Computer Science tops Kerala engineering admissions as AI courses gain popularity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Computer Science has emerged as the most sought-after engineering branch in Kerala this year, with the majority of students opting for it during the engineering admission process. According to APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU) Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ciza Thomas, the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly increased the demand for Computer Science courses.

Speaking to Kerala Kaumudi, Prof. Ciza Thomas said AI is now influencing almost every branch of engineering. She added that many students are also interested in taking AI as a minor course, even if they are enrolled in other engineering disciplines.

In the first allotment, most of the top-ranked students chose Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and its related specialisations. Courses such as Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and Data Science, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI & ML) have seen particularly high demand.

The availability of better job opportunities, both in India and abroad, has also made these courses more attractive. Most students with top entrance ranks preferred Computer Science and its allied branches. At the Government College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET), the last rank admitted to the Computer Science programme was 388.

The trend is similar in self-financing colleges as well. Dr Biju Ramesh, President of the Self-Financing Engineering College Management Association, said Computer Science seats have been filled in most colleges. He added that Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence courses have no vacancies, while admissions to AI Engineering seats in self-financing colleges were completed nearly a month ago. Colleges continue to receive applications for these programmes.

After Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Electronics Engineering are the next most preferred branches. In contrast, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering have witnessed lower demand this year. Engineering admissions are being conducted for 141 colleges across Kerala, including 18 government colleges, 28 government-controlled self-financing colleges, and 98 self-financing institutions.

Wide range of AI-focused courses
Apart from Computer Science, students are showing strong interest in specialised courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, Robotics, Cyber-Physical Systems, Cyber Security, Business Systems and Internet of Things (IoT).

"The next ten years are expected to belong to Artificial Intelligence. That is why Computer Science is witnessing such high demand."
- Prof. Ciza Thomas
Vice Chancellor,
APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University (KTU)