21 Jun 2012 11:24:22 IST
, Dnaindia
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Bypass the barriers to engineering careers
Engineering Entrance
,
Govt’s decision to have a common entrance exam for engineering aspirants, post-HSC, has changed the playing field considerably.
Now, even students who seek admission in a normal engineering college will probably have to appear for the new JEE, which is very tough.
Is there a short cut? Yes, a diploma course after SSC results can facilitate a smoother transition to a degree course with specialisation.
The new one-nation-one-test pattern designed for engineering aspirants proposes to give substantial weightage to HSC (Board) as well as an aptitude test. This could probably add to the stress of the students considerably—though it has some advantages. Moreover, the number of students applying for degree courses tends to be extremely high, which means the chances of getting admission are frankly, quite limited.
However, there is a way in which engineering aspirants can bypass these barriers to engineering careers. Rather than pursue the typical post-HSC entrance exam mode and apply to an engineering college, there is a simpler and smarter option.
Plan ahead
If one makes the effort to be focused and plan well ahead of time, it is possible to completely avoid the stiff competition that prevails at the degree admission stage. How? Well, as soon as students pass SSC, they can opt for the three-year diploma in engineering course. Later, they can use this as a foundation to get admitted directly into the second year of the Engineering degree course.
Chances more than double
While you may find this to be an unusual approach, the fact remains that this strategy works perfectly and there is a good reason why. Until recently, about 10% Diploma Students were generally admitted directly into each division of the second year. However, AICTE has now increased the number of seats of lateral entry from 10% to 20%—effectively doubling the quota.
Moreover, since last two years, AICTE has allowed Engineering Degree Colleges to start additional divisions from the second year, exclusively for these diploma students. Plus, AICTE has also reduced the minimum eligibility marks from 60 % to 50%.
This not only translates into more seats for Diploma students (thus increasing the chances of applicants getting admitted into the Degree programme) but also signifies that with cut-off percentages coming down; it is a win-win situation for engineering degree aspirants in every way. Students are yet not so aware of these new developments.
There is an adage that beautifully describes the difference between engineering students and those from other fields : “I hear, I forget. I see, I believe. I do, I understand.”
Smarter approach
The diploma course gives hands-on experience to students and over the past few years, industry has realised that students who have done their vocational education have a better understanding of technical concepts. Due to this, diploma students who have upgraded to an engineering degree are actually preferred over their counterparts who have taken the traditional post-HSC route.
These advantages, coupled with the new JEE announced, makes the route of engineering degree through diploma course a very good option for students aspiring for an engineering career. Most important, this enables engineering aspirants to circumvent the dreaded FE (First Year engineering) where the failure rate is almost 80%. In fact, making the transition after completion of diploma course directly to the second year of the degree course entails no loss of time whatsoever.
Strong foundation
Another plus point, which is often overlooked by those aspiring for an engineering career, is that the diploma in engineering course in effect provides an excellent foundation for specialisation. With this qualification under their belt, aspirants have multiple options to choose from. For starters there is the much-coveted admission directly in the second year of the degree course in engineering.
Another attractive option worth considering is gaining entry into the second year of BSc (IT), an ideal course for those eyeing careers the high growth potential IT industry. If an international degree is what they seek, diploma in engineering course students can even go in for a global learning experience at a foreign university.
Considering the plethora of education and career opportunities the Diploma course provides, a diploma in engineering course could be looked at as the best way forward for students aspiring to become Engineers.
Vriti Edustore
