Tag: Australia

Admission Woe for Canadian Colleges Continues

admin Leave a comment

Over the last two years, international students, especially from India, China, Vietnam and the Philippines, have been facing difficulty in securing admissions at the community colleges in Canada. This discomfort can be attributed to rapidly growing numbers of international student from these countries against the limited capacity of the schools. Seats fill up quickly; in some cases, when community colleges decide to open the admission gate for specific courses, they fill up in moments. That was not the case some years ago.

Seeing this, one could start scratching his head and ask himself, “Where does this overnight demand come from?”

There could be multiple answers to such questions. Here is my perspective to this continuing dearth of seats for students:

Under the Student Partner Program (SPP) which was introduced by the Canadian Immigration Department almost a decade back, the numbers of Indian and Chinese students were going up every year. The scarcity of the place at the community colleges was firstly experienced in the year 2013. Some schools filled up in the blink of the eyes. However, not all the colleges were beneficiary of this boom but that was the cursor to the deteriorating situation. In the following year, international students started experiencing the same. This did not end there. The government of Canada decided to add other countries, such as Philippines and Vietnam not far long ago and replaced the SPP program with the Student Direct Stream (SDS). I believe this was the tipping point, and it looks like the situation is not going to get better in the years to come.

Ergo, we advise students to be early and fast in having their applications processed. There is a never-ending queue and if they are late in applying for the school, probably they will miss the bus.

Artificial Intelligence arrives earlier than anticipation

admin 1 Comment

Two decades back when the idea of self-driving car was taking place, perhaps most people doubted saying it was just a Science fiction. Hollywood movies off and on showed and glorified this incredible idea in movies, such as the Bond series and MIB, but we refused to accept it – or some might have accepted it for the later stage. Did they realize that this technology would become a reality – earlier than anticipation?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived and gradually making some space in our day-to-day life. In fact, AI-dominated landscape is approaching fast, even accelerating. I would say it is already here: we use Google’s assistant, Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana. Amazon’s low-latency Alexa plays music of my choice and helps me go back to my world.

AI seems to be a big industry which could propel the growth engine for many countries. As usual, the US and European countries are the first in the race to embrace this life-changing technology we could certainly expect the updated academic curriculum from them for students – potential innovators of the world. A career in AI would be challenging and fun for students, but it would keep them on their toes.

Considering the ever-growing significance of AI and robotics, we have rounded up a few American Schools for this course:

Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA) Stanford University (Stand
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Cambridge, MA) University of California, Berkeley (Berkeley, CA)
Harvard University (Cambridge, MA) Yale University (New Haven, CT)
Cornell University (Ithaca, NY) University of Maryland (College Park, MD)
Columbia University (New York City, NY) University of Texas (Austin, TX)
University of California, Los Angeles

(Los Angeles, CA)

 University of Michigan (Ann Harbor, MI)
Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA) University of Massachusetts (Amherst, MA)
University of Illinois (Urbana/Champaign, IL) University of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA)
University of Southern California (Los Angeles, CA) California Institute of Technology (Pasadena, CA)
University of Wisconsin (Madison, WI) University of Georgia (Athens, GA)
University of Washington (Seattle, WA) Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO)
University of Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh, PA) South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (Rapid City, SD)
Eastern Michigan University (Ypsilanti, MI)  

 

CELPIP test arrives in India

admin 1 Comment

Paragon Testing Enterprises which is a subsidiary of University of British Columbia has finally decided to open a testing center in India by the end of Summer 2018. The first test center will be opened in the capital, New Delhi.

The CELPIP test center stands for Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP). The CELPIP is a 100% Canadian English test designed for permanent residence status. There are two designated tests accepted as evidence of English language proficiency by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for immigration purpose – one is CELPIP and the other is IELTS General module.

The CELPIP test is developed by Paragon Testing Enterprises, a subsidiary of University of British Columbia. It is the first-ever Canadian English test which is designated by IRCC and mirrors the best in Canadian research. The test is designed to give prominence to Canadian English and accents as used in Canada.

The best part of CELPIP is it measures your functional language proficiency which is more relevant for day-to-day life. It focuses on test taker’s English abilities in a variety of different situations and contexts, such as how you communicate with your colleagues and others at workplace, interact with your friends, comprehend and respond to the written materials and understand news items. It is a complete measurement of your English abilities which include four modules of your language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

The CELPIP comes in two versions: the CELPIP – General test and the CELPIP – General LS test. Those who intend to immigrate to Canada can take the CELPIP General test to fulfill the requirement of English language proficiency for IRCC.

Australia – Top 10 jobs with a handsome pay

admin 1 Comment

The 10 most in-demand jobs in Australia

 Current unemployment rate is 5.6% and inflation rate is 1.90%

Australia is transforming its overall industrial outlook in a big way. The key policy makers support many other industries which have not been very popular over the years. Therefore, we expect the occupation list such as this one will be revised intermittently. If we look at the occupations in demand, beyond doubt medical professionals top the list in terms of pay scale and range between $200,000 and $400,000 annually. This fact is known to all and hence we have cherry-picked those occupations which are not in the medical fields.   This article may help you find the right answer in the context of the Australian labor market. Here are top ten jobs which displays a strong demand:

  1.  Financial Investment Managers

Training needed: Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, commerce or other related field along with several years of work experience. A master’s degree with finance concentration is generally preferred.

