Human rights is evolving

Q: I am interested in pursuing a postgraduate degree in human rights. Which are the institutes offering it and what are the prospects?
Name withheld

A: Although human rights is still in a nascent stage in India, and our HR record is not all that great (going by the controversial Amnesty International report), there are many avenues open for a student specialising in this field.
Besides social service organisations, lawyers’ cooperatives and government bodies in India, international organisations and NGOs are on a constant lookout for those specialising in human rights. These include UNIFEM, ILO, UNESCO, UNFPA, WHO, CRY, Red Cross, DANIDA, YMCA, etc.

Plans are afoot to make human rights education mandatory in all schools and colleges in a few years. This would create a demand for human rights lecturers, teachers and counsellors in future.

You can check out the following institutes:

• University of Calcutta, anthropology department, Ballygunge Science College offers an MA in human rights.

• West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences, centre for human rights and citizenship studies, Calcutta, offers a certificate course on human rights law. The eligibility is a bachelors degree.

• NLSIU, Bangalore (www.nls.ac.in), offers a postgraduate diploma in human rights law via correspondence.

• NALSAR, Barkatpura, Hyderabad (www.nalsarpro.org/nalsarlawuniv.org), offers a one-year postgraduate diploma in international humanitarian law.

• RLEK Human Rights Centre, 68/1 Suryalok Colony, Rajpur, Dehra Dun (www.rlek.org), offers a one-year postgraduate diploma in human rights in affiliation with Visva Bharati University, Santiniketan, West Bengal.

Having fun with numbers

Q: I want to pursue applied mathematics as a career. What does it entail and what are the prospects?
Arunima Ghosh

A : Applied mathematicians use mathematical concepts to explain phenomena that occur in the real world, such as the intricacies of quantum theory. Opportunities abound in this field. Moreover, the skills that you develop while studying for a maths degree — such as the ability to think logically — will stand you in good stead in any profession.

Careers where a mathematics background is especially valued are: engineering, accountancy, actuarial work, taxation, economics, econometrics, management, computer programming, operations research, meteorology, oceanography, demography and media planning to name a few. Of course, you can always consider the option of teaching in colleges.

Travelling the world with tourism

Q: I have completed my graduation from Calcutta University and am interested in doing a postgraduate course in travel and tourism management. Where is it offered and what are the job prospects?
Arnab Dutta

A:The travel and tourism industry has undergone a massive expansion and will continue to do so in the years to come. Last year, a record number of 4 million foreign tourists visited the country that translated into $5 billion as revenue for the economy. The tourism ministry hopes to ride the wave created by the Incredible India campaign to draw 5 million tourists by 2007. The future is bright for those interested in this sector.

You can look for job opportunities with the department of tourism, immigration and customs, airlines, sales, ticketing and reservation department of travel agencies and travel departments of hotel chains. Of course, you could also consider opening your own travel agency after you’ve learnt the ropes.

Getting a certification from IATA-UFTAA (International Air Transport Association and Universal Federation of Travel Agents Association), Geneva, is an excellent qualification to get jobs in the industry. This home study programme which requires about 200 hours of study is open to anyone after Class XII. Details are available at www.iata.org/atdi/travel_tourism.

The following recognised institutes offer postgraduate degree and diploma courses in tourism management and administration:

• University of Burdwan, (www.buruniv.ac.in), offers a masters in tourism administration (MTA).

• Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar (www.utkaluniversityculture.com), offers an MA in tourism and hospitality services.

• University of North Bengal, West Bengal (www.nbu.ac.in), offers a six-month postgraduate diploma in cultural tourism management.

• Regional College of Management, Bhubaneswar, offers an MTA.

• Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management, (www.iittm.org), offers an MBA at Gwalior and Bhubaneswar.

• Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi (www.ignou.ac.in), offers a masters in tourism management.

• Berhampur University, Berhampur (http://bamu.nic.in), offers a one-year postgraduate diploma in tourism and Indian monuments.