CET-KEA Pre-Counseling and Career Guidance Program

Under the auspices of Paryaya Shri Kaniyoor Mutt; Shri Sode Vadiraja Mutt Education Trust (SSVMET), Udupi and Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology & Management (SMVITM), Bantakal, Udupi jointly organised CET pre-counseling and career guidance program at Rajangana in Udupi on 24^th May 2015. The major objective of the program was to give guidance to students who had cleared their PUC exams in general and those who had appeared for the Common Entrance Test (CET) 2015 conducted by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) in particular in getting admission to undergraduate programs, especially to professional courses.

The resource persons Prof. S. N. Bhat, from the Department of Electronics & Communication Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, made a presentation on Prospects and Challenges of pursuing a Career in Engineering, Medical & Allied Fields and Mr. G. C. Niranjan, KEA Nodal Officer for Davanagere District, highlighted on CET Counseling Process: What is new this year?

Prof. Bhat, during his presentation, gave an overview of the career-oriented undergraduate courses in medicine, engineering, general science, arts, accounts and management and explained the relative job prospects and benefits of most of the courses. He said that there had been a shift from unemployment to unemployability in the recent years and it was very important for students to choose careers that would make them employable.  One’s goals, interests, personality, interest attitudes etc. should be some of the parameters in choosing one’s career.

During his session, Mr. Niranjan explained the nitty-gritty of CET counseling for the current year and clarified many doubts such as the allotment of seats under CET counseling, the documents to be produced at the verification stage, payment and conditions for refund of the fees, what SNQ means, how to verify the credentials of the institute/college before taking admission etc. raised by professional course aspirants and their parents who attended the program. He also clarified that no students or parents should panic when the allotted seats had not been of their chosen college and branch during first round allotment, as the surrendered seats by the private colleges would be available for option entries only during the second or subsequent rounds.

Making a brief presentation, profile of a Promising, Prospective Engineering Institution: SMVITM, Bantakal, Prof. Dr. Radhakrishna S. Aithal, Principal of SMVITM detailed the major distinguishing features of the Institute. Some of the highlights of his presentation were former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s visit to SMITM and his interaction with the students; rupees one crore R&D grant to the institute received from the Department of Commerce & Industry, Government of Karnataka for developing process equipment in cashew nut industry; the innovation lab set up at the Electronics & Communication Engineering Department; the institute’s association with reputed companies for training and placement of the students; various project grants received by the students and the consistently excellent results made by the institute in the university examinations.

Mr. Ratnakumar, Secretary, SSVMET reiterated the trust’s commitment to offer affordable quality education to the weaker and down-trodden sections of society and quoted the examples of a  few socially and economically backward students who were generously supported by the trust and able to do extremely well  in their PUC examinations.

H. H. Shri Vidyavallabha Theertha Swamiji of Paryaya Shri Kaniyoor Mutt, Udupi inaugurated the program. Dr. B Radheshyam, Head of Department of Civil Engineering welcomed the gathering and Dr. Vasudeva, Head of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering proposed a vote of thanks. The function commenced with invocation from Ms. Usha H., Ms. Sowmya Bhat and Ms. Prajnamala Rao compeered the programme.