Mathematics, Physics to assume importance in engineering admns
   Date :03-Apr-2021

Mathematics, Physics to a
 
 
No mention from AICTE of exclusion of Maths, Physics in entrance exam
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has never said, subjects like Physics, Mathematics would not be given the required importance during the admissions to engineering courses. AICTE has only opened opportunities, created a flexible model for the young students. AICTE has thought about the students who have less awareness or subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics being not available in small towns and remote areas should not be left out in the truest sense of national ethos of access and equity, pointed out Dr Rajendra Kakde, Advisor -I (Approval Bureau) of AICTE.
 
Dr Kakde talked to ‘The Hitavada’ over recent dispute on the issue of alleged exclusion of Physics and Mathematics from the engineering admission process. Nowhere has AICTE mentioned entrance exam should not be in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry. Every state has to decide in which subjects they wish to have entrance exam depending on which branch of engineering admission is sought. Same with the JEE (Joint Engineering Entrance). AICTE is not interfering in the autonomy of universities and they are free to decide. In fact, new concept for admissions should be to test aptitude rather than subject knowledge which anyways would be delivered during the curriculum and desired outcomes achieved and tested through accreditation.
 
“This year there are 14 options provided in Approval Process Handbook (APH). Now, out of 14 subjects at class XI, XII, if a student has not done a certain subject which is essential for the study of a specific discipline of engineering, then student shall be required to take that such pre-requisite additional course before joining the degree programme or at least in the very first year of engineering before proceeding to learn advanced courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology which are part of Model AICTE curriculum for different engineering courses. All engineering courses follow thereafter. Hence there is neither dilution nor escape from doing enough Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology before graduating and emphasis is on outcomes rather than inputs. All such students shall have to go through entrance as decided by JEE, CET of respective states and do these subjects in the very first year, even if it amounts to an extra year of study.
The limited flexibility of chemistry being optional from 2003 is not the only one isolated case followed for years,” said Dr Kakde.
 
Dr Kakde made it clear, “The recent news items and articles mentioning Mathematics and Physics not necessary for engineering education is totally misplaced and erroneous assumption. The subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics were mandatory for admissions in engineering till 2003 and in 2003 Chemistry was made optional with Biotechnology, Biology and Computer Science as alternatives and more subjects were added from time to time. In fact, when such liberal attitude was taken, which was progressive, unfortunately learning of additional course of pre-requisite chemistry was not made mandatory.”
 
A Working Group under the chairmanship of Prof. K.K. Aggarwal was constituted on May 14, 2019 to relook at the entry level subject criteria and include subjects other than Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics for the entrance exams to UG courses of Engineering and Technology, in view of the new subjects emerging at the intersection with pharmaceutical, medical, agriculture and life sciences. Dr Kakde further said, “Class X plus three-year diploma students were being admitted directly in the second year with lot of gaps in Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry (their level being that of Class X Mathematics and Science with very little additional P, C, M during Diploma) vis-à-vis those Class XI, XII science stream students with full 2 years (4 semesters equivalent of PCM) and additional two semesters of Mathematics, Physics and one semester of Chemistry (in the first year of engineering) for over 3 decades. These supernumerary seats were even increased from 10% to 20%, filling of vacant seats of first year permitted and several special direct second year divisions for direct second year entry for Diploma students provided. Many passionate Diploma students not only completed degree in 3 years, some even topped the university and did well in industry too thorough sheer hard work. Thus, this flexibility alone helped them to choose an option of engineering degree.”
 
Dr Kakde mentioned a very valid point. He said, “In the last 4 years of 5+3+3+4 enough mandatory Mathematics and Science subjects will take care of these abilities. But effective and efficient application oriented teaching of Mathematics is important which unfortunately many a times keeps students away from Mathematics. AICTE has taken initiative for training teachers. The provision of multiple choices in the NEP has been rightly interpreted providing access and equity.”
 
AICTE has not undermined importance of Mathematics, Physics and even Chemistry and Biology. The Bridge programmes shall be as many and as much as necessary so as to create sufficient mathematics or sciences background. How did lateral entry diploma students with only 10th class Mathematics/Science successfully did entire engineering for over three decades even without bridge courses, questioned Dr Kakde.