VIJAYAWADA: The attempt of Andhra University authorities to launch innovative courses landed students of the five-year integrated engineering courses in trouble with several companies participating in the campus recruitment refusing to recognise the degree. Irked at the development, over 400 students of Andhra University Engineering College staged a dharna in front of the principal’s office here Friday and refused to heed until the vice-chancellor assured them of placements by talking to the representatives of the companies.
Students alleged that during the recently-conducted campus recruitment, the multi-national companies refused to allow students of the integrated engineering courses to participate in the recruitment. “None of my friends seeking employment in software industry, was allowed to appear for the examination conducted by a multinational company and were denied employment. If the employers do not recognise our degree, what is the use of this course? ” said Kranthi, a final year Civil Engineering student.
Parents too joined the students in the protests and demanded an explanation from college principal PS Avadhani over non-recruitment of their children.
Later, vice-chancellor GSN Raju and Avadhani explained to the parents and students that the allegations that the companies coming for campus recruitments would be properly briefed about the new courses being conducted by the University. “The company might have refused to recruit the students of integrated courses as they are overqualified when compared to BTech students. We shall ensure that all students get placements in the campus recruitments,” said GSN Raju.