M. Pharm in Australia: What are my prospects?

Q. I have completed my B.Com from Utkal University. I am planning to take admission in DC School of Management and Technology, Kerala. The college is offering both PGDM and MBA courses. I have to opt for one. I want to know which is better?

Krishan Mohapatra

A. According to the AICTE regulations, all 2-year full-time general management programmes, which are not affiliated to any university (ie an autonomous institute), must be referred to as Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM). Only 2-year Management courses offered by Universities can be called MBA. AICTE’s regulations on PGDM programmes will in all probability kill good institutes, letting bad ones thrive. Read on...

Hence, even the management programmes offered by the IIMs are called PGPM because the IIMs are not universities or affiliated to any university. Generally speaking, these terms are merely a difference in nomenclature, and no way an indicator of the value or quality of the programme. However, if you wish to pursue a PhD in Management subsequently, you would be safer with an MBA. But a PGDM declared as equivalent to an MBA by Association of Indian Universities is  as good as an MBA for all academic purposes.


Q. What kind of degree can I get if I pursue my PG in pharmacy in Australia (MS or M.Pharm or MSc or PGDM)?

Ramu Reddy

A. In many countries, including Australia, the M.Pharm degree is not considered an advanced follow-up degree for pharmacists. In fact, it has superseded the Bachelor of Pharmacy (B.Pharm) as the prerequisite and primary qualification for registration to practise as a pharmacist. Which is to say that it’s not a postgraduate course for B.Pharm degree holders like you. Nor is credit granted for previous studies undertaken in any undergraduate programme including pharmacy or related fields.

From 2008, entry into the M.Pharm programme is open to international students who have completed an undergraduate degree in either Biomedical Sciences, Health Sciences, Science with a major in Physiology, Pharmacology or Biotechnology or an Applied Science degree with a major in Medical Laboratory Science. In addition to completing their undergraduate degree, students should be proficient in English, as determined by the University’s IELTS standards. This also gives an opportunity for science graduates from a variety of Life/Biological Sciences to enter this profession.

Dispensing medicine is a very visible, but only one aspect of a pharmacist's job. Know more about the field here...

Q. I am a B.Com graduate, planning for MBA in HR or finance, having work experience for 3 years. Is it advisable to do an MBA via distance education or part-time? Is there any disadvantage? Who approves Distance Learning MBAs? 

Pragati, through email

A. Ideally if you can spare the time and resources you should do a full-time programme. If not, a part-time MBA is the second best solution. It helps you keep a job as well. A substantial part of learning in an MBA happens through peer-to-peer interaction and course-level projects. That is one of the reasons why a full-time MBA is preferred to a DL mode one. A DL MBA is appropriate for those who are already working in executive level positions and need the knowledge that an MBA programme offers. It also makes you eligible to apply to a host of positions that demand the qualification. 

As far as eligibility is concerned an MBA to be valid for higher education/govt./psu jobs must primarily be approved by DEC. There is also a joint committee approval which came later, but since the existence of the committee is itself under a cloud, as of now DEC-AICTE-UGC joint committee approvals are in a limbo. But when it gets activated, its approval will be essential for the validity of the degree. 

Careers360 prepared a checklist that will help you establish if the degree is recognised by law, and by prospective employers. Read here... 

Q. I am a Mechanical engineer. I want to know about the future and career growth of a marketing/sales engineer. If I want to switch over to the position of a sales engineer, then is it necessary to do MBA in marketing? I am confused. Please suggest what is right for me.

Velayuthan Saravanan

A. The two most important functions in any business are marketing/ sales and operations.

Marketing/sales is generally more rewarding in terms of growth prospects/salary and you are able to switch industries also with ease if you are good at it. Also, it is a misconception that you need to have an MBA (Marketing) to grow in this field. What you need to ask yourself is:

• Do you enjoy talking to people?
• Are you an outgoing kind of a person with an aggressive disposition?
• Are you good at convincing others?
• Does the business side of things excite you more than the technical side?

If the answers to all these questions are positive, then you should definitely go ahead with the change.

Must-read: Marketing in the world of advertising

Q. My son is appearing for his AIEEE examination next year. He wants to specialize in mechanical engineering. I am not too sure if that is a right choice. Please advise.

Krishnendhu Ganguly

A. Branch selection is always the most difficult decision for any engineering aspirant. The best way to do it is to have a hierarchy of choices. Unless your son has very solid aptitude for a particular branch, what matters much more is the college from where he studies engineering. And since IT/CS firms are the biggest recruiters of engineers and would continue to do so the in the foreseeable future, a circuit branch is always preferable to a non-circuit branch.

Please also read the article: "Choosing the right engineering branch/ institute". With role model engineers like Dr. Abdul Kalam, former President of India, Narayana Murthy of Infosys, E. Sreedhan - man behind Delhi metro, the aspiring engineers of India have a lot to look up to. Read on about these icons...

Q. I am doing final EEE. Am interested in pursuing a job as electrical or electronics engineer. How can girls cope in the core industry? Please give me details.

Rama Kamakshy

A. Careers in the core sector are not only challenging. With the rise in competition for good engineers, they are also rewarding. It is a myth that corporations do not prefer women engineers. Though a bias did exist in early 60s or 70s (remember the story of Sudha Murthy, who was initially rejected by Tata Motors?), it no longer applies.

Corporations do not give any weight to your gender. In fact with the increasing awareness about inclusiveness, they go out of the way to increase the number of women in the technical workforce. All they would look for is, whether you are capable of working under strenuous conditions, especially in heavy industries. Electronics sector is easier on the physique. So go ahead.  WIE is an exclusive organisation for women engineers, helping them to realise their true potential. Know more...