‘New H-1B visa rules may not affect hiring in US’

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JUNE 01, 2019 00:00 IST

Despite the recent changes in the H-1B visa rules, companies in the United States may not change their hiring patterns for MBA graduates.

According to the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) corporate recruiters survey 2019, released on Wednesday, 48% of US employers have planned or are willing to hire the same number of international candidates as last year (47%). In 2017, the companies had hired as much as 55% international candidates.

The H1-B visa rule changes were enforced from April 1 this year, but those with advanced degrees from US institutions have an edge over those with bachelor’s degrees. The survey has noted that in US companies, MBAs continue to draw the highest pay package.

The survey, conducted among 1,200 employers in 45 countries, found that most employers planned to increase MBA starting salaries in 2019 (56%), including 63% of Asia-Pacific employers and 49% of European employers.

On average, new recruits in 2019 are estimated to earn US$115,000 — more than double the median for new bachelor’s degree recruits (US$55,000) and the highest ever recorded in the US, when adjusted for inflation, according to the survey.

Consulting sector

By industries among US employers, median MBA starting salaries are highest in the consulting and finance/accounting industries. “There has been a feeling of uncertainty in recent years around the direction of the US visa policy, which is impacting international hiring and application trends,” said Sangeet Chowfla, president of GMAC.

There has been a feeling of uncertainty in recent years around the direction of the US visa policy

Sangeet Chowfla

President, GMAC

Fewer takers for engineering seats in Tamil Nadu this year

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JUNE 01, 2019 00:00 IST

While more and more management seats were surrendered to the TNEA in the past few years, fewer students showed interest in the programme.

1,32,442 candidates have registered against 1,59,631 last year

The State’s engineering colleges are staring at a bleak future. For the first time in the last five years, the number of students seeking admission through single window has fallen drastically.

According to the the Directorate of Technical Education officials, who will be conducting online counselling for Tamil Nadu Engineering Admission 2019 this year, till 5 p.m. on Friday, the last date for submitting applications, 1,32,442 candidates had registered. The deadline for submitting applications was 11.59 p.m. on Friday.

This is perhaps the lowest number of applications received so far by the TNEA. In the past few years while more and more management seats were surrendered to the TNEA for admission, fewer students showed interest in the programme.

In 2017, as many as 1.40 lakh candidates registered for admission. In 2018, the number of applicants had seen a slight increase: 1,59,631. TNEA had on offer 1,78,139 seats.

At the start of admissions as many as 16,000 remained vacant. When the final admission data was released two weeks ago, as many as 1.37 lakh seats, including those under management quota, had not been filled.

This year, the All India Council for Technical Education reduced the number of seats across the country for engineering. Yet, it is estimated that the State would have around 1.75 lakh seats at least. Admissions are being made by DoTE instead of Anna University. Random numbers for applicants will be generated on June 3 and verification of original certificates at TNEA facilitation centres will be done between June 6 and 11.

The merit list will be published on June 17. Online counselling will commence for special category from June 20 and for the general category on July 1.

Admission to siddha, ayurveda courses to go by NEET scores

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

CHENNAI, JUNE 01, 2019 00:00 IST

A crèche inaugurated by Health Minister Vijaya Baskar on Friday at the Institute Of Child Health.M. Vedhan

We have sought legal opinion on the matter, says Health Minister

This year, admissions to courses offered under the Indian systems of medicine (AYUSH) could be on the basis of NEET scores.

In March, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which had made National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) mandatory for Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy courses, had relaxed the rule for yoga and naturopathy courses for 2019-20.

Last year, the Central government had made the test mandatory for admission to AYUSH courses but some States had protested against it. The Tamil Nadu government had also admitted students based on Plus Two marks pointing out that these admissions were governed by the respective councils which had not amended their rules for admission.

While there are councils for Ayurveda and Siddha there is none for yoga and naturopathy.

On the sidelines of the inauguration of a series of facilities at the Institute of Child Health here on Friday, Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar told reporters, “While last year too the State was under the compulsion to admit students through NEET, we did not go ahead with that. However, since the rules have been amended this year, we have sought legal opinion from the Attorney General. But it does seem that we will have to go ahead with AYUSH admissions with NEET scores.”

Dr. Vijaya Baskar said the State would have as many as 300 additional seats in MBBS this year, including 150 seats for the yet-to-be opened Karur Medical College, 100 seats each for Tirunelveli Medical College and Madurai Medical College. While the government had received orders to increase seats in Tirunelveli College, oral assurance has been received for Madurai College, the Minister said.

The State will have 3,350 seats this year, including the 100 seats for IRT Perundurai Medical College, Dr. Vijayabaskar said.

On the 10% reservation for students of economically weaker sections, the Minister said additional seats had been sought to accommodate the students. A decision would be taken after discussion with the Chief Minister, he added.

The Minister inaugurated a creche for the children of the employees of the ICH, the Government Ophthalmic Hospital and the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. The creche was painted through an agreement with Kansai Nerolac Paint Limited. The three-room creche includes cradles for infants, play facilities for toddlers besides board games such as table tennis, carrom and chess.

The hospital has also set up a therapy centre for paediatric patients to participate in music, dance and theatre sessions. The institute has also put in place a pneumatic sample transport system to speed up laboratory services.

Chainsmoker’s damaged sperms lead to failed IVF

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:01.06.2019

Infertility is not always a woman’s burden, after all. In an interesting a case, a chainsmoking man’s sperms were found to be affected by nicotine. A couple in their 30s was recently screened at the city-based Nova IVI Fertility, Koramangala, after their two cycles of IVF failed elsewhere.

The husband was asked to undergo DNA fragmentation index (DFI), a specialized test, which pointed to the fragmented sperm leading to failure in conception.

Doctors said this was due to his nicotine dependency. The man was counselled and put on antioxidants as part of the treatment. After the man quit smoking, the wife conceived through IVF and is now six months pregnant. In this case, the significant factor in miscarriage is the quality of the man’s sperm.

“Whenever there is spontaneous abortion or IVF fails, it’s the woman who faces the stigma and emotional burden. In this case, the couple came to us after the woman faced spontaneous abortion, followed by two failed attempts at IVF.

“While the woman had no problems, we counselled the couple. We told them that the husband would need to take the DFI test, after he admitted that he was a chainsmoker. The results were shocking,” said Dr Santosh Gupta, fertility specialist, Nova IVI Fertility.

While sperm fragmentation up to 25-30% is normal, anything higher than that is considered a hurdle to fertility.

“Usually, the fragmentation index among smokers would be 50-60%. But in this case, it was 70%, which was quite alarming. When a person is nicotine-dependent, smoking causes oxidative damages. Anti-oxidants help in this condition. The man was asked to stop smoking completely, take more of fruits as they are rich in oxidants. Medicines with anti-oxidants were given to help his condition,” she added.

The woman conceived in December 2018 through IVF, after healthy sperms were picked up through a sperm selection technique.

A couple in their 30s was recently screened after their two cycles of IVF failed elsewhere. The husband was asked to undergo DNA fragmentation index which pointed to the fragmented sperm leading to failure in conception

Srirangam temple to ban mobile phones
Trichy:01.06.2019

The Hindu Religious & Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department that manages has mooted a proposal to prohibit devotees from carrying mobile phones into the Arulmigu Ranganathaswamy temple in Srirangam. Locker facility has been proposed at all entry points for devotees to deposit mobile phones for a minimal fare.

HR&CE sources said the decision to ban the usage of mobile phones was taken based on a suggestion post a safety audit conducted by the Tamil Nadu Police (security) recently. Taking a cue from the mobile phone ban at the Meenakshi Amman temple in Madurai, HR&CE department has passed an internal circular briefing the proposal and inviting suggestions. TNN

Politicians in state tear into Modi govt over appeal in SC

‘BJP Intends To Push Greenfield Project Against State Interest’

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.06.2019

The Modi government moving the Supreme Court, challenging the Madras high court order that quashed the land acquisition proceedings for the ₹10,000 crore Chennai-Salem greenfield project, has triggered sharp reactions from Tamil Nadu political parties. While the DMK dubbed it an ‘unpardonable betrayal of Tamils’, the PMK, an NDA ally, expressed shock over the move and vowed to fight until the project was dropped.

