The declining standards of engineering

Come summer, the conduct of educational fairs at popular function halls in the city has been a common phenomenon. Reputed engineering colleges and deemed universities from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and several higher educational institutions from the US, Germany, Australia and other nations are visiting Vijayawada regularly to attract rope in Andhra students by providing scholarships.

With the decline in educational standards in private colleges, most of the students are opting for neighbouring states to pursue engineering courses. Parents are also encouraging their children to go to neighbouring States with the hope that it will ensure them better career prospects, besides providing the necessary exposure.

This is one reason why engineering seats in many private colleges in the capital region are left unfilled every year. Some private colleges with poor infrastructure and inexperienced faculty are facing a threat of closure as there are virtually no takers for several courses offered. The strength of Andhra students in engineering institutions in neighbouring States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu is steadily increasing.

It is virtually a dream for some meritorious students to study in those prestigious institutions. The students desiring to study in the reputed universities closely follow their academic calendar to appear for the entrance tests without fail. The educational expenses involved to pursue courses in the institutions is a secondary factor for them as they are more focused on their career.

According to sources in the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE), 250 engineering colleges in AP failed to achieve cent per cent admissions last academic year due to various factors, including steep fall in educational standards, poor infrastructure and lack of a wide choice of elective subjects which are in demand in the present job market.

A good number of engineering aspirants from the capital region appeared for the entrance tests conducted by the deemed universities of neighbouring states this year also. However, a clear picture on admissions in the private colleges in the capital region will emerge only after the commencement of EAMCET counselling.

The private college managements are hopeful of achieving a better admission rate this year with the conduct of a separate EAMCET for students of AP which witnessed a rise in the number of qualifiers in the engineering stream.

By Ch Sowmya Sruthi