When Anything Is Better Than Nothing

Students are unaware of why did they choose a particular course. Although a handful few could actually get into the course that they really aspired for since early education, for others it was a sheer Hobson’s choice. It was yet again revealed last week how oblivious the Bhutanese students are especially when it comes to pursuing degree course of one’s choice once they pass the class XII hurdle.Some 400 eligible class XII graduates of last year availing undergraduate scholarships in various bachelors’ degree courses both within and outside the country for the academic session 2012 went through the same predicament at the recently completed selection process.

After having toiled arduously and securing good grades in XII standard examination; confusion and perplexity continues to bewilder the select candidates who have qualified for government scholarships.

Students are unaware of why did they choose a particular course. Although a handful few could actually get into the course that they really aspired for since early education, for others it was a sheer Hobson’s choice.

However, one of the class XII toppers, Jigme Yoezer is extremely exuberant that he will be studying MBBS. “I always wanted to become a doctor. My hard work is being paid off,” he added beamingly.

But many others are not as fortunate as Jigme. They have no option than to deter from their ambitions, thus opt for other field of study. The nature of their would-be-profession is a play of luck amidst the meager slots.

For instance, Dechen Wangdi, another student, who had long wanted to study B. Sc Forestry ended up taking B. Biomedical Engineering. The slot for B. Sc. Forestry had already been filled up by the time he was called in for the selection interview. The selection was purely based on merit ranking of the individual students.

“I decided to take up B. Biomedical engineering because the name sounded quite fascinating than the other options, although I am clueless on what actually this course is all about,” he said.

The turnout of the students availing undergraduate’s scholarship was another reflection of how difficult it is to realize one’s dream these days.

Jigme Namgyel who wished to become a pilot had now cast his dreams aside. His excellent academic credentials haven’t helped him garner his dream as there were no slots for pilot under the government scholarship. He has now opted to study B. Urban Planning; his decision noticeably lured by the prospective of the placement - Australia.

And with the introduction of new courses this year, students and their parents are both anxious and confused about what the courses are actually about. Even the uncertainty of the job market for such courses were keenly thought and researched before sitting for the interview.

Nonetheless, such factors were belittled by other factors like the unavailability of the preferred course, prospective of the placement of study, and the conventional notion of ‘something is better than nothing’. These have led many students on an entirely different path to the ones that they actually envisioned.

Talking to BT, Jigme Thukten who was 179th on the merit list said he decided to pursue B. Tech Electronics and Communication Engineering because that was one of the better option remaining by his time and that he didn’t wanted to risk losing this chance by waiting for B. Sc. Physics which had a lot of pursuers.

About 217 undergraduate scholarship slots were made available for bachelors’ degree program in various professional, technical, scientific, and humanities courses under different funding schemes including 15 medical slots for Assistance to Privately Enrolled Medical Students (APEMS), 10 slots administered by the Youth Development Fund and 30 in-country RGoB scholarship slots at the Royal Thimphu College.

The Scholarship and Student Support Division (SSSD), Department of Adults and Higher Education, shortlisted as many as 400 students for the program after the declaration of results.

According to SSSD officials, the division had organized an awareness program on national television that educated and informed about the various courses that were available to enable students to select the right course that were apt to their interest and potential. A team of experts from various relevant professions were also formed during the selection interview, so that students could clarify their doubts and questions on the nature of the different courses.

For the students who had already selected their course of study, it would be a test of time until they discover their true zeal and latent dexterity. Till then, it is more hard work, commitment and dedication that shall finally go into grooming Bhutan’s next professionals.

Original source here.