Distance Education Helps Septuagenarian find his Dream Job

Sikkim Manipal University’s Distance Education programme (SMU-DE) has transformed

many lives and allowed students of all ages to realize their goals. These accessible
programmes are recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC), Distance
Education council (DEC) and are much in demand as they are appreciated by
employers. Many working professionals register for these programmes at conveniently
located Learning Centres across the country. Spread over 310 towns and cities these
700+ Learning Centres act as mentoring centres and inspire people to attain their
dreams.
Mr.Shankar Karnani, who celebrated his 79th birthday last month, shares how Sikkim
Manipal University’s Distance Education changed his life.
Traditional Education cut short
Born in Sind, in 1931, Shankar Karnani was enrolled in a college, studying for
medicine, when he became a victim of the horrors of Partition. Losing all their property
and becoming refugees, his family migrated to India and settled in Pune.
Deep Value for Education
To sustain his family, young Shankar Karnani worked in a number of jobs and studied
hard to attain specialized degrees in Commerce and Arts. He also attained a degree in
Law and two diplomas in Accounting and Management.
Jobs and Experience
Starting as a Purchase officer with a private company, Shankar Karnani, later, joined a
Co operative bank and then the department of Agriculture. Moving to Mumbai,
Shankar Karnani joined an Export House as a Commercial Officer. Having gained
considerable experience in the export business and having travelled extensively in
London, Lagos, Hong Kong and Taiwan, Shankar Karnani became an entrepreneur and
started his own export business.
Educational Aspirations Remembered
Interestingly enough, Shankar Karnani never lost his childhood dream of being a
doctor and finally after years of application received his diploma and degree in
Homeopathic and Biochemic systems and could proudly affix the letters “Dr.” to his
name.
Dream Job
In a quirk of fate, Dr. Shankar Karnani went to a learning centre of SMU- DE to enquire
about course material for his daughter and was tempted to register for an MBA in
Health Care Services. He met Dr.Ravi who was looking for a mature person to take
charge of his speciality hospital. Dr.Shankar Karnani had the experience and through
SMU-DE’s help he would get the necessary qualification.
Proud Moment
Dr. Shankar Karnani, despite a busy career and related health problems, achieved his
goals and received his MBA in Health Care Services.
This is just one of SMU-DE’s success stories and there are many young and old
students, numbering more than 3 lakhs, who are enrolled in more than 40 different
programmes across 10 disciplines, realizing their professional goals and aspirations.