13 points to be considered while selecting a Polytechnic

Polytechnics offer diploma courses after 10^th standard.  Students can start earning soon after completing diploma course or can join higher education to obtain degree. Many people consider diploma to be a less competitive path to the engineering degree.  After completing diploma, students joining degree course through lateral entry can then focus on planning, analyzing and designing aspects of their chosen field.

If you have decided to enroll for the Diploma course then consider these 13 points before finalizing any particular Polytechnic  

1. Government/Aided or Unaided

There's a considerable difference in the fees charged by Government /Aided colleges and Private Polytechnics. Government/Aided polytechnics charge considerably less fees than Private unaided polytechnics. In some cases the difference could be as high as Rs 50000/-

2. Industry Internship 

The need of the hour is a partnership between industry and polytechnics. Industry Internship gives added advantage to students while applying for the jobs. Six to twelve months internship gives very good work experience. Industry prefers such students having one year on job experience in the form of Internship. Students get stipend during the internship if such training is recognized by the Board of Apprenticeship.

3. Alumni Profile

Go through the website of Polytechnic to know about the successful alumni. Strong alumni base and active alumni association will bring in many advantages to the current students in the form of guidance, placement support etc.

4. Industry and Academia Partnerships

Strong linkage with the industry helps in imparting contemporary and industry relevant knowledge to the student which improves chances of employment.

5. Job Placement

Find out the past placement record of the Institute. Getting placed in a good organisation is a tremendous boost to the professional career.

6. Profile of Teachers - Core and Visiting

Do check Institute's website for profile of teaching staff. Prefer a polytechnic which has well qualified and sufficient teaching staff. Do check if polytechnic invites Industry experts regularly to interact with the students.

7. Academic Autonomy

Academic autonomy enables college to keep pace with the changing needs of the Industry by updating its curriculum from time to time. Students in turn are benefited due to such curriculum which meets industry needs and standards.   

8. Awards and Recognition

Awards and recognition speak about the achievements of the college in the past and its continuous efforts to excel.

9. Statutory Compliance and Accreditation

Every year, polytechnics have to obtain Extension of Approval from AICTE. Do check if polytechnic has such course specific approval for the academic year for which you are going to seek admission. Prefer college which has been accredited by NBA at least once in the past.

10. Skill Development Practices

Find out good practices beyond the syllabus that Polytechnic follows to develop skills.

11. Unique/ Unconventional Courses

Apart from regular engineering courses, do look for unique or unconventional courses which have good career prospects. Unconventional courses like Food Technology, Ophthalmic Technology and Administration Services etc have plenty of job opportunities.

12. Intake Capacity

Though AICTE prescribes intake capacity of 60 students per class, there are some polytechnics where intake capacity is either 30 or 40. One can always expect maximum individual attention if the strength is less.  

13. Infrastructures -Laboratory, Library, Hostel

Well-equipped laboratory is important for good hands on training. Good reference library with the internet facility saves lot of running around for your project work, submission and assignments. You find polytechnic of your choice but if it is far from your place of residence then do not hesitate to opt for the Hostel facility. You may end up paying extra towards hostel fees but it is worth investing!