Vijayawada: The state government’s statements on improving standards of government universities across the state have been proved wrong. Poor response for engineering courses in university campus colleges have highlighted the situation and around 1,174 seats in university campuses have no takers in first round of counselling. Meanwhile, the department of technical education has offered these seats in second counseling, for which web options were opened on Thursday.
Students now prefer private colleges over universities for multiple reasons. Engineering admission process held through Eamcet-2017 received poor response this year, as only 74,923 students applied for counseling, out of around 1,30,000 students who qualified in entrance examination. Around 20,000 seats in convener quota remained vacant this year and students have got seats as per their choice.
Around 4,466 engineering seats were available in government engineering colleges, which include university colleges, and 1,174 students have refused to take admissions in these colleges with multiple reasons. “Engineering colleges in university campuses used to be the most prestigious and we worked day and night to get admissions there. But now, despite top grade professors and world-class infrastructure, these colleges are failing to attract students with lack of proper sensitisation,” said J. Mukesh, alumni of Acharya Nagarjuna University.
“Students now prefer private universities, considering campus placements and career assurance packages offered by private colleges. Universities should also focus on bringing campus placements to support and attract students and government should review how funds allocated to these universities were spent,” said Teachers’ MLC Vittapu Balasubramanyam.
However, the department of technical education said the demand for university colleges remained same. "Delay in admissions of National Institute of Technology and other premium institutions have led to diversion of students and many students refused to take seats after allotment. We hope that these seats get filled in second counselling,” said Viswana-tha Reddy, AP Eamcet Camp Officer.