Job outlook: The job duties of financial investment manager includes controlling, planning, evaluating and directing the operation of brokerage firms or other financial institutions that buy and sell bonds, stocks, and other forms of investments on behalf of institutional clients or individuals. They also manage the investment portfolios of their clients.

Median salary: $288,790

 

    2. Investment brokers

Training needed: Minimum diploma or bachelor’s degree in business administration, economics, commerce or other related field along with several years of work experience.

Job outlook: This job role requires a very sophisticated set of skills of convincing clients to use the brokerage firm as a means of buying investments. For that, investment brokers must possess a detailed knowledge about the financial statements of companies that they recommend to their clients. They may need to explain clients why the particular financial product is a broker pick. Once the client agrees to buy an investment, the broker typically sends the buy order to the exchange floor (ASX = Australian Stock Exchange).

Median salary: $286,530

 

     3. Company secretaries– corporate governance

Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in business administration is usually required. Some companies prefer candidates with law background with several years of practise. The membership of ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), the global body for corporate secretaries, lawyers and accountants is usually required.

Job outlook: According to David Jackson, Corporate Secretary at BP PLC, “in today’s world, the role of the Company Secretary has no one meaning and covers a multitude of tasks and responsibilities. That said, the role lies at the heart of the governance systems of companies and is receiving ever great focus.” Increased attention on corporate governance and tightening and stringent regulations by the government authorities to make companies behave and act in good faith, the demand of prudent and efficient company secretary has surged noticeably. It is a role that entails a lot of competency and high ethical standards of a company secretary to curb the corporate scandals. However, the duties of a company secretary vary from organization to organization, depending upon the size of company, the sector in which it operates, the type of the organization and policies and procedures it adopts.

Median salary: $218,432

 

     4. Actuaries

Training needed: According to VETASSES requirements, “this occupation requires a major Actuarial Studies or Actuarial Science. Actuarial Studies is the application of mathematical and statistical analysis in order to solve financial planning problems in areas such as insurance, superannuation and investment (ASCED).”

Job outlook: This is a super-duper exciting job and a very few know about it. Actuarial professionals apply mathematical models to forecast and calculate the probable future costs of insurance or pension. Insurance business is expected to grow everywhere amid different types of uncertainty. In the past, some people either saw it as an investment or the others believed having no value in this product.  With increasing awareness about the insurance products with a strong purchasing power of expanding middle class, the insurance business will continue to scale new heights. This occupation has a wide range of products for offer. Specialists in this industry design health, life and property insurance policies. They calculate premiums, pensions and superannuation and make a product which could benefit both parties: individuals (person/tangible asset insured) and product offering companies/governmental departments.

Median salary: $196,144

 

    5. Petroleum engineers

Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in petroleum engineering or in a related engineering concentration. Licensing is also required to work as Professional Engineer.

Job outlook: Australia is known for the deposit of natural resources. The Australian land is rich with the deposit of ore, mineral, coal, uranium, bauxite, and other fossil fuels. Natural resources are prime contributors to the Australian GDP. This job does offer a promising career with the field hardships as usual. Primary duties of a petroleum engineer includes directing and monitoring oil and gas drilling operations, conducting feasibility assessment studies for the same and among others.

Median salary: $185,808

   

    6. Mining production managers

Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in mining engineering or in a related engineering concentration. Licensing is also required to work as Professional Engineer.

Job outlook: As discussed, business of natural resources is one of the prime employing sectors in Australia. Mining production specialists/managers are in a great demand, especially in Western Australia and Queensland. This industry yields billions of dollars each year.

Median salary: $179,439

 

    7. Paving plant operators

Training needed: Trade certification from TAFE is required.

Job outlook: Australia is the biggest island which governs the entire continent in the world. Size matters! Both the federal and state governments aim at developing the world-class infrastructure and over the years this operation has consistently been gaining the speed of changing the landscape suitable to industries and for Australians. It is a usual sight to witness activities of cranes, railway maintenance, construction, drilling and paving. Considering the size of the country, paving plant operators will remain busy for the years to come.

Median salary: $123,281

 

    8. Geophysicists

Training needed: A bachelor’s degree in earth science or a related field is usually required with 4 years of work experience working in the same field.

Job outlook: Western Australia and Queensland where the earth excavation for fossil fuels and minerals are in full swings. Professional geoscientists/geophysicists make more than the median salary in some cases. It all depends upon the previous track record of the candidate and his contribution to discovery and business activities. The pay scale could go as much as $300,000 in some cases. The primary job of geoscientist/geophysicist is to help society meet its needs for natural resources.

Median salary: $117,575

 

    9. Engineering managers

Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree or higher qualification is usually required. In some cases, experience of years may be considered.

Job outlook: Another field job paradise it is! Those are driven to do something challenging in engineering fields and not depending on the fate for employment. This occupation offers a stable and job satisfying equation. Engineering managers direct, plan, organize, coordinate and control the technical and engineering operations of large- or mid-sized corporations.

Median salary: $116,732

 

   10. Metallurgists

Training needed: Minimum bachelor’s degree in metallurgy, physics, chemistry, or a related science discipline is required

Job outlook: Metallurgists design uses for new materials in traditional and related industries. These days, industries are also focused on scientific and new medical products. It is expected that material engineers will remain in demand in a near and long-term period.

Median salary: $110,359