Environmental engineering an option worth considering, say academicians

It might be one of those branches students usually give a cold shoulder to, but environment engineering leads to employment opportunities galore, point out industry experts.

While the intake capacity for this branch was initially fixed at 20 in government colleges, it was raised to 30 a year later. It then went on to be increased to 60, like all other engineering branches in government colleges.

"Students are yet to realise the potential that environmental engineering offers. With growing consciousness among citizens about the environment, the scope for this domain has tremendously increased," said professor GH Ban, head of the department of environment engineering at LD Engineering college.

Ban said even last year, companies like GNFC and a power plant had visited the campus for recruitment from the environment engineering department, for their environment section.

Despite all the employment opportunities available, enrolment even this year in some government colleges such as those in Valsad and Bhuj, has barely crossed the double digit figure. Some students have even opted out during the reshuffling process.  The sole exception is LD Engineering College, where the capacity has been almost full.

Pointing to the employment opportunities, Ban said, "These days, construction companies need to secure environment clearance, which can be provided only by professionally trained environmental engineers."

Principal of LD Engineering College, professor MN Patel, echoes Ban's view that students are yet to see the potential of a career in environment engineering. "Many still view it as one of the lowest-paid professions, which is not the case actually,'' said Patel.