A brief study about IIAS - Siliguri (P.G. program in Travel and Tourism Mgmt)

Since I was a student of IIAS Kolkata, so my admission process was an easy process. But generally, students have to sit for the CET exams conducted every year around the month of April to June. Also, the admission is solely dependant on the academic records, performance in the Personal Interview round as well as the entrance examinations.

Term exams are taken after each 6 months semester and the questions set is of a high standard. One has to give proper concentration in the classes and take proper notes from Library to pass the exams. The course has extensive and in-depth coverage of the Tourism and Travel industry as a whole and it will help students to start their own business in this field. The faculty members are all experienced ones with years of experience. Most of the faculty are senior teachers or have tons of industry experience.

When I was doing this course in the year 2008, there were industrial training and on-job training for 6 months. Many companies used to give stipends of around Rs 500 - Rs 2000 each month for that. The students are sent to various leading Tourism companies as trainees to get hands-on experience. SOme famous companies like Shree Travels, Clubside Tours and Travels are such organizations.

IIAS Siliguri has always given very good placements to all its students. If you are in a 3 years course, campus placements will start from the 5th semester itself, For us, it was from the 3rd semester. I remember, for our Post Graduation course, around 8 - 10 companies came for the campus interviews. A few of my batchmates got very good offers of around Rs 3,00,000 per annum in the year 2008. Around 80% of students got campus placements. The remaining students were helped by the placement coordinator to get a job.

My total course fee was Rs 250000. Apart from this, the students have to pay hostel fees (if they take), examination fees that range from Rs 600 to Rs 1000. The students can pay the course fee upfront for which they get a certain amount of discount. Or else, like me, they can take the monthly, quarterly options. There are special scholarships for certain students, which one needs to enquire from the counselor. Since I didn't take a scholarship, I would not comment on this. Many students get on-campus Jobs with good remuneration. Tourism, being a booming industry, almost all students get a job. I didn't opt for a job as I started my own business.

Life at IIAS is fun-filled. The Siliguri campus is at a beautiful location. The senior-junior student's relationship is very friendly. Every year, IIAS has a cultural fest that happens in December each year and it is a gala event. Dance, singing from students and a few teachers, as well as some famous singers or rock bands, come every year. The classrooms are basic with comfortable chairs, whiteboards, well-lit rooms, AC. The college building is spacious.

The admission process is a very professional one. 1st, the students are required to sit for the CET exams. It's a 3-hour exam on MCQ-based questions. Passing it, the selected students are asked to come for the personal interview round where past educational certificates are also checked. Mainly, the questions that are asked are about presenting yourself, future goals, and the planning for setting up the goals. Once you pass this round, sometimes the Group Discussion round is also kept to check the candidate's hold on their thoughts as well as speech.