FAQ - General
Q: Where
are the classes conducted?
A:
They are conducted at the Bhaktivedanta Institute in Mumbai (formerly Bombay).
Q: Who
will grant the degrees?
A: The degrees are granted by Birla
Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, Rajasthan, India under
a collaborative arrangement.
Q: Is
the degree recognized by institutions in the US and Europe?
A: BITS is one of the foremost technical universities in India, and its
degrees are recognized internationally and in all American universities. BITS
is ranked on the same level with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT).
A great number of BITS alumni can be found working in institutions and corporations
in the US.
Q: What
is the Bhaktivedanta Institute and its role in this field?
A: Please visit the Home
and Graduate Studies
sections of the Web site.
Q:
What is the Scope of the M.S. Program?
A:
The M.S. program is a rigorous scientific study of matter while
taking into account the presence of consciousness in the lived world. Please
read “What is Consciousness Studies—The Approach at
the Bhaktivedanta Institute”. It is not a study of consciousness
directly. In other words, in this M.S. program, “Consciousness Studies” is a
consciousness-based study of matter, not a matter-based study of
consciousness as the field is generally conceived.
Thus, the program will conform to the widely accepted standards and practices of scientific research pertaining to the study of matter even while encouraging creative scientific ideas. While the student may personally adhere to any metaphysical worldview, there will be no room for discussing it save and except any demonstrable implications it could have for the objective study of matter within empirical science.
All class room discussions, submissions, assignments, projects, guided self-studies, and final dissertation will adhere to the above guidelines.
The faculty reserves the right to issue more guidelines as and when needed.
Q:
When
is the next enrollment date?
A: New admissions take place in the Fall season of each year. For
the year of 2010,
the interviews and admission will take place in the last week
of July 2010.
Q: What
is the duration of the M.S. program?
A: Four semesters. There are three semesters of course work and one
semester for the dissertation.
Q: For
how long has this program been offered?
A: The program will be entering its
thirteenth year this fall. So far, twenty-three students have graduated. Visit our
students page to meet most of them.
Since this is an intensive research-oriented graduate
program, we do not select more than 5-6 students. Additionally we strive to provide full
/ partial financial support to all admitted students.
Q: How
long does it take to process applications?
A: Typically less than 2 months.
Q: What
is the cost of doing this program?
A: The course fees are as follows:
Q:
What about staying facilities in Mumbai?
A: Limited hostel facilities exist at Bhaktivedanta Institute, Mumbai.
Q:
What about staying facilities? What are the conditions to avail
oneself of these facilities?
A:
This program is
a residential program.
Limited hostel facilities exist at Bhaktivedanta Institute, Mumbai.
Students, who are awarded a scholarship, are provided accommodation in the
hostel on a sharing basis, and hostel fees are waived. Students are expected to
maintain over 90% participation in all the academic activities of this
program. Students cannot leave the premises to go out of Mumbai without prior
permission.
Vegetarian lunch and dinner meals are provided by the institute to all resident students in the campus free of cost at the announced timings.
The students have to adhere to the following code of conduct while in the institute and the hostel premises: (a) no smoking or any other intoxication (b) no gambling (c) no activity which is detrimental to the interests of the students/institute.
Students using the hostel facilities will be required to commit in writing to conform to the above guidelines failing which the Institute will be free to take any action it deems fit including debarring the student from the course admission.
For those students who wish to consider obtaining a "paying guest" accommodation near the Institute in Juhu (Mumbai), a single room with an attached bath in a private house, having kitchen access in some cases would cost around Rs. 10,000 per month when available.
Q: Are
scholarships or other forms of financial aid available?
A: A limited number of scholarships is available. Admitted students will
receive free room/board in the hostel, fee waivers or fellowships or even a
combination of all these, depending on his/her performance throughout the
program.
Q: Can
you tell me a bit about the Institute's location in Mumbai?
A: The Juhu beach is minutes away by walk
from the Institute campus. Driving two hours from the city, one
can escape into the dazzling rain forests at the foothills of Matheran.