Importance of higher education for better growth prospects, increased compensation

and promotion potential.

Article submitted by SMU-DE student: - Jayachandran Pillai, Email id:-

pillaipjay@yahoo.in

I am very glad to share about my experience with Sikkim Manipal University Distance
Education program(SMU-DE), my achievement and its effect on my career. In July 2009 I
gave my examination leading to M.Sc in CRRA Degree conducted by SMU-DE.

A DREAM COMES TRUE:-

I am 48 years old working in an international school in Mumbai as a science specialist. When
I passed my B.Sc, it was my ambition to acquire a Masters Degree in science. Due to family
problems, ignorance and lack of guidance I could not pursue my wishes at that time. When I
rediscovered my passion (getting an M.Sc degree in any science stream), to my
disappointment I realized that no Indian Universities support a part time Masters program in
Science. I had to hold on to my ambition until SMU-DE come up with M.Sc in CRRA. Now I
am looking for a PhD program which I definitely believe will happen and SMU-DE will be
able to offer it in the future to its students.

A ROLE MODEL
A lot of teachers appreciated my achievement at my age and they also determined to pursue
higher studies in their respective fields. SMU-DE could indirectly change the attitude of
many people in our school which I consider as a great benefit because they again change the
lives of many students they teach. The cascading effect will be tremendous on the society.

DOOR OPENED TO MANY AVENUES

Besides learning a new topic, I can be marketed in a better way. Apart from being a teacher,
now I can try my luck in Clinical Research field too. Clinical Research has an array of job
titles to select from.

GROWTH POTENTIAL
Armed with my newly acquired M.Sc degree from SMU-DE I am entitled to apply for higher
posts in my institution. I will be attending a Seminar on coming Saturday (12 Dec 2009),
conducted by one of the Universities for prospective PhD candidates. I am entitled to attend
the Seminar only because I have a Masters Degree from SMU-DE.

HIGHER SALARY
My school offers two kinds of salary packages to its teachers. Teachers with a Bachelors
Degree are grouped under BA category and the teachers with Masters Degree are clubbed
under MA Category. The MA category enjoy higher salary package than BA group. The
Masters degree I acquired from SMU-DE enabled me to join the elite MA category of
teachers. I have already submitted the mark list to the Administration of my school and
eagerly waiting for the Masters Certificate from SMU-DE. Next academic year, my school
will increase my salary which be very helpful for me to pay my daughters fee, who is a
second year Bachelor of Dental Surgery student.

I thank SMU-DE for changing the life of many people and to cherish their ambitions.
P. Jayachandran
Science Specialist,
SF, 2 Bandra Kurla Complex,
Bandra –(E),
Mumbai- 400089.