Mangalore University : Fewer admissions in UG courses in colleges

Mangaluru: The admissions to undergraduate (UG) courses in colleges affiliated to Mangalore University have been drastically hit due to multiple factors this academic year. This has left the managements worried, as admissions in some of the private and government colleges are very low, compared to previous years.
Senior lecturers working in government colleges, who listed out the adverse factors causing this trend, said that there is a need to urgently address the issue, so that the same is not repeated in the coming years.
A senior professor, now posted as an official at the department of collegiate education, said that the first reason causing this is confusion over the National Education Policy, regarding the UG course. The three-year course has now been stretched to four years, with the option of multiple entry and exit. “The aspirants are still confused about whether it’s a three-year or four-year course. This has forced them to look for other job-ready courses,’’ he said.
The second factor is that many candidates are eager to get a job, so they enrol in ITI and polytechnic courses. Besides, the government is also encouraging such courses. Apart from that, nursing courses have seen good admissions this year. Many science students have shown interest in paramedical or allied health science courses. All the above fields can employ a candidate, soon after the completion of the courses.
Several candidates did not take admission to UG courses, as there were constant glitches in the Unified University and College Management System (UUCMS) software. There was also no help offered at colleges, to guide students during admissions, especially when filing applications and paying fees.
The delayed start of UG classes is another negative factor, that led to poor admissions. “The PU results were announced in May, but UG classes have not yet started fully. The UG course aspirant who got anxious with the delay in classes, looked for other alternatives,” said another senior professor.
Families that have received a financial blow due to the pandemic, are unable to send their wards for further studies. Instead, those candidates are looking for jobs, and have planned to continue their studies through distance education. The KSOU and other distance education platforms have received good admissions. This is also one of the reasons that regular UG colleges have received fewer admissions.
Anasuya Rai, principal, University College, Hampankatta, shared that the college used to see UG courses completely fill up every year. Except in commerce, arts and science courses have received less than 80% admissions, she said.