Chennai: Computer science engineering, and electronics and communication engineering are among the top courses preferred by students and parents thronging colleges for management quota admissions this year. Many colleges said they have received more queries for core engineering branches as well.Though the Class XII exam results are yet to be out, anxious parents are queuing up to book management quota seats after tough CBSE maths and physics exams this year. Colleges said the enquiries were up by around 20% compared to the previous year.“There is a huge interest among students and parents for electronics and communication engineering (ECE) this year. It is the new trend. Besides computer science, core engineering courses like mechanical engineering are in good demand,” said Abhay Meganathan, vice-chairman, Rajalakshmi Group of Institutions.Some colleges offer counselling for parents and students, explaining different career options in all engineering courses. “We have about 100 parents and students visiting our colleges every day. Most of them prioritise computer science and AI. Counsellors brief them on different career options, including possible opportunities in courses such as ECE and mechanical engineering,” said Sai Prakash Leo Muthu, CEO of Sri Sairam Engineering College.The counsellors also cite examples of students placed in companies such as Volvo after studying ECE.Some colleges attributed a heightened interest in engineering to the buzz around AI among students.“At our college, we see 20% to 30% more queries for management quota admissions. There is more interest in engineering courses due to the buzz around AI and expectations of new jobs,” said R M Kishore, vice-chairman of RMK Engineering College.SRM Easwari Engineering College principal P Deivasundari said the college received enquiries from more than 40 countries for the NRI quota this year. “Civil and mechanical engineering courses also got many queries this year,” she added.
