HYDERABAD: Are the core engineering subjects a nightmare for students? Trends in the ongoing engineering counselling give enough indication of it with the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) stream being the least preferred course, followed by Mechanical Engineering.

There are just three days left for the counselling session to wind up, and 2,126 seats in the EEE

stream are lying vacant. It is a massive number compared to the vacancies in other streams like Computer Science (499), IT (587) and ECE (816). Similar is the case with another core engineering subject, Mechanical Engineering that still has 1,760 vacant seats. This is the situation in the "A" category that is filled by the Convenor. Similar is the scenario in minority colleges and management seats.

Fear factor

The faculty attributes it to the fear factor among students, who they feel, shy away from studying tough subjects when subjects Computer Science and Information Technology offer better job opportunities with minimal effort.

Unlike the Computer Science or IT where students have numerous options to take lessons from, there is no such facility for core engineering subjects. Students can grasp the subjects of CSE or IT with ease and so is the case with Electronics Engineering. Moreover, private coaching options are available in plenty for these subjects.

Lack of good teachers is also a significant factor. "Absence of efficient teachers is also a reason. Aspirants are being warned by teachers and seniors not to opt for core engineering subjects," says a teacher. An official at the counselling centre says students are also seeking the counsellors' opinion on EEE and Mechanical streams, particularly on how demanding the course is.

Job potential

Prof. D.N. Reddy, Principal, OU College of Engineering agrees that EEE and Mechanical are a difficult to tackle compared to other subjects. But with regard to job opportunities they are no less than the others. "This year, 90 per cent of our EEE students are already placed," Prof. Reddy said making light of the issue that it doesn't hold many job opportunities.

He is of the view that EEE students have the option of doing MS in Computer Science and grab good opportunities in both computers as well as electrical fields.

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