No major changes are seen this year in admission trends for professional courses
It is admission time. It is also the time to chart out admission trends for the present academic year among professional courses. But no major changes are being seen as, like every year, this year too electronics and communication engineering remains the favourite.
The evergreen branches of computer science, mechanical and civil engineering are also attracting a sizeable number of students.
“Students prefer these branches (electronics and communication, computer science, information science and telecommunications) as there is a huge market and high job opportunities. These branches have more scope in research and provide great opportunities for the students who aspire to go abroad,” said S.Y. Kulkarni, Principal of M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology. “Even the mechanical and civil branches are in great demand as there is a huge development in infrastructure and the automobile sector.” He said that these two branches encourage entrepreneurship which is a passion of many students today.
K.R. Venugopal, Principal of University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE), is unhappy that the top-ranked students don’t prefer civil engineering even though civil engineers are in great demand due to infrastructure projects coming up. Speaking from the perspective of a teacher, having taught electronics for 32 years, he said that this course trains the students both in hardware and software. The syllabus teaches the students how to analyse the topics but the industry needs are really very different, he observed. The industry wants its curriculum in the syllabus which is not feasible. He said there are plenty of jobs for students who have good knowledge, irrespective of the branch they studied.
According to A.S. Srikanth, chief executive of COMEDK, the branches of computer science, mechanical, electronics and civil are the most sought after in the colleges of Bangalore. Most students select mechanical because, with an add-on course in computer science, it would be the best. “You can do a certificate course in computer science but there are no certificate courses in mechanical and civil,” he said.
H. Maheshappa, Vice-Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), said that automobiles and aerospace will rule the world of engineering in the future. As the students of the new generation have the passion to work in the core industries, they would prefer these two branches. But he admitted that right now electronics, mechanical and civil are leading.
M.S. Shivakumar, Principal, Atria Institute of Technology, said that students prefer electronics and computer science due to the developments taking place in these two fields and the handsome salary offered. “In conventional courses like electronics and electricals, the syllabus is good but the scope and packages aren’t.” Mechanical engineering is the all-time favourite for entrepreneurs.
Medical
D.S. Narasimha Murthy, Public Relations Officer, Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA), said that medical remains the first preference of many students. “Students with a good rank and specially those who come from a medical family background would surely prefer medical to engineering unless they have a real aspiration to be an engineer.” According to him, students will prefer branches which offer good career options and satisfy their passion as well.
K. Kiran, with CET rank 3700, who got a seat in electronics and communication, said he opted for the course because of the huge scope in employment. Nimish Bonty from Bihar, who stood 11,000 in COMEDK, said he has got a seat in mechanical engineering. “ By doing mechanical, I would get a job in my native place,” he added.
