Andhra Pradesh

‘Choose the right college’

M. Bharata Lakshmi

C.V. Rao

Y. Ravi Shankar

K.V.R. Murty

VISAKHAPATNAM: C.V. Rao, former principal of Andhra Medical College, has said that candidates should invariably visit the college they intend to join to know the infrastructure and faculty position. They should select medical colleges that are recognised by the Medical Council of India. Those who fail to get into MBBS can also go for courses like ayurvedic medicine, homoeopathy and B.Sc. nursing that offer ample career prospects.

The real learning for MBBS students is at the bedside of a patient. This assumes greater significance in the case of students who go abroad for medical education as they have to know the language of the patient. When joining newly started medical colleges students have to be extra cautious as the MCI gives ‘permission’ only for the first five years annually and only after the first batch passes out ‘recognition’ will be given to the college.

According to K.V. Ramana Murthy, Pharmacy Department, AU, there are a lot of opportunities and growth prospects in the pharmacy industry.

Apart from taking up jobs in the pharma industry or setting up drug stores, one could also go for pharma marketing, education, pharma journalism and hospital management.

Candidates interested in pharma marketing could go for MBA after B. Pharmacy. Pharmacy Act will be amended soon to make it mandatory for every medical store to employ a B. Pham graduate.

Y. Ravi Shankar, GITAM Dental College, says: “dental surgery is a very lucrative profession. It is all the more suitable for girls due the convenient timings. There is only one dentist for a population of two lakhs in the rural areas and one for every 15,000 in the urban areas. In contrast, there is a dentist for every 1,500 to 2,000 people in the US.

Cosmetic dentistry is poised for huge growth. After BDS one can go for MDS or Ph.D. The emergence of health insurance will also play a major role in the popularisation of dentistry in India.”

M. Bharata Laxmi, senior scientist, Agriculture Research Station, Anakapalle has said that there are ample opportunities for those who opt for B.V. Sc and B. Sc Agriculture. Horticulture is one area that has huge potential in view of the growing demand for processed and organic foods. Apart from setting up veterinary and pet clinics, B.V.Sc. graduates are also being sought after by banks in the recruitment of field officers as knowledge of livestock will help in the disbursal of loans to farmers.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu