JNTU-H raises concern as demand drops for core engineering courses

Hyderabad: Core engineering courses are making a way for courses in emerging technologies. This an indication from the number of affiliated engineering colleges applying to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Hyderabad (JNTU-H) seeking to introduce courses in emerging technologies like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science etc., while doing away with traditional programmes.

Around 25 private engineering colleges have sought permission from the university for winding up the core engineering courses namely Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering courses for the academic year 2021-22 apart from few courses which were approved during the last academic year.

“This has been viewed very seriously as the University is of the opinion that Engineering means a blend of all traditional/conventional (Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Electrical and Electronics Engineering) courses coupled with emerging courses. If all the courses offered by the colleges focus only on Computer Science & Engineering and its allied courses keeping the current demand and trend in view, it leads to imbalance. Moreover, if this trend continues there is every possibility that the traditional courses will gradually disappear,” reads a circular issued by the University on Thursday.

The JNUT-H was also of the view that if traditional courses were closed by the affiliated engineering colleges, diploma candidates seeking admissions into such programmes in BTech second-year through lateral entry would be deprived of the opportunity. It would also impact teaching and non-teaching staff who have been working with the colleges for several years.
The varsity authorities have decided to consider the course closure request of the colleges if admissions in the existing course applied for closure is less than 30 per cent during the last two consecutive years. Further, colleges were asked to maintain at least one division i.e., intake of 60 seats in respect of traditional courses for which the closure was sought.

Meanwhile, JNTU-H Vice-Chancellor Prof. Katta Narasimha Reddy has decided to virtually interact with affiliated engineering (non-autonomous) and MBA standalone colleges from June 21 to 26. He will also interact with pharmacy and autonomous colleges during the second and third phases respectively.