Engineering colleges of Srikakulam district are in a jubilant mood with the significant improvement in the admissions in 2015-16 compared to previous academic years, thanks to bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and beginning of admission process in June itself. Eight engineering colleges in Srikakulam district have 2,688 seats and of them 1,959 (72.87 per cent) were filled in both phases.
Last year, only 1,585 seats (52.41 per cent) were filled as many students opted private universities and colleges located in Telangana region. After the bifurcation of the State, many students opted local colleges with the availability of fee reimbursement apart from local category status.
Aditya Institute of Technology and Management (AITAM-Tekkali) and GMR Institute of Technology-Rajam could get 100 per cent admissions under convener quota.
Each college has 588 seats and all have been filled up. As many as 378 students joined Sri Sivani College and Sri Venkateswara Engineering College-Etcherla could get 294 admissions in the current academic year. SSIT (294), SISTAM (252) and Vaishnavi College of Engineering (168) could attract more students compared to previous years, making them financially viable from this year.
Only one student joined Prajna Engineering College, leading to winding up of many departments in the institution.
Meanwhile, the Centurion University of Parlakhemundi has thrown a major challenge to the existing reputed colleges in Srikakulam district by giving wide publicity for the facilities and latest engineering equipment in the institution. Many Srikakulam students joined the institution as it is adjacent to Patapatnam which is 60 km away from Srikakulam town.
With the completion of second phase, many institutions are concentrating on management quota seats as they fetch more revenue. GMR Institute of Technology has reportedly collected up to Rs. 3 lakh as donation for each seat apart from the regular fees. AITAM has reportedly fixed Rs.1 lakh as donation for the payment seats.
Division of the State helps local educational institutions
