Basic sciences and humanities back in the reckoning

When the admissions of 2008- 09 got over, the number of students in most of the basic science and humanities courses in most colleges of Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, were in single digits. In 85 colleges in the district, even 25 per cent seats were not filled in these disciplines.

As against this, the academic year 2009-10 has seen a total reversal of last year's trend. According to vice-chancellor G. Thiruvasagam, more than 90 per cent of the colleges have requested for 20 per cent additional seats, while 40 per cent of the colleges have asked for an additional section.

The affiliated colleges of the university have a section in each department and this section has 50 seats. Hence an additional 20 per cent would mean 60 students in each class and an additional section would mean an additional 50 students in the department.

The courses listed as per preference are B. Com. with Computer Applications, B. Com., B. Sc. Mathematics, B. Sc. Physics, B. Sc. Chemistry, B.A. History with Tourism, B.A. Economics, etc. The demand for additional seats has come for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry.

"There has been a tremendous response to basic sciences and humanities. This year there are no takers for the Information Technology courses. With the threat of very few jobs in the sector, students have turned to the next best alternative - basic sciences. Mathematics is a popular choice because they are ensured of a job once they complete the course," Mr. Thiruvasagam said.

After last year's debacle, the university brought together experts during summer to revamp the existing courses to make them inter-disciplinary and application-oriented. The revamping, coupled with the IT slump, has turned the tide in favour of the conventional courses.

And, if one thought that this trend was typical of city and urban colleges and students, the figures provided by the university reveal the right picture: among the colleges that had asked for additional seats and section, a large number of them were rural colleges.

J. Manjula, principal, Sri. G.V.G. Visalakshi College for Women, Udumalpet, said she had applied for additional seats for Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biotechnology and English Literature. Last year, the college had single digit number of students admitted in these courses. This year, they are all filled to capacity.

"Rural students, mostly wards of farmers, are aware of what is in and what is out in terms of career prospects. They are keen on pursuing a B.A. in literature because they are aware that they will be assured of employment," she said.

With the craze for technical and IT courses on the rise among the youth last year, arts and science colleges and universities perceived a threat of decline in the gross enrolment ratio with no takers for the conventional courses. Now they are on a path of revival.

What would now happen to the IT courses? Mr. Thiruvasagam said that many colleges had converted the science laboratories into computer laboratories. This year they would have to re-work on this and also many of the newly-appointed faculty would be underutilised. "Colleges would have to use them for those subjects that have integrated computer applications in them." Next stage would be to revamp the IT courses to make them attractive for students entering college next year.

AMUTHA KANNAN

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