In an astonishing and unforeseen twist, the educational landscape in Tamil Nadu has taken an intriguing turn. A staggering revelation has come to light: 37 engineering colleges in the state have found themselves in an unprecedented predicament—they have failed to attract even a single student through two rounds of counselling this year. The gravity of the situation becomes even more apparent when considering that out of the 440 engineering colleges that participated in the counselling process, a substantial 208 of them have struggled to occupy a mere 10 per cent of their available seats.
Delving into the statistical panorama, a rather disconcerting tableau emerges. Among the 64,286 students who engaged in counselling sessions, presenting scores that ranged from the commendable 176.99 to still-respectable 142 marks, a mere fraction—35,474 students to be precise—ultimately succeeded in securing their coveted seats. These numbers unfurl a tale of challenges and aspirations, as the preceding dual counselling rounds bore witness to 50,615 students embarking on their academic journeys.
Curiously, the current academic year has witnessed a surge in student participation during the initial two counselling rounds. This upturn can be attributed to a reduction in counselling rounds as compared to the previous year, driving more students to partake earlier in the admission process. Paradoxically, amidst these shifting dynamics, a silver lining emerges: Colleges have been able to report a relatively more successful filling of seats in the first two rounds when measured against the yardstick of the preceding year.
Providing valuable insights into the ongoing dynamics, P Deiva Sundari, at the helm of the Chennai Institute of Technology and Applied Research, shared her observations with TOI. Post the conclusion of the second counselling round, a discernible trend has emerged—a palpable surge of interest in fields that encompass electrical and electronics engineering, mechanical engineering, and the realm of civil engineering courses. This shift in preference paints a dynamic picture within the educational landscape.
Interestingly, the tide of substantial admissions has predominantly favoured the domains intertwined with computer science and its affiliated branches. This inclination, while propelling some colleges into the spotlight of successful occupancy, has simultaneously cast a challenging shadow on those institutions struggling to muster even a 50 per cent seat fill during the counselling rounds. The implications are profound, as these colleges grapple not only with occupancy rates but also with the task of delivering a calibre of engineering education that meets the standards.
In a proactive response to this unfolding scenario, Anna University has set forth a strategic plan involving post-counseling appraisals. These assessments will specifically target the colleges grappling with a dearth of admissions. Speaking to TOI, R Velraj, the Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, emphasized the gravity of the matter. He stated that institutions with less than a 10 per cent admission rate this year will be subjected to thorough inspections. A dedicated committee will undertake the evaluation, delving into the intricacies of infrastructure and faculty strength within these institutions. Appropriate actions will be taken against colleges found wanting in terms of both facilities and human resources.
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