A vacation bench of Justices M R Shah and A S Bopanna in the Supreme Court has scheduled hearing of the appeal for June 3, after counsel for the Centre said the prayer was of ‘utmost importance.’ In its April order, the high court had found the project report of the consultant highly flawed and held public hearing and environmental clearance from the Union government mandatory. The bench had observed that it would have adverse effects on environment and water bodies as it needed a mega realignment. The order had received widespread appreciation, and the affected farmers celebrated with sweets and fireworks.

DMK chief M K Stalin hit out at the state and central governments they failed to learn lessons from the “gift (read defeat)” handed over by the electorate in the state, especially in Salem, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai and Kancheepuram Lok Sabha constituencies, where the alignment had been proposed. “It is shocking that the government headed by Narendra Modi, who vowed to build inclusive India, remains anti-Tamil Nadu just a day after assuming charge,” the DMK leader said, demanding that the scheme be withdrawn, and new routes be considered. The DMK-Congress combine had won the seats by a margin of 70,750 and 3.04 lakh votes, while Anbumani faced a humiliating defeat in Dharmapuri.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari had said in an election rally in Salem that the project would be executed after discussions with farmers. NHAI sources said the agency was keen on moving the SC with an appeal and papers were getting ready when election code of conduct was put in place. “Following the recommendations from expert appraisal committee of environment ministry, the NHAI engaged IIT Madras and got a report on the impact of proposed alignment on mountain ecosystem. It also entrusted an additional study to Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore. KITCO Limited, a joint venture of Kerala government and public sector banks completed 40% of socio-economic assessment on the impact of land acquisition,” said an official source. The agency reduced the acquisition of land from 2,400 hectares to 2,020 hectares following protests by farmers, activists and political parties.

The high court verdict came on a batch of petitions from 35 land owners and Anbumani Ramadoss. “We will put pressure on the state and central governments and get them to withdraw the project, which is unnecessary and would adversely affect farmers,” said Anbumani, who had filed a caveat before the Supreme Court. Incidentally, PMK founder Ramadoss and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami were present when Union minister Gadkari announced the BJP’s intent to execute the project.

Madras univ plans startup ecosystem

Varsity To Get ₹15cr For Setting Up Career Hub

Ragu.Raman@timesgroup.com

Chennai:01.06.2019

University of Madras will provide a startup eco-system for students and will revamp courses related to entrepreneurship and self-employment from the coming academic year, said P Duraisamy, vice-chancellor of the university.

Under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) phase II scheme, the university would receive ₹15 crore from MHRD for creating an entrepreneurship and career hub at the university. The facility would be accessible for students from university departments and its affiliated colleges, he told TOI.

“The university has already received ₹7.5 crore under the scheme. We plan to set up a separate cell for helping the students to launch startups. We also plan to revamp the courses to hone their entrepreneurship skills,” said Duraisamy, who has completed two years as vice-chancellor of the university.

Listing out various academic reforms introduced in the past two years, he said the university was ranked 41 in NIRF rankings two years ago, but has now moved up to be among top 20 universities in the country.

“The university has introduced plagiarism check and online monitoring system to improve quality of PhDs. We have instituted Best Thesis and Best Teacher awards to encourage quality research, leading to publications and patents,” he said.

The Institute of Distance Education (IDE) was marred by corruption and malpractices in exams and payment system. Now, the IDE is completely revamped and even aggressively planning to introduce online courses, he said. “After finding out that the three study centres outside the state cheated in examinations, we closed all the centres outside Tamil Nadu. We also introduced online payment to eliminate malpractices in the challan payment system,” he said.

The university also introduced choice-based credit system (CBCS) and common syllabus for distance education programmes. Due to the ban on recruitment for the last two years, the vacancies in the university have risen to more than 50%.

“We will soon begin the recruitment after consulting the state government. Many of our departments do not have the minimum six faculty members required to get aid from UGC and other funding agencies. We will try to fill at least the government sanctioned posts,” the vice-chancellor said.

For the next one year, Duraisamy said, his priority would be to bring the university out of its current financial crisis.

“The university has huge potential. We will aim to move up in our rankings and will lay the road map to become category-1 university which ushers in greater autonomy and funding,” Duraisamy said.