Tamil Nadu

Students told to look beyond conventional courses

— Photo: R. Ragu

QUESTION TIME: Parents and students have their doubts clarified by the panellists at The Hindu Education Plus fair in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: ‘Look beyond conventional courses, enhance your employability and give your best to the chosen field’—speakers said at the fourth edition of The Hindu Education Plus fair that began here on Saturday.

While many opt for an engineering degree, there is a huge demand for skilled manpower from polytechnics, Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj said. He urged students to look beyond the conventional medical courses and consider areas such as nursing and pharmaceutical which have tremendous scope. “Well-trained nurses are in demand not only in India but also in other countries.”

Quoting CII estimates, Mr. Subburaj said that by 2015, nearly 1,50,00,000 jobs would be created. Of these, 40,00,000 would be for skilled and highly skilled professionals, and the rest for unskilled professionals. “Going by this demand, all students should be absorbed by the industry. However, currently, about 50 per cent of graduates are not employable,” he said, highlighting the need for students to acquire soft skills.

M. Ranganatham, Registrar, University of Madras, urged students to consider nanotechnology, media, finance and investment services, teaching, civil services and employment. Personal liking, the money factor and social recognition were the three factors that would decide the choice of courses, he said.

“Knowledge, skill sets and attitude towards work will ensure success,” he said.

Indian Bank Chairman and Managing Director M.S. Sundararajan said there were several interesting career options available.

During 2007-08, the bank financed one lakh students, and this year, it would keep some of its branches open on holidays, too, during the time of admission for the benefit of students, he said. Students could also obtain in-principle approval for loans by applying online.

N. Ravi, Editor, The Hindu, said students from both the CBSE and State Board streams performed well this year, intensifying the competition. The choice in medical education had widened to include paramedical streams, biotechnology and biomedical engineering.

“It is time to sit back and reflect, catch up on your reading and become alive to the wider world,” he said.

The fair was aimed at helping students and parents make the important choices.

The inaugural function was followed by a pre-counselling session, in which panellists P.V. Navaneethakrishnan, former director of admissions, Anna University; Sudha Seshayyan, professor of Anatomy, Stanely Medical College; and educational consultant J. P. Gandhi spoke on engineering and medical education. The fair is supported by lead sponsor Indian Bank. Sponsors of the seminars include AIMS Education for the Pre-counselling session, NIIT for the IT Edge session, Sun Australia for the Get Equipped session and Alpha Group of Institutions for the session on Off-beat Options. While Airtel is the communications partner, Radio One is the radio partner and Sabols sponsors water supplies.

The gift sponsors are ITC Classmate and iCare Communication.

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