An MTech in artificial intelligence?

I am an IT student. I want to do MTech in artificial intelligence or computer science engineering (CSE) with AI. Which are the good government colleges for AI and the top 20 for MTech in CSE? I have been placed in TCS. Should I drop out to secure a good score in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)? Or should I opt for the TCS job?

—SM

Several institutes offer the MTech programme in AI, or computer science with specialisation in AI. Among these are the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Allahabad, the Indian Institute of Science, which also offers computer science with a specialisation in artificial intelligence, and the University of Hyderabad, which offers MTech in AI and robotics. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), a premier institute, also focuses on applied AI.

While the IITs and IIIT Allahabad select candidates through GATE, the University of Hyderabad requires at least 60 per cent marks in BTech with a strong background in computer science. Admission is on the basis of a written test and interview. Punjab Technical University runs an MTech programme with AI as a paper. However, this programme is highly sophisticated with a strong research component.

There is no official ranking of engineering institutes but some of the top colleges for an MTech degree in computer science include the IITs; Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani; Anna University’s College of Engineering, Chennai; National Institutes of Technology at Tiruchirapalli, Surathkal and Allahabad, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, and the IIIT Allahabad.

If you have a keen interest in your subject, enjoy handling technical and scientific work, and are good at working in technical creation, modification and development, then an MTech degree would qualify you for a higher entry position, more responsibilities and better salary than a BTech.

On the other hand, if you are considering moving into a management-related job, then the work experience at TCS will prove very useful and advantageous.

I graduated in economics with an aggregate of 47.2 per cent this year. I plan to take my improvement exam next year to reach 50 per cent so that I can appear for the Common Admission Test for an MBA. However, as I’m free now, what should I do in the meantime? If I get a low score in CAT, what opportunities will I have? What if I am unable to score 50 per cent?

—Pradeep

You require at least 50 per cent marks in graduation for entry to an MBA programme, although some institutes may overlook this requirement.

But the MBA degree is not the only route to success. After graduation in economics, you have a range of options before you, including insurance and banking, cost accountancy, chartered financial analysis, company secretary, and several other commerce and business-related careers, for which there are different courses.

Depending on your aptitude and interests, you may consider careers in areas such as mass communications, journalism, public relations, if you have good communication skills; travel and tourism, or hospitality, if you are more people-oriented.

Or else, develop any skill you have, whether in design and animation, languages, computers or any other. 

You can spend the next year exploring and developing these skills so that you have alternative careers to consider. Today, career opportunities are very many. So, you should look at your interests and aptitudes to decide.

How does one decide whether to go for (a) a private institute conducting a distance-learning MBA programme of a university, with a Swiss B-school diploma thrown in, (b) a new management institute offering a university MBA degree and a PG diploma of a management association, or (c) an All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)-approved PG diploma from another private B-school which has been around for some time now?

— Name withheld

A degree or a diploma does not make a difference at the postgraduate level. The placement record is more important. Besides, an established school is a better option. The last institute is offering a PGDM which is AICTE-approved. However, there are some institutes which do not seek AICTE recognition as they feel their placement record is sufficient proof of the quality of their study programme. Also, students do not need degree recognition at the postgraduate level, unless they plan to study further for a PhD.

Given this, management institutes need not offer their programmes through distance learning, although some do — mostly to satisfy a large educated class that only looks for a ‘stamp’, not the quality of the service.

Author: Usha Albuquerque

Date: 21st Oct., 2009