Visvesvaraya Technological University in Belagavi prepares course material for Kannada-medium engineering students.
| Photo Credit: P K Badiger
Sagar T.S., the only student in Karnataka who was admitted to the Maharaja Institute of Technology (MIT) in Mysuru for Kannada-medium mechanical engineering course, for the first time in Karnataka, has decided to withdraw from the course. He expressed a desire to continue in the English medium. He cited non-availability of enough course material, problem of placement and absence of classmates as among the reasons for his decision.
However, Sagar is facing technical obstacles in changing the medium of instruction. The Visvesvarya Technological University (VTU) has to change it, or he has to withdraw from the Kannada medium engineering course, and re-enrol in the English medium engineering course under the management quota.
During the CET 2024-25 counselling, two students, Raghavendra N. and Sagar T.S., had opted for the Kannada medium mechanical engineering course at the MIT in Mysuru. While Raghavendra withdrew from the course, Sagar took admission in the college.
“Along with this, I had also given optional entry to other courses. However, my CET ranking got me this course. I had also got the same course during the first and second round of seat allotment process. So, I took admission in the college. However, I was the only one in the entire college who was doing engineering in Kannada medium. So, I have decided to withdraw from this course and continue in the English medium course,” said Sagar.
From rural area
He further explained, “I am a student from a rural area who studied in Kannada medium till SSLC, and scored 85% marks. In the II PU exams, I scored 60% marks in English medium in science stream. So, I did not mind Kannada medium course. But not much course material is available in Kannada medium. And, after completing the course, there are no jobs available for Kannada medium students. Besides, my parents told me to study the English medium course. I want to continue in English course for the sake of my future.”
B.G. Nareshkumar, principal of MIT, told The Hindu, “We were happy and surprised when Sagar took admission in the Kannada medium engineering course in our institution. But now, he does not want to continue in the course. Instead, he has requested to be given English medium course. Despite being told that we will provide the necessary facilities, including course material and quality teaching, he does not want to continue. We also discussed with his parents who also requested to allow him to take the English medium course. Currently, we are allowing him to attend the classes of English medium mechanical engineering course.”
Technical issues
Mr. Nareshkumar explained the glitches in allowing Sagar to continue in the English medium engineering course. “It is difficult for Sagar, who is enrolled in the Kannada medium engineering course, to continue in the English medium course. If Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) or VTU changes his course medium, he can continue in the English medium course. If not, he will have to re-enrol in the college under the management quota seat. Currently, there are two seats vacant in mechanical engineering branch in our college, and the management has agreed to give one seat to Sagar. However, for this, he will have to pay an additional fee. The family has already paid a total of ₹1.15 lakh, and they are saying that it is difficult to pay the additional fee. Therefore, KEA or VTU should intervene,” he said.
Sagar said that it is very difficult for him to pay the additional fee. “If there is a possibility of changing the medium of the course, a request will be submitted to KEA and VTU,” he said.
Prasanna H., Executive Director of KEA, told The Hindu, “Changing the medium of the course is a matter related to VTU. In this regard, appropriate action will be taken in consultation with the VTU registrar to facilitate the student.”
Many opted out
As part of the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP 2020), the government of Karnataka introduced Kannada medium engineering courses in 2021-22. At that point in time, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) gave permission to four private engineering colleges in Karnataka to offer civil and mechanical courses in Kannada medium. VTU had also released Kannada translated course material.
The first time, more than 27 students from across Karnataka opted for Kannada medium engineering courses during CET counselling in the year 2021-22. However, they did not take admission in the colleges. In 2022-23 and 2023-24, one student each opted for Kannada medium engineering course, but eventually withdrew their applications.
Published – December 03, 2024 05:11 pm IST