Sri Venkateswara University slashes seats in Food Technology course citing lack of labs

Tirupati: Sri Venkateswara University (SVU) has reduced seats in MSc Food Technology course in this academic year (2019-20) citing not enough laboratories to train students. In previous academic year, the varsity admitted 40 students in the course in which 35 are self-finance and 5 are sponsored seats.

In the ongoing counselling for admission into various postgraduate courses, the SVU authorities have decided to admit only 25 students including 5 sponsored in the course which has high demand.

The students are opting food technology course as it has more job opportunities in dairy technology and hotel management fields. The reason given by authorities for reducing seats was insufficient laboratories to train the students.

Two days ago, SVU's SFI wing staged a dharna in front of administration block of the varsity, demanding to fill 40 seats instead only 25 seats. Speaking to The Hans India, SFI district secretary N Madav Krishna stated that SVU authorities are not showing much interest to enhance the seats in courses which are in high demand. He slammed them for taking decision to reduce the seats citing lack of labs.

Responding over reduction of seats in the course, SVU Rector G M Sundaravalli promised to fill 40 seats just like previous academic year. She also stated that varsity will examine the possibilities to enhance seats in English, Computer Science, Physics and Chemistry courses before the varsity begins second counselling.

According to sources, the varsity is winding up MS in Public Relations, MA Journalism and certificate courses like Tourism & Travel Management and Fine Arts due to less response for admissions.