OFFLINE V/S ONLINE EDUCATION

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Education means studying to obtain a more profound knowledge and understanding of various subjects to be applied to daily life. Education is not limited to just learning from books but can also be obtained through practical experiences outside of the classroom.

The top reason why education is essential is that it provides stability, provides financial security, needed for equality, confidence, a great sense of thinking, and much more.

Offline mode of education has been our traditional form of teaching, but the COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the education landscape. This blog will explore the advantages and disadvantages of online and offline education.

Online Education has become increasingly popular in recent years. It has transformed the traditional learning method into a transformative and innovative approach to learning; The process includes various advantages and drawbacks. Let us discuss the beneficial vital points of the online education system.

  • Flexible learning: People can learn in their own space and schedule. Also, allow students to interact with teachers and mentors anywhere and anytime.
  • With access to a broader range of courses, a particular student can learn and explore different fields of education. Students can pursue various studies from all over the world.
  • Online education can be more affordable than offline education, as the transportation cost, room and board, and other fees are not required for the knowledge.
  • Improved access to education makes education accessible to students who might otherwise be unable to attend offline classes due to physical disabilities, location, or other barriers.
  • Online education offers a range of benefits and advantages, but due to the era of harming technology.

Online mode of education also has certain drawbacks.

  • Limited social interaction: It lacks face-to-face interaction. These things can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
  • Technical difficulties such as slow internet connection and outages can interrupt the learning process and affect the quality of education.
  • The factor of self-discipline is most important when learning comes to online. Learners must be self-motivated and disciplined to keep up with the coursework.

OFFLINE V/S ONLINE EDUCATION

Whereas the traditional learning method can provide a more immersive and engaging education.

  • Networking opportunities with peers and professionals in the field can lead to valuable connections and job opportunities.
  • The opportunity of using campus resources, students have a wide range of resources, such as libraries, laboratories, and other facilities.
  • Discipline factor, offline education requires students to attend classes and adhere to a fixed schedule, which can help to develop discipline and management skills.
  • In offline education, students get personalized instructions according to the needs and abilities of an individual.

Indeed, it is a common saying that a diligent student can study anywhere, and this is a testament to the power of self-discipline and focus.

The choice between offline and online education ultimately depends on individual needs and preferences. Each mode of education has its advantages and disadvantages. The most effective approach may involve a combination of offline and online learning to maximize the benefits of each method.

FOREX EXCHANGE MARKET

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Introduction

While going through Economic Times in our local newspaper, we all might have stumbled across the word Forex Exchange Market but what is it? Now and then we hear the news that the Indian currency has gained value against US Dollar but who decides this? Is there a guy on the computer generating these exchange rates randomly as per his whims…. fortunately, the answer is a big NO! These rates are decided by the foreign exchange market, the Forex or FX market which is a global decentralized marketplace where currencies are bought and sold. It is the world’s largest and most liquid financial market, with daily transactions worth trillions of dollars. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the foreign exchange market, including its importance, how it works, the factors that affect it, and the risks involved.

What is the foreign exchange market?

The foreign exchange market is where currencies are traded. Its participants include large international banks, corporations, hedge funds, individual investors, and central banks. Transactions can be on the spot (immediate delivery) or can be forwarded (delivery at a future date) and are typically conducted over-the-counter (OTC), meaning they are not traded on an exchange. Since currencies are always traded in pairs, the foreign exchange market does not set a currency’s absolute value but rather determines its relative value by setting the market price of one currency if paid for with another. The most actively traded currencies are the US dollar, Euro, Japanese Yen, British pound, and Swiss franc.

Factors affecting the foreign exchange market

FOREX EXCHANGE MARKET

Several factors affect the foreign exchange market, including economic, political, and other factors. Economic factors that impact exchange rates include interest rates, inflation, and economic growth. For example, if a country’s interest rates increase, its currency tends to appreciate because investors will earn higher returns on their investments. Political factors such as government stability and international trade policies can also impact exchange rates. Natural disasters and geopolitical tensions are other factors that can also affect the foreign exchange market.

How the foreign exchange market works

The foreign exchange market works through the interaction of supply and demand for currencies. Exchange rates are determined by the market’s participants, who are constantly buying and selling currencies. Currency pairs, such as USD/EUR, are used to indicate the value of one currency in relation to another. Banks serve as intermediaries between buyers and sellers, while central banks are responsible for regulating the currency supply and interest rates. Corporations use the foreign exchange market to manage their exposure to foreign currencies, while individual traders speculate on exchange rate movements. Some of the transaction methods are:

1)Spot Transaction

A spot transaction is a two-day delivery transaction, incontrast with the future contracts, which are usually three months. This trade represents a “direct exchange” between two currencies. It has the shortest time frame, involves cash rather than a contract, and interest is not included in the agreed-upon transaction

2)Forward Transaction

One way to deal with foreign exchange risk is to engage in a forward transaction. In this transaction, money does not actually change hands until some agreed-upon future date. A buyer and seller agree on an exchange rate for any date in the future, and the transaction occurs on that date, regardless of what the market rates are then. The duration of the trade can be one day, months, or years.

3)Swap

The most common type of forward transaction is a Swap in which two parties exchange currencies for a certain length of time and agree to reverse the transaction at a later date. These are not standardized contracts and are not traded through an exchange. A deposit is often required to hold the position open until the transaction is completed.

