Change in the Wind

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled."

What was heartening to read in today's Times was that over 3500 HIV-affected people who are facing imminent death due to the resistance they have developed to the first-line Anti-Retroviral Therapy, will now be provided with second-line therapy by NACO free of cost. Another news that must have brought cheer to millions of Indians involved in AIDS awareness is that estimates of the population living with HIV/AIDS in India have been revived to about 2.5 million from the earlier 5 million presented last year. However, India still remains the country with highest number of HIV-affected persons in absolute numbers. The fight against the dreaded syndrome is far from over.

Coming to the topic of the post, I recently had a chance to see what it is like to attend a gathering of the 'Bombay Mathematical Colloquium' a body that, loosely put, represents the math teachers in colleges in Bombay University. The seminar was held to discuss the change in the maths syllabus to be introduced from next year.

Though I did not have an opportunity to watch the discussion, I nevertheless have my own inputs on the way the math syllabus needs to be shaped in the face of the changing needs of the education system and the market.

First and foremost, there is an utter lack of awareness about the kind of choices available to a student studying pure mathematics. And there is also the more pressing problems about the lack of choices!

There should be a conditioning camp for students who are looking at a career in mathematics and mathematics related fields. For example , I am studying Actuarial Science, but had I been more aware in the beginning, I could have also looked at working on small research projects. The conditioning lectures could include the details of the various jobs and careers available to a student studying maths. Like Actuarial Science, software development, teaching, research and even homework outsourcing! Then those who do decide upon a career choice should be offered subjects that are in tune with the career requirements. Then they should be guided by people and ex-students from that field, which will help them upgrade their skills outside their college syllabus.

For me, I am planning to learn C/C++ programming and Java programming, Matlab and Mathematica programming, along with database management. I am also planning to learn more about stocks and mutual funds. I also want to learn the art of film-making! These things go a long way in upgrading my skills and
hopefully land me a decent job.

I have seen many people with a lack of orientation about what they really want to do. Till recently I was that way too. So it is necessary on part of the teachers to be more involved with their students. I don't see that happening in my college. So apart from the change in syllabus, these things are also essential to make pure mathematics an attractive choice for students.

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