Unleashing a quantitative approach to manage admissions in engineering: a case of the North Indian state

Abstract

Purpose

The growth and prosperity of a nation depends upon its ability to innovate technologically and engineering has erupted as a fundamental chauffer of this essence, since last couple of eras. But recent decline in engineering admissions triggers the downfall in skilled labor, which can cause recession in industries or can ultimately lead to economic crisis. This study tries to illustrate the present status of engineering-related education, particularly in India and tends to skim the various parameters that affect the enrollment of students among higher education institutes, directly or indirectly.

Design/methodology/approach

A unique approach had been unleashed to tackle the nuisance of low admission among Indian engineering colleges or universities. Factors reviewed from the literature were further prioritized quantitatively after distributing suitable questionnaires among a relevant set of engineering aspirants. The “survey form” used was tactically designed on the basis of response surface methodology (RSM), which analyzed the data captured in Minitab statistical software and deducted logical inferences to optimize the “critical-to-admission” (CTA) factors, applicably.

Findings

A case study was successfully executed in a North Indian state to prove the efficacy of proposed methodology as far as downtrend in admission was concerned. This study was a rare blend of questionnaire-based work, where design of experiments principles had been utilized exclusively. It provided significant findings on how to earmark different admission-decisive factors along with their required prioritization.

Practical implications

It can further help the universities and higher education institutes to draft their indispensable professional policies and vision–mission statements, appropriately.

Originality/value

Quantitative studies in the service sector (like higher education) are quite rare to see. The present work is not only providing a roadmap for engineering institutions to boost their admissions in upcoming challenging times but it also acts as a light house for new students as it provides necessary guidelines for shortlisting colleges or universities while seeking admission for higher studies.

Citation

Singh, B.J., Sodhi, H.S. and Rippin (2021), "Unleashing a quantitative approach to manage admissions in engineering: a case of the North Indian state", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 684-709. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-06-2020-0174