Not many takers for ANU post-graduate courses

GUNTUR: The number of students pursuing post graduation courses is on the decline in Guntur and Krishna districts in recent years causing a serious concern.  The Acharya Nagarjuna University PG entrance test for the academic year 2011-12, did not evoke a good response this time. Of the total 9,598 PG seats in the university and its affiliated PG centres, 2,716 seats have got filled only. In 30 affiliated colleges, not even a single student has joined the PG courses. The strength of PG students in 74 colleges is a mere 10 each only. If the same trend continues,the authorities will be forced to discontinue some courses.Some engineering and other professional colleges which were brought under the purview of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University-Kakinada, have started demanding autonomous status.University OSD N Samuel said varsities should evolve new policies to augment their revenue. The varsity is getting good revenue from its engineering, architecture and pharmacy colleges.   Earlier, 525 colleges were affiliated to Nagarjuna University. After setting up of Krishna University, 106 colleges were delinked and affiliated to the new varsity. Though the university is offering a course in nano technology with an intake of 24 seats, not even a single student has joined the course.University Directorate of Admissions chief Prof Muralimohan attributed the decline in patronage to PG courses to the growing craze for professional courses.