In Andhra Pradesh, Core Industry and IT Industry require the workforce to support the technical domain activities. For providing technical support, candidates with diploma background will play a very important role. Industry has also identified the very much need for the Diploma Holders. A.P. State Board of Technical Education has been conducting Common Entrance Examination for Polytechnic Courses (CEEP) every year. This Year CEEP 2009 was held on 29th April 2009.

AP State Board of Technical Education has geared up its machinery to mould the students, who can match to requirements of the Industry by designing the course curriculum, by providing the practical exposure to students for making them Industry-ready. The Career Guide met the Convener, CEEP 2009 to know more details about these issues.

The Career Guide: How do you find the trend towards opting for CEEP in 2009?

P.T. Prabhakar: It is quite encouraging. In fact last year we received about 1,45,000 applications for CEEP 2008 and this year, the figure has gone up to 1,94,930.

TCG: That mean to say, approximately 50,000 more candidates have applied this time!

PTP: Yes, that’s true. This increase is caused as a result of opening new Polytechnic Colleges.

TCG: How many Polytechnic Colleges are functioning as of now?

PTP: As on today, there are 94 Colleges run by the Government and 41 Colleges are run by the
Private Managements in A.P.

TCG: How many new Polytechnic Colleges have been sanctioned by hte Government?

PTP: In fact, the Government sanctioned 32 new Polytechnic Colleges last year itself.

TCG: How many seats are offered by all these colleges covered by CEEP 2009?

PTP: CEEP 2009 accommodates around 37000 candidates under different branches.

TCG: When are the CEEP 2009 results expected?

PTP: CEEP 2009 results are expected some time around 10th - 15th May 2009.

TCG: How about the counseling schedule for admission into Polytechnic Colleges?

PTP: The dates for counseling schedule will be announced later.

TCG: Many employers (of Industry) say that there is a dire need for Diploma Holders in Industry. How do you plan to project yourstudents into Industry?

PTP: In fact, we are focusing this issue vehemently. Having identified the need for the diploma holders in the Industry, we have restructured the course curriculum, making it more dynamic.

TCG: What are those changes made in the curriculum?

PTP: The 3-year Diploma Program is condensed to two and half years only. The last 6 months
period is meant for a compulsory Industry Internship Program.

TCG: How do you define this restructured program as a relevant one?

PTP: By making the final 6 months period as compulsory Industry Internship Program, the students will get acquainted with the Industry Practices and they get exposed to what exactly they should learn and practice at workplace.

TCG: Is there any Spot Admission process in CEEP 2009 also?

PTP: No, I do not predict this now because, last year new colleges were sanctioned and there was a sudden increase in the intake. There were a few seats left over even after the end of counseling schedule. Then we allowed Spot Admission Process to fill those leftover seats. But this time I don’t think the situation will repeat.