Course popular in TN but less so elsewhere; experts say it offers unlimited scope for jobs
There are two things every student at the Anna University campus, waiting for her admission these days, is sure of. First, she wants to be in a college that attracts good placements and second, she wants the Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) course.
Three days after engineering counselling began on Sunday, of the 4,948 students allotted seats, nearly 1, 226 have opted for ECE. Mechanical engineering, with 892 seats, came second and computer science with around 724 takers was third.
This preference for ECE is not unusual in the State. Over the last three years, ECE has dominated student choices here. In other parts of the country however, the scenario is not quite the same. Mechanical engineering is more or less the first preference in Mumbai, Pune, while students still opt for computer science and allied engineering courses in New Delhi. ECE – sometimes offered as a subset of electrical engineering and many a time, combined with the study of telecom networks – is definitely a popular choice, but does not seem to attract the kind of numbers as it does in Tamil Nadu.
“The origin of this ECE affiliation is not known. Very few students actually know why they opt for a specific branch. Many times, it is because consultants recommend these courses or families pressure students to opt for them,” says V. Rhymend Uthariaraj, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions.
P. Murali, who got through the ECE course at Anna University, is unsure if he is really interested in the course. But he wants to pursue it, because it will help him later pursue marine physics, a subject he is interested in.
Many others are even more perplexed. “My sister did the same course. She has a job with a multi-national corporation now,” says R. Pramila, another ECE aspirant. Tell her that an IT or a computer science degree would get her the same job, and she says, “I have a higher cut-off and the teachers are also good in the ECE department, my sister said.” The fact that students in ECE are permitted to appear for campus placements of both core and IT jobs, is a contributing factor to the course’s popularity, say experts.
Former Anna University Vice Chancellor E. Balagurusamy attributes the situation to computer science losing its sheen. “Every graduate can become a programmer but ECE offers an unlimited scope to work in areas including IT, mobile networks and instrumentation. This flexibility is what attracts them,” he said.
I am also an ECE student at NIT. according to my experience i can say
that its not a bad branch to choose because after the graduation
course student have ample opportunities in various sectors not only
limited to its core subject as it in many other trades of engineering.
But on the other hand MECHANICAL and ELECTRICAL are the trades which
have very good job opportunities specially in PSU's.
Well, one should remain determined and should know his/her intrests,
life has many opportunites and everybody has potential to do the
wonders.
I would say the real reason people opt for ECE is because of the
pronoun cation E C E-easy, this sounds funny but this is the truth, To
say im also a graduate in ECE from anna university every interview i
had gone in the IT sector mainly the software development, Im asked
for more programming language skills rather than my analytical or
creative skills i learned during college.... Alas there are not much
companies in India requiring the electronics brand. communication
engineers cannot try for jobs that is posted as ELECTRICAL ENGINEERS
only!! though ECE is one such electrical subject. As Mr.Balagurusamy
stated i would say it is completely wrong abt what what he told, he s
misguiding the students who are yet to join engineering. The last but
not least i would say Engineers are only created out of interest but
not out of threatening, i would like to oblige the parents not to
force their wards into ECE, if more they are intersted to pursue their
higher education somewhere else but notind
Electrical and Electronic Engineering will suffice.ECE is an offshoot of corporates.Strangely,no IIT in India offers this course.Mr.Balagurusamy sounds oddly.May be he has started authoring books in the communication subjects.
As per india's scenerio only three engineering stream should be there
1.mechanical
2.elctrical
3.civil
rest other branches don't deserved to be taught.
ther is no core job oppurtunities in ece when compared with the number of student opting for it.
I could not help myself but laughing after reading ECE section. Its appears, after reading, that only Mech.and Civil people do Physics and Maths and rest branches require some sort of artistry.
Mechanical Engineering is heart of Engineering........... and very good placement all over the world in numerous field.
As an ECE alumni, with 12 years if experience, delighted to see the interest in this field -
though as some point out it might be out of pragmatism than passion people choose this.
I opted for this course against popular opposition from family and friends and never regretted
it. Am fascinated by communication networks, in the last 12 years since I graduated both
wireline and wireless technologies have leapfrogged. Data over took voice in terms of traffic.
Fiber optics is becoming ubiquitous.
This field has taken me to 3 continents and have exposed me to all kinds of networks and
practical implementations.
I hope people find true joy in this field and guided by fantastic teachers.
I think many students are having a false image of ECE. What I have seen
is they get very less core placements and many get placed in bulk
recruiting companies. If the student is interested in higher studies
then that would be valuable. Otherwise its a serious issue and students
should be guided properly.
Great statement by Mr.E.Balagurusamy. I am surprised it comes from a
former Vice Chancellor of an elite University. To the contrary, many
graduates from elite schools around the world are attracted towards
Computer Science department in US Ivy League schools like Stanford,
Berkeley, MIT, Cornell etc. Looks like there is a disconnect between
what U.S schools focus and what we do.
its not over. what is mentioned in the right of the photograph is not
the criteria for deciding the branch. Not even 1% of it is true. till
you know the basics you can't decide this way.
I think this choice should be made only in second year. so that student
get a chance to look into basics of each branch, and opportunities
available. A school student is not equipped to decide this question. he
should be given a opportunity take his own decision. Not merely looking
at the trend one can go, everyone has his own aim and potential.
ECE attracts the best pool amoung many state colleges. There may be many
students attracted towards day to day use of electronic gadgets,
mobiles, computes. On the other hand there is very limited scope in ECE.
More and more students are beginning to realise this. Few questions you
should start searching....
1. PSUs offering ECE seats mainly the number of seats they offer
2. Private sector which has an assembly plant in India and recruit from
India too.
3. percentage of ECE students who end up in IT companys with a meagre
package.
4. number of students appearing in Gate from ECE and corresponding cut
offs each year and vacancies.
I don't want to discuss answers here, as they may shatter the dreams of
many. But the truth is, in India ECE not proving to be fruitful as there
are not enough companies. No plants, psu hardly offer double digit digit
many not even single digit. Go for other branches guys. i am telling you
many iits don't even offer this course.
Please Email the Editor