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• May 09,2011

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Engineering and Other Technical Education Colleges In Odisha Are In Dire Straits

The number of engineering colleges has more than doubled in the last five years. Despite the increase in schools however, students appearing for engineering joint entrance examinations have not grown at the same pace. As a result, all engineering colleges [read those affiliated to technical universities] are on the back foot to start with.

Even worse, only 14,000 students have accepted admission after the first phase of the admission process. This is just about thirty per-cent of the intake capacity of Biju Patnaik University of Technology [BPUT] affiliated engineering colleges. This trend is clearly unsustainable.

If one examines the issue objectively, it is obvious that a part of the problem lies in the larger issues of employability of engineering students – which ails colleges all over the country. The other part of the problem is clearly local factors, which have been escalating over the past few years.

The first problem is a case of mis-alignment of authority and accountability. The Orissa Joint Entrance Examination [OJEE] Committee, which is entrusted with conducting the admissions, lacks incentive to efficiently manage the admissions process. Many stakeholders allege that student-unfriendly systems and processes are one major factor for the same. Additionally, OJEE, which is making almost Rs. 3-4 crores through selling of admission forms, is not taking adequate steps to spread awareness of BPUT in possible catchment areas outside the state. It is time the OJEE – which was set in a time when the number of applicants far exceeded the number of seats – re-orient its functioning to meet the market realities. In a situation were local colleges are bleeding, OJEE needs to be accountable in order to be efficient. It would need to seriously introspect on all counts – awareness, application process, examination process, counseling, and admissions. It is no longer the domain of the academicians. It might be a good idea to give the responsibility to Orissa Private Engineering College Association [OPECA] or any other stakeholders [with due checks and balances] who have an incentive to do a good professional job. A point to note: Punjab Technical University’s distance education program is continuously growing because the entire admission process is handled by learning centres.

The second problem – is a deep systemic inefficiency at BPUT, which has been getting worse every year. BPUT, whose job is to conduct exams in timely fashion, declare results, focus on capacity building of faculties, and enhance employability of students, is a ways away from par score in terms. BPUT’s team does not have the necessary execution muscle and manpower to carry out its hygiene responsibilities. It is no wonder that BPUT’s other eco-system developing responsibilities are not on the radar. It is either a structural problem or a governance problem. Whatever the cause, students are starting to realize the risks involved in enrolling in the BPUT system. [One story doing the rounds is that students from Bihar who used to come in large numbers to BPUT colleges are exploring other options.]— It is time for BPUT and the Industry Department [which for antiquated reasons runs the mother department of Technical Education] to take note to do something drastic. Otherwise, even students from Odisha will stop taking admission in BPUT, much less students from other states.

There are other factors that can further hinder the success of engineering colleges: unbridled admission intake of private universities, or the second shift allowed by All India Council of Technical Education [AICTE]. But these could be less important factors. If BPUT can provide quality education, provide time exit at reasonable costs there is no reason that students will prefer more expensive education at private universities. Also, like any other industry, there will always be a segment of customers [read students] who will seek premium offerings and premium pricing – but they will always be the niche segment. So that is not a threat, as long as BPUT performs. On the issue of second shift, one must commend the industry department for issuing the no-objection certificate [NOC] to institutes. This will result in a more equitable distribution of scarce student population.