Student life in France

Highlights:

1. Procedure for visa: The online admission application allows you to create a personal electronic file, by visiting the website www.campusfrance.org/en/index.htm , which gives the indications in English. The procedure for registration is simple.

2. The site http://www.campusfrance.org/ is in French. If you need any clarification, you may contact the nearest CampusFrance office (the contact details were given last week.)

3. The next step is to get an NOC (No Objection Certificate) through the visa interview held by the French official concerned.

4. You have to produce the prescribed documents at the NOC interview — the originals and two sets of copies for verification. Usually, the following will be required (Campus France will advise you of the details):

a. A letter of registration/admission from a French academic institution

b. Proof of resources for tuition fees and living expenses for housing, food, medical expenses, transport or a sponsorship letter for accommodation from the city where you are going for your studies, and supporting documents

c. Proof of accommodation in France for the period of stay

d. CV

e. Four passport-size photographs with light background

f. Copies of your degrees/diplomas and certificates (+2 /B.A. /B.Sc./ B.Tech./M.A./M.Sc.)

g. Copy of the relevant pages of your passport valid for the entire period of stay in France

5. Air ticket or reservation printout of air ticket

6. A comprehensive overseas medical policy and repatriation insurance cover

7. More details: http://www.thehindu.com/edu/2009/09/21/stories/2009092151130200.htm

Nine new National Institutes of Technology

Highlights:
1. The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the setting up of nine new National Institutes of Technology (NITs); taking their number to 29 across the country. While the process of establishing the new NITs will get underway immediately, the first round of admissions will begin in the next academic year and classes will be held in mentor NITs or campuses taken on lease.

2.The new NITs will be set up in Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Goa, Puducherry, Sikkim, Delhi and Uttarakhand.

3. More details: http://beta.thehindu.com/news/national/article21744.ece

U.S.-India collaboration: Centre on nanotechnology

Highlights:
1. A prestigious American university has entered into a collaboration with researchers in India to launch a centre which will focus on advancements in nanomaterials to address growing energy needs.

2. The new centre, the Joint Networked Center on Nanomaterials for Energy, is being funded by the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum, a media release said, adding that it involves Purdue’s Birck Nanotechnology Center, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNC) and General Electric Co.’s John F Welch India Technology Center.

3. More details: http://beta.thehindu.com/education/research/article26934.ece

Common Admission Test 2009

Highlights:

1. The last date for online registration and sale of vouchers for the Common Admission Test (CAT) 2009 has been extended from October 1 to 11, 2009 in view of several holidays in the month of September.

2. The computer–based CAT 2009 which is scheduled between November 28 and December 7, 2009 will be conducted in 32 Indian cities through 105 secure computer-based testing centres specially prepared for the CAT examination.

3. More details: http://beta.thehindu.com/education/college-and-university/article27054.ece

Test used by most U.S. colleges and universities admissions and placement decisions

Highlights:

1. The SAT is a standardized, multiple-choice test used by most U.S. colleges and universities for admissions and placement decisions.

2. SAT scores can also be used to determine scholarship eligibility.

3. The test is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and given nationally seven times a year.

4. The SAT is a seven-section, three-hour exam.

5. Three of the sections are Verbal, three are Math, and one is experimental.

6. The experimental section, used by ETS strictly for its own research, can be either Verbal or Math and is not counted toward your final score.

7. The seven sections appear in a slightly different order every time the SAT is administered.

8. More details: http://www.hindu.com/edu/2005/06/27/stories/2005062700270300.htm