Overseas Education for BTech graduates

Recently many Indian students are interested to pursue education abroad. Their preferred destinations are United States of America, UK and Canada. But some students prefer Australia, Ireland, New Zealand and other countries in the European Union.   

Among number professionals in the state, engineering graduates rank first. This may be due to the fact that Kerala has more number of self-reliant engineering colleges. Annually among Keralites, more than 35000 engineering graduates are passing out from within the state and nearby states. Recent NASSCOM findings revealed that more than 75 percent engineering graduates were very poor in knowledge, skill and communication. Till 2008, more than 65 percent recruitment was through campus interviews. But as a sequel to economic recession, this has comedown to nearly 25 percent during 2010 and it is nearly 40 percent during 2011-12. So engineering graduates have to face tough competition to get better placements thus emphasizing the importance of technical and communication skills.
                      
In order to get better placements within the country and abroad, recently engineering graduates are interested to pursue higher education abroad. They prefer MBA, MS or MTech programmes abroad. As the business is increasingly becoming global, in order to climb up the corporate ladder engineering graduates prefer best business schools for management studies abroad. It is the launch pad for the global career. Moreover there are so many new generation courses with cutting edge technology in which engineering graduates can undergo higher education and research. Nanotechnology, Mechatronics, Bioinformatics, Biomedical science, Information technology, Photonics, etc are some of the promising areas of higher education and research abroad.

Eligibility criteria

Overseas education is not an easy task. A student must understand the fact that in developed countries our graduate programmes are undergraduate programmes. Likewise our post graduate programmes are considered as graduate programmes. A student must complete 16 years of education from fist standard onwards for graduate programmes abroad. Since engineering is a 4 years' programme, engineering graduates can directly apply for graduate programmes abroad.
 
English language proficiency examination is mandatory. In United States, for MS or MTech, Graduate record examination has to be completed with better scores. If a student is interested to join for MBA, he has to complete management aptitude test. Previously if a student has to join for MS in United States he has to complete Graduate record examination (GRE) with better scores. If he is interested to join for MBA, he has to complete Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT). Recently based upon the score index it has been decided that there is no need for writing both GMAT and GRE. Any one of them is sufficient for MS / MTech / MBA programmes abroad. For education in United States, candidates should pass English proficiency examination (TOEFL- Test of English as a Foreign Language) and Graduate Record Examination (GRE) before applying the graduate programme. In UK and Canada English proficiency examination - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required only for higher education. Some of the North American universities also prefer IELTS rather than TOEFL during admission process. School is a collective term for a college / university abroad. Valid Indian passport is required before applying for proficiency examinations. Examination fee is quite high when compared to rupee value. A student can select a suitable date for writing the proficiency examination. If he/she cannot write the examination on the selected dates, examinations can be postponed after paying 40 US dollars. So it is economical for the student to prepare well for the examination on the stipulated date itself.
 
During the admission process, universities will rate the student based on academic merit, extracurricular activities, project works, scores in the proficiency examinations, statement of purpose and recommendation / reference letters. Overseas education requires one year home work. A BTech student must start preparing for overseas education from third year onwards. Firstly, one has to prepare well for the proficiency examination. The examination can be attempted during the final year itself. Candidates must identify the area/subject and the country in which they have to undergo education abroad. Then try to find out the universities / schools / colleges offering the programmes. Prioritize the universities based upon the rankings. Identify 5-6 best educational institutions. Meanwhile apply for scholarships to meet the educational expenses. Without external funding, overseas education is a costly affair. Immediately after completing the BTech course, prepare a well structured single page biodata. By this time, test score results will be available. Send emails to professors of concerned universities with your biodata, statement of purpose and test score results. You will get immediate reply from the universities. Never reply in haste. Clarify their doubts after discussing with your faculty members and regularly communicate with them. If you are not eligible for scholarships, try to get Assistantship / Fellowship. In UK, Canada and European Union a student can do part time job upto 20 hours per week and earn money.
         
There is a growing apprehension among engineering graduates, whether they should attend any coaching centre to prepare for proficiency tests. Umpteen number of books and software/CDs are available in leading book stalls. A student can easily prepare with these available resources. If a student needs continuous motivation, it is better to attend coaching centre.
            
Parents and students frequently enquire whether they have to contact any agencies for admission process. Basic criteria for admission are test score results and academic merit. In the era of Information Technology, BTech graduates can easily contact foreign universities for completing the admission process. Hard work and commitment can pave the way for higher education abroad.

Nursing

Globally Nursing has emerged as one of the key areas generating more employment. Almost all countries are facing scarcity of nurses. Developed countries face difficulty in meeting the ever-growing demand for nurses. Since the requirement is very high, Indian nursing schools can exploit this situation. International Council for Nurses (ICN) and Florence Nightingale International Foundation have revealed that developing countries could play a key role in reducing this global problem.
 
Opportunities for nurses are more in USA, England, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland, Scotland, Australia, Wales and in certain African countries. Graduate Nurses are more in demand than diploma holders. An English proficiency examination like IELTS/TOEFL with better score is essential for a career abroad.  Moreover nursing diploma holders has to complete CGFNS examination.
 
Students who have completed BSc Nursing can join MS and PhD in United States after clearing GRE and TOEFL. Palliative care, child health and nursing management are emerging areas. Moreover they can join for MBA programme in nursing management or Hospital management in UK after successfully completing GMAT and IELTS.

Points to remember :
• Select only accredited nursing schools
• Give more emphasis to English proficiency and communication
• Rely on recognized recruiting agencies