Mangaluru: Autonomous colleges and deemed-to-be universities in Dakshina Kannada are witnessing a surge in undergraduate admissions following the announcement of II PU results, with long queues of students and parents seen outside several campuses.College authorities said that the bachelor of computer applications (BCA), has emerged as the most preferred undergraduate course, followed by bachelor of business administration (BBA) and bachelor of commerce (BCom) programmes, especially those linked to professional certifications and emerging technologies.Several colleges have introduced new-age and add-on courses, such as artificial intelligence (AI). Managements said enrolment trends continue to be driven by job-oriented and industry-linked programmes, particularly in commerce, management and computer applications.Ronald Nazareth, registrar, St Aloysius (Deemed to be University), said the institution is seeing high demand for BCA, BCom and BBA. He said computer-based courses are the most preferred, with BCA at the top. In commerce and management streams, specialised programmes such as BCom and BBA with ACCA are drawing strong interest. He added that demand for BSc and BA courses has not picked up yet, and that interest in BSc programmes usually rises only after CET results are announced. He also noted that admissions for NRI students are being handled online, as many are unable to travel to campus.A similar trend is noticed at Alva’s College, Moodubidire. Principal Kurian said the institution has shifted from conventional degree programmes to skill-based education aimed at making students industry-ready. He said the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme combines classroom learning with mandatory on-the-job training, enabling students to earn a degree while gaining industry exposure and a stipend. There is good demand for such programmes, where students spend 1.5 years on campus and the remaining period in industry. Courses such as BSc in clinical psychology and nutrition are also receiving encouraging responses, he notedSr Venessa, principal of St Agnes College, said humanities courses continue to record poor admissions. The institution is also seeing a strong demand for BCom with ACCA, BCA and BCom with AI. The classes are expected to begin in the second week of June.
