Girls opting for medicine over engineering

Engineering is the field which attracts large number of students every year, but it is losing its sheen among female candidates. The pre-engineering test (PET) has been witnessing only nearly 20% participation from girls every year, besides the number of female students taking pre-medical test is almost 50% of the entire lot.

According to Madhya Pradesh Association of Technical Professional and Institutes (MPATPI), computer science and electronics communication have been most sought after among all choices for girls engineering. However, given the low scope for placements after passing out in these disciplines, the number of girls taking admission into such courses is also decreasing.

B S Yadav, spokesperson of MPATPI, said, “Girls don't have to work outside in streams like computer science, electronics and communication-making these engineering branches a favourite among them. Branches like mechanical and civil are not highly preferred.”

Accepting the point regarding decreasing interest of girl candidates for engineering studies, vice-chancellor of Rajiv Gandhi Prodhyogiki Vishwavidyalya (RGPV), professor Piyush Trivedi said, “I have a deep concern over the issue. There is an urgent need to attract girls for the engineering studies.”

To bring about a change in the trend, RGPV has introduced special scholarship for girls starting from this year. He said, “We have launched a scheme where top 50 female performers in PET will be given Rs 25,000 each as annual scholarships.” He also recommended in a letter to MPATPI for making at least one seat free for girls students in each college.

In 2011, 100, 229 candidates appeared for PET where only 21,864 were girls. On the other side, PMT has witnessed the participation of 11, 447 girls out of 23,998 candidates. This year too just 22,223 girls participated in PET out of 1, 02, 748 candidates. In PMT, 34,574 candidates appeared of which 17,000 were girls.