RAJAHMUNDRY: Experts cleared the doubts of the candidates, who are going to appear for the EAMCET counselling, during The Hindu E-Plus Career Counselling held here on Wednesday. The aspirants were told that there was no difference between Computer Science Engineering and Information Technology branches. They were advised to focus mainly on the college and choose the best. Experts from different branches, students and parents in good numbers attended the programme.

Inaugurating the session, S.S.N. Murthy, Principal of Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology (GIET), said that novel ideas and compatibility were important for any engineering student.

Laying stress on innovation, he advised the students to choose the branch keeping it in mind.

V. Vijayakumar, Head of the Department of CSE, GIET, said that both IT and CSE were same. When the managements had requested for increase in the CSE seats, the AICTE had not given permission and the former created a new branch called IT to fill the extra seats.

A majority of the participants enquired about chemical, mechanical and bio-technology branches and their prospects. S.S.N. Raju, HOD of Bio-Technology and Vice-Principal of GIET, answered all the questions posed by students Gayatri, Malavika, Meghana, Navaneet and many others. Mr. Raju said that bio-technology was a multi-disciplinary area and it was the area in which economic growth was seen in the last few years. He said there were 3,500 professionals working in bio-technology and another 6,500 candidates were required to work in this field. He said Food Technology Research Institute, Mysore, was offering dairy development course, but after completion of bachelors degree in bio-technology any post-graduate course in allied subject was preferable. He said that there was dearth of chemical engineers and pharmacy students to work in pharmaceutical companies and chemical factories.

When some students asked how to select the best college, Papaiah Naidu, senior professor in EEE and V.V. Krishna, Principal, CIET, said that well-equipped laboratories, experienced faculty, management with good academic environment, enquiries with old students, colleges with JKC centre, NAC accreditation and AICTE approval were the important aspects in choosing the best college. Mr. Papaiah Naidu also said that there was a demand for EEE students in power plants, AP Genco, Transco, BSNL, NTPC, steel plant and other areas.

Communication skills

Alice Mary, senior faculty of EEE, Vignan Institute of Engineering, Visakhapatnam, said that there should also be focus on behavioural and managerial skills, aptitude and other communication skills. She explained how the Vignan institute was moulding the engineering students.

Dhanraj, Principal of GIET Pharmacy College, said there was a lot of potential for pharma students within the country and outside. While joining in any pharma college, it was important to see whether the college was having recognition of the Pharmacy Council of India or not.

State Bank of India put up a stall for extending education loans to students. K. Chandra Sekharan, Regional General Manager of The Hindu, Vijayawada, K.V. Ravi Kumar, Regional Manager (advertisement) and Satyanarayana (circulation) participated.