Mumbai: No new engineering college or academic institution will get approval as the state government has decided not to allow any new players to start an engineering college. The state education department revealed 50 per cent seats are vacant in existing engineering colleges of the state and the number of students seeking admission for engineering course is reducing every year.
Currently, there are 1,564 engineering and technical institutes in Maharashtra where 40 per cent seats were vacant at the start of the academic year 2018. But now, this figure has gone above 50 per cent and colleges are facing a downfall in number of admissions. Colleges have raised the issue about vacant seats in various courses under engineering fields. Due to this downfall, the state has decided not to give its approval to any new player who wants to start a new engineering college.
Saurabh Vijay, secretary, higher and technical education department of the state government, said, “We do not want any more engineering colleges to start as there already is an increase in number of vacant seats in existing colleges.” The state wants to focus on improving the scenario of existing colleges in terms of infrastructure and facilities. “Instead of opening new colleges, we want to focus on improving infrastructure, management, facilities and services of existing engineering colleges,” Vijay added.
Difficulty in clearing entrance tests, shift of field of study, high-end fees and change of course are some of the reasons why students are not opting for engineering as a career choice as per the education department. A senior officer of the department said, “Students find it difficult to clear entrance tests in one attempt. Then they have to pay high-end fees and fight for securing seats in renowned colleges. This is discouraging students to secure admissions in engineering for the last couple of years.”
Students claimed they prefer changing their field and opt for a creative one rather than a technical stream. Ameya Phandse, a student said, “I completed by engineering in Electronics, but I work at an Information Technology (IT) firm. I would rather work in any other field where I can use my skills.” Deepti Pandit, another student said, “I studied design and now I work as a web designer even though I completed by civil engineering. I am glad I studied design.”