Top Accrediting Agencies in India

CHEA - Council for Higher Education Accreditation - is a private organization that coordinates about 3000 degree granting universities and colleges and over 60 recognized accrediting organizations in the USA.

American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) - is the main body accrediting MBA courses in the USA. This body accredits programs, not schools, and has now started accrediting programs in other countries too.

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) - is a USA based body that operates internationally in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South and Latin America, accrediting business colleges

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) - is the nationally recognized accrediting authority for medical education programs leading to the M.D. degree in U.S. and Canadian medical schools. LCME is sponsored by the Association of American Medical Colleges and the American Medical Association

Joint Commission International (JCI) - is a US based accrediting agency that establishes quality standards for international medical organization

Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) institution The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) - is responsible for the Accreditation of post-MD medical training programs within the United States. Accreditation is accomplished through a peer review process and is based upon established standards and guidelines

Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology (ABET) - represents most engineering professional societies in the USA, including the Association of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institution of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), amongst many other

Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan

Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships are funded by the Department for International Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Following are the salient aspects of this award:

• The scholarship is for Commonwealth citizens of high academic ability
• Students are expected to make a significant contribution to their home countries upon return from study in the UK
• Awards are generally available to citizens of any Commonwealth country (this includes India)
• Scholarships are generally available for postgraduate study
• If there are no undergraduate courses in a particular subject in your own country or regional university, it may sometimes be possible for you to apply to do a first degree course under this scheme also.
• Scholarships are usually tenable for between one and three years
• They cover the cost of travel to and from the UK, tuition fees and living expenses.

Note: In some cases an allowance may be paid to help with the cost of maintaining a spouse and family in the UK

Travel to the USA

The United States of America is the most preferred choice of destination for many individuals and families around the globe. Individuals/Families travel to the U.S. for various purposes ranging from education, employment, personal, medical treatment, business, and tourism. Possession of a valid visa and passport of your home country allows you to travel to a port of entry in the United States.

At the foremost, a prospective traveler to the U.S. needs to locate the nearest U.S. Embassy/consulate and apply for a visa well in advance. A valid passport and necessary documents should be showed to support the visa application process.

Student applicants need to apply for a student visa, find colleges and universities in the U.S. and apply for financial aid. A course enrollment certificate to a U.S. school or university is compulsory before starting the visa application process.

As a norm, foreign visitors on arrival in USA are required to show valid passport and visa documents. Foreign visitors are also required to fill the I-94 form and any cash, 'monetary instruments' or traveler cheques above US $10,000 or more (in any currency) ought to be declared with the custom authorities.

Career Prospects in UK

The following professions are in considerable demand in the United Kingdom:

• Nursing,
• Dentistry
• Teaching
• Engineering
• Senior Care Workers,
• Community Workers,
• Managers,
• Chefs &
• IT workers.

It is relatively easy for aspiring migrant workers to acquire work permits for medical and teaching professions.

Living in the UK

London and the southeast of England are going to be the most expensive areas to live in with some of the larger northern cities, like Edinburgh, Manchester and Leeds, coming close behind. You should allow about £7,750 to £10,000 a year for your living expenses.

Student Discount: Many shops, theatres, cinemas, museums and galleries offer special reductions for students and special student fares are often available on buses and trains.

The cost of your breakfast and evening meal may be included in the rent you pay. Where meals are included you can expect to pay from £300 to £380 per month. For students with families, a number of universities and colleges offer two- or three-bedroom family units at a cost of £450 to £550 per month.

Health care: All international students on full-time UK courses that last more than six months can take advantage of the UK’s National Health Service, including free consultation with doctors and free hospital care for you and your family.

Here are some of the things that you should budget for and their average prices.

According to a survey by the UK’s National Union of Students (July 2005), the average expenses are:

• Student accommodation: average outside of London is £57 per week; inside London £80.
• Self-catering halls of residence £180 to £360 ,
• Catered halls of residence £320 to £400,
• Private-sector room in shared house/flat £200 to £380.

Institutions for Journalism

Degree courses in Journalism (Bachelors)

• Chennai University - B.A. with Journalism
• Ravi Shankar University, Raipur - Bachelor in Journalism
• Benaras Hindu University,- B.A. in Journalism
• Kashi Vidyapeeth, - Bachelor in Journalism
• University of Delhi, - Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication in Hindi
• Pune University, - Bachelor of Journalism
• University of Mumbai

1. B.A. with Mass Media Communication as a component group subject
2. B.A. in Script Writing and Diploma in Journalism & Mass Communication
3. B.A. in Journalism (BJ)

• Pioneer Media School -Bachelor of Journalism (BJ)
• Degree courses in Journalism (Masters)
• Chennai University

1. M.A. in Communication & Journalism &Certificate course in
2. effective communication
3. M.A. in Journalism

• Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta- M.A. in Mass Communication
• Benaras Hindu University, - M.A in Journalism
• Kashi Vidyapeeth, - M.A. Journalism and Mass Communication
• Kurukshetra University, - M.A. Journalism
• Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi - M.A. in Mass Communication
• Pune University, - Master of Communication Studies (MCMs)
• University of Mumbai - M.A. in Communication & Journalism
• Diploma course in Journalism
• Mudra Institute of Communication ( MICA) AHMEDABAD

