“Stop worrying over low grades. The canvass is wider to chase your dreams. If not MBBS, try alternative medical courses,” advised Dr Nanda Kishore Alva, faculty at M S Ramaiah Medical College and a representative from Comed-K (Consortium of Medical, Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka).

“Alternative medical courses are equally fulfilling and satisfying. These days, there is a huge demand for paramedical courses. Apart from it, there are also courses in physiology, pharmacy, which promise tremendous opportunities in our country, as well as abroad,” he said.Alva was speaking at Jnana Degula, Deccan Herald’s Education Expo, 2015, here on Saturday.

A student was keen to know about opportunities in pursuing BSc in cardiac technology or pharmacy. Alva explained, “A hospital with 1,000 beds requires more than a 1,000 technicians. Medical field requires a large number people with specialisations. The pay would not be as attractive as that of doctors. However, if one aims for higher studies by enrolling for a research programme, or a PhD, the pay would be on a par with that of the doctors,” he said.Students who attempted the Comed-K exams for the first time this year were curious to know about every aspect of the admission procedures, chances of making it to any one of the colleges under the consortium, etc. While queries on fee structure for various courses, scope of each subject, were quite common.

Prabhu Prasad, one of the parents, asked Alva details about pursuing an MBBS from abroad. Alva explained, “Recognition of medical courses by the Medical Council of India (MCI) is required. A number of institutes in the United Kingdom are recognised by the MCI. Make sure the course and the institute are recognised by the MCI.”