4)Option

A foreign exchange option is a derivative where the owner has the right but not the obligation to exchange money denominated in one currency into another currency at a pre-agreed exchange rate on a specified date.

FOREX EXCHANGE MARKET

Risks associated with the foreign exchange market

There are several risks associated with the foreign exchange market.

  1. Market risk is the risk of loss due to exchange rate fluctuations.
  2. Credit risk is the risk of default by one of the parties involved in a transaction.
  3. Operational risk is the risk of loss due to errors or failures in operational processes, such as settlement or clearance.
  4. Legal risk is the risk of loss due to legal disputes or regulatory changes.

Conclusion

The foreign exchange market is a complex and dynamic marketplace that plays a vital role in the global economy. It enables the exchange of currencies between countries, allowing for international trade and investment. Understanding the foreign exchange market is essential for businesses and investors looking to manage their exposure to foreign currencies. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and to take appropriate measures to manage them.

Common misconceptions of early-stage of investors in the stock market

Reading Time: 2 minutes

One of the biggest reasons most people stay away from stock investing and do not take part in this wealth creation journey is mainly because of pre-assumed misconceptions they carry in their minds all the time! So are you the one among those? Then don’t worry! I have your back, and I assure you it won’t be the same after reading this.

Let’s begin breaking the myths in 1 shot.

  1. “Stock Market is gambling.”

Well, yes! It CAN be gambling if you don’t have enough knowledge and skills while you trade or invest and just do it for the sake of doing it so you don’t miss out on your FOMO. So, It’s super important to make sure you invest based on well-researched information and stock analysis, which you can do by gaining the proper knowledge in this field. This is one of the most crucial things to note, as many need help to do this.

  1. “High Risk, High Reward.”

How optimistic this statement sounds right? But let us dig deeper, Definitely, if you have a higher risk appetite, There are chances you may earn a high reward, but the downside is that high risk involves more uncertainty and volatility as in the market. If you firmly believe in the statement above, accepting that it can lead to losses is essential, and “ you “ will have to sustain it.

  1. “Buy Low, sell high.”

To all the newbies in the stock market, you must have heard it, but in reality, if you apply this in markets, there are high chances that you will get into trouble Because if you see the share price falling and seem to buy, you don’t know how much more it is going to fall! And if you sell at high prices, you don’t see how high it will reach. So better, Never catch a falling knife.

  1. “FIIs and HNIs are buying this! I will also buy it. “

One of the big blunders you can make is relying on the data of FIIs(Foreign Institutional Investors) and HNIs(High Net-worth Individuals). Now you might question, what’s wrong with copying the portfolio of successful investors? Well, there is a problem; you know they bought the stock, but do you know at what price? When are they selling it? For what time frame they brought it? And most importantly, Why they bought it? What rationale do they have behind it?

Common misconceptions of early-stage of investors in the stock market

So, Before you start your trading or investing journey, avoid committing these mistakes again, keep a clear mindset while investing, and take charge of investments! Wishing you a happy and successful investing journey ahead,

Is an MBA necessary to be successful in business?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

India has the 3rd largest startup ecosystem in the world; with a steady year-over-year (YoY) growth of 8-10%. Home to 55,000 startups, 34 unicorns, and 52 promising startups with a potential to become unicorns by 2022. India is a bustling land for startups and entrepreneurs with cut-throat competition at every stage. According to a Nasscom and Zinnov report, over 1,600 tech start-ups were registered in 2020, making it the highest ever added in a single calendar year.

With such hovering contention, you need to have an extra edge over your counterparts to succeed and to make it big in the current business scenario. So, with this notion, we CEVians, had a debate session on the topic  “Is an MBA necessary to be successful in business?”

Is an MBA necessary to be successful in business?

MINUTES

In favour of the idea:

  • An MBA program covers a range of concentrations or specialisations that allow students to acquire the fundamentals as well as expertise in a specific aspect of a business, such as finance, marketing.
  • You get to meet and interact with like-minded people; which is an opportunity to build a powerful network and connections.
  • This degree is not just theory, the curriculum involves various case-studies of real-life business scenarios.
  • It’s easier to gain relevant working experience for a person with an MBA because it is considered a valid credential among recruiters. While for a person without an MBA, it is a tougher task. 
  • Investors are more likely to invest in a firm if it has a person with credentials and experience. In case of lack of proven experience, having an MBA degree can bring better reliability for the firm.
  • After setting up the business, people with an MBA can plan the future strategic plans for stabilization and further expansion of the company.

 

Against the idea:

  • An academic degree doesn’t guarantee knowledge; practical experience is more valuable.    
  • MBAs are expensive; better to invest that capital in your business idea.
  • In today’s world, you can easily learn about the necessary concepts through readily available learning resources on the internet and MOOCs.
  • For professional networking and work-related opportunities, there are various business-focused social platforms like LinkedIn, AngelList, where you can easily connect with an investor or a recruiter.
  • An MBA will only help you manage risks or avoid unnecessary risks, but setting up a business from the ground is a completely different story which they cannot ‘teach’ in business schools.
  • MBAs were originally designed to meet the demands of ‘administering’ the business in the early 20th century. Since then, the specifics of customers and the business environment have completely changed.

CONCLUSION

A professional degree like an MBA can certainly help you in understanding businesses better; it is not mandatory. Nothing can guarantee success in your business. According to a report, out of every 5 business leaders, 2 do not have an MBA or a postgraduate qualification. This further ascertains the fact that pursuing an MBA or not, is explicitly a matter of choice.

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