Dr G Parameswar, Minister of State for Higher Education and Science
and Technology is a young and energetic colleague to Karnataka
Chief
Minister, S M Krishna. Treading the foot steps of the Chief Minister,
Dr Parameswar has also recognised the importance of Computer education
as a tool to bring prosperity to the society. Dr Parameswar holds
a doctoral degree in agricultural sciences and has won credentials
as a sportsperson during his student days. He is also the Vice President
of Karantaka Pradesh Congress Committee. In an interview to bangalorebest.com
he described the IT revolution in Karnataka as a boon to the youth.
Nowadays, IT careers have become popular. What bearing has this
had on the higher education scenario in the state?
Nowadays, everybody is aware that to get employment it is important
to have an IT education as well, in addition to a relevant degree.
If you are an IT expert, getting a job is easy nowadays. With the
IT revolution in the state, there is a change in the entire social
outlook. The IT revolution in the state has helped the youth considerably,
especially those below 35 years. It is an opportunity to mould their
careers. In fact, the IT boom has opened up new opportunities for
the youth besides changing the economy of the state and country as
well.
It has been reported that engineering seats are not being filled
up in the state engineering colleges in recent years. Is it the result
of the IT revolution?
No. It is not just the result of an IT boom. Here, demand plays a
vital role. The demand and supply formula applies to all engineering
courses. Today, IT courses have more scope and demand, hence students
join those courses.
How many Engineering colleges are there in Karnataka?
In Karnataka there are 82 engineering colleges. A few more new colleges
are to be added in the near future.
Which are the engineering courses that are very much in demand?
In engineering courses, Electronics, Telecommunications and all IT
Science courses like MCA are popular nowadays. 
What about plans to open up new engineering colleges in the near
future? The State Government intends to open up 40 more new engineering
colleges in Karnataka, but it requires a clearance from the All India
Council of Technical Education (AICTE). Once the AICTE permits all
the 40 colleges, the State will have 80 plus 40 more engineering colleges.
With the exception of IT graduates, other engineering graduates
find it difficult getting jobs. Why is this so and how can the problem
be solved?
Engineering graduates should not sit idle. If they are unemployed,
let them switch over to other jobs.
A large percentage of our technicians and research scholars go
away abroad and India is the loser. How can we retain our bright minds?
I don't think India is a loser on that front. Whoever is capable of
utilizing their acquired knowledge and abilities abroad should go.
Let our bright minds utilise the opportunities world wide. Isolation
is not an answer to the spread of knowledge, prosperity and technology.
At the higher education level, the courses available in India
are very limited, whereas abroad there is a greater choice of courses.
How can the situation be rectified in India?
No. I do not agree with this statement. There are plenty of courses
for enthusiastic students at the higher education level. In our universities,
every course is available, including art and science subjects. There
are also courses in foreign languages; for example, French language
courses are also available at the state universities.
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