Clueless in Mumbai?

Its cheaper and there are many options. No wonder many students from the UAE travel to Mumbai for higher education, only to find themselves clueless about the institution and syllabus. Maria E. Kallukaren reports.

P rofessor Sam Skariah, Vice-principal of Wilson College Mumbai, India, is practical when it comes to expectations. He is the first to admit that very few students from the international community come to Mumbai for their higher studies.

"They prefer to go to Canada and the US," he said during a recent promotion trip to the UAE.

However, the city's colleges are highly rated when it comes to the Indian expatriate community in the UAE.

"You must also remember that higher education in India is still very cheap. And middle-income and low-income families can afford to send their children there. Hostel accommodation is also often available and it is not expensive. This is a huge plus," said Skariah.

However...

"I have found that most students who come to Mumbai don't have a clue about the college, the syllabus ? . I have seen many land in the wrong place, and then change stream midway."

Skariah visited Dubai recently to talk to aspiring students about the colleges there, the subjects and syllabus. Notes took advantage of his expertise to provide advice and tips to students keen on going to Mumbai.

For further information contact Sam Skariah at skariahsam@hotmail.com

The quality of programmes in Mumbai

"It depends on the course being offered. For instance, the art syllabus at the Delhi School

of Arts is much better than that of Mumbai University. That's because in Mumbai students are more interested in management. Our management programmes are much better ? . Similarly the chemistry syllabus is very good because there are a lot of pharmaceutical companies in Mumbai."
- Professor Sam Skariah, Vice-principal, Wilson College, Mumbai

What does a UAE-based student say?

"There are more opportunities and exposure. In my programme, we have to do as many as 18 projects per semester.

There are options in the West, but it's much more expensive.

Since I want to major in advertising, I decided on Mumbai rather than my native Kerala, where the opportunities are fewer.

Hostel life is also comfortable. Of course, don't expect the comforts and lifestyle you have here [UAE].
- Joison Joe Sabu, first year, mass media student at Wilson College

Mumbai is known for:

1. Management studies
The Bachelor's in Management Studies offered by Mumbai University is similar to the BBA or Bachelor's in Business Administration programme, said Professor Sam Skariah.

- Tremendous scope for project work. Carries 50 per cent marks.

- The syllabus is updated and changed every year based on interaction with the job market.

- Teachers format the syllabus, set questions for exams, and set benchmarks for projects. "So students can be assured that what they are being taught is not just practical but in line with what they will be asked in their exams," said Skariah.

- Internships are part of the programme.

- Most students are picked from campus for mid-level management jobs.

2. Bachelor's in Mass Media
- Follows the six-semester system with students branching out into journalism or advertising in their fifth semester.
- Project work gets 40 per cent and theory 60 per cent marks

3. Microbiology and biotechnology
4. Bachelor's in computer science
5. Bachelor's in psychology
The programme is sought by students keen on doing their Masters in Social Work (MSW).

How to apply

If you choose Mumbai?

What you need to do

- Before going, form an idea of the courses available at various colleges. "Don't just go by the name of a college. All its programmes may not be that popular. Find out which department is popular," said Professor Sam Skariah.

- Check the facilities the college has such as the library, placement cell, hostel, opportunities for project work, etc.

- Study the syllabus before choosing a programme. Information about the syllabus can be found on the university's website.

- Try to ensure that you go to a college with a hostel, Skariah advised. "If a hostel is not available then try to get into one of the many student hostels available in the city. Your last resort should be taking accommodation as a paying guest."

What you shouldn't do

- If you feel you have landed in the wrong programme and university, don't waste three years. "Switch over to another college," said Skariah. " Mumbai University issues no-objection certificates (NOC) so that students can migrate to another college. The new academic year begins in June; if a student switches programmes/colleges by September 31, he doesn't have to lose a year."

- Don't make a last-minute decision. Begin enquiries, at the latest, from April of the year you are seeking admission. The admission procedure begins in mid-May and the classes start latest by the middle of June.

- Come too early or too late. "You need come only by the last week of May or the first week of June," said Skariah.

- Second language warning. A lot of students join a college but do not verify whether it offers French as a second language. Most students from the GCC are not comfortable with Hindi. It is worth verifying if the college offers another language.

Case study

A student with a good academic record arrived in Mumbai in the third week of May hoping to join a bachelor's in management studies programme. "She was unaware that she had to sit for the common entrance test conducted in Mumbai in the first week of May," said Professor Sam Skariah. The student finally settled for an arts programme.

Benefits of studying in a big city

Exposure
In terms of the quality of projects, extracurricular activities, interaction with the industry, national and international workshops that students can attend.

Multi-cultural and multi-lingual set-up
People from all over the world come to Mumbai. A lot of multi-national companies have offices here. In the Indian state of Maharashtra, it is a cosmopolitan city. "You are assimilated into the culture of the city and there's plenty of room for personal growth," said Skariah.

A friendly city
"One easily becomes a part of Mumbai," said Skariah. "Within a week's time." For most students going overseas, getting along with the people and the culture is no doubt one of the most difficult aspects. "This is not the case in Mumbai," said Skariah. "The city accepts you wherever you are from. There are students from Sudan, Mauritius, the Gulf ? "
Peaceful campus atmosphere

Excellent student-teacher rapport. "Students can approach their teachers for academic and personal problems," said Skariah.

No ragging
No student politics. "The student unions have been formed in such a way that the toppers from every programme form the student committee. This is unique to Mumbai University," said Skariah.

Admission through merit
"No donations or capitation fees are taken," said Skariah. "Colleges are accountable to the university, which has very strict admission procedures."

Semester system
Exams at the end of each. "So students don't carry the burden throughout the year," said Skariah.

The examination system
Exams are conducted by teachers on behalf of the university. This means the questions are different from college to college.

Wilson College, Mumbai