What is the difference between autonomous and non-autonomous engineering colleges? This was one of the questions raised by a student at The Hindu EDGE Career Counselling 2018 at Jaganmohan Palace Auditorium in Mysuru on Sunday.
The student wanted to know what difference it would make for a student to enrol in an autonomous engineering college.
Replying to the question, B. Sadashive Gowda, principal, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, said autonomous colleges as well as non-autonomous colleges both fall under Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU). However, autonomous colleges have been given the flexibility to design their own curriculum, keeping in mind the needs of the industry. “Autonomy has been given to the institution to produce graduates to meet industry requirements,” he said.
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Degree certificates for students passing out of both autonomous and non-autonomous institutions will be issued by VTU. However, the degree certificates of students of autonomous institutions will carry the name of their institution as well.
There are about 18 autonomous engineering colleges in Karnataka. “Both autonomous and non-autonomous engineering colleges are doing well,” Dr. Gowda pointed out.
Aeronautical engineering was another subject that aroused significant interest.
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Dr. Gowda said aeronautical engineering was not available in any engineering college in Mysuru region. It was offered by some colleges in Bengaluru and Mangaluru. “It is be an exciting field and students who are strong in mathematics will enjoy the course,” he said, and added that students who pick up necessary skills for employment need not worry about job prospects.