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How many
years the programme had been conducted in the
past?
The programme is being
conducted every summer since 1993.
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What is the
basis of selection for participating in the
programme?
The selection depends mainly
on the following two criteria: (i) a consistent
academic record and (ii) the recommendation letter of
the teacher. The selection is very much influenced by
the specifics rather than by the general
recommendations in the letter.
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How are the
participants assigned the centers?
Based on geographical reasons
and exam schedules of the students. The applicant
should mention the tentative dates of the
examinations, if he wants us to consider this aspect
while assigning him the centre.
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Is there any
fee to be paid by the students?
Absolutely none. In fact, the
programme reimburse their travel (sleeper/2nd class
railway fare by the shortest route) and also gives
free lodging and food during the period of the
programme. The participants are usually accommodated
in the hostels of the host institution. There will be
separate hostels for boys and girls.
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Is there any
scholarship for successful students?
No, there will not be any
scholarship for the students after their successful
completion of the programme. However, there will be a
follow-up programme for students whose performance
and participation in the course are very good. Those
students will be assigned an institute where they can
pursue a subject of their choice under an
expert's guidance for a period of two to four
weeks. They will also be given a stipend to cover
their travel and living expenses during this
period.
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Will the
participants receive any certificate at the end of
the programme?
Yes, all participants who
attended the programme for the entire period will
receive a certificate of participation.
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Will the
programme help the students in getting jobs? getting
admissions in good institutions?
The main aim of the programme
is to train the students so that they can work
independently, achieve certain level of confidence in
the learning/understanding mathematics and to give
them a perspective. We do NOT think of this programme
as a job-training programme of any kind. However, the
knowledge and attitude acquired during the programme,
if further cultivated by the participants, seem to
help them achieve better goals in academic
career.
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How are the
courses different from the ones we have at the
colleges?
Radically different. In fact,
it takes about three days for the participants to get
used to our way of doing things.
The faculty is from various
leading institutions of the country and is not
confined to the institute of the venue. People who
are experts in the field, who are known for their
teaching and have a commitment towards high quality
mathematics in India are chosen to give the courses.
As a rule each course is taught by a single expert.
This paves the way for better interaction (over a
period of 4 weeks) between the faculty and students
and also imparts a perspective of the field among the
students. The faculty is requested to be present for
all the sessions --- not for their sessions only! In
the problem sessions all students are asked to do
problems. All the four teachers of a level will
actively help the students during the problem
sessions. The teachers identify the difficulties of
the individual students. Giving individual attention
is one of the unique features of this programme. Some
reading material is also provided.
The teacher keeps on asking
questions, sometimes well-formulated, sometimes
vague, to give you a taste of how mathematics is
discovered. He most often develops a proof from the
ideas given by the students and asks them to write in
the way a text book will present it. There will be a
great deal of pressure on you to think on your own
and take active participation in the course.
Unless you are really keen and
ready to work very hard , please do not apply
for the programme. For, in the past, many students
were totally shaken by our approach and were unable
to cope with the pressure. But if you are seriously
interested in pursuing higher mathematics, this
programme will be immensely useful to you.
The programme also provides a
platform for students with (linguistically,
culturally and mathematically) varied back-ground to
come together and interact with peers and experts in
the field. This serves two purposes: i) the
participants come to know where they stand
academically and what they have to do to bring out
their full potential and ii) they establish a rapport
with other participants and teachers which help them
shape their career in mathematics. This allows them
to see for themselves how they compare with other
students.
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Are there
tests at the end of the programme?
None. It is our belief that
one should learn mathematics for its own sake and for
the love of it rather than focusing one's
attention on the tests.
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What
subjects are taught? Are they pure or
applied?
The emphasis is on the
so-called pure mathematics. The courses are on
algebra, analysis, geometry, number theory, topology.
The medium of instruction is English. It is very
essential that the participants should be able to
communicate in English, at least in
mathematics.
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Do we have
to have a great deal of back-ground in
mathematics?
No. The courses are usually
designed in such a way that 50% of the concepts may
be already familiar to most of the students. The main
aim of the course, as was mentioned above, is to
promote thinking. As a matter of fact, it was
observed in the previous programmes that the students
who learn a topic for the first time in the programme
have performed well as the courses progressed. It is
not our aim to introduce a lot of jargon to the
students. In stead, we introduce the very basic
concepts and train the students
thoroughly.
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Can we
join the programme a few days after the inaugural
day?
As mentioned earlier, it
takes about three days for the students to get used
our method of teaching. Anybody who joins the
programme after the third day is at a distinct
disadvantage, as the other participants would be in a
better position to participate in the discussions. He
will also feel miserable due to his inability to
participate actively. Hence, as a rule, nobody is
allowed to join the programme after th third day. The
only exceptions would be former participants who
performed well in the previous camp.
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Can we
contact you,, if necessary?
You can write to me on:
Email:
mttsprogramme [AT] gmail.com
OR
kumaresa [AT] gmail.com
A Question
never asked: How can we help MTTS?
In many ways.
To start with, you may inform
your juniors and others who exhibit a certain amount
of motivation and who have an aptitude for
mathematics about this programme and encourage them
to apply. You will be in a better position to judge
which of your college students will be suitable for
this activity more than the teachers, who may not
have any idea of this programme. You may distribute
copies of the application and recommendation form to
those interested.
Secondly, you may donate the
copy of the Souvenir to a teacher of your college who
is a motivated teacher. This will enable him to
encourage suitable students to the Programme in
future.
Thirdly, you may offer
seminars at your institute along the way we teach.
Your friends will also have a taste of the way
mathematics is practiced in real life.
Fourthly, you may inform us
of teachers who are likely to be interested in this
mode of teaching. We are constantly on the look-out
for motivated teachers who will be ready to sacrifice
their vacation and offer training in this programme.
We also allow teachers to participate in this
programme if they want to know how training is
imparted. For this purpose, interested teachers may
visit for a week or two during the Programme. They
should write to the Programme Director about this.
Such participation is only by invitation. Those
invited by us will be reimbursed the travel expenses
and provided the local hospitality. Click here for more details.
Postscript or pdf format of the this document
can be downloaded.
