Single CET may split COMED-K

Bangalore: The state government's proposal to hold a single Common Entrance Test (CET) is now threatening to split the Consortium of Medical Dental and Engineering Colleges of Karnataka (COMED-K), the representative body of the private professional institutions.

Most private engineering colleges have threatened the COMED-K that they would withdraw their membership, if the body rejects the government proposal for a single CET.
"We are ready for a single CET. We are running four technical institutions and we know the problems of rural colleges. It would be good if we have a single CET and the government conducts it," said Shekhar Swamiji, the head of BGS group of institutions and junior pontiff of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt.

"If the single CET does not happen, then we will think of coming out of the consortium. I will discuss this issue with my senior and take a decision soon," the swamiji added.

Of the 170-odd engineering colleges that are with the COMED-K, most are in rural areas and are finding it difficult to fill their seats every year. Less than 25 of these institutions are in Bangalore. "We don't know the condition of medical colleges, but it has become difficult for us to fill seats through the COMED-K test and we are ready for a single CET," said another official from one of the prestigious institutions on the condition of anonymity.

Dr MG Venkatesh Murthy, technical director, Malnad College of Engineering, Hassan said: "We are ready to accept a single CET. We are also ready to withdraw our COMED-K membership to facilitate the same."

These colleges gave vent to their ire over the state of affairs in the COMED-K at a meeting organised by the Karnataka Examinations Authority (KEA) here on Friday.
A representative from Vivekananda College of Engineering and Technology in Puttur of Dakshina Kannada district said, "Last year, out of the 105 seats in our college, only one seat could be filled through COMED-K. I don't think we are getting any benefit from the consortium and it is better to go in for a single CET."

According to sources in KEA, a few college managements have contacted the higher education minister and the principal secretary of higher education department and expressed their support for a single CET.

"After discussions with the managements, the minister said he will appoint a committee to look into the issue. On behalf of all the engineering colleges who are for a single CET, I request the minister to consider representatives from rural colleges instead of entertaining the city managements," stated the principal of a reputed engineering college on the condition of anonymity.

Each member-college pays nearly Rs 50,000 for COMED-K every year. Some college managements alleged that COMED-K is not giving much publicity to its entrance test to admit students to undergraduate courses. The engineering colleges which are extending their support to a single CET and are ready to come out of COMED-K want the government to amend the KEA Act and allow even students from outside Karnataka to take the test.

source: www.dnaindia.com