1. Diploma in Management (Communications)
2. Post Graduation Certified courses in Retail Communications, Creative Communications, Visual Merchandisin

• Pune University

1. Diploma in Journalism

• Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore

1. PG Diploma in Television, Radio, Print and Web Journalism
2. Diploma in Television, Radio, Print and Web Journalism

• Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi

1. Journalism (English)
2. Journalism (Hindi)
3. Radio and Television Journalism
4. Journalism (Oriya)

• Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai

1. Journalism & Mass Communication
2. Television & Video Production
3. Digital Media

• Bharti Vidya Bhawan, New Delhi

1. Course in Mass Communication and Journalism
2. Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism

Study Abroad
You can explore various foreign locations for a course in journalism. A degree or diploma from some of the good institutes brightens your chances of getting a good job in the Indian media. Studying abroad gives you good exposure and a global perspective, which is highly desirable in the job market. Some of the locations that you can explore are the US, Singapore, Australia, and UK.

Mass Communication and Journalism Career

In the recent years, Indian media has evolved dramatically. There are scores of news channels, publications, and online news sites. If you want to make a career in journalism, you can join either TV news channels, newspapers, magazines, trade magazines or news or trade websites and portals. With increasing competition, journalism has become a lucrative career option. You can join any medium, provided you acquire a professional degree or diploma in journalism.
Eligibility/Admission requirements

• Bachelor in Journalism/Mass Communication: 10+2
• Post Graduation Diploma/Degree: Bachelor Degree.
• Duration of course
• Bachelor Degree: 3 years in any recognized university.
• PG Diploma: 1 year to 2 years.
• Masters in Journalism: 2 years.

Skills required• An inquisitive mind, presentable and confident personality, good communication skills and the ability to write and present information accurately and effectively

Need of Insurance

Medical insurance covers both domestic medical and international medical insurances. An international medical insurance may suit one's short or long term international medical concerns, depending upon the need such as the extent of single/multiple plan trips for individuals or families. Generally, international medical insurance covers emergency medical expenses, hospital stays and major surgeries.

Medicals carried while travelling must be checked to ensure that it is not controlled or banned by the government in the travelling country. Allowed medicines should also be correctly labeled in a container along with the prescription from a recognized doctor. It may be more viable to show personal health records along with the medical prescription.

Of the 1,10,000 students which go abroad every year from India, medical insurance is almost compulsory. It is mandatory for select foreign university students to buy medical and health insurance. Maximum insurance covers from Indian students abroad come from accident and health ailments followed by pregnancy.

Some universities have their own set of requirements while others have set up ties with Indian insurance companies in covering up Indian students.

Accreditation in the USA

In the United States, the federal government does not regulate colleges and universities directly. The various US states issue licenses to education institutions to run business and issue degrees. But this license varies from state to state and it does not mean that a licensed institute meets certain minimum standards.

The only way to know whether the institute provided quality education is to see whether the institute is accredited or not. To get accreditation from a recognized accrediting agency, an institution must meet and adhere to the standards set by the agency.

You need to take care that the college you plan to attend is properly accredited or you may find that your degree is not valued anywhere.

There are two basic categories of accreditation for degree granting institutions in the United States: institutional and programmatic. The institutional accreditation reviews and accredits the whole institution. Programmatic accreditation or specialized accreditation recognizes specific programs, departments, or schools within an institution. Several different accrediting bodies carry out each of these types of accreditation. Institutional accreditation can be divided into two types: regional accreditation and national accreditation.

Eligibility for US Scholarship

Though few and far between, there are some universities in the US that provide financial aid and international student scholarships to international students. However, you should keep these points in mind:

• The grant is limited and the pool of candidates is enormous
• It is often more readily available to graduate rather than Undergraduate students.
• Competition for international student scholarships and aid is fierce,
• Schools are very choosy about picking the right candidates.
• Good grades are extremely crucial in securing an international scholarship.

Note: To avoid disappointment, you may like to consider schools that do have scholarships as also your choice course, beforehand.

Educational Courses in UK

UK is a major attraction for tourists, students and workers from all over the world. A major advantage is its one-year Masters Degree for almost all courses and the fact that most UK universities recognize the Indian education system of 3 year graduation. London has the greatest concentration of higher education in any world city and therefore plays a pivotal role in global higher education.

Popular Courses

Courses can vary in length from a few weeks to two years; this means you can choose exactly what you need. The UK education system is very flexible enabling you to-

• Study academic and vocational courses side-by-side (such as a vocational computer qualification alongside an AS- or A-level in mathematics or economics),
• Learn a vocational skill alongside English language classes, or
• Prepare for university whilst also improving your IELTS score.

This way you can be sure that your time is being used in the most effective way for you.

Under Graduate Level Study: For Undergraduate course British students undergo thirteen years of pre-university education as compared with twelve years in India. Good grades in CBSE/ICSE Examination of first year of an Indian degree program are therefore usually required for direct entry into an undergraduate program in UK.A specified number of subject passes at both GCE "A" Levels and GCSE at grade C minimum is required for admissions in UK educational system. For Entry into Oxford, Cambridge and London University, 'A' level results are required. This in Indian context would mean one year in a college after 12 years of education.

