″Development can never be achieved if one half of the population is excluded from the opportunities it brings″

It is the 21st century, believed to be the fastest paced and the most advanced century that our civilization has witnessed. As Indians and as world citizens, we are gaining new ground daily and our success stories number in millions. But still, six out of ten of world’s and India’s poorest people are women, less than 16 percent of the world’s parliamentarians are women, two thirds of all children shut outside the school gates are girls, and, both in times of armed conflict and behind closed doors at home, women are still systematically subjected to violence.

In India and for the most part of the developing world, women produce half of the food, take care of most of the responsibilities including household activities like caring for the sick and children, preparing food and bringing water to add to other things. Any human being who juggles their roles on so many fronts can claim to be among the best of managers. Sadly, a woman’s productivity is counted as low and is believed to be far from their full potential.

The reason seems to be their limited access to education and other opportunities.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are human rights that IAIT strongly believes in, and feels that women’s advancement is a process of empowerment and defines it as a means by which women achieve increased control over public decision making.

IAIT is actively working towards for women empowerment in India by providing special considerations to the fairer sex in form of specialized discounts on our educational modules and developing women’s capacities through training, knowledge-sharing and networking.

We have been involved in special career counseling sessions to answer queries regarding career opportunities after courses like BBA, BCA, MBA, MCA, BScIT and MScIT. It is heartening to see that a lot of women are showing interest in Journalism & Mass Communication apart from the above-mentioned course modules.

IAIT recognizes the fact that women have a wide array of commitments and in response has introduced flexible learning modules where women have an option of pursuing courses through distance education mode, self learning, weekend classes or full time classes.

IAIT is an authorized centre of the Sikkim Manipal University, Punjab Technical University and the Karnataka State Open University and is offering specialized discounts on university degree courses for women.

IAIT promotes equality between women and men through ‘Gender Mainstreaming’ i.e. identifying gaps in gender equality. We strongly believe that providing motivation and empowering women with the required training and skills to perform on the management front will go a long way in establishing true gender mainstreaming.

We recognize the fact that despite good intentions and garnering some real progress, IAIT is still running a small initiative. We intend to make a deeper and lasting impact on gender equality by targeting not only education, but also committing ourselves to knowledge development and the will for women empowerment.

For most of the part, all our efforts come down to these following points that are always committed to, and need to be ably supported:

Strengthen opportunities for higher education for women, while meeting commitments to universal education.
Eliminating gender inequality in employment by decreasing women’s reliance on informal employment.
Closing gender gaps in earnings and reducing occupational segregation.

At IAIT, we see the formal workplace as a workshop, where people discuss traditional roles and views and transform their attitudes and perceptions in realistic and practical terms to face the challenges of the future. Equalizing the opportunities for women, by providing educational access, would go a long way to achieve true “En-genderization” of the workplace and help women maximize their potential at both the personal and professional front and prove to be assets to their organizations.

Provide specialization in Management with technical, professional and communications skills		Train future industry professionals
Prepares students to take up positions as Project Managers, Program Managers, in any field related to Management and Operations.		Impart comprehensive knowledge with equal emphasis on theory and practice.
Keep the students up-to-speed on all the latest and cutting edge technologies.