Ahead of admissions for engineering diploma courses in Maharashtra, the government has approved as many as 14 applications by diploma institutes to start new courses in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI&ML). While 19 applications requesting increase in intake for Computer Engineering Diploma have been approved by the government, among those approved for closures, highest are from traditional branches–13 from civil engineering and 12 from mechanical engineering. While engineering diploma admissions are still ongoing in state, five new private diploma institutes have been approved by the state government. It has also issued a list of private-unaided institutes who are approved to either start new courses or are allowed to increase intake. At the same time, various private diploma institutes are also allowed to close branches. This year, there will be 1.5 lakh seats for diploma admissions. The registration process will continue until July 18. The branch-wise data of the institutes show popularity trends mirroring trends from engineering degree courses. A total of 66 applications of new courses have been approved, of which highest 14 are in AI&ML followed by 10 in electrical engineering diploma, 8 in computer engineering diploma and 6 in Information Technology. As many as 71 applications seeking increase in intake have been approved, with highest–19–from computer engineering diploma followed by 12 from electronics and telecommunication, seven from computer science engineering diploma and five in AI&ML. Whereas, among those approved for closures, highest are in civil engineering diploma with 13 followed by mechanical with 12. Padmajabhanu Bandaru, Principal at K J Somaiya polytechnic, said, “Computer engineering is always in great demand and it is followed by AI&ML as students feel that it will be the next best branch to bag employment after diploma. Similarly, a rather new branch of Mechatronics is gaining popularity at diploma level, considering industry demands which require candidates to have knowledge of mechanical and electronics. Thus, many institutes are seen closing traditional mechanical branches to offer this.” Four new courses in Mechatronics have been approved for this academic year. She continued, “But this is true for those seeking employment directly after diploma. But most of the diploma students, especially those from urban set-ups, seek admission to engineering degree courses, after completing diploma and thus make their diploma-branch choices accordingly.” Even as state has now relaxed the branch-specification for direct second year engineering degree admissions after completing diploma, allowing diploma students to take admission to any branch of engineering degree, “the popularity trends among branches of diploma mirror that of engineering degree courses,” said Dr. Gopakumar Thampi, principal of Thadomal Shahani Engineering College. “Students with knowledge of AI&ML are in demand in almost all industries as everywhere these services are now required. For those seeking jobs after diploma, this appears to be a good choice. Whereas for traditional branches like civil and mechanical, the demand is reducing. Even as we see an infrastructural boom in the country, the sector is not recruiting new graduates yet whereas the manufacturing industry too is not growing in India, especially in automobiles, causing reduction in demand for mechanical,” he said. Even as not many institutes are seen taking increase in intake or offering new courses in traditional branches–among the latest approvals, there are 10 new electrical engineering diploma courses. Whereas applications of increase in intake for electronics and telecommunication have been approved for 12 diploma institutes, indicating that they are in demand among students. Dr. Sudhir Bhill, dean, diploma at Veermata Jijabai Technology Institute (VJTI), said, “There are many high-scoring meritorious students in diploma who have taken admission to ensure direct second year degree admission in engineering. These students prefer a good institute, over branch, to be able to bag a good engineering seat. But eventually decisions are made from the perspective of employment wherein the computer engineering sector is the highest contributor.” Nod for 23 new courses As many as 23 new courses have been approved in colleges affiliated to Mumbai by the state government. While highest among them are from the law faculty, there are seven for LLB-three-year courses. While only 1 new LLB-five-year course is approved, seven Master of Law courses have been approved by the government. While there is approval for five new BSc IT courses, there are four in BSc in Data Science.
