BSc pips engg in popularity race

Winds of change are flowing in Gujarat’s science education.  After the spectacular XII science results this year, it is the science colleges that are witnessing the rush unlike past years, where professional courses stole the admission thunder. After the second round of admissions, around 1,142 engineering seats are still empty while Science colleges are increasing their
capacity to accommodate the rush.

Gujarat University has had to increase number of seats in BSc by 200 in every science college to accommodate more students. Other varsities across the state, including Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) of Baroda, Saurashtra University, Bhavnagar University, Sardar Patel University have also been flooded.

MSU officials are mulling an increase of 10% to 20% seats. The varsity has received 6,000 applications for admissions in BSc for 1200 seats it has at present. Saurashtra University colleges have already increased capacity from 130 students to 170 per class.

“Number of applications this year is double than previous years. It is believed the rush is mainly because of high percentage of pass outs in class XII science stream. But another reason may be students’ fading interest in professional courses. Interestingly, a few students with 75% marks too didn’t opt for engineering courses but chose to study BSc,” dean of the science faculty in MSU, Prof AC Sharma claimed.

Sharma argued that students’ dimming interest in professional course may also stem from the fact that only 30% of engineering graduates get jobs, while the others still struggle to earn a decent living.

Some believe that besides job opportunities, the falling quality of education may be also a deterrent factor.