Hyderabad is considering a shift in educational focus. For 30 years, policies in the Telugu states have heavily prioritized engineering, sidelining basic sciences and other fields. This focus has led to issues like high capitation fees, similar to other mafias.
A former faculty member from an engineering college in Ranga Reddy revealed that many private colleges ignore regulations. Management quotas in branches like AI, Data Sciences, Robotics, and Machine Learning, as well as Computer Science Engineering, are being sold for Rs 6 to 15 lakh. Srinivas Reddy, an assistant professor in Medchal, notes that this exploits parents eager for their children’s success.
Top institutions in and around Hyderabad charge over Rs 15 to 20 lakh due to their strong placement records. Yet, some colleges fail to pay faculty correctly or return student certificates, blaming the government for not clearing fee reimbursements.
Private colleges manipulate donations, fake ratings, and secure grades with false data, turning engineering into a donation-driven sector. Prof. N. Sridhar (name changed) from an autonomous college in Ranga Reddy argues that colleges aren’t solely to blame. The state and universities should foster interdisciplinary studies to connect diverse fields.
Non-engineering students can explore Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Sciences, as seen in central universities, IITs, and NITs. These institutions demonstrate how combining science, engineering, management, social sciences, and humanities attracts industries.
Breaking down rigid educational structures will make engineering less mystifying and open new job markets for non-engineering students in fields like AI and ML. Offering diverse study options can prevent colleges from exploiting parents and flouting rules, according to a senior faculty member from IIT-H.
