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: When
is the next enrollment date?
A: New admissions take place in the Fall season of each year. For
the year of 2008,
the call for interviews and admission will take place in the first week
of July 2008.
Q: What
is the duration of the 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
ninth year this fall. So far, eighteen 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,
which are of the shared room/common bath type.
Those students who wish to consider obtaining a "paying guest" accommodation near the Institute in Juhu, 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.