Expecting 15% higher intake in engineering courses this year, says T.N. Minister for Higher Education

Minister for Higher Education Govi. Chezhiaan said since over 3.5 lakh students have applied for counselling for engineering programmes, a 15% increase in students’ admission is expected this year, when compared to previous years.

During an informal chat with reporters here on Saturday, Mr. Chezhiaan, while participating at a job fair, said over 3.5 lakh students had applied for the single-window counselling for admission into engineering programmes being offered by government and private engineering colleges across the State, while this number was less than 2 lakh last year.

Government schemes

Thanks to the introduction of new courses, the rolling out of the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, the implementation of 7.5% reservation for government school students, and the financial assistance being given to the students pursuing higher education, the number of applicants for engineering admissions had increased, he said. “Hence, we are expecting a 15% increase in the admission of students in engineering education this year,” the Minister said.

Mr. Chezhiaan added that the State government had introduced seven new programmes in engineering colleges to equip students with employable skills, and a team had been constituted to introduce a few more new courses in arts and science and engineering colleges.