Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur
Anantapur: Andhra Pradesh faces exodus of engineering students to neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu again due to lack of infrastructure and faculty in private colleges. Private engineering colleges of AP are facing a tough competition from their counterparts in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and even a few others in Telangana state.
Last year, a large number of merit students joined colleges in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka due to the delay in counselling. The low intake of students by private companies during campus selections also hit private colleges. IT companies showed interest in recruiting students from reputed institutes and other colleges had to struggle to attract recruiters. There are 94 private engineering and pharma colleges in Raylaseema and Nellore districts, under the jurisdiction of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Anantapur.
Several colleges sought permission for closure due to poor admissions in the last few years. Last year, it was much worse due to the conflict over bifurcation of the state.
The conflict between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana delayed the admission process badly in both the states. Students who secured top ranks also reportedly got admitted in private engineering colleges in Tamil Naidu. Hari Narayana, father of an engineering students from Madakasira, said he joined his son in a college at Kanchi by paying Rs 1.5 lakh though he got a rank below 10,000. Many other merit students have reportedly migrated to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
According to sources, an elected representative faced a tough situation in running his college due to poor admissions in Anantapur district last year. Another private engineering college, which had withheld the admission process for the last three years, is ready to dispose its properties including the building and the site on the outskirts of Anantapur this year.
Many colleges even discontinued offering courses in some branches due to poor admissions. Last year, bankers tried to put a private engineering college on auction for failing to repay the loans.