Post Graduate (Master's & Doctorate level): Most UK universities accept the Indian graduation system of three years for entry into most postgraduate courses. An Indian Bachelors degree is equivalent to a British Bachelor (Ordinary) Degree. However, some courses and universities may require a qualification equivalent to British Bachelor (Honors) Degree, which requires 16 years of formal education, which would mean another year after graduation.

Popular Institutes

Deciding where to study can seem like a difficult task because there are so many universities and colleges to choose from. Researching universities or colleges which will suit you academically and personally can take time, but it is well worth the effort if you are to find the perfect one for you.

Each university and college will have a prospectus that provides information about the institution and the courses available. Attending open days can help you discover the good and bad points of a place as well as give you an idea about whether you will feel comfortable spending three or four years there. You can ask almost anything at an open day, but it's also a good idea to ring the institution about any enquiries you may have.

There is no national curriculum for higher education courses, but the Quality Assurance Agency carries out external reviews and the Teaching Quality Information website contains statistics, documents and reports about the quality of teaching.

Biotechnology Colleges and Centers

Biotechnology labs equipped with advanced facilities in India

• National Facility for Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC) at Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh.
• National Facility for Collection of Blue Green Algae (BGA) Collection at IARI, New Delhi.
• National Facility for Marine Cyanobacteria at Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirapalli.
• National Facility for Plant Tissue Culture Repository at NBPGR, Pusa, New Delhi.
• National Laboratory Animal House Facilities at Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow.
• National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad.

Genetic Engineering labs with latest infrastructure facilities

• BHU, Varanasi
• Biochemical Engineering Research and Process Development Centre at IMTECH, Chandigarh.
• Center for DNA Finger Printing and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad.
• JNU, New Delhi
• Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• National Facility for Animal Cell and Tissue Culture, Pune
• National Institute of Immunology (NII), New Delhi.
• The Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Top US research Centers Colleges

• Purdue University
• University of Wisconsin
• New Hampshire
• Iowa University
• University of Wyoming
• Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL)
• Pacific Northwest National Lab (PNNL)
• National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL)
• Argonne National Lab (ANL)

Co-Signer Eligibility for Education Loan

The most common question asked by students applying for educational loans in the US is if they need to have a co-signer always to apply for a loan. If a student is applying for a TERI guaranteed loan that requires a credit-worthy borrower, s/he must be credit-worthy or must apply with a credit-worthy co-signer. However, if the student is a graduate student, a health professions student, or is studying for a second undergraduate degree, then s/he may apply without a co-signer as a credit-ready borrower. Certain of TERI's partner's loan programs (for graduate students and health professions students) allow the student to qualify for a TERI guaranteed loan even if s/he does not meet all of the criteria of credit-worthiness.

So how does a student know what "credit-ready" means? The simple criteria for finding out credit-readiness means that the applicant satisfies certain credit criteria, although an established credit history is not required, and is a US citizen or permanent resident who has had a stable residence in the US for the past two years.

The advantage of TERI-guaranteed loans to credit-worthy applicants is that they generally carry lower rates and fees than those made to credit-ready applicants. This means that if a student is credit-worthy or can apply with a credit-worthy co-signer, then the total cost of his or her loan will be lower.

The other problem may be that for some students, the university of their choice may not be TERI-approved. In this case, students should contact their school's financial aid office and have the Director of Financial Aid (or an administrator in similar capacity) apply to TERI for school approval. School approval is a long process and can take as much as 30 - 60 days. So it is recommended that if you know you will need a loan in a few months, then get in touch with your school of choice now. It is also possible that the school may already have applied for TERI approval, in which case the waiting time reduces.

MBA Study Expenses in US

For what is considered one of the most prestigious and sought after qualifications in the world today, the costs involved are big. An MBA in the US is costlier than in most other countries. While the annual tuition fees in top schools like Harvard, MIT, Kellogg, Wharton, NYU etc varies between $30,000 and $60,000, others cost between $15,000 and $30,000 per year. The tuition fee varies between private (which can cost $15,000 to $60,000 annually) and state schools (between $10,000 and $20,000)

Add to this the living expense which, according to the College Board, varies between $14,050 (low budget) to $20,970 (moderate budget) for a 12-month period in 2007-2008. The breakdown of the living expenses is as follows: housing - 54%, transportation - 20% and miscellaneous - 26%. Living expense cost according to region and metropolitan area are available for guidance.

Medical insurance is mandatory for foreign students. The total cost of an MBA in the US thus depends on the tuition fee of the business school you have chosen, your lifestyle which can make a big difference in the cost of living and the location both of your school as well as your residence.

The total approximate cost for an MBA in Boston University, Virginia, Duke, Yale, Stanford, New York and Columbia exceeds $50,000 for non-resident students. In universities such as Stetson University, the University of Tampa, University of Mississippi, North Carolina State University, Louisiana State University, Georgia Tech, SUNY Buffalo and Brigham Young University, the total costs vary between $15,000 and $20,000.