JOIN USOn the other hand, the conventional Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and Masters in Commerce (MCom) have regained their popularity among the student community.
A few years ago, the degrees in Commerce had almost disappeared from prospectus of the colleges, paving way for the management courses, due to demand for MBA graduates in the market. Following the economic recession, hiring of Management degree holders has come down and avenues have opened up for the Commerce graduates in government and private sectors, say teachers in the degree colleges.
There are no takers for the Management courses in as many as 35 colleges, including 11 affiliated to Davangere University in Chitradurga and Davangere districts. The colleges are able to fill up only five to 10 seats of the total 60 seats for the BBM courses.
In the reputed colleges such as AVK Women’s College, Dhavans College, Chethana Institute of Management, the BBM courses have poor student strength while applications for admissions to BCom have increased. In more than 60 colleges affiliated to Davangere University, the demand for BCom is on the rise over the past three years.
Prof G T Govindappa, Dean of Commerce, Davangere University, said now the demand for MCom courses has also increased in the district. The University received more than 2,000 applications for 450 MCom seats this academic year, he told Deccan Herald.
To cope with increased number of students, the University has divided classes into two sections for the total 140 students, he said. The colleges in the small towns such as Channagiri and Hosadurga also have full strength for the Commerce courses.
The University has recently permitted a private college for women to start another section for MCom.
Another reason for the BBM course to lose popularity is hefty fee. Each student has to pay Rs 15,000 extra for admission to 1st year BBM course. Besides, the BBM syllabus is in English, which is a tough nut to crack for students, majority from rural areas. For BCom, the resource materials are easily available in Kannada and hence it becomes an easy choice as well.
Secretary of Management Courses and Professional Colleges Association Veeresh Dhavan said BCom graduates get admission to BEd for which BBM degree holders are not eligible.
Commerce has become popular due to the opportunities for the degree holders in both government and private sectors. When the Karnataka Public Service Commission recently invited applications from the MCom graduates for various posts, the response was very poor, which indicated the scope for the MCom students, said Prof Indumathi, Vice Chancellor of Davangere University.