1. What are my career options after completing the programme?
After graduating, some of the alternatives students may consider include:
- Practice as a dental surgeon in their chosen field of specialization.
- Continue their studies to attain a PhD.
- Enter the research field.
- Become a member of faculty in a university or college to train aspiring dental surgeons.
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Work in the development of new treatment procedures, equipment or drugs with manufacturers of the afore-said for the dental industry.
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Administrators or sales representatives for dental supply companies.
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With enough experience, one could also set up their own private clinics.
2. Can I return to work in India after graduating?
As the degree has been accepted by the DCI, you may return to practice in India. However, you will need to clear screening test as prescribed by DCI.
3. Can I stay on to work in the Philippines?
Due to the labour policies in the Philippines, it is usually rather unlikely that foreigners will be able to attain the requisite permits to work in the Philippines. Therefore this option is not recommended as a consideration.
4. Can I go to the USA to work after graduating?
It is possible to go to the USA after graduating. However, all graduates from universities outside of the USA and Canada will be required to apply for licensing, which generally tends to be rather complex and tedious process. As the rules that apply for licensing differ from state to state, students are advised to check the requirements for the states they are interested to work in.
5. What other countries/regions can I consider going to develop my career after completing the programme?
In general, you may consider the Gulf/Middle East region to develop your career. Currently there is great potential in the region because of a shortage of qualified dental surgeons. Other advantages of going there include proximity to India, and also that the probability of racial discrimination against Indians and Asians in general is much lower than some other places outside of Asia.
6. Will there be assistance provided with regards career placements?
It is possible for us to provide such assistance via our job-placement division. However when it comes to the issue of jobs, there can never be guarantees of success as other factors come into play as well, for example the prevailing economic and market conditions, the suitability of the candidate for the job(s) available and also the performance of the candidate during the interview, etc.
1. Will I need a passport to go to the Philippines?
Yes, a passport with a minimum of 6 months’ validity is required for entry into the Philippines.
2. Will a visa be required?
Student needs visa to enter Philippines. It can be visit or student visa as per time limit at the time of enrolment.
Under section 9(F) of the PIA of 1940, as amended, visitor visa can be converted to student visa. Our representative at Philippines helps with the conversion of visitor visa to student visa.
3. How do I get to the Philippines?
After the visa has been taken care of, you may also request for HCMI Education to assist in helping you to book your flight to the Philippines as a value-added service again. We will usually try to arrange for students to fly in groups whenever possible, so that students will have company when making the journey. Upon arrival in the Philippines, we may also assist in arranging for an airport pick-up and bring the students to the university.
Again, while assistance with the travel arrangements is another value-added service that is provided by HCMI Education, the costs of the transportation will have to be borne by the student.
Students who wish to book their own flights and/or make their own ways to the university from the airport are also welcome to do so. However, students who are travelling on such arrangements will also have to notify HCMI Education of their travel plans at least one week before their departures, so as to allow our staff in Manila to look out for the students on campus during the expected arrival period.
4. Can I work part-time while undergoing the course?
Again, with reference to the labour regulations in the Philippines, students will generally not be allowed to engage in part time work in the Philippines during the course of their studies. In any case, during the semester, students are encouraged to spend most of their time on coursework.
5. Can I return to India during the vacations?
Students are free to leave the campus to go anywhere (legally, of course), including return home, during the breaks and vacations. However, for accountability, students will be encouraged to inform HCMI Education of their whereabouts and also their contact information in case there are changes to the schedules in the new semester.
Also, students are reminded to keep themselves updated with the university as to the dates they will need to return to campus to continue with lessons.
1. Where will I stay?
There are apartments in the vicinity of the campus that are available for rental. Students may consider renting a unit in there. If required, HCMI Education may also assist in arranging for the rental of the apartments. However, the rental costs will be at the expense of the students.
2. Is food going to be an issue in the Philippines?
In Manila, there is a wide variety of food available. There are also canteens on campus, and also other food outlets in the vicinity of the campus. It is therefore expected to be easy for students to get access to food.
3. Is it easy to communicate with the locals?
More than 90% of the locals are able to converse in English. Therefore it will be very easy for the students to communicate with the locals using English, whether it is on campus or outside of campus.
4. What time zone is the Philippines in?
The time in the Philippines, is GMT + 8, which means that the time in the Philippines is only 2.5 hours ahead of that in India. The small time difference makes it convenient for students to call home and maintain regular contact with their families.
5. Is it easy to communicate with my family back home?
The communications infrastructure in the Philippines is fairly reliable and stable. Students should therefore be able to communicate with family and friends in India via the telephone or internet.
6. Is it safe in the Philippines?
Geographically and socially, Manila may be considered to be rather safe for our students. The risk of natural disasters is rather low. Incidences of social unrest are also uncommon. As the locals are also generally friendly, racial discrimination is also usually not a cause for concern. For a major city, the rate of violent crimes in Manila is also relatively low.
However, as is the case in any place in the world, students are encouraged to exercise common sense and take the necessary preventions against becoming targets of crime.
7. Is the cost of living in the Philippines an issue?
The cost of living in Manila is relatively similar to that in the major cities in India. Therefore students from India should find living in Manila rather affordable.
8. What are the activities available for leisure and recreation?
There are several large shopping malls in Manila where students may do their shopping, dine in fine restaurants and catch movies, for example. There are also historical and cultural heritage sites, including monuments and museums. People who are more adventurous may also consider venturing out of Manila to visit the pristine beaches and also other nature spots for sight-seeing.
9. How long does the entire process usually take from the time we submit the application until we arrive in the college in the Philippines?
To be safe, students are usually rushed through procedures or experience unexpected delays. Therefore 3-4 months before the commencement of the intended intake is a good time to submit applications. This will also allow the students a very comfortable time frame to make the necessary travel arrangements.
10. What is the currency conversion rate in Philipines vis-a-vis India?
Philippines currency is called "Peso". There is a variation of plus/minus2-3% e.g. 100INR = 98Peso/102 Peso.
