Calling upon students to pursue engineering courses at government colleges, Principal of Karnataka Polytechnic, Mangaluru, Harisha Shetty, said that the government colleges were providing quality technical education at affordable cost to students.

He was speaking at The Hindu EducationPlus Career Counselling Fair 2026 held at the Sri Sudhindra Auditorium of Canara High School, Dongarkery, in Mangaluru on Saturday.

Speaking about seat selection process conducted by Karnataka Examination Authority (KEA), Mr. Shetty said seat allocation for medicine courses is done by the KEA based on ranking provided by NEET. “Seats in Medicine are offered only on basis of NEET ranking. Do not fall to agents who seek money by offering medicine seats of different institutes,” he said.

There were enough engineering seats on offer. Aspirants can get seats by taking part in the seat selection process conducted by KEA, after announcement of ranks by taking into consideration 50% of marks each in the 2nd year Pre University and the Common Entrance Test. Aspirants can get seats in the courses they want to pursue. Over 13,000 engineering seats remained unfilled after completion of seat selection process in 2025.

On the question of parents booking seats for their wards by paying advance amount in different private engineering colleges before the start of seat selection process, Mr. Shetty said parents were doing this seeing the prospects of companies coming to college to offer jobs for students.

“The companies now look for individual skill of candidates, which can be gained by students by studying in any of the engineering colleges. Students from the coastal region can consider pursuing engineering from Government Engineering College in Kushalnagar of Madikeri district and in Government Polytechnic in Karwar of Uttara Kannada district, which provide quality education at affordable cost,” he said.

Career in medicine

Medical Superintendent of Government Lady Goschen Hospital,Mangaluru, M.R. Durgraprasad, said students should pursue career in medicine only if they have heart to understand the pain of patients. Dr. Durgaprasad spoke about various facilities provided at the Lady Goschen Hospital for lactating mothers, new born babies and their care givers.

R.G.Dsouza, Dean, Faculty of Engineeing and Technology, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru, spoke about engineering courses.

Chartered Accountants Ramya Rao and Vinayaka Pai spoke about career prospects of chartered accountants. Career counsellor Syed Sadath Pasha, spoke on different degree courses and about selection exams conducted by KPSC, UPSC and Defense Services.

The following are sponsors of the event

Platinum Sponsors: The Institute Chartered Accountants of India, Presidency University, Reva University.

Gold Sponsor: CMR University, Chanakya University, East Point Group of Institutions, Hindustan Group of Institutions, Chennai, Ramaiah College of Law.

Silver Sponsorship: ACS College of Engineering, Alliance University, Adichunchanagiri University, B.G. Nagar, BLDE Association, Vijayapura, Bheemanna Khandre Institute of Technology (BKIT), Balki, Bidar, Credila, IIBS, IDP, JSS Science & Technology University, Mysuru, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Mysuru, Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, Khaja Bandanawaz University, Kammavaari Sangham Group of Institutions, Karnataka Bank, KLE Technological University, Hubballi, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Rajarajeswari College of Engineering, Shri Madhava Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management, Soundarya Institute of Management & Science, SDM Educational Society (R), Ujire, Shanthivana Trust, Dharmasthala, Sharn Basva University, Kalaburagi, Shaheen Group of Institutions, Bidar, Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysuru, Navkis College of Engineering, Hassan.

Associate Sponsors: Hyderabad Karnataka Education Society, Kalaburagi, Azim Premji University, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Mahindra University, MS College of Engineering, VTU Visveswaraya Technological University, Belagavi, Canara Engineering College, Mangaluru.

Regional Sponsors: Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Royal College of Management Studies.