Andhra Pradesh

`Choose only reputed engineering institutes'

Here's a summary of the question and answer session.

GUIDE ME! A student asking a question at The Hindu Education Plus career guidance programme in Tirupati on Sunday.

What are the prospects of those in biotechnology and IT?

Students will have good prospects if they acquire knowledge of other disciplines too. For software engineers acquiring skills in management can help them become managers.

Which colleges to choose for admission?

Take due care about the reputation of institutes and facilities available, as an institution's reputation matters much during placements.

What about aeronautical and marine engineering?

Marine engineering is only offered by Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, in the State. Students can join aeronautical engineering, but passing out is very difficult. Some private institutions are offering commercial pilot courses.

Can students from Andhra Pradesh studying in other States join Jawahar Knowledge Centres?

Students studying in other States could get transferred to colleges having JKCs. At least five students each among male and women categories from every engineering college will be accommodated in JKC. The number swelled to 12,000 applicants in the third year.

JKC placements were given after the second semester in the first year, but advanced by two months in the second batch and 1,217 were given placement. It was further advanced in the third year to suit industry needs and applications were received from other States. Jawahar intern programme with hostel and computer facilities are being planned. Students of second year are paid Rs. 500 as stipend, Rs. 750 for third year and Rs. 1,000 for fourth year students. The pre-condition is that they have to stay in hostel and work on given projects of the Government.

Please publish the seat matrix specifying the last marks of those getting seats in colleges

There are 270 engineering colleges offering over 90,000 seats. We will publish the seat matrix in a couple of days.

Are MS computers students on par with conventional engineering graduates?

There is not much of a difference between MS (software engineering) and integrated five-year M.Tech courses. Students of cities are getting better placements due to their communication skills rather than their technical skills. Industry prefers students with good communication skills and grasping power though they have fewer technical skills.

What are the courses after bioinformatics?

The State has no such course. Vellore Institute of Science and Technology and Satyabhama Institute of Technology are offering the course. Knowledge of physics is essential for protein modelling and they also need chemistry and software knowledge. Companies are absorbing bioinformatics students as they need students having knowledge in MPC and software.

Which discipline should be taken by those good in either maths, physics or chemistry?

Those good in physics can opt for biotechnology or chemical engineering. Those good in maths and physics can opt for electronics or chemical engineering. Those good in chemistry can opt for chemical engineering, biotechnology or pharmacy. Anyone can opt for computer science.

What is the difference between computer science and information technology?

IT is application and management oriented, while computer science is system software oriented. They have a difference of about five to 10 subjects.

Explain the careers in research

Research and development is essential to compete with professionals abroad. High-profile jobs can be secured by doing M. Tech, Ph.D and post-doctoral research.

What are the prospects for mechanical and civil engineering students?

With growth in technology, their prospects are good. They will get challenging jobs if they have two or more combinations. Mechanical as well as electrical engineering are required to design robots. Purely mechanical engineering gives a management orientation.

What's the different between computer science and computer science and systems engineering (CSSE)?

Computer science, information technology and CSSE have not much of a difference. Sri Vidya Niketan Engineering College, Tirupati alone offers CSSE and is a good course to join.

What are the prospects for CSSE students?

Job opportunities are good for all engineering disciplines. About 30 per cent of mechanical engineering students got into software this year. There are comparatively fewer opportunities for chemical engineering students.

Which engineering colleges have JKC?

Sri Venkateswara University got a JKC from this year.

What are the chances for non-local students?

Non-local candidates can be given a maximum of 15 per cent of seats, but it does not mean 15 per cent reservation. Similarly, women students have 30 per cent seats but it does not mean 30 per cent reservation. Local candidates can also get the seats meant for non-locals by merit.

Medical stream

Is there any chance of increase in medical seats this year?

As of now no.

There is confusion about the eligibility of biology students in B. Tech biotech.

As of now the biology students are not allowed to study B. Tech biotech as per the AICTE norms.

What are the prospects of B. Pharmacy?

Job opportunities are plenty\ as several biotech companies are being set up in the State. But the colleges lack necessary infrastructure and good faculty that is hurting the chances of students.

Is it necessary to do M. Pharmacy after B. Pharmacy?

Postgraduate qualification is always good and it improves job opportunities.

What is the future of physiotherapy course?

The course has lot of value and there is lot of demand in private sector.

What are the prospects of homoeopathy and ayurvedic courses?

Alternative medicine is gaining popularity around the world, though there is not much research in to the fields. Even private practice is growing in these fields, but parents should not expect good financial packages.

After studying B. Pharmacy, can I run a medical shop?

Even without B. Pharmacy degree, one can run a medical shop but there are better opportunities in the industry for graduates.

Where should the candidates attend the counselling for entry into B. Pharmacy?

They can appear on both engineering and medical stream counselling sessions.

What are the prospects of environmental sciences?

Environmental sciences is a compulsory subject in B.Tech or M. Tech or M.Sc courses and this opens up opportunities on the teaching side. owever, in other countries opportunities are plenty if one has a doctoral degree in the same subject.

Should I go to China for MBBS or try again next year?

If a student has more than 90 per cent in Intermediate, it is better to repeat the EAMCET next year. But if one really wants to go abroad, students should first check the quality of education offered by the particular university. However, there are a few good colleges in China. But they will have to clear a tough exam conducted by the Medical Council of India after completing education abroad to practice medicine in India.

MVS & R. Ravikanth Reddy

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