Anna University drops Tamil-medium BE mechanical, civil engineering programmes

NEW DELHI: Anna University has discontinued admission in undergraduate English and Tamil-medium engineering degree courses across its 11 affiliated colleges. According to an official notice issued on May 20 by Center of Academic Studies, Anna University accessed by Careers360, “The university has temporarily suspended [them] with effect from 2023-24 academic year onwards, as approved by 29th Academic Council meeting.”

Anna University introduced undergraduate engineering courses in Tamil language to cater to students who have completed their schooling in Tamil-medium in 2010. I Arul Aram, president, Anna University Teachers’ Association (AUTA) finds this situation unfortunate. He said, “The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam led government in the state started Tamil medium courses for students who love learning in Tamil and can understand the language. Though it was a great mission, now it has closed down.”

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The undergraduate courses include BE in mechanical and civil engineering taught in Tamil and English medium. Further, one BE in electrical and electronics engineering (EEE) course taught in English-medium has also been discontinued at University College of Engineering (UCE), Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu. Other colleges include UCE, Arni, Tindivanam, Villipuram, Dindigul, Ramanathapuram, Ariyalur, Panruti, Pattukkottai, Nagercoil and Thoothukudi.

Engineering in Tamil: Dropping numbers, no teachers

Aram observed that the trend of students opting for IT-focussed courses like BTech computer science, electronics and electrical engineering is still continuing, but civil and mechanical have no takers, especially in Tamil-medium.

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In 2021, UCE, Thoothukudi had admitted only three students in undergraduate civil engineering Tamil medium department. In 2010, this number was 56.

Aram pointed out that teachers are not trained enough to teach in Tamil well at these colleges. “While there is not much training happening for teachers, they are not motivated enough to teach or push students to learn in Tamil,” he added. There is also a lack of proper counselling for students.

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Recently, according to reports, a government order has been issued by the director of private schools, school education department that all private schools affiliated to boards, other than state board, have to mandatorily teach Tamil as an additional compulsory language. Aram said, “Despite the state promoting Tamil language, the notion of doing engineering degree in Tamil has yet not penetrated enough on the grassroots.”

Lack of permanent teachers at these affiliated colleges is another possible reason for the discontinuation. “Though the affiliated colleges of Anna University have great infrastructure, several colleges have yet not appointed permanent teachers in good numbers,” said Aram.