No takers for poorly rated engineering colleges in Tiruchi

Barring a handful of colleges with an unassailable reputation established over the years, several engineering institutions in the district are facing a crisis caused by dwindling admissions.

Topping the list of concerns of principals is the discouraging signals from Anna University’s admissions through single window counselling, which could trigger further deterioration in standard of education in colleges that end up with fewer students. In fact, a few colleges have understandably offered to admit candidates for lesser than the permitted tuition fee.

From this year, the fee has been increased from Rs. 32,500 to Rs. 50,000 for admission under the government quota, and from Rs. 70,000 to Rs. 85,000 for candidates admitted under the management quota.

Besides, colleges with fewer admissions will not be in a position to appoint quality faculty, and the students are bound to be the ultimate sufferers with nil placements. A private engineering college in the district is reportedly for sale as admission rates have been dismal in recent years.

Interestingly, the overall slump in admissions has become noticeable even in front-ranking colleges, according to a principal.

College managements are aware that there is no quick-fix solution to the problem, citing the dissatisfaction of the All India Council For Technical Education with the curricula of Anna University for affiliated colleges.

Most of the college principals say the problem can be addressed in the long run if there is a rethink on the extreme focus on academic performance for ranking of institutions.

“The component of knowledgeable education is indeed missing. The extention of school system of mark-based ranking in engineering education is unfortunate,” Director and Correspondent of MASTeR Group of Institutions, Tiruchi, said.

Source:http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/no-takers-for-low-rated-engineering-colleges/article19367858.ece