I would like to enroll for the M.Sc Microbiology programme of the Acharya Nagarjuna University in Andhra Pradesh through the Distance Education programme. Are the programmes of Nagarjuna University approved by UGC, DEC and other statutory bodies?

Ashank Pandita

Acharya Nagarjuna University (www.nagarjunauniversity.ac.in) is an affiliating University established by the Legislature of the State of Andhra Pradesh in 1976. The University also has a NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) grade of B ++. The University comes under the ambit of the University Grants Commission (UGC) and is also funded by it. The University is also a member of Association of the Indian Universities (AIU). The Distance Education programme that you propose to take up is conducted by the Centre for Distance Education (CDE) (www.anucde.com) of the University, which is recognised by the Distance Education Council (DEC).

I have completed 11th Standard and have taken up PCMB. I am interested in pursuing Ayurveda after 12th. Please guide me as to how many years will it take to complete the course to become an Ayurveda doctor.

Manasa P.

The course in Ayurveda that one pursues is nomenclatured as the Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery (BAMS). The programme is presently conducted in about 150 colleges across India. There are 30 PG colleges as well. The duration of the programme is 5 years and 6 months. Ayurvedic education is presently monitored by the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM) (www.ccimindia.org) which takes care of the quality of the programme and ensures uniformity across the country.

An Ayurvedic practitioner will have job offers in the Government hospitals which practice Ayurveda and even in private hospitals. With many international tourists coming to India for purposes of treatment through Ayurveda and other traditional medicines, the opportunities for the Ayurveda specialist abound.

I am a working professional. I have completed my BCA from IGNOU. I would like to pursue a postgraduation course in Human Resource Management (HRM). Where can I take up this course through distance mode?

Tara M.N.

Most of the Universities that offer MBA through the Distance Learning Program (DLP) offer Human Resource Management (HRM) as a specialisation. Some of the options are:

MBA programme of the School of Management Studies, IGNOU (www.ignou.ac.in), New Delhi. It is offered through study centres across the country.

The two-year, Post-Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management (PGDHRM) of the Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL) (www.scdl.net), Pune. It is conducted through e-learning methodology and is popular with the corporates. Check with your Human Resources/Training Departments if they have a tie-up with Symbiosis.

You should also assess the two-year Post-Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management (PGDPM) that is offered by the National Institute of Personnel Management (NIPM) (www.nipm.in). It is very popular with HR professionals.

I want to pursue Optometry. I understand that an institute in Hyderabad is offering a Bachelor programme. Can you give me more information?

Sudhanshu

The LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) (www.lvpei.org), Hyderabad offers the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Optometry under the BITS, Pilani (www.bits-pilani.ac.in) Campus Collaborative Programmes. The eligibility for the four-year, eight-semester programme is 10+2 from Central or State Board with Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology. The prospective learner should have proficiency in English. The candidates will have to take an entrance test and interview at Hyderabad and qualify. The programme is conducted at the Bausch and Lomb School of Optometry, LVPEI, and has two semesters (seventh and eight) of internship, which will add value to the graduating student.

For more information you can log on to the website of BITS-Pilani and LVPEI or contact the LVPEI authorities at the Kallam Anji Reddy Campus, LV Prasad Marg, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-500 034. Ph: 040-30612345.

LVPEI also conducts short-term programmes nomenclatured as Fellowships in the domain specialisation of Retina Vitreous, Cornea, Glaucoma, Oculoplastic, and Retina Laser Training, to mention a few. For more details you can email the Education Division of LVPEI: education@lvpei.org

I want information on IIFT, New Delhi. Please help in understanding the courses that one can attend. My son is keen to pursue a course in Foreign Business/Trade.

Shaji Jacob

The Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) (www.iift.edu), a Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act of 1956, is one the best institutes in India to pursue the Master of Business Administration in International Business (MBA-IB). IIFT (established in 1963) has developed into a premier centre of research and excellence. Being part of the Union Department of Commerce, it has created a niche for itself in all walks of life.

The eligibility for MBA-IB is as follows:Recognised Bachelor's degree of three-year (minimum) duration in any discipline. (Note: Prospective candidates appearing for a qualifying examination can also appear for the written test, provided the qualification documents/testimonials are submitted by October of the year).

In order to be eligible for the programme, one should clear the written test followed by Group Discussion (GD), essay writing and interview. The written test will be conducted across the country and GD, essay writing and interview will be held in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow and Mumbai.

For application forms, the prospective candidates can:

Log on to the website of IIFT and download the application/prospectus.

Personally collect the application/prospectus by cash payment at the Institute in New Delhi and Kolkata.

Request for the same through post.

For more details, contact: The Administrative Officer, IIFT, B-21, Qutab Institutional Area, New Delhi-110 016. Ph: 011-26857908. E-mail: admissions@iift.ac.in

I am an MBA in marketing, working in the pharmaceutical industry for over seven years. I have recently moved to a KPO which offers solutions to the pharmacy industries in India and overseas. I would like to pursue education further in the field of pharmaceutical management. Can you please tell me which universities offer distance education programmes in this field?

Sumangali Rao

Being an MBA in marketing will help you to understand the issues involved in the field of Pharmaceutical Management. You may not be able to pursue the Pharmaceutical programs that have a practical component by the distance mode. However, the general management in Pharmacy can be attempted in the distance mode in the following University:

Directorate of Distance Education (DDE), Pondicherry University (Central University) (www.pondiuni.org), RV Nagar, Kalapet, Pondicherry-605 014. E-mail: dde_grv@yahoo.co.in Ph: 0413-2655256. You can pursue the Post-Graduate Diploma in Pharmaceutical Marketing (PGDPHM), a one-year programme that has become popular.