Anna Univ to begin B.E. classes on Aug. 1

In line with AICTE mandate; last year, counselling went on till August 18

The application forms will be available in various government-aided and constituent colleges of Anna University. In Chennai, the forms will be available at Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Government Polytechnic, Purasawalkam and Bharathi Women’s College, Broadway -- Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

First-year classes in all engineering colleges affiliated to Anna University will begin on August 1 this year.

This decision, said P. Kaliraj, vice-chancellor (officiating), was taken to follow the mandate issued by the AICTE urging all colleges to finish counselling procedures in July and begin classes by August 1.

While last year, engineering counselling began on July 13 and went on till August 18, this year, it is slated to begin on June 21. According to Prof. Kaliraj, 552 colleges, which include 490 private institutions, will be part of the counselling.

There is a probability of 15-20 colleges being reopened this year with AICTE approval, said Prof. Kaliraj. “Parents have always raised concerns over the opening of new colleges. But many of these colleges are doing well, and it is important to have them to maintain a healthy competition among colleges. We might lose out on a good institution if new colleges are not allowed to function.”

Anna University recently issued show-cause notices to 200 engineering colleges for flouting quality norms. “More than lack of infrastructure, it was the shortage of faculty members that these colleges were pulled up for, the V-C said.

“Many colleges don’t follow the student-teacher ratio and recruit fewer teachers especially when they don’t have enough students. The number of teachers remains the same even when the students increase.

Prof. Kaliraj said the colleges had been asked to rectify the problems and report the matter to the University by the end of this month.

The application forms will be available in various government-aided and constituent colleges of Anna University. In Chennai, the forms will be available at Madras Institute of Technology, Chromepet, Government Polytechnic, Purasawalkam and Bharathi Women’s College, Broadway. The University has also introduced petroleum engineering for graduate studies this year.

The V-C pointed out that while 1,81,000 students applied for counselling last year, 55,000 seats went vacant. The vacancy, he said, was also because many students chose to go for management seats to get the branch and college of their choice. This year, there are nearly 2 lakh engineering seats and over 2.5 lakh students are expected to apply for counselling.

Prof. Kaliraj said the forms would be available till May 20 and random number assignment would take place on June 5. The dates, however, might change, depending on when class XII results are announced, he said.