No takers for GTU’s Gujarati medium engg courses, again

After the programme saw zero takers in the first year, Gujarat Technological University and GPERI had chalked out a detailed plan well in advance before the 2023-24 admissions.

Written by Ritu Sharma

Ahmedabad | Updated: October 22, 2023 06:51 AM IST

The only constituent college under GTU—Gujarat Power Engineering and Research Institute (GPERI) in Mewad of Mehsana—had set aside 30 Gujarati medium seat in all four engineering graduation courses since 2022-23 with the push from the Central government. (File photo)

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For the second year in a row, Gujarat Technological University (GTU), the state’s largest technology varsity, has drawn a blank for enrolments under the engineering courses offered in Gujarati medium as the third round of centralised admissions by the Admission Committee for Professional Courses (ACPC) closed by September-end.

This, even as enrolments in engineering courses saw an overall uptick after a restructuring exercise this year. “Perhaps, there is a fear among students that after getting an engineering degree in Gujarati medium, they would not get a good placement,” GTU Vice Chancellor Prof Rajul Gajjar told The Indian Express. However, he hinted this might be a misconception. “During meetings with many industries, they readily agree to conduct interviews in Gujarati,” he said.

This is the third year that the AICTE, in line with the provisions of the NEP, has permitted engineering colleges to offer B.Tech programmes in regional languages. While Hindi was a popular choice with 116 student enrollments, Kannada had zero enrollments. For several other institutes, seats remained completely vacant. In the second year too, the regional language programmes across most institutes, with a few exceptions, received a lukewarm response.

This pattern is now repeating itself for GTU this year. The only constituent college under GTU—Gujarat Power Engineering and Research Institute (GPERI) in Mewad of Mehsana—had set aside 30 Gujarati medium seat in all four engineering graduation courses since 2022-23 with the push from the Central government.

After the programme saw zero takers in the first year, GTU and GPERI had chalked out a detailed plan well in advance before the 2023-24 admissions. It held micro-planned campaigns in rural and tribal areas to help enrol students.

“Unlike last year, this time, there was enough time for awareness among students for Gujarati medium. Even we fail to understand why there are no takers for this,” said Prof K N Kher, GTU Registrar. With 344 colleges under it, GTU targeted students from the tribal regions.

However, with the prevailing trend of going abroad for masters, especially in North Gujarat belt, students prefer English medium.

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No takers for GTU’s Gujarati medium engg courses, again

After the programme saw zero takers in the first year, Gujarat Technological University and GPERI had chalked out a detailed plan well in advance before the 2023-24 admissions.

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